The Abraham Accords Expansion Act of 2026 updates the legal framework for the Special Envoy to include Central Asia and the Caucasus in normalization efforts alongside existing regions. This change formally recognizes Kazakhstan as the first Central Asian nation to join the Abraham Accords and defines specific countries within the Caucasus and Central Asia regions. The bill requires the Special Envoy to coordinate with other federal agencies like Defense and Commerce while implementing these goals using existing authorities without requesting new funding. Additionally, the act allows the Special Envoy to appoint a Deputy Special Envoy with relevant regional expertise to assist in these expanded diplomatic activities.
The Millstone Act amends federal criminal laws to increase penalties for specific sexual offenses involving violence, exploitation, or minors. Directly affecting individuals charged with these crimes, the bill mandates that they face the possibility of the death penalty or life imprisonment alongside fines. Key provisions include expanding the death penalty for acts such as female genital mutilation, civil rights offenses involving sexual misconduct, sex trafficking of children, and the production or distribution of child pornography. By removing previous caps on sentencing, the legislation ensures that these serious violations can result in the most severe punishments allowed under federal law.
This bill, titled the Medicaid Financing Clarification Act of 2026, aims to clarify federal rules regarding how states and local governments can fund their Medicaid programs. It directly affects state and local officials by explicitly defining "public funds" to include various local revenue sources such as taxes, fees, and tobacco settlement money. The legislation amends the Social Security Act to ensure that money held by local entities like counties or cities counts as eligible public funding for Medicaid matching purposes. Additionally, it provides clear definitions for terms like "political subdivision" and "public agency" to remove ambiguity in existing laws. By updating these definitions, the bill seeks to establish a clearer legal framework for how local governments contribute to Medicaid financing.
This concurrent resolution directs the President to withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Lebanon within seven days of the bill's adoption. It operates under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, which allows Congress to mandate the removal of troops from foreign locations. The measure directly affects the executive branch by requiring immediate compliance with the specified timeline for troop withdrawal.
This joint resolution expresses the U.S. Congress's disapproval of a specific law passed by the District of Columbia Council. The D.C. law, known as the Body-Worn Camera Transparency for Use of Force Temporary Amendment Act of 2026, was designed to increase transparency regarding how police officers use force. By submitting this resolution, Congress formally objects to the local legislation but does not change any laws or policies. The measure serves as a symbolic statement of disagreement rather than a functional change to federal or local governance.
This joint resolution expresses the U.S. Congress's disapproval of a specific law passed by the District of Columbia Council. The bill directly affects the District of Columbia by rejecting its "Full Accountability in Arrest Reporting Temporary Amendment Act of 2026," which was intended to modify how arrest data is reported. The mechanism used is a formal legislative statement that does not change any laws or policies but serves to record the federal government's opposition to the local action. This measure is a procedural response that highlights a disagreement between the federal and local governments without altering the actual operation of arrest reporting in Washington, D.C.
This resolution proposes to officially designate June as "Family Month" to highlight the importance of the traditional nuclear family. It also calls for the House of Representatives to stop recognizing Pride Month, which it argues has replaced the celebration of family values. The bill is sponsored by a group of representatives who believe that strengthening traditional marriage is essential for societal stability and population growth.
The SUSTAIN Act prevents the Air Force from reducing the number of MQ-9 unmanned aircraft or cutting staff levels for these units during the period from enactment until September 30, 2032. This restriction applies to both the active Air Force and the Air National Guard, ensuring that existing mission capabilities and personnel assignments remain at current levels unless specific exceptions are met. Exceptions allow for removing individual aircraft that are unsafe or obsolete, or for converting entire units to new missions if approved by the relevant governor and supported by a detailed plan. Additionally, the bill requires the Air Force to consult with National Guard leaders before making any changes to these units and mandates a report within 180 days outlining a long-term plan to modernize the MQ-9 fleet.
The Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2026 increases penalties for individuals who knowingly violate federal laws regarding the possession of firearms by licensed dealers. Specifically, it raises the maximum prison sentence for such violations to 20 years and mandates a minimum of three years in prison if the offense occurs during a burglary of a licensed business. The law also sets a five-year minimum sentence if the violation happens during a robbery. These changes directly affect federal firearms licensees and anyone attempting to illegally possess firearms from them.
The Protecting Student Privacy Act prevents federal student aid data from being shared with immigration enforcement agencies for the purpose of enforcing immigration laws. This rule applies to information held by the Department of Education regarding students and their financial contributors, such as parents or spouses, and blocks its use for arrests, interviews, or surveillance by the Department of Homeland Security and other authorized entities. The law includes specific exceptions for court orders related to criminal offenses and for cases where a student or contributor voluntarily and without pressure consents to sharing their information. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Education to report any unauthorized disclosures to Congress and states that this new rule overrides any conflicting state or local laws.
This bill, known as the Preventing International Surrogacy Exploitation Act, aims to stop foreign nationals from using U.S. surrogate mothers for commercial surrogacy arrangements. It would make any surrogacy contract void and unenforceable if the intended parents are foreign citizens or permanent residents, with a specific exception for married couples where at least one partner is a U.S. citizen or resident. Additionally, the law prohibits surrogacy brokers from facilitating these agreements and imposes criminal penalties, including fines and up to 10 years in prison, for those who knowingly or recklessly assist in such contracts. Children born through these invalid agreements would have their custody determined by the state where the surrogate lives, focusing on the child's best interests rather than the contract. Finally, the bill prevents foreign parents from using their U.S.-born children to gain immigration benefits or rights under U.S. immigration laws.
The Protecting Kids from Creeps Act prohibits surrogacy agencies, their employees, and sex offenders from participating in surrogacy agreements, directly affecting fertility clinics, staff, and individuals required to register as sex offenders. The bill mandates severe criminal penalties, including fines and prison sentences of at least 10 to 20 years, for knowingly or recklessly facilitating such agreements, while also stripping convicted agencies of their tax-exempt status and eligibility for federal grants. Any surrogacy agreement formed in violation of these rules is declared legally void and unenforceable, meaning it cannot be used to establish parental rights. In cases where a child is born from an illegal agreement, custody decisions will be made solely based on the best interests of the child under the laws of the state where the surrogate lives, ignoring any prior contracts. Additionally, the Attorney General can pursue civil penalties equal to the compensation received or offered for prohibited conduct.
