The Local Health Care Protection Act of 2026 allows certain hospitals to continue participating in the federal drug discount program, known as Section 340B, even if they no longer meet specific financial thresholds related to serving low-income patients. This provision applies to hospitals that were already eligible for the program on July 3, 2025, and protects their access to discounted medications through cost reporting periods ending by September 30, 2030. The bill directly affects rural and underserved hospitals that may lose eligibility due to changes in Medicaid funding or Medicare payment formulas. Additionally, it requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study within one year on how these financial criteria are calculated and how declining payments impact essential health services in rural areas.
The Fair Prescription Pricing Act of 2026 would cap the out-of-pocket costs that individuals pay for prescription drugs by limiting deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance to no more than the nationwide average consumer price for that specific medication. This provision applies to both group health plans and individual health insurance policies, ensuring that patients using in-network pharmacies do not face charges higher than the standard market rate. The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers to adhere to these same cost-sharing limits as the insurance providers themselves. These restrictions would be implemented across federal laws governing public health services, employee retirement income security, and internal revenue codes to ensure consistent enforcement for plan years beginning after the act's enactment.
The ARTICLE ONE Act amends the National Emergencies Act to require the President to obtain congressional approval through a joint resolution within 30 days of declaring a national emergency, or the declaration automatically expires. If Congress does not approve the emergency or specific powers invoked by the President, the President is barred from declaring a subsequent emergency for the same circumstances or exercising those specific authorities for the remainder of their term. The bill also mandates that the President submit detailed reports to congressional leadership and relevant committees every six months regarding the status of the emergency, expenditures, and actions taken. These new oversight requirements apply to most national emergencies but exclude those invoking only the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which are subject to separate provisions under a new Title VI.
The National Archives Protection Act amends federal law to restrict the Archivist of the United States from closing existing record centers or imposing unreasonable limits on public access to them. It also prevents the Archivist from reconstructing, converting, or rehabilitating these facilities if such work would require moving records for more than 180 days. These provisions directly affect the National Archives and Records Administration by limiting its ability to consolidate or modify its physical storage infrastructure.
The Army Quantum Readiness Act requires the Secretary of the Army to establish a new initiative focused on integrating quantum computing and advanced technologies into military operations, intelligence, and logistics. This initiative aims to identify practical applications for these technologies, assess necessary infrastructure upgrades such as power and cybersecurity, and develop strategies for training the required workforce. The bill also authorizes the creation of pilot projects and demonstration activities to test quantum-enabled tools, including artificial intelligence and secure networking. Finally, it mandates that the Secretary submit a detailed report to Congress within 270 days outlining readiness requirements, recommended investments, and necessary legislative changes to accelerate this transition.
The Stamps for Staying Connected Act of 2026 requires the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to provide postage stamps to inmates who lack funds or sufficient postage and wish to send mail. This provision applies to all types of correspondence, including legal matters and administrative filings. To prevent abuse, such as trading stamps among prisoners, the bill limits distribution to five first-class domestic stamps per week for general use. However, this weekly cap does not apply to stamps needed for legal proceedings or administrative remedy filings.
The TRANS Government Research Act prohibits federal agencies from providing funds to conduct or support research on gender-related medical treatments and other methods used to alter a person's physical appearance so it no longer matches their biological sex. The bill defines these covered treatments broadly, including specific surgeries such as hysterectomies and phalloplasties, hormone therapies like testosterone and estrogen, and puberty blockers for both males and females. By restricting financial support for this area of study, the legislation directly affects medical institutions, universities, and researchers who rely on federal grants to investigate the health effects of these interventions.
The DEMAND Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of Defense to incorporate projected demand from foreign military sales into key planning documents for the U.S. defense industrial base. This includes integrating these projections into industrial base assessments, munitions production plans, and sustainment strategies for major defense programs. The bill also mandates that these factors be considered when making decisions about increasing production rates or expanding manufacturing capacity. The primary goal is to expand production capabilities, stabilize critical suppliers, and encourage investment in essential production lines.
The NO PROFIT Act prohibits social media platforms from selling or providing paid, early access to posts made by federal government officials and their immediate family members. It also makes it illegal for any person to buy or sell securities, commodities, or prediction market contracts while possessing this non-public information before it is available to the general public. The bill targets a wide range of officials, including the President, members of Congress, executive branch employees, and judges, as well as their spouses and dependent children. Violations by social media platforms result in civil penalties equal to the revenue earned from the unauthorized early access, while individuals who trade on this information face enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
The Mail Theft and Postal Key Crime Prevention Act of 2026 requires the Attorney General to designate a specific assistant United States attorney in every federal judicial district to coordinate the investigation and prosecution of organized mail theft and related fraud schemes. These coordinators are tasked with working alongside federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to address crimes involving stolen postal keys, identity theft, and financial fraud facilitated by intercepted mail. The bill also mandates that the Attorney General submit an annual report to Congress for five years detailing trends in these offenses and the effectiveness of inter-agency coordination efforts. Additionally, it directs the United States Sentencing Commission to review and update federal sentencing guidelines to ensure harsher penalties for crimes involving postal access devices, large-scale theft operations, or violence against postal workers.
The STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 through 2036 to establish state-level revolving loan funds that provide grants to homeowners for installing storm-resistant roofs and wildfire-prepared home improvements. To receive federal capitalization, states must contribute at least 35 percent of the grant amount to their own fund, which then lends money to state agencies at an interest rate of no more than 1 percent. Homeowners are eligible for grants up to $10,000 if they meet specific criteria, including owning a primary residence, maintaining required property insurance, and ensuring the work is verified by qualified evaluators. The bill requires states to forgive the homeowner's repayment obligation for individuals with incomes below 120 percent of the area median income, while excluding new construction, condominiums, and mobile homes from participation.
This bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to acquire a statue honoring baseball player and humanitarian Roberto Clemente for permanent display in the U.S. Capitol or on its grounds. The legislation requires that artists from diverse backgrounds, including the Puerto Rican community, be considered for the commission, with public announcements made to reach these candidates. Funding for the project is authorized through transfers from the Capitol Preservation Fund, capped at a total of $500,000.
