This bill directs the National Science Foundation to create a network of cloud laboratories that use automated robotics and advanced instrumentation to conduct biological experiments and generate data for artificial intelligence research. The legislation establishes a three-phase program where Phase I involves planning and assessment, Phase II funds at least two new laboratories, and Phase III funds at least three additional laboratories over a 12-year period. Key provisions include creating an advisory board to guide development, setting up data sharing protocols for authorized researchers, and requiring cybersecurity and biosecurity safeguards. The program aims to connect public and private research facilities while providing access to experimental capabilities for scientists across academia, industry, and government.
This bill, titled the AI Guardrails Act of 2026, establishes specific restrictions on how the Department of Defense can use artificial intelligence. It prohibits the military from using AI to launch or detonate nuclear weapons, to monitor or target individuals within the United States without a legal basis, and to employ lethal force through autonomous weapon systems without human oversight. The legislation also creates a waiver process that allows the Secretary of Defense to temporarily permit certain autonomous weapon uses under strict conditions, requiring written certification to Congress and detailed notifications about the system's safeguards and testing results.
This bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Administrator to officially designate national high-energy astrophysics hubs. These hubs would be research facilities, universities, government entities, or non-governmental organizations that operate missions supporting U.S. leadership in high-energy astrophysics and related scientific fields. The designated hubs must provide training, workforce development, technology transfer, and collaborative resources for academic, governmental, and commercial partners. The legislation aims to maintain U.S. global leadership in this scientific area by ensuring current facilities continue serving scientific, educational, and commercial interests beyond the duration of current flagship missions.
This bill, titled the Taiwan and American Space Assistance Act of 2026, authorizes expanded cooperation between U.S. federal agencies and Taiwan in civilian space activities. It directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to work with Taiwan on satellite programs, space exploration, weather monitoring, personnel exchanges, and commercial space technology. The legislation requires these agencies to coordinate with the State Department and protect sensitive U.S. information and economic interests while pursuing mutually beneficial initiatives. Officials must submit annual reports to Congress for five years detailing the cooperation efforts and any challenges encountered.
The NSF AI Education Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to award scholarships and fellowships to undergraduate and graduate students studying artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and related fields. The bill establishes new programs to support AI education at community colleges, vocational schools, and historically underserved institutions, including priority funding for rural, Tribal, and minority-serving institutions. It also authorizes grants for AI research in agriculture and advanced manufacturing, requires the development of guidance for AI use in K-12 education, and mandates the creation of workforce frameworks for AI and other emerging technologies. The legislation includes provisions to restrict funding to institutions with certain civil rights violations and establishes requirements for oversight of public-private partnerships and foreign contributions.
This bill, titled the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to update cybersecurity and digital service regulations for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The law mandates that states issue chip-enabled EBT cards within four years, ban magnetic stripe cards on new cards, and eliminate replacement fees for cards lost, stolen, or damaged due to fraud. It also requires online transaction security measures, provides funding for retailers to upgrade payment terminals, and establishes reporting requirements to track fraud and system performance.
This bill directs the U.S. Secretary of Education to create a pilot program that awards competitive grants to partnerships between colleges and employers to integrate cybersecurity training into postsecondary career and technical education programs. The grants, up to $500,000 each, are intended to help prepare workers for critical infrastructure sectors like energy, water, and transportation by teaching cybersecurity skills aligned with national workforce standards. To receive funding, partnerships must include at least one college and two or more employers in a critical infrastructure sector, and they must submit detailed plans covering curriculum development, workforce needs, diversity goals, and how they will sustain the programs after the grant period ends. The bill also requires recipients to report annually on how funds were used, student outcomes, and employment results, with a total funding authorization of $10 million.
This bill would prohibit the Social Security Trust Funds from investing in cryptocurrency or any crypto-related investments. It directly affects the Social Security system by amending the Social Security Act to ban digital assets and related financial products from the fund's investment portfolio. The legislation defines "digital asset" using the existing definition from the GENIUS Act and includes various crypto-related investments such as funds tied to digital asset futures, stocks of companies deriving value from digital assets, and other assets whose value depends on cryptocurrency. This change would remove cryptocurrency from the list of allowable investments for Social Security's trust funds.
This bill, titled the Security and Freedom Enhancement Act of 2026, amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to reform how intelligence agencies collect and use information about Americans. It directly affects the FBI, intelligence agencies, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court by requiring stricter rules on searching communications of U.S. persons and limiting access to data about Americans located in the United States. Key provisions include mandatory audits of FBI queries, new approval requirements for searching sensitive individuals like elected officials, expanded reporting to Congress, and restrictions on purchasing personal data from data brokers. The bill also strengthens oversight by requiring the Inspector General to conduct periodic audits and mandates greater transparency through public reporting of surveillance activities.
This bill requires Veterans Affairs call centers to use multi-factor authentication to verify the identity of callers before taking high-impact actions. It directly affects veterans and beneficiaries who interact with VA services, ensuring their identities are confirmed more securely. The law defines high-impact actions as those where fraud could cause lasting harm, such as diverting funds or accessing sensitive accounts. By adding this requirement to federal code, the bill strengthens existing security controls for vulnerable service members.