The TRADES Act increases the tax rate on investment income for certain educational organizations from 8 percent to 15 percent. This change is designed to generate additional revenue that the Treasury Secretary will use to fund career and technical education programs for states. The new funding amount will be calculated based on the extra tax revenue collected in the previous year and transferred annually to support these educational initiatives. The provisions take effect for taxable years beginning more than 12 months after the law is enacted.
The Space Ready 2.0 Act authorizes NASA to launch a pilot program that allows private companies, government agencies, and other entities to voluntarily contribute funds toward repairing, maintaining, and improving shared infrastructure at NASA centers. These contributions can support projects like roadways and pipelines that benefit multiple users, with agreements requiring transparency on costs and schedules and ensuring that any leftover money is returned to contributors or redirected to other eligible projects. The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress on project spending and progress, while also prohibiting NASA from using these voluntary funds to create new budget obligations before Congress appropriates money. This initiative is set to expire on December 31, 2031, unless extended, and aims to streamline infrastructure work without restricting NASA's ability to enter into direct agreements for other projects.
The Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2026 adds a new federal crime specifically targeting fraud related to veterans' benefits. This law makes it a punishable offense for anyone to knowingly execute a scheme designed to defraud an individual of these benefits or to help them obtain them falsely. Directly affecting fraudsters, the bill establishes that violators could face fines, imprisonment of up to five years, or both penalties. It defines "veterans' benefits" broadly to include any federal assistance provided to veterans, their dependents, or survivors. By amending the United States Code, the legislation creates a distinct legal tool to prosecute such financial deceptions.
The Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program to improve how states identify and recover improper payments. It requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to establish clear expiration dates for state exceptions to the program, mandate detailed annual reports on audit results, and ensure managed care organizations are included in these reviews. Additionally, the bill directs the agency to study barriers preventing states from participating and to launch a five-year demonstration project aimed at increasing state engagement. The legislation also extends the standard audit period to allow reviews of payments made over the previous four fiscal years.
The Federal Workforce Reproductive Rights Protection Act prevents federal agencies from relocating headquarters or major operations to states with laws restricting or banning abortion, while also barring the use of funds to build or lease facilities in those locations. To support federal employees who need to access reproductive health care, the bill allows workers to decline transfers to restrictive states, grants up to 21 days of paid leave for travel to obtain such services, and provides reimbursement for travel costs without requiring disclosure of the specific medical procedure. Additionally, the legislation prohibits government agencies from investigating an employee's use of abortion services when reviewing security clearances or making personnel decisions and protects workers from retaliation if they exercise these new rights.
This bill, titled the Getting Terrorist Fanatics Out Act of 2026, amends existing immigration laws to allow for the immediate revocation of citizenship for individuals convicted of specific terrorist offenses. It directly affects naturalized U.S. citizens who are found guilty under sections 2339A or 2339B of the United States Code, which relate to providing material support to designated foreign terrorist organizations. Under the new provisions, the court handling the criminal conviction would automatically cancel the person's certificate of naturalization and declare their citizenship void without requiring a separate immigration hearing. The legislation grants criminal courts the authority to make this determination as part of the trial process for the underlying terrorist charges.
The SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act creates a new federal grant program to help medical residents who must leave their home states to receive training in reproductive health care due to local abortion restrictions. Funded with up to $10 million annually from 2027 to 2031, these grants support residency programs that offer specialized training in sexual and reproductive health, including abortion care. The funding can be used to expand existing programs or establish new ones specifically for out-of-state residents and to cover their travel expenses. This legislation directly affects health care professionals seeking specialized training and the medical residency programs that provide it.
The Right to Vote Act establishes legal protections against government actions that make it more difficult for citizens to vote in federal elections. It prohibits any rule or practice that diminishes voting ability unless the government proves it is the least restrictive way to achieve an important interest, and it similarly blocks substantial impairments unless they significantly further a specific government goal. The bill creates a new legal pathway for voters to challenge these restrictions in federal court, requiring judges to expedite these cases and shifting the burden of proof to the government to justify any voting barriers. These protections apply to all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia for elections occurring on or after September 1, 2026.
The Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor program to better detect and recover incorrect payments. It requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to establish clear communication rules for when state program exceptions expire and mandates detailed annual reports on audit results, including amounts recovered and underpayments. The bill also expands the program to include Medicaid managed care plans, requiring these organizations to allow audits of their claims and cooperate with recovery efforts. Additionally, the legislation directs the government to study barriers preventing states from participating in the program and to run a five-year demonstration project to increase state involvement. Finally, it clarifies that audits can review payments made up to four years prior to the current fiscal year.
This bill, titled the Ban Abortion by Mail Act, aims to restrict how abortion medications like mifepristone are prescribed by requiring an in-person visit between the patient and the doctor. It directly affects health care providers who are currently certified by the FDA to dispense these drugs, threatening their certification status if they prescribe them without a physical examination or to patients living in states where the provider lacks a medical license. The legislation mandates that the FDA report annually to Congress on any providers who lose this certification due to violations or unsafe prescribing practices. By enforcing these specific conditions, the bill seeks to ensure that all prescriptions for abortion drugs are administered under strict supervision and within the legal boundaries of the patient's state.
This bill authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the four crew members of the Artemis II mission to recognize their historic achievement in advancing human space exploration. The legislation directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the medals, which will feature the faces of the astronauts and be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury. In addition to the gold medals, the bill permits the minting and sale of duplicate bronze versions to help cover production costs, with any proceeds returned to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
The Stop Lawmakers From Predicting Act prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children from trading on prediction markets regarding government policies, actions, political outcomes, or any events related to their congressional duties. This restriction applies to any purchase, sale, or agreement dependent on these specific outcomes while the individual is in federal service. If a covered individual violates these rules, they must pay a fee equal to the greater of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction value, plus any net profit made from the trade. The law also forbids paying these penalties using personal allowances, campaign funds, or other official accounts, and it requires the supervising ethics office to issue guidance on how to interpret the new restrictions.
