The Postsecondary Student Success Act of 2026 creates a competitive grant program to help colleges improve graduation rates for high-need students, including those from low-income backgrounds, first-generation families, and military-connected individuals. To receive funding between 2027 and 2032, eligible institutions must submit plans detailing how they will use evidence-based strategies, such as better advising, accelerated learning options, and improved transfer pathways, to support student retention and completion. The law requires that at least 20 percent of the available funds go to projects using the most rigorously tested methods and mandates that 2 percent be reserved specifically for Tribal Colleges and Universities. Additionally, the Department of Education must evaluate the effectiveness of these programs and report the results to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment.
This bill, known as the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by strengthening their immunity from civil lawsuits. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending cases against these companies that are based on the criminal or unlawful misuse of a gun by a third party, while also clarifying that sellers are not liable for negligence in entrusting products to others. The legislation further restricts who can file such suits by prohibiting foreign governments from bringing these claims and adding a specific exception for victims under the age of 17, though it maintains immunity for cases involving design or manufacturing defects. Additionally, the bill allows companies to move these cases to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately, along with the ability to recover legal fees if they win. Finally, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on these entities for the same types of misuse-related harms.
This bill proposes changes to the Social Security system that would affect workers, retirees, and survivors. Starting in 2028, it requires individuals to pay Social Security taxes on a decreasing percentage of their earnings above the annual cap, eventually eliminating the tax on excess income by 2032. The legislation also adjusts how benefits are calculated by increasing the portion of high earnings that count toward future payments and creating a new index to track inflation specifically for elderly consumers. Additionally, it modifies benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households and ensures that Supplemental Security Income recipients are not penalized by changes to their Social Security benefits.
The ReCement Act amends federal regulations to allow cement manufacturers to use non-hazardous secondary materials as fuel or ingredients without classifying them as waste. This change directly affects the cement industry by permitting the use of recovered resources that meet specific legitimacy criteria, such as being managed as valuable commodities or processed before use. By updating the definition of what constitutes waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the bill aims to increase material efficiency in cement production through the incorporation of alternative fuels and recovered materials.
This bill, known as the Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act, would require Supreme Court justices to travel across the country to serve as judges in federal appeals courts, a practice that had ended in 1911. Under the new rules, justices must sit on at least one panel of an appeals court for a minimum of 10 days of oral arguments each year, while also being eligible to vote on panel rehearings but barred from participating in full court en banc reviews. The legislation mandates that these appearances occur in person rather than via video or teleconference and establishes a system for reimbursing travel and lodging expenses. Additionally, the bill adds a disqualification provision to prevent a justice from voting on any case after they have already participated in it as a circuit judge. Finally, the Chief Justice is tasked with creating regulations within 180 days to manage the assignment of justices to specific circuits.
The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 eliminates a federal tax credit that allowed parents to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations from their income. By removing these specific tax breaks, the bill prevents the use of public tax dollars to support private school vouchers and scholarship programs. This change directly affects families who currently rely on these tax incentives to fund education outside the public school system. The provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
The DASH Act aims to expand affordable housing options for low-income individuals, homeless persons, and first-time homebuyers by creating new federal programs and modifying existing tax laws. A primary component is the creation of 250,000 new rental vouchers in 2026 for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, which includes funding for supportive services like healthcare and job training, as well as requirements for public housing agencies to prioritize youth and families. The bill also establishes a modular construction pilot program to lower building costs, a grant system to reward local governments that adopt zoning rules allowing denser housing like duplexes and accessory dwelling units, and a new tax credit to help low-income families purchase starter homes in distressed communities. Additionally, the legislation introduces a new refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers, expands tax incentives for middle-income housing, and makes several adjustments to how homeowners can deduct losses or handle debt discharges related to their principal residences.
The Parent PLUS Loan Fairness and Responsibility Act of 2026 allows parents to transfer their existing federal student loans directly to their adult children under specific conditions. To qualify for this transfer, the loan must be in good standing, have been used for the child's education, and the child must be at least 18 years old with demonstrated ability to repay based on income and credit history. Once transferred, the child becomes the sole borrower responsible for the debt, while the parent is relieved of all repayment obligations and the loan retains its original terms and forgiveness eligibility. The bill also ensures that payments made before the transfer count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness and that the transferred amount does not affect the child's future borrowing limits.
This bill, titled the Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026, restricts how unaccompanied children under 18 are handled by immigration authorities in the United States. It requires immigration judges to issue an arrest warrant before detaining these children pending removal decisions and prohibits the use of military personnel or Department of Defense vehicles to transport them for deportation, except during declared natural disasters. Additionally, the law forbids government agencies from pressuring children to sign legal documents that affect their status without first ensuring they have confidential access to a lawyer, mandating legal referrals within five business days if a child does not already have one.
The Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act requires digital asset kiosk operators to register their locations with the Treasury Department and makes this information publicly available. To combat fraud and money laundering, the bill mandates strict identity verification, transaction limits of $2,000 per day for new customers, and the use of blockchain analytics to monitor suspicious activity. Operators must also provide clear, standardized disclosures about fees and risks, display scam warnings, offer live customer support, and issue detailed receipts to users. Additionally, the law sets federal transaction limits that supersede state restrictions while allowing states to issue compliance decals and maintain their own licensing requirements.
This bill requires states and tribal organizations that run school lunch programs to also participate in the Summer EBT program, which provides food assistance to children during summer breaks. For the summers of 2024 through 2026, participation in the summer program remains voluntary for these entities. Starting in summer 2027, joining the summer program becomes mandatory for any state or tribal organization that already participates in the school lunch program. The legislation also updates administrative rules to ensure states submit management plans for these programs by specific deadlines each year.
The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026 aims to improve the immigration court process for unaccompanied children by guaranteeing them government-funded legal representation. Under this bill, the Department of Health and Human Services would appoint lawyers for these children as soon as they enter federal custody, ensuring they have an attorney for every stage of their case, even if they turn 18 or are reunited with family while proceedings are pending. The law also requires that children receive copies of their immigration files at least seven days before a hearing and allows them to have a lawyer present during interviews and detention facility visits. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports on how many children received counsel and establishes rules for pro bono legal services to support these efforts.
