This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs' high technology program to include emerging fields like artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to help veterans find jobs in growing industries. It requires the VA, along with the Departments of Defense and Labor, to partner with private sector employers and schools to identify these new job opportunities and the specific training needed to fill them. The agencies must then prominently display this information on their websites and promote it to veterans during their transition from military service. Additionally, the law mandates that the list of relevant industries and occupations be reviewed and updated every quarter to reflect changing market demands, with the entire program set to expire in September 2027.
The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act of 2026 establishes a new Office of Cancer Survivorship within the National Cancer Institute to coordinate research and education focused on the long-term health needs of the approximately 18 million Americans living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis. The bill mandates that Medicare and Medicaid cover specific services, including the creation of personalized care plans at key transition points and fertility preservation treatments for survivors facing treatment-related infertility. Additionally, the legislation creates a grant program to support cancer survivors and their families with employment assistance and establishes a new payment model designed to improve the quality and coordination of long-term survivorship care.
This bill renames the existing IDEAS Program to the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program and directs the Secretary of State to expand it to increase global education opportunities for U.S. college students. The program will award competitive grants to universities and consortia to support study abroad initiatives, with a specific focus on helping low-income students, students of color, and minority-serving institutions participate. Funding priorities include encouraging travel to nontraditional destinations, particularly developing countries, and ensuring that grant recipients have robust health, safety, and security plans for students overseas. The legislation sets a long-term goal of having at least one million undergraduate students study abroad annually while requiring the Department of State to submit annual reports on progress.
The Sister City Transparency Act directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study of sister city partnerships with foreign communities in countries scoring 45 or lower on the 2019 Corruption Perceptions Index. This investigation will examine how these partnerships are formed, what activities they include, and whether they pose risks such as economic coercion, espionage, or threats to free expression. The report, due within six months, will assess transparency levels and oversight practices while offering recommendations to improve how local governments manage these international agreements.
The Protecting Our Democracy Act is a comprehensive legislative bill designed to prevent abuses of presidential power, restore checks and balances, and defend elections against foreign interference. Key provisions include prohibiting the President from granting self-pardons, requiring congressional oversight for pardons involving the President or their family, and banning the President from accepting payments from individuals who have received clemency. The bill also strengthens enforcement of the Hatch Act and ethics rules for political appointees, mandates greater transparency in presidential tax returns and campaign finances, and restricts the use of federal property for political conventions. Additionally, it expands reporting requirements for foreign contacts in federal campaigns and imposes stricter penalties for violations of election laws.
The In God We Trust Act requires the Administrator of General Services to display the national motto "In God We Trust" on every public building within the United States. This mandate applies to all federal buildings and must be completed no later than one year after the law is enacted. The bill specifies that the motto must be inscribed or displayed in a prominent location on each structure.
This bill authorizes the federal government to provide up to $70 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to help local law enforcement agencies combat the trafficking of fentanyl and other opioids. The funds are intended for eligible entities such as states, local governments, and tribal organizations to hire and train officers, purchase necessary equipment, and establish or expand multi-jurisdictional task forces that cross city or state lines. A specific requirement of the program is that at least 20 percent of the money must be set aside for direct grants to Indian Tribes and multi-jurisdictional task forces. To receive these funds, applicants must submit detailed plans explaining how they will use the money and agree to report on their progress, while the Attorney General is tasked with streamlining the application process to reduce paperwork. The legislation also mandates that the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services provide training and technical assistance to support these efforts and submit annual reports to Congress on the program's effectiveness.
This bill creates a national resource center to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who belong to faith-based communities. It authorizes $2 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to fund grants for groups that provide training and technical assistance to religious leaders, service providers, and law enforcement. The program focuses on helping these stakeholders recognize spiritual abuse, respect cultural and religious needs like dietary accommodations, and address barriers such as religious divorce denial. To ensure accountability, the bill requires that all funded organizations prioritize victim safety over family privacy or religious doctrines that might otherwise restrict a survivor's exit from an abusive marriage.
The Moms Matter Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create two main grant programs aimed at improving maternal mental health and reducing health disparities among pregnant and postpartum individuals. The first program provides funding to community organizations and healthcare providers to expand services that integrate mental health care into prenatal and postpartum settings, with a specific focus on groups facing higher risks of mortality and morbidity. The second program offers grants to educational institutions to train and recruit a diverse workforce of mental health professionals who specialize in caring for pregnant and postpartum patients. Both initiatives require recipients to submit annual reports on their activities and outcomes, while the legislation authorizes $25 million and $15 million respectively for each program from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
The No Wasted Space Act creates a nine-member Commission to study potential future uses for the Arts and Industries Building on the National Mall. This commission will include representatives appointed by Senate and House leadership, as well as the Smithsonian Board of Regents, and must consist of individuals with expertise in museums, urban planning, and education. The group is tasked with producing a report that evaluates the building's conversion costs, fundraising options, and legislative needs for its long-term operation without relying on federal funds. The commission will also recommend a new name for the building and will dissolve once it submits its final recommendations to the President and Congress.
The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act allocates $200 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to improve data collection, surveillance, and research on how public health emergencies affect pregnant and postpartum individuals. This funding supports efforts to gather detailed demographic information on maternal health outcomes, establish regional centers of excellence, and expand surveys to better reach underrepresented communities. The legislation also requires the CDC to make this data publicly available in a disaggregated format while protecting patient privacy, and mandates public education campaigns to ensure accurate information reaches families and healthcare providers. Additionally, the bill creates a diverse task force to develop federal recommendations for respectful maternity care during emergencies, addressing issues such as telehealth access, doula coverage, and the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. These measures aim to reduce health disparities and improve care quality for pregnant people from racial and ethnic minority groups during public health crises.
This concurrent resolution expresses support for law enforcement officers. It also appreciates the contributions and recognizes the sacrifices of law enforcement officers.
