The EBOLA Act requires the President to rejoin the World Health Organization within 30 days of enactment and immediately coordinate with that body to address an ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa. The legislation authorizes necessary funding to cover U.S. membership fees and financial obligations, as well as voluntary contributions to support international disease response efforts. By mandating this rapid re-entry into the global health agency, the bill aims to enhance the nation's ability to monitor emerging infectious diseases and prevent the spread of the virus to American soil.
The Fast Track Disaster Relief Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the IRS to share taxpayer return information with the Small Business Administration (SBA). This disclosure is limited to individuals applying for disaster loans under section 7(b) of the Small Business Act. The SBA may only use this data to determine a borrower's eligibility for these specific loans. The provision takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies to all disclosures made after that date.
The CLEAR Feedback Act requires federal agencies to provide small businesses with more detailed explanations when they are denied awards under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. If a company is rejected for reasons not already covered by existing rules, it can request an enhanced debriefing within 14 business days of the denial. This process includes a review of significant proposal deficiencies, the company's overall ranking among all applicants, and a summary of why the award was denied. The small business also has the chance to ask follow-up questions, which the agency must answer within 14 business days of receiving them.
The American Seafood Competitiveness Act of 2026 expands access to federal financial resources by redefining "farmers" and "farms" under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to include commercial fishing vessels and fish processing facilities. This change allows individuals and entities in the seafood industry to qualify for direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operating loans, as well as grants from local agriculture market programs. The bill restricts how these funds can be used, permitting loan proceeds only for specific purposes such as acquiring permits, purchasing or improving vessels, and covering operational costs. Additionally, it authorizes Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations to extend credit to businesses that provide services directly related to the operating needs of aquatic product harvesters.
The Marianas Tourism Advancement Act of 2026 amends immigration law to permanently add India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Mongolia to the visa waiver program for Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. This change allows citizens from these six countries to travel to the territories without obtaining a visa in advance. The bill also imposes strict new procedures for suspending this visa-free access, requiring the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct economic impact assessments and consult with local governors before halting entry. Additionally, it mandates that any suspension be reviewed every 180 days to ensure the original safety or security concerns still justify the restriction.
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The Dietary Supplement Innovation Act amends federal law to clarify when a food or dietary supplement containing an approved drug is considered illegal, primarily by establishing specific exceptions for substances marketed before certain dates or where clinical trials have been inactive for at least seven years. The bill affects manufacturers and sellers of these products by defining the conditions under which they can legally include drugs in their formulations without being classified as misbranded. It also requires the Food and Drug Administration to consider factors such as dosage, concentration, and safety when determining if a drug has been improperly added to a supplement. Furthermore, the legislation grants companies the right to immediately challenge FDA enforcement actions in court, shifting the burden of proof to the government to demonstrate that the product violates federal regulations.
The Restoring Civil Rights Attorney’s Fees Act of 2026 amends federal law to broaden the definition of a "prevailing party" in civil rights lawsuits, which directly affects plaintiffs and defendants in these cases. Under this bill, a plaintiff is considered prevailing if they obtain relief through a judicial order, an enforceable written agreement or consent decree, or a voluntary change in position by the defendant that makes the case moot or grants the requested relief. This includes situations where a court issues an injunction that is later vacated on mootness grounds, provided it materially altered the legal relationship between the parties. The new provisions take effect immediately upon enactment and apply to both pending cases and any new cases filed after that date.
The AACCENT Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award three five-year grants, totaling up to $9 million annually, to establish a network of National Resource Centers on Augmentative and Alternative Communication. These centers are designed to serve individuals with significant expressive communication disabilities by providing training, technical assistance, and resources to improve access to communication tools in education, employment, and healthcare settings. The legislation requires that the grant recipients be partnerships led by nonprofit organizations that empower individuals with these disabilities in management and decision-making roles. Additionally, each center must operate under the guidance of an advisory council composed exclusively of people with significant expressive communication disabilities who provide oversight and recommendations for the program's activities.
