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.
This bill requires U.S. universities seeking federal research funding to certify that they do not operate permanent branch campuses in specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and others. The legislation defines a branch campus as a separate location that offers degree programs and has its own faculty and administrative control. If a university operates such a campus in a listed nation, it would be ineligible to receive federal research awards. The list of restricted countries also allows the Secretary of State to add additional nations as appropriate.
This bill prohibits U.S. universities from receiving federal research and development funding for five years if they previously accepted money from specific foreign governments for projects involving artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum computing. The targeted foreign entities include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Turkey, and Qatar, as well as organizations closely tied to these nations. By restricting access to future defense-related grants, the legislation aims to prevent institutions that have collaborated with these countries on sensitive technologies from participating in subsequent national security research.
The Student Loan Reform Act requires colleges to act as guarantors for student loans starting in July 2026, meaning schools would become directly responsible for repaying the debt if a student fails to pay. Under this program, institutions that agree to cosign loans would see their default rate thresholds raised from 30 percent to 40 percent, providing them with more flexibility regarding student repayment performance. If a borrower defaults and the loan remains unpaid for 90 days, the school must begin a ten-year repayment plan for the outstanding balance, though they can stop this obligation if the debt is rehabilitated or fully paid. Additionally, loans with institutional cosigners would receive a lower interest rate determined by the Secretary of Education based on the reduced risk to the lender.
This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 7567) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2616) to require public elementary and middle schools that receive funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to obtain parental consent before changing a minor's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form or sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 33) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2026 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2027 through 2035; providing for consideration of the bill (S. 1318) to direct the American Battle Monuments Commission to establish a program to identify American-Jewish servicemembers buried in United States military cemeteries overseas under markers that incorrectly represent their religion and heritage, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1346) to amend the Clean Air Act with respect to the ethanol waiver for Reid Vapor Pressure under that Act, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
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This legislation requires institutions of higher education applying for federal research and development awards to certify they do not operate branch campuses in specific foreign countries. Federal research agencies must include this certification requirement in their application process. The bill lists prohibited nations including Venezuela, North Korea, Iran, China, Cuba, Turkey, Russia, and Qatar, with the option for the Secretary of State to add others. A branch campus is defined as a permanent, geographically separate unit that offers degree programs and maintains its own faculty and budget.
The "No Rogue Jurors Act" prohibits the use of federal funds for organizations, schools, or entities that promote jury nullification. Specifically, it bans federal grants, contracts, and financial assistance to any group that conducts training, produces materials, or engages in outreach to encourage individuals to seek jury service in federal or District of Columbia courts with the intent to vote contrary to evidence or applicable law. This includes promoting the deliberate act of voting to acquit a defendant regardless of whether the elements of the charged offense have been established. This bill directly affects organizations that advocate for or educate on jury nullification and receive federal funding.
The Stop DEI Act proposes to prohibit federal funding for institutions of higher education. Specifically, it states that colleges and universities would be ineligible for funds from federal education programs. This ineligibility would occur if an institution considers an individual's race, sex, ethnicity, color, or national origin in ways that violate existing civil rights laws. The bill's aim is to prevent federal funds from being used by institutions whose practices related to these characteristics are deemed to be in violation of those laws.
This bill, titled the "Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act," repeals two sections of the Internal Revenue Code. It eliminates Section 25F, which provides a tax credit for contributions made to scholarship granting organizations. Additionally, the bill repeals Section 139K, which allows certain educational assistance to be excluded from an individual's gross income. These changes primarily affect taxpayers who currently claim these credits or exclusions, and organizations involved in scholarship grants or providing educational assistance. The amendments generally take effect for taxable years ending after December 31, 2026.
This joint resolution seeks to reject a specific rule issued by the Department of Education concerning the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If passed, it would nullify the rule and prevent it from taking effect, directly impacting federal student loan policies. The measure uses a congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the United States Code to override the department's regulatory decision. It does not create new policies but instead stops an existing proposed regulation from being implemented.
