The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes Congress to award a gold medal to individuals who fought for or with the United States in the Pacific theater during World War II and were taken as prisoners of war. This recognition specifically honors those who participated in the defense of Bataan and Corregidor, including Filipino soldiers and civilians who served alongside American forces, as well as nurses and other personnel who endured the Bataan Death March and subsequent imprisonment. The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike the medal, which will be presented to the Smithsonian Institution for display, while also permitting the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.
This bill, known as the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026, prohibits physicians from performing abortions that involve dismembering an unborn child piece by piece or crushing it with instruments, with the specific intent of causing the child's death. The law defines an "unborn child" as a human organism from fertilization until birth and allows for exceptions only when the procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother due to a physical disorder, illness, or injury. While it bans this specific method, the bill explicitly states that other abortion methods remain legal for reasons such as rape or incest, and it removes the previous federal ban on partial-birth abortions from the legal code. Violators face criminal penalties including fines and up to two years in prison, while women undergoing these procedures are immune from prosecution. Additionally, the bill creates a civil remedy allowing women or parents of minors to sue physicians for money damages, psychological injury, and punitive damages if the ban is violated.
This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.
The United States-Israel Agriculture Cooperation Improvement and Expansion Act updates the rules for the BARD Fund, a program that has supported over 1,300 joint research projects between American and Israeli scientists since 1977. The bill amends existing laws to create a new accelerator program designed to fast-track mid-stage agricultural research by providing management guidance, technical assistance, and consulting services to participating scientists. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $8 million in funding for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031 to support these expanded cooperative efforts.
The BINS Act of 2026 expands the types of agricultural storage facilities eligible for federal loans under the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program. Specifically, it amends existing laws to include fertilizer storage infrastructure, such as dry bins, liquid tanks, and equipment for handling anhydrous ammonia. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Agriculture to update its regulations within 180 days to cover essential components like foundations, electrical systems, and plumbing needed for fertilizer storage. This change directly affects farmers and agribusinesses by broadening their access to financing for building and maintaining fertilizer storage facilities.
The SCALE Act of 2026 creates a new grant program to help states and eligible Indian tribes improve soil health and wildlife habitat on agricultural lands. Between fiscal years 2027 and 2031, the Department of Agriculture will provide up to $10 million annually to recipients that meet specific performance standards, with a total funding pool of $250 million. To receive these funds, applicants must submit a plan detailing their goals and agree to match federal dollars with their own state or tribal funds, unless they cannot provide the full match. The law also sets strict rules on how the money can be spent, limiting administrative costs and prohibiting conditions that would force changes to existing local programs. Recipients must submit annual audit results and could be disqualified from future funding if they fail to comply with the grant terms.
The Bureau of Industry and Security License Administration Enhancement Act aims to streamline and clarify how export control licenses are managed by the U.S. government. It requires that specific regulatory guidance letters be published in official government records within 60 days unless they are converted into permanent regulations, ensuring greater transparency for businesses. Additionally, the bill mandates the creation of specialized advisory committees focused on critical technologies like artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and biotechnology to advise the Secretary of Commerce on export control policies. These committees will consist of industry, national security, and academic experts who must meet regularly and submit annual reports on technological developments and policy recommendations. Finally, the legislation directs a review of existing rules regarding advanced computing integrated circuits, with a report to Congress on the findings and any necessary updates within 120 days of enactment.
The FDPIR Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2026 allows Indian Tribes to take over the management of the federal food distribution program on their reservations. Under this bill, the Secretary of Agriculture must enter into self-determination contracts with Tribal organizations upon the Tribe's request. These contracts would operate under the same rules as other self-governance agreements, with the Bureau of Indian Affairs providing technical support to both the Department of Agriculture and the Tribes involved.
This Senate resolution formally celebrates the historic significance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the first tournament jointly hosted by three nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The bill acknowledges the event as a milestone featuring an expanded field of 48 teams and matches played across 16 cities in all three countries. It expresses gratitude to Canadian and Mexican partners for their collaboration and honors the host cities for their role in welcoming global fans and players. Additionally, the resolution commits to ensuring equal access and protection for all participants and media while supporting the use of sports to promote peace and friendship.
This bill, known as the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by strengthening their immunity from civil lawsuits. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending cases against these companies that are based on the criminal or unlawful misuse of a gun by a third party, while also clarifying that sellers are not liable for negligence in entrusting products to others. The legislation further restricts who can file such suits by prohibiting foreign governments from bringing these claims and adding a specific exception for victims under the age of 17, though it maintains immunity for cases involving design or manufacturing defects. Additionally, the bill allows companies to move these cases to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately, along with the ability to recover legal fees if they win. Finally, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on these entities for the same types of misuse-related harms.
The Volunteer First Responder Housing Act expands housing benefits for unpaid firefighters and other first responders who have served for at least two years. Under this bill, eligible volunteers can receive an $18,000 reduction in their income when applying for USDA single-family housing loans and qualify for discounted home prices through government sales programs. To access these advantages, volunteers must submit a verification letter from their employer confirming their service history and certification status. The law defines specific criteria for who counts as a qualified volunteer, requiring continuous service and adherence to minimum activity standards set by the employer.
HR 9141, titled the SAVE America Through REAL ID Act, establishes a federal grant program to help states eliminate fees for low-income individuals seeking REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or identification cards. The legislation defines low-income individuals as those earning at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level or participating in means-tested assistance programs. Funds allocated to states can be used to waive application fees, cover administrative costs, conduct public outreach, and provide mobile services in underserved areas. To receive these funds, states must submit detailed plans outlining how they will identify eligible applicants and ensure privacy compliance, while the Department of Homeland Security will distribute money based on population need and require annual reporting on program usage. The bill authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these efforts.
