This bill, known as the CODIS Access Modernization Act, would allow accredited private forensic DNA laboratories to directly upload DNA profiles to the National DNA Index System, which is currently restricted to government-run labs. The legislation requires private labs to meet the same quality standards as public facilities, including ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and regular FBI audits, while prohibiting them from searching or retrieving DNA data from the system. The Department of Justice and FBI would establish specific regulations within six months of enactment to define eligibility criteria and security safeguards for this new access. The primary goal is to reduce DNA testing backlogs and speed up criminal investigations by expanding the number of facilities that can contribute directly to the national DNA database.
This bill creates a tax credit for small employers who set up new dependent care flexible spending plans for their employees. The credit covers startup costs like plan establishment and employee education expenses, but only for the first three years after the plan begins. To qualify, the employer must not have previously offered a similar plan to the same employees, and the plan must include at least one non-highly compensated employee. The maximum credit is $500 in the first year and the next two years, or up to $250 per eligible employee, capped at $5,000 total.
HR 7640, the "Shut Down Sanctuary Policies Act of 2026," requires state and local governments to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement by mandating that law enforcement agencies comply with federal requests to hold individuals for immigration status checks and share related information. It overrides state or local laws that restrict such cooperation, with non-compliant jurisdictions losing eligibility for specific federal law enforcement grants (like Byrne JAG funds) and facing potential lawsuits if released immigrants commit crimes. The bill creates a private right to sue state/local entities that fail to honor federal detainers, allowing victims of crimes committed by such individuals to seek damages. This directly affects state and local governments, law enforcement agencies, and jurisdictions with "sanctuary" policies that previously limited immigration cooperation.
This bill would remove the federal approval for the drug mifepristone, which is used in combination with other medications to end pregnancies, and would make it illegal to distribute the drug for that purpose. It also creates a new federal lawsuit option allowing individuals to sue drug manufacturers for physical or mental harm they claim resulted from using mifepristone. The law would take effect 14 days after passing, with the new lawsuit provision becoming active 90 days after enactment.
This bill would require the U.S. Secretary of State to annually report on whether the Polisario Front, a group involved in the Western Sahara conflict, has received military support from Iranian-linked terrorist organizations. If such cooperation is confirmed, the President would designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization and impose financial sanctions that block its assets and prohibit U.S. transactions with it. The legislation defines specific types of military support that would trigger sanctions, including weapons, drones, and intelligence sharing. It applies to the Polisario Front and any successor organizations, while defining Iranian-affiliated terrorist groups as those officially designated by the U.S. government.
This bill establishes a sanctions framework that would impose economic penalties on the Chinese government and Communist Party if they threaten Taiwan's security. It requires the President to identify threats and then blocks property, restricts financial transactions, and prohibits investments in sanctioned Chinese entities. The legislation also allows for increased import duties on Chinese goods and bans the trading of Chinese securities on U.S. exchanges. Key provisions include targeting Chinese officials, state-owned banks, and companies that support China's military-industrial capacity, while providing the President authority to waive sanctions for national security reasons.
The VALOR Act (HR 7598) ensures veterans with pending disability claims don't pay unnecessary housing loan fees. It requires the VA to refund or credit fees paid by veterans who later have their disability claims approved. Specifically, if a veteran pays a housing loan fee before their disability claim is decided and the claim is approved after payment, the VA must reimburse the fee amount. This directly affects veterans applying for VA-guaranteed home loans while awaiting disability compensation decisions. The bill creates a clear, automatic reimbursement process without requiring veterans to file separate claims for refunds.
This bill, titled the Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026, aims to enhance Taiwan's energy security by increasing U.S. liquefied natural gas exports to Taiwan and improving the resilience of its energy infrastructure. The legislation authorizes U.S. government agencies to coordinate with Taiwan on energy projects, provide technical assistance for cybersecurity and physical security improvements, and establish a joint U.S.-Taiwan Energy Security Center. It also directs an assessment of redirecting U.S. LNG exports currently sent to China to Taiwan and encourages Taiwan to maintain and expand its nuclear power capabilities. Additionally, the bill provides for insurance on vessels transporting critical goods to Taiwan and clarifies that the measures do not alter the U.S. One China policy.
This bill, titled the Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2026, would prevent federal agencies from blocking the sale of unpasteurized milk and milk products across state lines. It allows such products to be shipped interstate if they are packaged for direct human consumption, produced in a state that permits their sale, and intended for another state that also allows their distribution. The legislation defines specific terms like "cowshare" to include ownership interests in dairy animals and clarifies what constitutes pasteurization. Importantly, the bill does not override state laws and only restricts federal interference when the product meets the stated conditions.
This bill would provide one-time refunds to eligible U.S. taxpayers for tariffs imposed without congressional approval, totaling up to $231 billion. Eligible taxpayers (those who filed income tax returns for the most recent year with adjusted gross income under $400,000) would receive payments based on filing status - ranging from 100% to 200% of a calculated base amount. Families with children would also receive an additional $125 per qualified child, funded by excluding high-income earners from the refund pool. All payments are capped at the $231 billion total, with automatic distribution via direct deposit or check.
HR 7871 (MVP Act) updates Medicaid drug rebate rules to allow manufacturers to report multiple "best price points" for drugs sold under outcome-based payment arrangements, requiring these arrangements to be offered to all states. It clarifies how average manufacturer price is calculated for such drugs and exempts certain outcome-linked payments from anti-kickback laws. The bill also mandates a GAO study to assess whether these arrangements improve patient access, lower costs, and reduce disparities in drug coverage. This affects Medicaid programs nationwide, drug manufacturers, and patients receiving covered outpatient drugs under Medicaid.
This bill, known as the Mail Ballot Integrity Act, would require states to stop sending unsolicited mail-in ballots to voters for federal elections. Under the law, individuals must actively request a mail-in ballot by submitting a written or electronic request that includes a sworn statement confirming they meet specific eligibility criteria. The bill limits who can receive these ballots to groups such as active-duty military personnel, students living away from home, clergy, people with disabilities, seniors aged 65 and older, and others with temporary mobility or residency issues. States could maintain lists of voters who previously qualified for mail-in voting, but only if those voters continue to meet the established eligibility requirements. The changes would take effect for federal elections occurring on or after the bill is enacted.
