The Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act directs the National Institutes of Health to conduct a comprehensive study on developing a standardized, noninvasive test for human papillomavirus in men. This research must be completed within 24 months and will involve coordination with federal agencies like the CDC and the FDA, as well as scientific experts and community stakeholders. The study aims to evaluate various testing methods, assess feasibility across diverse populations, and provide recommendations for future implementation and regulatory approval. Additionally, the bill requires an interagency working group to oversee the process and mandates a final report to Congress within 30 months outlining findings and strategies for improving cancer prevention and health equity.
The Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act of 2026 creates a competitive grant program to help partnerships establish or expand training programs for early childhood education careers. These grants are awarded to groups that include colleges, child care providers, and community organizations, with a focus on areas that have shortages of childcare workers. The funding can be used to develop educational materials, support student recruitment and retention, improve teacher training, and offer financial assistance like scholarships or stipends to students. Priority is given to applicants serving rural and urban communities and those providing care for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Recipients must submit annual reports and undergo independent evaluations to ensure the programs effectively improve education outcomes.
This bill, known as the Department of Energy Drone Defense Act, expands the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Energy to manage certain drone systems. Specifically, it allows the Secretary to procure, operate, and use federal funds for drones that are classified as "covered" and originate from "covered foreign entities." These changes modify existing restrictions found in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, which previously limited such activities primarily to the Secretary of State. By adding the Department of Energy to the list of authorized agencies, the legislation enables the department to participate in these drone-related activities without violating current prohibitions.
The CARE for RPA Crews Act directs military department secretaries to create a new status identifier for remotely piloted aircraft crews conducting combat operations. This status would hold equivalent merit to the existing combat status identifier currently used by traditional military personnel. The law requires this new system to be established within 180 days of the bill's enactment. By granting this recognition, the legislation aims to formally acknowledge the combat roles played by drone operators.
The Dietary Supplements Access Act allows individuals to use funds from specific tax-advantaged health accounts to purchase dietary supplements without paying income taxes on those withdrawals. This legislation directly affects holders of Health Savings Accounts, Archer Medical Savings Accounts, and Health Flexible Spending Arrangements by permitting up to $500 per year in tax-free spending on these products, with a lower limit of $250 for married couples filing separately. The bill explicitly defines dietary supplements according to federal law but excludes energy drinks, soft drinks, and sodas from this benefit. These tax advantages will only become effective for expenses incurred after December 31, 2025.
The Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 establishes a temporary United States Commission on Hate Crimes to investigate the rising number of bias-motivated incidents and improve how they are reported. The ten-member commission, appointed by congressional leaders and the Attorney General, will examine factors like social media's role in hate crimes and identify barriers preventing local law enforcement from fully participating in federal reporting systems. Within one year of its formation, the commission must submit a report to Congress and the President with findings and recommendations for better prevention and data collection. Additionally, the bill requires an independent audit by the Government Accountability Office to verify the accuracy of hate crime data collected by the FBI.
The Stop the Doxx Act makes it a federal crime to publicly share personal information, such as home addresses or phone numbers, about law enforcement officers, prosecutors, judges, or their immediate family members with the intent to threaten or intimidate them. Under this law, individuals found guilty face prison sentences of up to 10 years for a first offense, with penalties increasing to 20 years for repeat offenses or up to 40 years if the act results in injury or death. The bill also allows victims to sue for damages and requires the Attorney General to create a free, annual training program to help these public servants protect their personal data online.
This bill directs the Department of Defense to connect military recruits who cannot enlist with the Job Corps program for training in skilled industrial jobs within the defense industry. It expands specific workforce incentives to include Job Corps centers and gives local operators more flexibility to hire staff, partner with educational institutions, and manage their programs without waiting for federal approval. The legislation also updates rules to allow Job Corps centers to accept cash donations and grants more easily while streamlining enrollment for veterans and active-duty service members. Overall, the act aims to reduce shortages of skilled workers in defense manufacturing by aligning Job Corps training with the needs of the defense industrial base.
The Freedom from Taxes Act of 2026 eliminates federal transfer and making taxes on firearms, which directly affects individuals buying or manufacturing guns. By setting these specific taxes to zero, the bill removes the $200 fee previously required when transferring or making certain firearms. The law also adds a time limit to a special tax, ensuring it no longer applies to years beginning after the bill takes effect. These changes would become active on the first day of the first calendar quarter starting more than 90 days after the legislation is signed into law.
The NO FAKES Act of 2026 grants individuals and their heirs a new property right to control the creation and use of digital replicas of their voice or visual likeness, preventing unauthorized use in computer-generated media. This right lasts for the individual's lifetime plus 10 years after death, with potential extensions for continued commercial use, and applies to both living and deceased people. Online platforms and companies distributing such content must register with the Copyright Office, remove unauthorized replicas upon receiving valid notices, and face civil penalties of up to $750,000 per work if they fail to comply or knowingly distribute unauthorized replicas. The law also preempts most existing state laws protecting voice and likeness rights, though it preserves protections for sexually explicit content and election-related uses.
The No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026 prohibits the use of federal money to pay specific settlements involving high-ranking government officials and their close associates. It bars payments to the President, Vice President, their immediate families, cabinet members, senior executive staff, political appointees, and individuals connected to these roles, as well as any entity owned by the President or Vice President. Additionally, the bill restricts settlements related to claims about the January 6 Capitol attack, foreign election interference, or previously dismissed lawsuits, while requiring Treasury reports for large settlements and allowing the government to seek repayment if rules are broken.
This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5951 Riverdale Avenue in Bronx, New York, as the "Eliot L. Engel Post Office".
