The NO FAKES Act of 2026 grants individuals and their heirs a new property right to control the creation and use of digital replicas of their voice or visual likeness, preventing unauthorized use in computer-generated media. This right lasts for the individual's lifetime plus 10 years after death, with potential extensions for continued commercial use, and applies to both living and deceased people. Online platforms and companies distributing such content must register with the Copyright Office, remove unauthorized replicas upon receiving valid notices, and face civil penalties of up to $750,000 per work if they fail to comply or knowingly distribute unauthorized replicas. The law also preempts most existing state laws protecting voice and likeness rights, though it preserves protections for sexually explicit content and election-related uses.
The No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026 prohibits the use of federal money to pay specific settlements involving high-ranking government officials and their close associates. It bars payments to the President, Vice President, their immediate families, cabinet members, senior executive staff, political appointees, and individuals connected to these roles, as well as any entity owned by the President or Vice President. Additionally, the bill restricts settlements related to claims about the January 6 Capitol attack, foreign election interference, or previously dismissed lawsuits, while requiring Treasury reports for large settlements and allowing the government to seek repayment if rules are broken.
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.
Hemp Planting Predictability Act This bill extends by two years the implementation of changes to the regulation of hemp products, which reimpose certain federal controls over some hemp products. Specifically, Congress enacted the FY2026 agriculture appropriations act (P.L. 119-37) on November 12, 2025. Effective November 12, 2026, the act modifies the statutory definition of hemp products that are considered to be lawful. This bill extends the effective date to November 12, 2028. As background, the 2018 farm bill excluded hemp from the Controlled Substances Act definition of marijuana and defined hemp . As a result, hemp and hemp-derived products at or below the 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, the psychoactive component of marijuana) concentration threshold were no longer regulated as Schedule I controlled substances and registration with the Drug Enforcement Administration was no longer required to cultivate or handle hemp and hemp-derived products. However, hemp remained subject to Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration regulation. The 2025 changes to the definition of hemp, include changing the limit to a total THC concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis rather than only delta-9 THC, explicitly including industrial hemp, excluding seeds from a cannabis plant that exceed a certain THC concentration, and excluding various types of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. Cannabinoids refer to unique chemical compounds that are found in hemp and marijuana (e.g., THC) and are known to exhibit a range of psychological and physiological effects.
This bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act to exclude specific cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) from SNAP income calculations. It removes from consideration increases in Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or VA benefits that take effect after January 1st of a fiscal year. As a result, households receiving SNAP benefits would no longer see their allotments reduced due to these government-provided income increases. The change applies to income assessed for the entire fiscal year and takes effect October 1, 2027.
This bill increases federal reimbursement for states operating summer nutrition programs. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to pay states 90% of monthly administrative costs for two programs: the summer electronic benefits transfer program for children (under the School Lunch Act) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This directly affects states that administer these programs, providing them with significantly more federal funding to cover operational expenses. The key change is raising the reimbursement rate from previous levels to 90% for both programs' administrative costs during fiscal years they are operated.
The USDA Loan Modernization Act (HR 6779) updates eligibility rules for USDA farm loan programs by lowering ownership thresholds from "majority" to "at least 50 percent" for real estate, operating, and emergency loans. It introduces new categories like "qualified operators" and allows farm businesses with complex ownership structures (e.g., 75% owned by qualified operators) to qualify. This directly affects farmers and farm entities applying for these loans, particularly those with partial ownership stakes or embedded entity structures. The bill modifies existing provisions under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act without creating new loan programs or changing loan terms.
This bill expands access to Fisher Houses - temporary lodging near VA medical facilities - for veterans receiving care at non-VA locations who travel significant distances, and for family members providing support during treatment. It adds specific rules allowing these groups to use available space in Fisher Houses on a space-available basis, without changing existing funding or facility construction. Fisher Houses are privately donated facilities managed by the Fisher House Foundation and located near VA medical centers. The bill clarifies eligibility under current VA lodging programs but does not create new housing or alter costs.
HR 3183, the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act of 2025, establishes a new Office of Falls Prevention within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate and improve falls prevention efforts for veterans. The bill mandates that VA healthcare facilities conduct annual falls risk assessments and provide fall prevention services by licensed physical or occupational therapists for veterans at risk, and requires biennial staff training on safe patient handling techniques. It also creates a pilot program to test home modifications for fall prevention and directs the VA to report on current falls prevention practices, including screening methods, home modification grants, and medication management risks. This legislation directly affects veterans at risk of falls, VA healthcare facilities, and providers delivering care under VA programs.
The Veterans’ Transition to Trucking Act of 2025 amends the GI Bill to allow the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve multi-state trucking apprenticeship programs for veterans using their educational benefits. This directly affects veterans seeking to transition into trucking careers and apprenticeship programs operating across multiple states. The key mechanism changes the law so the Secretary can act as a "State approving agency" for these programs, eliminating the need for separate state approvals. This streamlines access to trucking training without requiring veterans to navigate individual state requirements.
This bill amends federal law to allow non-supervisory attorneys at the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA) to be promoted to the GS-15 pay grade, a higher career level typically reserved for supervisory roles. It directly affects BVA attorneys by creating a clearer career advancement path to improve retention. The key mechanism is the new promotion provision added to Section 7101A(b) of Title 38, U.S. Code. The bill aims to address staffing challenges at the BVA, which handles veterans' appeals, though it does not specify additional backlog reduction measures beyond this personnel change.
HR 1352 designates the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, Virginia, as an "affiliated area" of the National Park System. The George C. Marshall International Center will manage the site, with the National Park Service providing technical assistance but not acquiring property or managing operations. The bill clarifies that this designation does not affect adjacent private property rights, create buffer zones, or regulate activities outside the house. It is a procedural measure to formally recognize the historic site within the National Park System framework.
