This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online system allowing taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. The legislation prohibits the Treasury Department from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide tax preparation or filing services, and it voids any existing contracts with such restrictions. The program would use IRS data to simplify filing, include customer support, be available in multiple languages, and allow users to file even if they are not required to. It also enables taxpayers in participating states to file state and local returns alongside their federal returns, with funding provided to states that meet certain standards.
The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency in election spending and prevent foreign influence. It expands the ban on foreign money to cover federal, state, and local elections, including ballot initiatives and judicial nominations, and criminalizes using corporations to conceal these funds. The bill mandates that organizations spending over $10,000 on campaign-related activities, such as independent expenditures or judicial nomination advocacy, disclose their beneficial owners and top donors. Additionally, it establishes new "Stand By Every Ad" disclaimers for political communications, requiring the highest-ranking official to approve the message and, for certain ads, list their top funders. These provisions directly affect non-candidate organizations, individuals involved in political and judicial nomination spending, and foreign nationals.
This bill authorizes the creation of Lending.gov, a centralized online platform designed to streamline access to loans offered by various federal agencies. It requires agencies to migrate their loan management systems to this shared platform within three years, aiming to reduce costs, prevent fraud, and improve the speed and transparency of federal lending. The platform will be operated by a designated provider using modern commercial technology, with oversight from the General Services Administration and performance monitoring through regular surveys and public reporting.
HR 7803, the "Save Medicare Act," renames Medicare Advantage plans to "Alternative Private Health Plan" for all federal references, including in the Social Security Act. It requires health plans to stop using "Medicare" in their titles after enactment, imposing a $100,000 civil penalty per violation. The change applies to all Part C Medicare plans and mandates a full transition by October 15, 2023, with a temporary period allowing both terms to be used during the switch. This bill directly affects private health insurers offering Medicare Part C plans and federal agencies managing Medicare programs. The policy change is solely about terminology, not benefits or coverage.
This bill, known as the Dalilah Law, would restrict commercial driver's licenses to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and holders of specific work visas. It requires states to verify the citizenship or visa status of all CDL applicants and renewals within 180 days of enactment, while also mandating English language proficiency testing for all license holders. States that fail to enforce these requirements or issue licenses to ineligible individuals risk losing federal transportation funding. The law also imposes lifetime disqualifications for operating commercial vehicles without proper immigration status.
This bill, titled the Investments in Rural Transit Act, aims to improve funding and administrative support for public transportation in rural areas and on Tribal lands. It increases the Federal operating share for rural transit from 50 percent to 80 percent and allows Tribal transit agencies to receive up to 100 percent Federal funding for eligible projects. The legislation also streamlines how rural and Tribal agencies can purchase vehicles and equipment through cooperative purchasing arrangements and requires the creation of a new Associate Administrator position focused on Tribal transit support. Additionally, the bill mandates a joint report from the Departments of Transportation and Energy on improving the procurement of low-emission vehicles in rural communities.
This bill requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development to create simplified application forms for rural communities seeking federal economic development grants. It defines rural communities as incorporated municipalities, Tribal areas, or territories with populations of 10,000 or fewer people or those outside metropolitan statistical areas. The legislation mandates that the Assistant Secretary gather input from rural stakeholders on reducing application length, minimizing required documentation, standardizing forms across programs, and eliminating repetitive information requests. Additionally, the bill requires the agency to publicly share sample successful applications, decision-making criteria, and standardized guidance to help rural applicants navigate the grant process.
National STEM Week Act This bill requires the National Science and Technology Council's Committee on STEM to designate a week each calendar year as National STEM Week. (STEM refers to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.) During this established week, the committee must encourage educational institutions (i.e., elementary schools, secondary schools, and institutions of higher education) to participate in the week and also encourage families of students attending these educational institutions to participate in STEM activities. Additionally, the committee must encourage STEM industries to (1) engage with students enrolled in educational institutions by providing mentorship programs, site visits, and guest lectures; and (2) support STEM education initiatives at these educational institutions through funding, resources, and expertise. The committee must annually report to Congress on the activities conducted during the established week.
The Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act reforms the Department of Defense's 1033 program, which transfers surplus military equipment to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The bill prohibits the transfer of specific military-grade items, including controlled firearms (like automatic weapons), ammunition, grenades, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, and silencers. For any permitted transfers, non-federal agencies must notify their local community, get approval from their local governing body, and certify the equipment's necessity for specific public safety or emergency purposes. The bill also mandates increased accountability for all transferred property, prohibits agencies from taking ownership, and requires the return of equipment if an agency is involved in widespread civil liberties abuses using that property.
This bill, known as the Parity for Tribal Educators Act, would allow employees of tribally controlled schools to receive pensions through the Federal Employees Retirement System and contribute to the Thrift Savings Plan. It applies specifically to teachers and staff working at schools that operate under contracts or grants from the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act or the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988. Under the bill, the Bureau of Indian Affairs would make the required government contributions to these retirement plans, though employees could choose to opt out of this coverage if they prefer. The legislation also establishes procedures for employees to decline participation in the federal retirement system if they wish.
This resolution designates February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week" to honor the National FFA Organization’s work in agricultural education. It recognizes FFA’s role in developing leadership and career skills for students (with over 1 million members nationally) and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s State FFA Association, which has 19 chapters and 493 members. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but formally expresses Senate support for FFA’s mission.
This resolution (SRES 617) designates February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to symbolically recognize CTE programs nationwide. It supports CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers by promoting workforce readiness through academic and technical skills training. The resolution encourages educators, counselors, parents, and school administrators to advocate for CTE as a valid educational pathway. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but affirms bipartisan support for CTE's importance in workforce development.
