The Kira Johnson Act establishes a federal grant program to support community-based organizations in improving maternal health outcomes for populations facing higher rates of maternal mortality and health disparities. It allocates $100 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for grants that fund programs addressing social determinants of health, culturally congruent care, and support for midwifery practices. The bill also creates a separate $5 million annual funding stream for training all maternity care employees on bias reduction, trauma-informed care, and respectful service delivery. Additionally, the legislation requires hospitals and health systems to establish compliance programs that allow patients to report bias and mandates regular public reporting on these efforts. A study by the National Academies and ongoing evaluation by the GAO will assess the effectiveness of these initiatives in improving patient experiences and health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals from racial and ethnic minority groups.
The Data to Save Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes by increasing funding and support for maternal mortality review committees across the United States. The bill provides $10 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to help these committees recruit more diverse community members, including people with personal experiences of maternal mortality or severe health complications, and to address barriers like transportation and compensation that prevent participation. It also requires committees to conduct outreach to racial and ethnic minority communities and publicly report on their review processes and diversity efforts. Additionally, the legislation directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to study maternal health data collection methods, conduct a specific study on American Indian and Alaska Native maternal health outcomes, and award grants to minority-serving institutions for research on maternal mortality disparities.
This bill would prohibit federal laws from requiring manufacturers to install emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems on diesel trucks and other motor vehicles. It removes the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to enforce existing emissions regulations and eliminates liability for anyone who manufactures, sells, or modifies vehicles without these devices. The legislation also repeals current federal regulations related to emissions controls and would erase criminal or civil penalties for past violations of these rules.
The Perinatal Workforce Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance encouraging hospitals, insurers, and maternity care providers to recruit and retain diverse healthcare professionals, including midwives, physician assistants, and perinatal health workers, while incorporating implicit bias and racism training into their practices. The bill authorizes $15 million annually from 2027 to 2031 for grants that establish or expand accredited education programs for perinatal health professionals, prioritizing schools that recruit students from racial and ethnic minority groups and those planning to practice in areas with maternal health disparities. Additionally, the legislation creates a separate grant program for nursing schools to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers in maternal and perinatal health, with similar diversity and training requirements. The act also requires the Secretary of HHS to conduct a study on respectful maternity care practices and mandates periodic reports from the Government Accountability Office on barriers to maternal health education and access to care.
HR 6618, the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, requires the Federal Aviation Administration to study how private drones interfere with wildfire suppression efforts on federal lands managed by the Interior Department or Agriculture Department. The study will count drone incursions over the past five years and assess their impact on firefighting timelines, response delays, and government costs. It will also evaluate prevention methods like counter-drone technology, public education, and drone seizure techniques. The findings must be reported to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment.
The Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025 allows the federal government to use state highway standards instead of federal aviation standards for pavement construction at smaller airports. It directly affects nonprimary airports serving aircraft weighing 60,000 pounds or less, which are typically smaller community airports. The bill requires states to notify the federal Secretary of Transportation if they want to use their highway standards, and the Secretary must confirm the standards won’t compromise safety. This change simplifies construction requirements for eligible airports by aligning them with existing state infrastructure rules.
Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report to Congress on the Appalachian Regional Commission’s capability to incorporate low-orbit satellites in broadband projects. Specifically, the study must review and analyze the capacity and cost-effectiveness of using satellite broadband service for business purposes and economic development.
This resolution expresses support for designating March 24, 2026, as National Agriculture Day to honor the agricultural industry. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize agriculture's economic importance in the United States. The measure is a non-binding expression of appreciation rather than a legislative action with enforceable provisions.
The Military Financial Literacy Act of 2026 expands personalized financial and housing counseling services for members of the Armed Forces. It requires the Department of Defense to establish a one-on-one counseling program within one year that covers credit management, budgeting, anti-predatory lending, rental planning, VA home loans, and legal protections under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. The program must partner with HUD-approved, tax-exempt Veteran Service Organizations that have expertise in financial literacy and housing stability. The Secretary of Defense must submit a report to Congress within two years detailing the number of service members who received counseling, completion rates, and indicators of financial stress or housing instability among participants.
Extending WIC for New Moms Act This bill amends the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to extend the eligibility periods for breastfeeding and postpartum women. Specifically, a state program may elect to certify a breastfeeding woman for up to 24 months (currently 1 year) postpartum. The bill also expands the eligibility period for postpartum women to up to 24 months after termination of pregnancy (currently 6 months). The Department of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress evaluating the effect of these changes to the program on (1) maternal and infant health outcomes, (2) breastfeeding rates, and (3) qualitative evaluations of family experiences under WIC.
The DPA Private-Sector Outreach Act of 2026 requires the Department of Commerce to create a toolkit and online resource center within 365 days of enactment to help private companies understand how to access federal authorities under the Defense Production Act. This toolkit will include information on how to submit offers, available funding opportunities for small businesses, details on past awards, and contact information for federal agencies. The bill also mandates that the Department develop annual outreach plans to educate the private sector about commercial opportunities available through these authorities. Additionally, the bill requires a report on the outreach activities conducted and makes minor corrections to the official title of the Defense Production Act.
This resolution honors the memory and sacrifice of six Air Force personnel who died in a KC-135 Stratotanker accident over Iraq on March 12, 2026. The bill formally recognizes the service members from Alabama and Ohio who were killed while supporting Operation Epic Fury. It expresses condolences to their families and directs a copy of the resolution to the two Air National Guard units where the fallen served. The measure serves as a commemorative gesture rather than establishing new policy or funding.
