This bill, the PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026, requires most health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention medication without charging patients any out-of-pocket costs. It directly affects people with private insurance, government health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, military health care, and the Indian Health Service. The law mandates that insurance companies cannot require pre-approval for these medications, cannot charge deductibles or copayments for them, and cannot deny or charge higher premiums for life, disability, or long-term care insurance based on someone taking HIV prevention medication. The bill also creates a new public education campaign to increase awareness about HIV prevention options and provides federal funding to states and community organizations to expand access to these services.
This bill, titled the No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2026, amends the Affordable Care Act to restrict the use of federal taxpayer funds for health insurance coverage. It directly affects states that receive funding under the ACA and individuals seeking health insurance coverage through federal programs. The key provision prohibits states from using pass-through funding to pay for health insurance or related benefits for individuals who are not U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawfully present aliens. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to rescind any existing waivers that would have allowed such funding for unauthorized individuals had the new restrictions been in place at the time of approval.
This bill, the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026, updates eligibility rules and benefit amounts for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides financial assistance to low-income elderly, blind, and disabled individuals. Key changes include raising income and resource limits to help more people qualify, adjusting benefit calculations to better reflect poverty guidelines, and extending the program to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. The legislation also removes certain financial penalties, excludes retirement accounts and tribal welfare payments from eligibility calculations, and clarifies how state tax credits are treated when determining income.
HR 7856, the Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2026, amends the Fair Housing Act to explicitly prohibit housing discrimination based on being a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or severe trafficking in persons. It adds "survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, or severe trafficking" as a protected class in the law, alongside existing categories like race or national origin. This means landlords, housing providers, and programs cannot deny housing, evict, or otherwise discriminate against individuals due to their status as a survivor. The bill directly affects survivors who face housing barriers, including those with protective orders, shelter histories, or past evictions linked to abuse.
This bill, known as the American Meat Freedom Act, would allow meat and meat products inspected under qualifying state programs to be shipped across state lines, rather than being restricted to local markets. It directly affects small and mid-sized ranchers and meat producers who currently operate under state inspection systems but cannot sell their products interstate. The key provisions require that state inspection programs meet federal standards, producers comply with all applicable state requirements, products bear specific labeling indicating state inspection, and states agree to periodic audits by the USDA. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture create implementing regulations within 90 days of enactment.
This bill, titled the Alien Banking Act, requires individuals opening bank accounts in the United States to attest, under penalty of perjury, to their lawful immigration status. Financial institutions would be prohibited from opening or maintaining accounts for individuals who do not provide this attestation or are determined to be unlawfully present. The bill establishes significant civil and criminal penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and asset forfeiture, for individuals who knowingly make a false attestation regarding their immigration status. It also mandates that financial institutions report any suspected false attestations to federal authorities.
This bill establishes the Red Star Service Banner as an officially recognized symbol to honor U.S. service members and veterans who died by suicide, as well as first responders who died by suicide. The banner features a white field with a blue border and a single red star, and it may be displayed at private residences, workplaces, public buildings, community spaces, and other appropriate locations to recognize the sacrifice of those who died and support their families. The legislation clarifies that displaying the banner does not create new eligibility for benefits, requires VA approval for individual display, or establish any legal status beyond recognition. It also allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to promote awareness of the banner in coordination with the Department of Defense without requiring additional funding.
This bill requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study on how data centers impact communities of color and low-income communities, working with agencies like the EPA and the Council on Environmental Quality. The study will examine specific issues including water and energy consumption, air and soil quality, effects on property values and local tax revenue, and public health risks related to pollution and heat. The Secretary must consult with local governments and Indian Tribes during the study and submit a report to Congress within 18 months that includes a map of data center locations relative to affected communities, along with recommendations for mitigating potential harms.
This resolution designates March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day" to recognize the value of speech and debate programs in schools. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages educational institutions, businesses, and communities to celebrate and promote these programs. The resolution highlights how speech and debate education develops communication, critical thinking, and civic skills for students. It directly affects schools, teachers, and students participating in these programs by raising awareness of their importance. The Senate formally designates the date and urges nationwide participation in honoring this educational focus.
HRES 1106 is a non-binding House resolution honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a prominent civil rights leader and activist. The resolution recognizes his lifelong work in advancing equality through organizations like Operation PUSH, his leadership in the anti-apartheid movement, and his historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988. It expresses condolences to his family and calls on all Americans to continue his legacy of promoting civil rights and unity. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.
This bill would create Lending.gov, a centralized online platform designed to streamline how federal agencies manage and process loans. It requires agencies administering federal credit programs to migrate their loan management systems to this shared platform within three years, with exceptions allowed for smaller loan programs. The platform would use modern commercial technology to handle applications, underwriting, and servicing, aiming to reduce costs, prevent fraud, and improve transparency for borrowers. A designated provider agency would operate the system, collect fees to cover maintenance costs, and report performance metrics to ensure agencies remain satisfied with the service.
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.
