HR 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, requires the FDA to update regulatory language within one year of enactment. It directs the agency to replace all references to "animal tests" with "nonclinical tests" in 22 specific sections of the Code of Federal Regulations related to drug development and approval processes. The bill also adds a definition for "nonclinical test" into relevant FDA regulations to align with prior legislative changes. This update applies directly to pharmaceutical manufacturers and FDA reviewers who follow these regulatory guidelines during drug development. The changes aim to modernize terminology without altering current testing requirements.
This bill requires Medicare to create separate payment codes for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs based on their frame material (specifically titanium or carbon fiber vs. other materials), starting in 2026. It ensures Medicare pays the standard rate for titanium/carbon fiber wheelchairs regardless of material, while allowing suppliers to charge beneficiaries the difference between Medicare's payment and their actual cost. Beneficiaries must receive a notice about potential additional costs before purchasing or renting such wheelchairs. The bill directly affects Medicare beneficiaries needing these specialized wheelchairs and the suppliers who provide them.
This bill reauthorizes and improves federal programs focused on preventing, detecting, and treating traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), extending funding through 2030. It updates CDC surveillance to better track high-risk groups (like military personnel, first responders, and those in certain occupations) and requires public sharing of aggregated TBI data. States receiving grants must maintain non-Federal funding levels for TBI programs, with limited waivers allowed. The bill also mandates a congressional report on high-risk populations and a study examining long-term TBI effects, including links to dementia and mental health conditions.
The Employee Ownership Fairness Act of 2026 modifies tax rules for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) to help workers better manage their retirement savings. Currently, money contributed to ESOPs counts toward annual contribution limits, which can prevent employees from making additional contributions to other retirement accounts or receiving full employer matches. This bill changes those limits so that stock contributions and loan repayments for ESOPs do not count toward the caps, allowing employees to diversify their savings more easily. The changes apply to plan years starting after the law is enacted and affect companies that use ESOPs to provide employee ownership.
The NO FEES Act of 2026 modifies the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide fee waivers for annual registration of U.S. small businesses while imposing higher fees on foreign companies. Under the bill, a U.S. establishment with fewer than 20 full-time equivalent employees qualifies for a 100 percent fee waiver for three years, followed by a 50 percent waiver for the next two years. To receive this benefit, qualifying businesses must submit tax returns or payroll records at least 60 days before the fee is due, and the decision to grant a waiver cannot be based on past payment history. Conversely, the law mandates that foreign-owned establishments pay a registration fee eight times the standard amount and explicitly bars them from applying for any fee waivers.
The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026 allows specific addiction medicine specialists to prescribe methadone for opioid use disorder to be dispensed directly through pharmacies, rather than requiring patients to attend traditional treatment clinics. This change permits these qualified doctors to use telemedicine for patient care and requires that the methadone be in a liquid or dispersible tablet form. While the bill maintains existing clinic-based treatment options, it streamlines access by removing the need for pharmacies to obtain separate registrations to dispense the medication. The law also mandates that patients sign informed consent forms explaining how privacy rules differ between clinic and pharmacy settings, and it requires the Drug Enforcement Administration to report on the program's progress to Congress every year.
HR 2913, the Ukraine Support Act, provides comprehensive U.S. support for Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion. The bill authorizes security assistance including lend-lease authority for military equipment, establishes a Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund for economic recovery, and imposes new sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions, oil companies, and government officials. It also includes provisions to counter Russian disinformation, support Radio Free Europe, and address the kidnapping of Ukrainian children. The legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy, Ukraine's defense capabilities, and Russia's access to international financial systems. The act aims to strengthen Ukraine's sovereignty while holding Russia accountable for its actions.
The Save MEDICARE Act of 2026 aims to improve the Medicare Advantage program by starting in 2028 with several changes to how health plans are paid and monitored. It requires the government to exclude diagnoses from chart reviews when calculating payments to prevent plans from inflating costs based on questionable data. The bill also speeds up audits and appeals to ensure faster resolution of coding disputes and introduces a new penalty system to recover overpayments from plans. Additionally, the law allows states to enforce Medicare rules within their borders and bans financial incentives for doctors based on how they code patient records. Finally, it establishes a mechanism for the Department of Veterans Affairs to recover costs when Medicare Advantage plans cover care that should have been paid for by the VA.
This bill establishes a legal framework allowing banks and credit unions to provide financial services to businesses operating marijuana or hemp industries under state laws without fear of losing federal protections. It specifically shields these institutions from penalties, insurance termination, or liability if they accept deposits or make loans to state-sanctioned marijuana or hemp companies. The legislation also clarifies that income from these businesses can be used to qualify for federally backed mortgages and requires regulators to update guidance on how to handle suspicious activity reports related to these sectors. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports and studies to assess access to banking services for minority-owned and small businesses within the industry.
This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.
This bill establishes a comprehensive sanctions framework targeting the Russian government and its affiliated entities in response to ongoing military actions. It authorizes the President to block assets, revoke visas, and prohibit financial transactions for Russian officials, military leaders, and foreign persons supporting Russia's defense industry or undermining Ukraine. The legislation also bans U.S. investments in Russian energy sectors, prohibits the purchase of Russian sovereign debt, and imposes high tariffs on Russian imports while restricting crude oil purchases by specific foreign nations. Additionally, the bill prevents Russian companies from listing on U.S. stock exchanges and includes mechanisms for terminating sanctions only if Russia signs a peace agreement accepted by Ukraine and ceases hostilities.
The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act fundamentally changes federal law by removing marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act, effectively decriminalizing it at the federal level and allowing states to regulate their own cannabis markets without federal interference. To manage this new landscape, the bill creates a new federal agency called the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Tax and Trade Bureau to oversee licensing, collect taxes, and prevent illicit trade, while also establishing a new Center for Cannabis Products within the FDA to regulate safety and labeling. The legislation includes significant restorative justice measures, such as automatically expunging federal cannabis convictions and prohibiting discrimination against individuals with such records in areas like immigration, security clearances, and access to federal benefits. Additionally, the bill provides billions of dollars in funding to support research into the health effects of cannabis, expand access to financial services for legitimate cannabis businesses, and assist communities and individuals harmed by past prohibition enforcement.
