This bill simplifies filing requirements for employer-sponsored retirement plans. It extends the deadline for submitting Form 5500 (the annual report for retirement plans) from 210 days or 6 months after the plan year end to 15 days after the end of the 9th calendar month following the plan year. It also allows electronic signatures for these filings and requires agencies to update regulations to reflect these changes. The bill directly affects employers and plan administrators who manage retirement plans under federal law, reducing administrative burdens and modernizing the filing process.
This bill would add pharmacist services to Medicare Part B coverage for beneficiaries, specifically covering pharmacist-led testing and treatment for illnesses like flu, COVID-19, or strep throat during public health emergencies. It defines covered services as those performed under state law, often requiring collaboration with a physician, and sets payment at 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or 85% of physician payment rates. Pharmacists would be prohibited from balance billing for these services, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries pay only their standard copayment. The changes would take effect January 1, 2026.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.
The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.
This concurrent resolution directs the President to withdraw U.S. military forces from active hostilities with Iran. The measure relies on the War Powers Resolution, requiring the President to end combat operations unless the forces are needed to defend the United States or its allies from an immediate attack. Any continued use of troops in such defensive scenarios must still follow specific reporting and notification rules, and full military engagement is only permitted if Congress explicitly authorizes it through a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for force.
The Detention Authority Clarification Act amends immigration laws to change the term 'alien seeking admission' to 'applicant for admission' in specific sections. It also updates the list of individuals subject to mandatory detention by adding a new category for applicants seeking entry. These changes aim to clarify the terminology and scope of who can be detained under current immigration statutes.
The Housing Regulatory Clarity Act of 2026 prohibits the Department of Housing and Urban Development from considering disparate impact when making any decisions. This provision directly affects the agency's ability to evaluate housing policies by removing a specific legal standard from its review process. By disallowing this type of analysis, the bill aims to provide clearer guidelines for how the department conducts its actions. The change limits the scope of factors the Secretary can weigh when implementing housing regulations.
This bill, known as the Department of Energy Drone Defense Act, expands the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Energy to manage certain drone systems. Specifically, it allows the Secretary to procure, operate, and use federal funds for drones that are classified as "covered" and originate from "covered foreign entities." These changes modify existing restrictions found in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which previously limited such activities primarily to the Secretary of State. By adding the Department of Energy to the list of authorized agencies, the legislation enables the department to participate in these drone-related activities without violating current prohibitions.
The DROP Act of 2026 modifies federal death penalty procedures to allow executions by either lethal injection or hanging. It requires the United States Marshals Service and the Attorney General to create specific written protocols for these methods within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The legislation also updates relevant federal regulations and defines the roles of qualified medical and correctional officials involved in the process. This change directly affects the Department of Justice and federal inmates sentenced to death by expanding the permissible methods of execution.
The Freedom from Taxes Act of 2026 eliminates federal transfer and making taxes on firearms, which directly affects individuals buying or manufacturing guns. By setting these specific taxes to zero, the bill removes the $200 fee previously required when transferring or making certain firearms. The law also adds a time limit to a special tax, ensuring it no longer applies to years beginning after the bill takes effect. These changes would become active on the first day of the first calendar quarter starting more than 90 days after the legislation is signed into law.
This bill nullifies a specific decision made by the Endangered Species Committee regarding oil and gas operations in the Gulf of America. It immediately cancels any exemptions previously granted to these activities under the Endangered Species Act and bars federal agencies from using funds to enforce the canceled order. For a three-year period starting when the bill is enacted, the committee is prohibited from issuing any new exemptions for Gulf oil and gas projects. Consequently, all standard environmental protections required by the Endangered Species Act will continue to apply fully to these activities.
The No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026 prohibits the use of federal money to pay specific settlements involving high-ranking government officials and their close associates. It bars payments to the President, Vice President, their immediate families, cabinet members, senior executive staff, political appointees, and individuals connected to these roles, as well as any entity owned by the President or Vice President. Additionally, the bill restricts settlements related to claims about the January 6 Capitol attack, foreign election interference, or previously dismissed lawsuits, while requiring Treasury reports for large settlements and allowing the government to seek repayment if rules are broken.
