Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, the Budget, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, Armed Services, Homeland Security, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, 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.
The Protecting Childcare from Private Equity Act requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to collect and report data on private funds that own or control childcare providers. It restricts these large private funds from selling their interests in childcare entities or taking dividends for four years after they first gain control. Additionally, the bill mandates a study by the Comptroller General to examine how private equity ownership affects childcare quality, availability, costs, and employee wages. These measures specifically target private funds with over $150 million in assets that operate childcare at more than 25 locations.
This bill expands federal election laws to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections by tightening restrictions on domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control. It requires businesses that are at least 50% owned by foreign individuals, or those with specific foreign influence, to file a sworn certification proving they are not foreign-controlled before making any political donations or spending money on election activities. Additionally, the law clarifies that these rules apply to state and local ballot initiatives and mandates that corporate political action funds certify their managers and board members are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The legislation also prohibits recipients of funds from these businesses from using the money for further political contributions unless they receive and verify the required compliance certification.
The Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026 mandates that individuals with criminal convictions retain their right to vote in federal elections and requires prisons, jails, and probation offices to notify incarcerated or supervised individuals of this right. The bill establishes specific procedures for voter registration and absentee voting within carceral settings, including expedited transmission of forms and the ability to use either a prison address or a last known address for registration. It also prohibits states from rejecting ballots or registration applications based on late mailing dates or electronic submission methods and ensures that election materials and nonpartisan voter registration services can be distributed inside correctional facilities.
The Affordable Housing Incentives Act allows property owners to avoid paying capital gains taxes when they sell real estate to qualified housing operators for use as affordable housing. To qualify, the property must be subject to a binding legal agreement that ensures it remains affordable or used as a homeless shelter for at least 30 years. The sale price cannot exceed the value determined by a professional appraisal, and the seller must notify the Treasury Department within 90 days of the transfer. The Treasury is required to audit these properties every five years to verify they continue to meet the affordability requirements throughout the 30-year period.
The Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026 requires the President to publicly explain the reasons for any pardon, commutation, reprieve, or fine remission in the Federal Register and on the official White House website. It also mandates that the Pardon Attorney prepare a Justice Impact Statement within 30 days, which must include victim statements and input from law enforcement officials regarding the potential impact on ongoing investigations. Additionally, the bill expands lobbying disclosure rules to require immediate registration and reporting for any lobbying efforts related to seeking executive clemency, regardless of the amount of money involved. Finally, the Pardon Attorney will conduct annual studies on how well the government follows these new transparency requirements and report the findings to Congress.
The STRATA Act of 2026 establishes a new program within the Department of State to foster international partnerships focused on advancing critical minerals technologies, aiming to strengthen U.S. supply chains and national security. This initiative allows the Secretary of State to form alliances with allied and partner nations, universities, and private companies while explicitly prohibiting collaborations with designated countries of concern such as China and Russia. Key provisions include the creation of International Centers of Excellence for research and training, the development of a digital platform to connect stakeholders with funding opportunities, and the establishment of clear guidelines for intellectual property and data security within these partnerships. The program authorizes the use of specific funding sources to support joint projects in extraction, recycling, and manufacturing, with a requirement that all activities conclude within ten years of the bill's enactment.
The Protecting Americans from Doxing and Political Violence Act requires government agencies to remove the personal contact details, home addresses, and financial information of Members of Congress, their family members, and designated staff from public records within 72 hours of a written request. The bill also prohibits data brokers from knowingly selling or trading this private information for any individual in the United States and mandates that other online platforms take down such data if the affected person submits a takedown notice. While these protections apply broadly to prevent doxing, the law includes exceptions that allow the continued publication of information related to news stories, matters of public concern, or records required by federal election laws.
This bill, titled the Prediction Markets Are Gambling Act, prohibits the listing, clearing, or trading of contracts related to sports events or casino-style games on regulated financial exchanges. It directly affects platforms and entities that currently operate prediction markets by banning them from offering bets on outcomes like professional sports matches or casino games such as roulette and blackjack. The law achieves this by amending the Commodity Exchange Act to explicitly define these activities as prohibited agreements, while also clarifying that state laws regulating such contracts remain unaffected. Essentially, the legislation removes the ability for federally registered markets to facilitate gambling on sports and traditional casino games.
The CURRENT Act modifies the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to streamline how states and federal agencies issue certifications for energy and transmission projects. It requires these agencies to publish clear certification rules, set a strict one-year deadline to decide on requests, and base decisions solely on whether a project will violate specific water quality laws. The bill also mandates that denials or conditions must be supported by clear and convincing evidence showing no reasonable way exists to meet environmental standards, while protecting applicants from having certifications reopened without a court order. Additionally, it establishes a fast-track judicial review process for energy projects, requiring courts to issue final rulings within 120 days.
The Right to Learn Act of 2026 creates a grant program to help schools and community organizations support students and staff affected by immigration enforcement actions. Funds awarded by the Department of Education can be used to hire trauma-informed counselors, provide emergency assistance like food and legal referrals, and train educators on culturally responsive care. The bill strictly prohibits schools from collecting or sharing personal data about a student's immigration status and forbids denying services based on that status. Eligible recipients include public schools, early childhood programs, universities, and legal service providers, with a total funding authorization of $250 million over five years.
The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Act of 2026 authorizes the organization Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. to build a commemorative monument on federal land in Washington, D.C., honoring the original Tuskegee Airmen who served in World War II. This legislation allows the group to accept private donations and cover all costs for the project without using federal funds, while requiring any leftover money to be deposited into specific government accounts. The bill also mandates that the memorial be constructed in compliance with existing federal standards for commemorative works.
