The Data Center Water and Energy Transparency Act of 2026 requires large data centers to report their annual energy and water consumption to state agencies or federal officials if the state lacks its own reporting program. This mandate applies specifically to facilities with a peak demand of at least 25 megawatts, which must submit details on their usage, efficiency metrics, and five-year projections for reducing resource consumption. The bill also requires operators planning to build new or expand existing facilities to submit similar reports before construction begins. Additionally, the law authorizes states to charge fees for data collection and establishes a federal penalty of $20,000 per day for negligent violations of reporting requirements.
The Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026 establishes comprehensive protections for noncitizen children in immigration custody, primarily affecting families at the border and children placed in government care. The bill mandates that children remain with their parents or family members unless there is clear evidence of an imminent threat to national security or serious harm to the child, while also requiring the federal government to phase out large congregate care facilities in favor of smaller, family-like settings. Key provisions include strict standards for detention and housing conditions, such as 24-hour access to medical care, nutritious food, and recreational activities, alongside the creation of an independent Ombudsperson office to monitor compliance and investigate complaints. Additionally, the legislation ensures that children receive free legal representation, prohibits the use of welfare records in immigration proceedings, and establishes rigorous oversight for any emergency influx facilities used during surges in arrivals.
The RESILIENCE Act of 2026 directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to launch a one-year pilot program that trains local government officials on assessing security risks at critical infrastructure facilities. The bill also requires the agency to create clearinghouses where owners and operators of critical infrastructure can access security guidance and best practices developed by the agency or trusted sources. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the agency produce annual public reports detailing its outreach efforts to these infrastructure owners across various regions and sectors. The act clarifies that these new requirements do not exempt the agency from existing federal civil rights laws.
This bill requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) administering prescription drug benefits for federal employee health plans to reimburse pharmacies at specific rates, including the national average drug cost plus a small percentage or $50, whichever is lower. It prohibits PBMs from favoring their own pharmacies, restricting patient choice, or reducing pharmacy payments after claims are processed. The bill establishes $10,000 civil penalties for violations, with debarment from federal health plans after 10 penalties in 10 years. This directly affects PBMs, in-network pharmacies, and federal health benefit plans covering millions of federal employees and their families. The law aims to ensure fair reimbursement practices and maintain pharmacy choice under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.
This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. The document cites data showing that Black women earn roughly 65 cents for every dollar earned by white men and highlights how this disparity impacts their ability to support families and accumulate wealth. By referencing existing laws like the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act, the bill reaffirms Congress's support for equal pay for equal work without proposing new legislation or policy changes. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the economic challenges faced by Black women due to dual discrimination based on race and gender.
This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the persistent wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. It highlights data showing that Black women earn significantly less than their male counterparts and reaffirms Congress's support for existing laws that prohibit pay discrimination based on sex or race. The document does not create new laws or change policy but serves as a symbolic statement to raise awareness about the economic disparities faced by Black women.
This resolution directs the Senate Legal Counsel to file a lawsuit on behalf of the Senate to enforce the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits the President from accepting gifts or payments from foreign governments without Congressional approval. The bill specifically targets alleged violations by President Donald J. Trump, citing instances such as accepting a refurbished aircraft from Qatar, cryptocurrency investments from foreign-linked entities, and real estate deals in various countries that generated income for the President and his family. By seeking a court injunction, the measure aims to stop the President from accepting these specific benefits unless Congress provides its consent.
The Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2026 establishes a federal commission to study child marriage in the United States and requires the Department of Justice to create a model state law that sets the minimum marriage age at 18. The bill also amends immigration laws to generally deny visas to spouses or fiancés who were under 18 years old at the time of their marriage, with limited exceptions for compelling humanitarian reasons. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the use of federal property to facilitate any marriage where one or both individuals are under 18 and provides grants to states that establish task forces to examine and address child marriage.
The Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2026 requires accrediting agencies to evaluate colleges and universities based on specific student outcomes, such as loan repayment and post-graduation earnings, while prohibiting the federal government from setting rigid standards for curriculum or faculty. To improve oversight, the bill mandates that agencies conduct immediate, in-depth reviews when an institution faces investigations for fraud or financial misconduct and requires these agencies to publicly report their findings within 30 days. The legislation also introduces new transparency measures, including a standardized online system for displaying accreditation status, stricter rules on conflict of interest for agency staff, and requirements for institutions to have clear plans for transferring credits and supporting students if they close. Additionally, the act allows for differentiated accreditation labels, such as "accredited with risk," and establishes a process to review and potentially fine accrediting agencies that fail to act on known institutional problems.
The Social Security 2100 Act proposes significant changes to the U.S. retirement system, aiming to strengthen benefits, consolidate the trust fund, and improve service delivery. To directly affect current and future beneficiaries, the bill increases monthly payments for low earners, adjusts cost-of-living calculations to better reflect inflation, and extends eligibility for children in college. It also introduces new credits for caregivers, removes waiting periods for some disability claims, and allows higher earnings to count toward future benefits. To fund these enhancements, the legislation repeals the cap on taxable wages for Social Security taxes and creates a single, unified Social Security Trust Fund. Finally, the act mandates stricter data privacy protections, prohibits the wrongful invalidation of Social Security numbers, and requires the agency to maintain a robust workforce and keep field offices open.
The MediKids Act expands Medicaid eligibility to cover children and young adults up to age 26, regardless of their immigration status, and establishes a system for automatic enrollment of newborns that allows parents to opt out if other qualifying health coverage is available. The bill ensures that states provide full federal funding for these expanded groups and extends specific pediatric health services, such as Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT), to individuals up to age 26. Additionally, the legislation modifies tax rules to prevent this new Medicaid coverage from counting as minimum essential coverage for the purpose of individual health insurance tax penalties.
The Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals in the criminal justice system by restricting financial incentives for states that use restraints on pregnant inmates. Under the bill, states receiving federal justice grants would face a 25 percent funding penalty if they fail to implement laws limiting the use of shackles on pregnant individuals, with those withheld funds redirected to compliant states. The legislation also directs the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to create and fund programs in at least six federal facilities and across various state and local prisons that provide specialized prenatal care, mental health support, and reentry assistance. These programs are designed to address specific health disparities, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups, by offering culturally competent care, nutrition counseling, and opportunities to maintain contact with newborn children. Additionally, the act requires an independent oversight organization to monitor program implementation and mandates a Government Accountability Office report to analyze maternal and infant health data within the correctional system.
