This bill, known as the Preventing Payouts for Insurrectionists Act, bars individuals convicted of specific crimes related to the January 6 Capitol attack or election interference from receiving future federal compensation. It also requires people who received such payments between January 20, 2025, and the date the law is enacted to return the money to the U.S. Treasury. State attorneys general are authorized to sue these individuals in federal court to enforce the repayment and collect an additional 25% penalty to cover legal costs. The rules apply to any claim filed on or after January 20, 2025, regardless of when the underlying incident occurred.
The CONSENT Act establishes a federal civil remedy for individuals who receive unsolicited intimate visual depictions, including those created using artificial intelligence or deepfake technology, without their consent. It defines consent as a voluntary and conscious authorization and prohibits the transmission of such images when the sender knows or should know the recipient has not agreed to receive them. Victims can sue for damages up to $1,000 or compensation for emotional distress, along with court orders to stop the distribution, while minors can file suit through guardians with their identities kept private. The law explicitly excludes good faith transmissions for medical, educational, or law enforcement purposes and clarifies that it does not override existing criminal laws or First Amendment rights.
The Equal Remedies Act of 2026 expands the types of damages available to individuals who file discrimination lawsuits. It allows victims of race discrimination to receive compensation for both financial losses and non-financial harms like emotional pain and loss of enjoyment of life. The bill also permits any party in a race discrimination case to request a jury trial. Additionally, the law extends these expanded remedies to age discrimination cases, enabling plaintiffs to seek the same broad range of relief available in sex and race discrimination suits. These changes apply to individuals bringing claims under federal civil rights laws and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
The HEAR Act of 2026 makes it illegal for most people to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess firearm silencers and mufflers. The law allows exceptions for law enforcement officers, campus security personnel, nuclear facility employees, and licensed manufacturers conducting authorized testing. To help individuals comply with the new restrictions, the bill requires the Attorney General to create a nationwide buy-back program that pays people who surrender their silencers. These changes would take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.
The Protect Every Preschooler Act of 2026 expands the federal Gun Free School Zones Act to include early childhood education programs and preschools. This change directly affects firearm regulations by prohibiting the possession of guns in these specific educational settings, which were previously not explicitly covered under the law. The bill achieves this by amending the United States Code to add definitions for early childhood education programs and preschools to the list of protected areas. Consequently, individuals attempting to carry firearms into these locations would be subject to federal penalties under the existing gun-free zone provisions.
The Walter Patterson Justice and Extradition Act directs the President to submit regular reports to Congress detailing the status of fugitive extradition requests, including the specific case of George Wright, who has been wanted since 1970 for the 1962 murder of Walter Patterson. These reports must list the countries where fugitives are located, describe diplomatic efforts made to secure their return, and analyze factors that have delayed resolving these cases. Additionally, the bill expresses the sense of Congress that U.S. ambassadors should prioritize advocating for the extradition of these individuals during meetings with foreign officials.
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.
The SIMS Act prohibits companies from creating or operating chatbots that simulate minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct or conversations. This law applies to any person offering such software in the United States and defines a minor as anyone under 18 years old. While the ban covers simulations of real or fictional minors, it includes specific exemptions for law enforcement agencies investigating child sexual exploitation. Violations can result in criminal fines of up to $100,000 or civil penalties, and the Attorney General is required to submit annual reports on enforcement actions and investigations related to the new rules.
The SNAP Fraud Reporting Act of 2026 requires state agencies to report specific data on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program fraud to the federal government. States must submit information on open investigations, identified fraud cases, enforcement actions, and recoveries for the five most recent fiscal years within 180 days of the law's enactment. Additionally, states must provide annual updates on individuals disqualified for using deceased persons' identities or invalid social security numbers. If a state fails to submit this required data by the deadline, the federal government will withhold funding until the information is provided. The Secretary of Agriculture will compile these reports and make them publicly available to Congress and the public.
This bill restricts the federal government from paying out $50,000 or more in settlement agreements to high-ranking officials or individuals convicted of crimes related to the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. It specifically targets the ongoing legal case between former President Trump and the IRS, requiring a detailed report to Congress before any large payment can be made. The required report must list all payments, explain the legal basis for the settlement, and include a certification from the Department of Justice Inspector General confirming the deal is lawful. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office is ordered to conduct a study within 90 days to ensure any fund expenditures comply with federal appropriations laws.
