Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2026 and provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through February 13, 2026. It also extends various expiring programs and authorities. Specifically, the bill includes 5 of the 12 regular FY2026 appropriations bills: the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026; the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026; the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026; the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2026; and the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026. The departments, agencies, and activities funded in the bill include the Department of Defense, the Department of Labor, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the judiciary, the District of Columbia, the Department of State and related programs, the administration and oversight of foreign assistance programs, bilateral economic assistance, international security assistance, multilateral assistance, export and investment assistance, and several related and independent agencies. In addition, the bill includes a continuing resolution (CR) that provides continuing FY2026 appropriations to DHS through the earlier of February 13, 2026, or the enactment of the DHS appropriations act. The CR funds most DHS programs and activities at the FY2025 levels. The bill also extends several expiring programs and authorities, including the U.S. Grain Standards Act; the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s whistleblower program; the National Flood Insurance Program; the Forest Service's participation in the Agriculture Conservation Experienced Services Program; the Transportation Security Administration’s Reimbursable Screening Services Program; the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee; several authorities and programs related to cybersecurity; the technology modernization fund and board; the U.S. Parole Commission; the special assessment on nonindigent persons or entities convicted of certain offenses involving sexual abuse or human trafficking; several immigration-related programs and authorities; the authority for the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate certain guidelines or amendments related to the use of unmanned aircraft; certain bankruptcy fees; trade preferences for Haiti and countries in sub-Saharan Africa; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; and several health care authorities and programs.
This bill requires streaming services to follow the same volume rules for commercial ads as traditional TV broadcasts, within 18 months of enactment. It applies to ads accompanying video programming delivered via internet (like streaming services), but excludes consumer-generated content (e.g., YouTube videos). The Federal Communications Commission must create regulations ensuring ad volume levels match those currently required for broadcast and cable TV under the CALM Act. This directly affects streaming platforms and advertisers, not end consumers.
The Make Elections Great Again Act (HR 7300) would require voters to present photo identification to cast ballots in person or by mail for federal elections, with limited exceptions for religious objections or military voters. It would establish new requirements for proving U.S. citizenship during voter registration, including documentary proof of citizenship and proof of state residency. The bill would change mail-in ballot procedures by requiring voters to request mail-in ballots (rather than universal mail-in voting), implementing barcode tracking for mail-in ballots, and setting strict deadlines for ballot receipt. These provisions would apply to all states for federal elections held in 2027 or later, affecting how voters register, vote in person, and submit mail-in ballots for federal office elections.
The Roadway Safety Modernization Act of 2025 requires states to integrate predictive safety tools - like data analytics and telematics - into federal highway safety programs to identify risks, evaluate projects, and improve planning. It directs the Department of Transportation to issue guidelines on data privacy, security, and validating these tools to ensure reliability. The bill also defines "intelligent freight transportation systems" to include technologies that enhance freight safety on highways. These changes apply directly to states administering highway safety funds and federal agencies like the Federal Highway Administration.
HR 6675, the DISPOSAL Act, requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell or lease six specific federal buildings in Washington, D.C. (including the Frances Perkins, Forrestal, and Humphrey buildings) at fair market value or for up to 99 years. The bill mandates relocating federal agencies currently occupying these buildings to other locations, prohibits foreign ownership of the properties, and exempts the disposal from certain environmental and historic preservation requirements. Proceeds from sales must first cover relocation costs and GSA implementation expenses before any remaining funds go to deficit reduction. The law expires on December 31, 2028, and does not allow judicial review of GSA actions under this bill.
HR 6353 waives historic preservation review requirements (specifically Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act) for projects primarily upgrading public water systems or treatment works. It directly affects entities like water utilities or local governments undertaking such infrastructure projects. To qualify, the entity must request the waiver from the responsible federal agency overseeing the project. This streamlines approval for water system upgrades by removing a standard historic preservation review process, without changing the core water system work itself. The waiver applies only to projects with "primary purpose" of structural rehabilitation or upgrade.
This bill exempts certain less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal sales taxes and National Firearms Act restrictions. It directly affects manufacturers, importers, and producers of these devices, which are defined as non-lethal tools (like rubber bullets or beanbag rounds) designed not to cause serious injury and unable to be easily converted to use standard firearm ammunition. Key mechanisms include a 90-day classification process for manufacturers seeking exemption, an annual public list of approved devices, and annual congressional reports on devices excluded from the exemption. The policy change applies to devices meeting specific safety criteria, such as projectile velocity limits and design features preventing misuse as conventional weapons.
This resolution supports the designation of the International Year of the Woman Farmer and recognizes the critical role of women in agriculture. The resolution also encourages citizens to celebrate the impact these women have on the food systems and agricultural workforce of the United States by encouraging and empowering women to pursue careers in agriculture and cultivate leadership opportunities.
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.
This bill (S 3751) mandates a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) into how fees and payments are structured within the prescription drug supply chain. The GAO must examine compensation models used by intermediaries like pharmacy benefit managers, drug wholesalers, manufacturers, and others - specifically focusing on how fees tied to drug prices (e.g., percentage-based payments) may create conflicts of interest or influence pricing decisions. The study will analyze trends, business models, and potential impacts on drug costs, with a report due to Congress within two years of the bill’s enactment. It does not change current laws but aims to inform future policy by documenting these payment structures.
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. Individuals voting in federal elections must present an eligible photo identification document. An individual who votes by absentee ballot must submit a copy of their identification document with both the request for, and the submission of, the absentee ballot.
S 3709, the Streamlining Federal Grants Act of 2026, requires federal agencies to simplify grant application and reporting processes, directly affecting agencies distributing grants, nonprofits, local governments, and historically underserved communities. Key provisions include establishing a Grants Council to coordinate agency efforts, mandating annual agency improvement plans focused on plain language, accessibility for limited English proficiency users, and training access, and requiring agencies to develop specific goals for streamlining grant programs. The bill also directs a study of Grants.gov usability and annual reports to Congress on implementation progress. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens while improving service delivery to communities previously excluded from federal grant programs.
