The Every Dollar Counts Act of 2026 requires health insurance plans and issuers to count money spent by individuals on prescription drugs purchased directly, without applying their insurance benefits, towards their annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximums. This means that if an individual pays cash for a drug or uses a discount card instead of their insurance benefits, those expenditures will still contribute to reaching their yearly healthcare spending limits. This change directly affects individuals enrolled in group or individual health insurance coverage. The new rules will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
The HBCU Research Capacity Act establishes a Federal Clearinghouse within the Department of Education, in coordination with several other federal agencies, to provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with comprehensive information on federal grant opportunities. This Clearinghouse will identify grants supporting research and development and institutional capacity building at HBCUs, while also sharing best practices for securing federal funding. The Department of Education will notify HBCUs and Congress about the Clearinghouse and offer quarterly updates to participating institutions. Additionally, several federal agencies, including Defense, Energy, and the National Science Foundation, are mandated to review their grant programs to align with the Clearinghouse's recommendations and report any identified funding gaps to Congress annually.
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands federal efforts to advance quantum information science, engineering, and technology through 2034. The bill establishes new workforce development programs, including quantum education initiatives, traineeships, and a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Coordination Hub to address talent needs. It creates an International Quantum Cooperation Strategy to foster partnerships with allies and addresses quantum supply chain vulnerabilities through mapping and planning efforts. The act includes specific funding allocations for quantum research centers, testbeds, and post-quantum cryptography development, with annual evaluations required to assess program effectiveness. The legislation directly affects federal agencies, research institutions, and the quantum industry by providing structured funding and coordination for quantum technology advancement.
The Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025 requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish safety standards for "covered gates" (including automatic/vehicular gates and gates over 48 inches wide or 84 inches tall) within one year of enactment, referencing existing ASTM and ANSI safety standards. It mandates a public education campaign by the CPSC within two years to inform manufacturers, installers, building officials, and consumers about gate safety risks and prevention methods. The CPSC must also report to Congress within three years on actions taken through the education campaign. The bill directly affects gate manufacturers, installers, retailers, building officials, and consumers using these gates.
The GRACIE Act of 2026 provides federal grants to state child welfare agencies to help them record and keep all interviews related to child abuse and neglect investigations. Under this bill, states receiving funding must create or update rules requiring electronic recording of these interviews and store the recordings securely for at least five years. The funds can only be used for costs directly tied to conducting and retaining these recordings, including audio or video capture. States must also establish access controls that limit who can view the recordings while allowing caregivers to request copies in certain legal situations. The program is authorized for six years, with up to $30 million available annually from 2026 through 2031.
This bill directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study on the 1-800-MEDICARE hotline within one year of enactment. The study will examine customer wait times, satisfaction levels, staffing competency, contractor performance, and any changes in service quality since previous reports. It also requires the report to include recommendations for improving the hotline and describe actions taken in response to past recommendations. The bill affects Medicare beneficiaries who use the hotline and the contractors and government officials responsible for managing it.
This bill amends Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to clarify that protections against sex discrimination do not extend to gender identity. It directly affects employers, employees, and individuals involved in workplace discrimination claims by explicitly excluding gender identity from the definition of sex-based discrimination. The key provision is a rule of construction that interprets existing federal law in a specific way, rather than creating new protections or restrictions. This change would limit the scope of federal sex discrimination claims to biological sex rather than including gender identity as a protected category.
This bill establishes a new Refined Fuel Storage Reserve in eight Western States to store gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as part of the national Strategic Petroleum Reserve. The Energy Department must identify and select one storage location within six months of enactment, prioritizing areas dependent on imported fuel or likely to face shortages, and must fill the reserve to at least 75 percent capacity over five years using existing federal funding. The reserve can be used during emergencies or supply disruptions, and the Energy Secretary may partner with state and local governments to store non-federal fuel in the facility. The bill also requires annual reports to Congress on the reserve's establishment, operations, and future recommendations.
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study fraud prevention in federal early childhood education, child care, and nutrition programs - including Head Start, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant. The study will examine current fraud prevention procedures, assess whether federal data is sufficient and effectively used to detect fraud, and evaluate state program integrity results when responsibilities are delegated to local entities. The GAO must submit a report to Congress within two years, including findings and recommendations for improving fraud prevention measures. This is a procedural study bill focused on identifying gaps, not implementing new policies.
This bill would ban the trading of financial contracts tied to specific events like terrorism, assassination, wars, elections, and government actions. It directly affects people and companies that currently trade or plan to trade these types of event-based derivatives. The law would make it illegal for regulated exchanges to list or offer these contracts, with the exception that states could choose to allow trading of contracts related to gaming. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission would also have the authority to ban other event contracts it considers harmful to the public interest.
This bill prohibits the issuance of U.S. visas to individuals who have committed particularly severe violations of religious freedom, either while serving as foreign government officials or while acting outside the United States. It directly affects foreign nationals by adding them to the list of inadmissible aliens under U.S. immigration law if they meet specific criteria related to religious persecution. The law requires the Secretary of State to publish the names and locations of these individuals on a public website, though the Secretary retains discretion to withhold identities if doing so would harm U.S. foreign policy interests. This measure expands existing immigration restrictions to specifically target those responsible for religious freedom violations, creating a new ground for visa denial.
Representing our Seniors at VA Act of 2025 This bill expands the membership of the Geriatrics and Gerontology Advisory Committee within the Veterans Health Administration by requiring the addition of one representative from the National Association of State Veterans Homes who holds a professional license in nursing home administration. Additionally, the committee must consult with the National Association of Veterans State Homes with respect to matters concerning the association.
