This bill requires U.S. universities seeking federal research funding to certify that they do not operate permanent branch campuses in specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and others. The legislation defines a branch campus as a separate location that offers degree programs and has its own faculty and administrative control. If a university operates such a campus in a listed nation, it would be ineligible to receive federal research awards. The list of restricted countries also allows the Secretary of State to add additional nations as appropriate.
The Living Wage For All Act raises the federal minimum wage in a tiered schedule, requiring large corporations to reach $25 per hour by 2031 while giving smaller businesses a longer timeline to catch up. Once the standard is met, the law automatically indexes the minimum wage to two-thirds of the national median hourly wage to ensure it keeps pace with economic changes. The bill also eliminates the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and youth workers, phasing them out until they match the general standard, and extends similar protections to incarcerated workers. Additionally, the legislation restricts the issuance of special minimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities and mandates that employers provide technical assistance during the transition period.
The Early Access to Screening Act mandates that Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance plans cover annual screening mammograms for women aged 30 and older without any out-of-pocket costs. Starting January 1, 2026, these plans must pay the full cost of the procedure, while coverage for women under 30 remains prohibited. The bill also establishes a rule preventing women over 29 from receiving more than one screening mammogram within an 11-month window. By amending federal laws governing public and private health coverage, the legislation ensures consistent, free access to this preventive care for the specified demographic.
The Second Look Act of 2026 allows federal courts to reduce prison sentences for individuals who have served at least 10 years in custody for offenses carrying a term of more than 10 years. To qualify, a defendant must demonstrate that they are no longer a danger to the community and are ready to reenter society, with special consideration given to those aged 50 or older who face a legal presumption in their favor for release. The process requires a formal application, a hearing where evidence regarding rehabilitation and age-related decline in criminality is presented, and the appointment of a lawyer for those who cannot afford one. If approved, the court may shorten the prison term while maintaining the original period of supervised release, and the United States Sentencing Commission will publish annual reports on the number of people granted or denied these reductions.
This bill authorizes the Attorney General to create a grant program that funds community-based organizations to establish "One Stop Shop" centers for formerly incarcerated individuals. These centers would provide a single location for comprehensive services, including job training, housing assistance, legal aid, and mental health support, while requiring applicants to develop needs assessments and plans for transportation and stakeholder collaboration. Additionally, the legislation authorizes funding for toll-free, 24/7 hotlines that connect people in need with local reentry resources and offer guidance on navigating the system. The program includes strict requirements for data collection and reporting to Congress to track outcomes such as recidivism rates and employment success, with a preference for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals to run these initiatives.
This bill, known as the Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act, modifies federal laws to adjust how children are processed within the juvenile justice system. It raises the minimum age for federal juvenile delinquency proceedings from 12 to 13 and increases the age threshold for transferring older juveniles to adult criminal court from 15 to 16, with specific exceptions for serious violent crimes. The legislation also requires courts to consider factors such as a child's exposure to trauma and their role in an offense before deciding on transfers or sentencing. Additionally, the bill mandates the collection of detailed statistics on children in federal custody and authorizes grants to help state agencies better coordinate between child welfare and juvenile justice systems to support vulnerable youth.
The Truth in National Parks Act requires that interpretive and educational materials in national parks be historically and culturally accurate and consistent with the parks' foundational documents. It restricts the National Park Service from removing, editing, or obscuring such materials unless they are being updated or new exhibits are being added, a process that must include consultation with relevant groups like Indian Tribes. The law also mandates that any historically accurate materials altered between January 20, 2025, and the bill's enactment be restored within 180 days. Additionally, the bill directs a government report on co-stewardship agreements between Indigenous communities and federal agencies to be submitted to Congress within one year.
This joint resolution (SJRES 124) directs the President to remove U.S. military forces from Cuba unless Congress has declared war or specifically authorized military action against Cuba. It applies to all current operations in Cuba, including Coast Guard enforcement activities, which the resolution defines as "hostilities" under the War Powers Resolution. The bill asserts Congress holds the sole constitutional authority to authorize military force under Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. It does not prevent defensive actions against imminent attacks or lawful counternarcotics operations.
HR 6373 modifies the Clean Air Act to create new permitting flexibility for specific facilities. It allows the President to waive certain emission offset requirements for new or modified semiconductor manufacturing facilities or critical mineral facilities (like those processing lithium or cobalt) if deemed necessary for national security. States can also permit these facilities to use alternative offset methods - such as paying an emissions fee capped at 1.5 times local control costs - if all standard offsets are exhausted, with fees required to fund further emissions reductions in the area. The bill directly affects advanced manufacturing and critical mineral operations seeking streamlined permitting.
The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 creates a new funding source to help states, tribes, and local governments improve urban tree canopies, with a specific focus on reducing disparities in areas affected by historical discrimination and poverty. To receive these funds, eligible entities must conduct tree assessments, engage with local communities, and design projects using climate science to ensure trees are properly planted and maintained. The legislation prioritizes funding for neighborhoods with high poverty rates, low existing tree cover, or higher summer temperatures, while also supporting community-led food production through trees. Additionally, the bill expands the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to include members representing small towns and low-income communities.
The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 would allow unpaid family members who care for chronically dependent relatives to earn Social Security credits as if they were working. To qualify, a caregiver must provide at least 80 hours of care per month to a relative under age 12 or an adult with significant daily needs, such as help with eating, bathing, or managing finances. The law treats these caregiving months as if the individual earned wages, potentially increasing their future retirement benefits or those of their surviving family members. Starting in 2027, caregivers would need to submit an application with medical documentation and certify their status annually to receive these deemed wages.
The HELP Separated Children Act directs the Department of Homeland Security to identify parents of U.S. children during immigration enforcement actions and ensures they can make phone calls to arrange care for their children. It requires officials to notify child welfare agencies only when a parent cannot arrange care for their child or when there is an imminent risk of harm to the child. The bill also mandates that detained parents be allowed regular contact with their children, participate in family court proceedings, and be considered for release if it serves the child's best interests. Additionally, the legislation requires federal employees involved in these actions to receive training on minimizing trauma to children and establishes a system for collecting data on how the law is implemented.
