The Stop Corrupt Trading Act prohibits the President, Vice President, and their controlled businesses from selling or exchanging nonpublic information gained through their official positions for financial gain. This law defines nonpublic information as data that is confidential, exempt from public disclosure, or not available to the general public, and it bans anyone else from buying or selling such information for profit. Violators face criminal penalties including fines up to double the transaction value or up to five years in prison, as well as civil lawsuits that can result in the forfeiture of profits and significant monetary penalties. The bill also establishes a six-year statute of limitations for civil actions, which is paused while the President or Vice President holds office, and requires the Office of Government Ethics to refer credible evidence of violations to the Attorney General.
This bill, known as the State-Based Education Loan Awareness Act, clarifies that state-run student loan programs are not subject to certain federal rules about preferred lender arrangements. It directly affects state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and other entities that offer private student loans without federal government backing. The legislation defines these state programs by requiring that they offer interest rates and fees at least as favorable as federal Direct PLUS loans and that borrowers are informed about federal loan options before taking out private loans. By making this exclusion explicit, the bill ensures state programs operate under different regulatory requirements than federally backed lending arrangements.
This joint resolution seeks to formally disapprove a federal rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The rule in question aims to remove the legal definition of "harm" from the Endangered Species Act, a change that could alter how agencies regulate activities affecting protected species. If passed, the resolution would prevent the new rule from taking effect, thereby keeping the existing definition of harm in place. The measure directly impacts federal conservation efforts and the regulatory framework governing endangered species.
The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.
The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to resolve disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court or as part of a group. It bans retaliation against employees who refuse to arbitrate and mandates that any post-dispute arbitration agreements be truly voluntary, requiring plain language explanations, a 45-day waiting period, and written consent. The bill also amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it illegal for employers to enter into or enforce contracts that prevent workers from joining together to file joint or class-action lawsuits regarding workplace rights. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.
The ASSET Act prohibits states from using asset limits to determine eligibility for several federally funded assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, LIHEAP, and Supplemental Security Income. By removing these financial thresholds, the bill aims to allow low-income families to save money and build financial stability without risking their benefits. Additionally, the legislation updates the resource limit for SSI recipients to $20,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples in 2026, with future increases tied to inflation. While the bill generally eliminates these limits, it includes a grace period for states that must pass their own laws to comply with the new rules.
The Fairness in Foreign Filing Act changes how the IRS handles specific penalties related to foreign information reporting to give taxpayers more time to contest them. Under the new rules, the IRS must send a written notice explaining the proposed penalty at least 60 days before assessing it, allowing the taxpayer to request a review by the IRS Appeals Office and stopping collection until that review is complete. The bill also clarifies that certain existing penalties are treated as taxes for collection purposes while preserving other taxpayer rights to sue for refunds. Additionally, the legislation removes a requirement for foreign trusts to file certain information returns by a specific deadline, applying this change to tax years starting after December 31, 2026.
This joint resolution seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regarding how federal banking laws interact with state interest-on-escrow laws. If passed, the measure would declare the federal rule invalid and prevent it from taking effect. The primary impact would be to allow states to maintain their own regulations on interest earned on escrow accounts without interference from this particular federal directive.
The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to remove specific quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year through 2036 and beyond, with targets increasing from 50,000 to 10 million metric tons annually. The bill defines eligible technologies as those that capture CO2 directly from the air or seawater and store it durably, while excluding methods like enhanced oil recovery or natural photosynthesis. To ensure accuracy, the law requires independent third parties to measure, monitor, and verify removals, with costs included in the price of removal, which must drop from $750 per ton in 2026 to $150 per ton by 2037. The Secretary of Energy must prioritize projects that create domestic jobs, source materials locally, and benefit communities historically dependent on fossil fuels, while reserving at least 20 percent of removals for smaller projects. Additionally, the act mandates regular reports to Congress on progress and authorizes funding to carry out these removal obligations.
This bill, known as the EMPOWER for Health Act, extends federal funding for health workforce programs through fiscal year 2030, directly supporting medical schools, residency programs, and health education centers. It increases annual appropriations for various initiatives that train and place healthcare professionals in underserved areas, including specific programs for pediatric care and area health education centers. The legislation also updates eligibility requirements and service obligations for participants, ensuring that training programs align with current medical practice standards and that graduates serve in communities with healthcare shortages.
This Senate resolution commemorates June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth National Independence Day to honor the 1865 announcement of freedom to enslaved people in Texas and the Southwestern States. The bill serves as a formal recognition of this historical event and does not create new laws or change federal holidays. It aims to support nationwide celebrations and encourage learning about the history of slavery and emancipation in the United States.
This bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to restrict exemptions for foreign agents representing certain entities. It prohibits exemptions for agents of foreign corporate or government entities owned by countries listed in the State Department's "country of concern" definition (e.g., Russia, China, Iran). The bill creates a new process requiring congressional approval via a specific joint resolution to add or remove countries from the "concern" list, with proposals submitted to designated Senate and House committees. The changes expire after 5 years from enactment. (Note: The title "PAID OFF Act" is misleading; the bill focuses on foreign influence transparency, not financial relief.)
