The Pay PCPs Act of 2026 authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to implement a hybrid payment model for Medicare primary care providers, combining predictable monthly payments with traditional fee-for-service reimbursements. This new structure aims to fund activities that are currently difficult to bill individually, such as patient communications and team-based care coordination, while allowing providers to opt into the program voluntarily. Additionally, the bill reduces beneficiary out-of-pocket costs by 50% for covered primary care services when patients designate a specific provider as their usual source of care. To support these changes, the legislation appropriates $10 billion over five years and establishes a temporary technical advisory committee to review and improve how Medicare values physician services.
The Bus Operator Safety and Security Act requires that new fixed route buses purchased with specific federal funds be equipped with protective barriers separating the driver's area from passengers. This mandate applies to buses at least 30 feet long with a useful life of 10 years or more, excluding those funded under section 5311. The required barrier must extend from the floor to the ceiling and fully enclose the workstation to prevent unauthorized entry by people, fluids, or objects while maintaining the driver's line of sight. This requirement takes effect two years after enactment, unless a labor organization representing the majority of frontline workers agrees to waive it for that specific purchase.
The Kids Online Safety Act (S 1748) requires major social media platforms, online video games, and other "covered platforms" to implement specific safety features for minors (under 17). These features include default privacy settings that limit harmful design features like infinite scrolling and auto-play, parental controls for managing minors' accounts, and restrictions on advertising illegal products to minors. The bill also mandates annual transparency reports about how platforms are used by minors and requires platforms to provide clear notices about their content algorithms. It creates a Kids Online Safety Council to advise Congress on online safety issues for children. The law applies to platforms with more than 10 million monthly users in the U.S. and takes effect 18 months after enactment.
This joint resolution seeks to formally disapprove a federal rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The rule in question aims to remove the legal definition of "harm" from the Endangered Species Act, a change that could alter how agencies regulate activities affecting protected species. If passed, the resolution would prevent the new rule from taking effect, thereby keeping the existing definition of harm in place. The measure directly impacts federal conservation efforts and the regulatory framework governing endangered species.
The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.
The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to resolve disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court or as part of a group. It bans retaliation against employees who refuse to arbitrate and mandates that any post-dispute arbitration agreements be truly voluntary, requiring plain language explanations, a 45-day waiting period, and written consent. The bill also amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it illegal for employers to enter into or enforce contracts that prevent workers from joining together to file joint or class-action lawsuits regarding workplace rights. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.
The ASSET Act prohibits states from using asset limits to determine eligibility for several federally funded assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, LIHEAP, and Supplemental Security Income. By removing these financial thresholds, the bill aims to allow low-income families to save money and build financial stability without risking their benefits. Additionally, the legislation updates the resource limit for SSI recipients to $20,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples in 2026, with future increases tied to inflation. While the bill generally eliminates these limits, it includes a grace period for states that must pass their own laws to comply with the new rules.
The Fairness in Foreign Filing Act changes how the IRS handles specific penalties related to foreign information reporting to give taxpayers more time to contest them. Under the new rules, the IRS must send a written notice explaining the proposed penalty at least 60 days before assessing it, allowing the taxpayer to request a review by the IRS Appeals Office and stopping collection until that review is complete. The bill also clarifies that certain existing penalties are treated as taxes for collection purposes while preserving other taxpayer rights to sue for refunds. Additionally, the legislation removes a requirement for foreign trusts to file certain information returns by a specific deadline, applying this change to tax years starting after December 31, 2026.
This joint resolution seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regarding how federal banking laws interact with state interest-on-escrow laws. If passed, the measure would declare the federal rule invalid and prevent it from taking effect. The primary impact would be to allow states to maintain their own regulations on interest earned on escrow accounts without interference from this particular federal directive.
The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to remove specific quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year through 2036 and beyond, with targets increasing from 50,000 to 10 million metric tons annually. The bill defines eligible technologies as those that capture CO2 directly from the air or seawater and store it durably, while excluding methods like enhanced oil recovery or natural photosynthesis. To ensure accuracy, the law requires independent third parties to measure, monitor, and verify removals, with costs included in the price of removal, which must drop from $750 per ton in 2026 to $150 per ton by 2037. The Secretary of Energy must prioritize projects that create domestic jobs, source materials locally, and benefit communities historically dependent on fossil fuels, while reserving at least 20 percent of removals for smaller projects. Additionally, the act mandates regular reports to Congress on progress and authorizes funding to carry out these removal obligations.
This Senate resolution recognizes the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their right to live in their own homes and communities. It calls on the Department of Justice to rescind a recent opinion that the Senate views as undermining the legal requirement to provide community-based services instead of institutional care. The document also urges various federal agencies to improve funding for home and community-based services, increase accessible housing and transportation, and promote competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, the resolution pledges bipartisan efforts to address barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, including those of color, and opposes cuts to the Medicaid program that could limit access to essential support services.
This resolution directs the Speaker of the House to file a lawsuit on behalf of Congress against the President and other executive officials who have failed to follow constitutional duties regarding military actions in Iran. The bill specifically targets the continuation of hostilities that exceed the time limits set by the War Powers Resolution and ignores a prior congressional order to withdraw troops. If passed, the House of Representatives would intervene in federal court to seek legal relief, with the Office of the General Counsel representing the institution in these civil actions.
