This bill, titled the Student Protection and Success Act, requires colleges and universities to share financial risk with the federal government by making payments based on how many student loans remain unpaid. Starting in fiscal year 2028, institutions with a cohort repayment rate of 15 percent or lower would lose eligibility for federal student loan programs for up to three years, while colleges with rates above 25 percent could receive bonus grants to support low-income students. The bill also establishes a new payment system where schools must contribute a percentage of the outstanding loan balances for borrowers who have not made progress on paying down their debt, with exceptions for students in deferment due to military service, graduate school, or other qualifying circumstances. These measures aim to hold institutions accountable for student loan outcomes while providing incentives for improving access and success for economically disadvantaged students.
This bill reorganizes AmeriCorps by converting it from a government corporation into a new executive department called the AmeriCorps Administration. It creates an advisory board with seven members appointed by various officials, including the President and congressional leaders, to guide policy and program oversight. The legislation increases financial benefits for participants, doubling educational awards to twice the average in-state tuition and raising living allowances to 175-210 percent of the federal minimum wage. It also establishes a new National Service Foundation to accept private donations and gifts for the program, and sets a goal of serving one million participants annually by 2036.
This bill, known as the Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act, requires schools that receive federal education funding to include mental health and suicide prevention resources on student identification cards. The law mandates that these cards display contact information for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and any state or local suicide prevention hotlines available in the area. Schools that do not issue physical ID cards must instead post this information prominently on their websites and include it on digital platforms students regularly use. The bill also directs the federal education secretary to run outreach campaigns to help students, parents, and school staff learn about these mental health resources.
The Open Books, Open Doors Act (S. 4028) establishes a new federal grant program to improve access to literacy materials and programs, particularly in underserved communities. The bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to organizations serving 'book deserts' - areas where children have limited access to books and reading resources - with at least 70% of funds going to partners in low-income neighborhoods, including community centers, libraries, and local businesses. Grants can support activities like purchasing books, establishing neighborhood libraries, eliminating library late fees, and implementing evidence-based literacy programs that involve families. The legislation also creates a Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access to share research and best practices, requires grantees to match federal funds with local contributions, and mandates regular reporting on program outcomes.
The Make Billionaires Pay Their Fair Share Act (S. 3956) imposes a new 5% annual wealth tax on individuals and trusts whose net assets exceed $1 billion, with the threshold adjusted for inflation. The bill also expands Medicare coverage to include dental, hearing, and vision services, establishes a $60,000 minimum annual salary for public school teachers, and creates a birth-through-five child care entitlement program for families with income up to 250% of state median income. Additional provisions include permanent extensions of Medicaid protections for home and community-based services, increased funding for housing trust funds, and expanded child care and early learning support for working families.
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✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes wealth tax on billionaires to fund expanded Medicare, teacher salaries, and childcare programs, directly addressing budget and taxation through progressive taxation.95% confidence
✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes $60,000 minimum annual salary for public school teachers, directly supporting educators and strengthening education infrastructure.85% confidence
✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicare coverage to include dental, hearing, and vision services, directly advancing healthcare access and benefits.85% confidence
✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes $60,000 minimum salary for public school teachers and expands Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision services, directly supporting worker benefits and wages.75% confidence
The TECH Act would allow qualified technical schools to receive the same federal grant funding as traditional two-year and four-year colleges. It directly affects vocational institutions that offer specific career training programs in high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and public safety. The bill requires federal agencies to update eligibility rules and application processes within 180 days to include these schools in existing grant programs. To qualify, technical schools must offer programs of at least 150 clock hours that lead to recognized industry credentials and meet state educational requirements. The legislation aims to expand workforce training opportunities by treating technical schools equally with other higher education institutions for federal funding purposes.
This bill, known as the Parity for Tribal Educators Act, would allow employees of tribally controlled schools to receive pensions through the Federal Employees Retirement System and contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan. It applies specifically to teachers and staff working at schools that operate under contracts or grants from the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act or the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988. Under the bill, the Bureau of Indian Affairs would make the required government contributions to these retirement plans, though employees could choose to opt out of this coverage if they prefer. The legislation also establishes procedures for employees to decline participation in the federal retirement system if they wish.
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This resolution formally recognizes March 2026 as National Middle-Level Education Month to highlight the importance of schools serving students in grades 5 through 10. It acknowledges the critical role these institutions play in supporting young adolescents during a key period of physical, intellectual, and emotional development. The measure encourages the public to engage with and celebrate middle schools, which are essential for preparing students for college, careers, and citizenship.
This bill, known as the Lowering Student Loans Act, would set the interest rate for new and existing Federal student loans at 2 percent starting July 1, 2026. It directly affects borrowers of Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, and Consolidation Loans by fixing their interest rates at this lower percentage for the duration of the loan. The legislation requires the government to notify borrowers 90 days before the change takes place and allows them to opt out of the rate adjustment within 90 days of receiving notice. Loan servicers would also be notified of the adjustments, and a complaint resolution process would be established to handle any errors or delays related to the rate changes.
This bill authorizes federal grants to establish a national education protection and advocacy program that supports organizations enforcing the rights of students with disabilities under key federal laws. The program would provide funding to existing protection and advocacy systems to monitor educational settings, advocate for safe conditions, and pursue legal remedies for violations of student rights. Grants would be distributed based on state populations with minimum amounts guaranteed for each state and territory, and recipients would not be required to provide matching funds. The legislation requires systems receiving funds to submit annual reports and use the grants to supplement rather than replace existing services.
