The BLADE Act directs the Department of Commerce to identify foreign entities, particularly those from China and Russia, that are conducting unauthorized "model extraction attacks" to steal capabilities from U.S. closed-source artificial intelligence models. The bill requires the government to publish a public list of these attackers and mandates their addition to the Entity List, which restricts their access to certain technologies and exports. Additionally, it authorizes the President to impose financial sanctions on identified individuals and entities, with specific exceptions for humanitarian assistance and national security activities.
The Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act aims to address the national shortage of qualified cybersecurity personnel by creating two new pilot programs within the Department of Homeland Security. The first initiative establishes an apprenticeship program that hires up to 25 individuals annually to gain on-the-job training and related education, with the goal of placing them in permanent federal cyber workforce positions after completion. The second program offers free cybersecurity training to veterans and military spouses, providing virtual and hands-on learning opportunities that lead to recognized postsecondary credentials. Both pilots include provisions for recruiting underrepresented communities and require regular reporting to Congress on participant demographics, completion rates, and employment outcomes. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for a federal cybersecurity workforce assessment from 2022 to 2028 to better track staffing needs.
The Stop CHEATERS Act directs the Internal Revenue Service to increase its enforcement efforts against high-income individuals and large corporations by allocating billions of dollars in additional funding for tax audits, criminal investigations, and taxpayer services through fiscal year 2031. A significant portion of this funding is designated for modernizing the IRS's technology and business systems to improve its ability to detect fraud and noncompliance. The legislation also requires the IRS Commissioner to submit regular reports to Congress detailing plans to shift auditing resources toward wealthy taxpayers and analyzing how much unpaid tax is owed by different income groups.
The AIR CARE for Vets Act of 2026 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a five-year pilot program using specialized software to detect respiratory disorders and lung diseases in veterans receiving care at VA facilities. To implement this, the VA will lease FDA-approved four-dimensional functional lung imaging software from eligible developers to analyze lung function data. The program is funded with up to $25 million over five years, and the VA must submit a report to Congress two years after the pilot ends to evaluate its effectiveness.
The SLASH Prices Act requires businesses that sell goods or services to clearly inform customers when prices are set by an algorithm using their personal data. Companies must display this notice prominently next to the price and provide an easy way for consumers to opt out of personalized pricing without facing discrimination or higher rates. The law exempts certain sectors like insurance and credit, as well as dynamic pricing based on real-time market conditions or delivery distance, and gives the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these rules.
The ReportScams.gov Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework to combat scams by creating a centralized website, reportscams.gov, where the public can access prevention resources, report incidents, and find victim assistance. This initiative requires the Office of Management and Budget to set a national priority goal for reducing scams and form an interagency Steering Committee involving major departments like the FBI, FTC, and Secret Service to develop a unified action plan. The bill mandates the creation of a secure online portal that routes scam reports to relevant federal and state authorities while providing detailed, up-to-date information on recognizing and avoiding fraud. Additionally, the legislation ensures accountability through quarterly progress reviews, annual public reports on scam trends and financial losses, and a specific authority for agencies to transfer funds to support these coordinated efforts.
The U.S. Tech PATH Act establishes a new program within the Department of State to help foreign governments purchase trusted American cyber and digital technologies, aiming to reduce reliance on suppliers from countries of concern like China. This initiative creates a dedicated office and funding stream to guide foreign partners through procurement hurdles, offering assistance with logistics, financing, and capacity building for items such as software, hardware, and artificial intelligence tools. To ensure security, the bill requires strict vetting of foreign partners to prevent human rights abuses and mandates risk assessments to stop technology misuse or diversion. The program is designed to operate alongside private market competition rather than replacing it, with a sunset provision that ends its authority eight years after enactment.
The No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 requires the Department of Education to use a new identity fraud detection system to review federal student aid applications starting October 1, 2026. If an application triggers a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud, the applicant will be notified and informed that their designated colleges must verify their identity before releasing any financial aid. To prevent payment, schools must confirm the applicant's identity through in-person meetings or live video calls unless the fraud suspicion is cleared. The Department of Education will also be required to report details about the system's design and its effectiveness to Congress annually.
The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes new export controls on advanced integrated circuits destined for specific countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba. It requires companies to obtain a specific license for each export of high-performance chips, prohibiting the use of general licenses and mandating detailed certifications to Congress regarding national security and defense impacts. The bill defines these restricted chips by their technical processing power and creates a "trusted United States person" program that allows certain domestic entities to bypass licensing requirements if they meet strict security and ownership standards. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to develop an "American Artificial Intelligence Victory Strategy" outlining how to maintain U.S. leadership in AI against foreign competitors.
The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 restricts the importation, sale, and use of connected vehicles and related technology from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea to protect national security. Starting in 2027, the bill generally bans these vehicles if they originate from or are controlled by these countries, with separate restrictions on software and hardware taking effect in 2030. The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to issue specific exemptions for items that do not pose a security risk and must publish a list of approved products. The law also requires companies to submit declarations confirming their vehicles comply with the rules and imposes heavy fines for violations.