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.
School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act This bill provides certain resources to increase the number of social workers in elementary and secondary schools. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to high-need local educational agencies to retain or hire school social workers. The bill also establishes a national technical assistance center for school social work to, among other duties, develop strategies for improving the effectiveness of the school social work workforce.
The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency in election spending and prevent foreign influence. It expands the ban on foreign money to cover federal, state, and local elections, including ballot initiatives and judicial nominations, and criminalizes using corporations to conceal these funds. The bill mandates that organizations spending over $10,000 on campaign-related activities, such as independent expenditures or judicial nomination advocacy, disclose their beneficial owners and top donors. Additionally, it establishes new "Stand By Every Ad" disclaimers for political communications, requiring the highest-ranking official to approve the message and, for certain ads, list their top funders. These provisions directly affect non-candidate organizations, individuals involved in political and judicial nomination spending, and foreign nationals.
Debt-to-GDP Transparency and Stabilization Act This bill requires the President's annual budget and congressional budget resolutions to include (1) the ratio of the public debt to the estimated gross domestic product (GDP), and (2) the ratio of the surplus or deficit to the estimated GDP.
HR 7803, the "Save Medicare Act," renames Medicare Advantage plans to "Alternative Private Health Plan" for all federal references, including in the Social Security Act. It requires health plans to stop using "Medicare" in their titles after enactment, imposing a $100,000 civil penalty per violation. The change applies to all Part C Medicare plans and mandates a full transition by October 15, 2023, with a temporary period allowing both terms to be used during the switch. This bill directly affects private health insurers offering Medicare Part C plans and federal agencies managing Medicare programs. The policy change is solely about terminology, not benefits or coverage.
This bill creates a new White House Council on Fathers and Sons to address issues affecting men and boys across the United States. The Council would be led by senior federal officials and tasked with promoting the roles of fathers and sons in families, reducing deaths of despair among men, and coordinating federal responses to challenges faced by fathers and sons. It requires the Council to consult with federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and faith institutions while submitting regular reports to the President on its findings and recommendations. The Council would operate using existing funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, with participating agencies covering their own administrative costs.
This bill reauthorizes and modernizes Trade Adjustment Assistance programs to help workers, firms, communities, and farmers affected by trade-related job losses. It extends program funding through 2033 and expands eligibility to include teleworkers, staffed workers, and public agency employees. Key provisions increase financial benefits, add new allowances for childcare and job search, require inflation adjustments to benefit amounts, and establish new outreach requirements to ensure underserved communities receive adequate support. The legislation also creates a new community assistance program providing grants for strategic economic development planning and expands technical assistance for businesses seeking adjustment support.
This bill, known as the Dalilah Law, would restrict commercial driver's licenses to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and holders of specific work visas. It requires states to verify the citizenship or visa status of all CDL applicants and renewals within 180 days of enactment, while also mandating English language proficiency testing for all license holders. States that fail to enforce these requirements or issue licenses to ineligible individuals risk losing federal transportation funding. The law also imposes lifetime disqualifications for operating commercial vehicles without proper immigration status.
HRES 1097 is a procedural resolution requesting federal agencies to provide specific documents to the House of Representatives. It directs the Treasury and Homeland Security Secretaries to share records about how they implement an existing agreement (the "Memorandum of Understanding") for sharing taxpayer information related to non-tax criminal enforcement. The resolution specifically asks for documents concerning access to IRS systems containing taxpayer data, policies for handling such information, and any violations of privacy rules. This request does not create new law but seeks transparency about current agency practices involving sensitive taxpayer information.
This bill, titled the Investments in Rural Transit Act, aims to improve funding and administrative support for public transportation in rural areas and on Tribal lands. It increases the Federal operating share for rural transit from 50 percent to 80 percent and allows Tribal transit agencies to receive up to 100 percent Federal funding for eligible projects. The legislation also streamlines how rural and Tribal agencies can purchase vehicles and equipment through cooperative purchasing arrangements and requires the creation of a new Associate Administrator position focused on Tribal transit support. Additionally, the bill mandates a joint report from the Departments of Transportation and Energy on improving the procurement of low-emission vehicles in rural communities.
This bill, titled the One Nation, One Visa Policy Act, would require all Chinese nationals to have a valid visa before being allowed entry into the United States. It directly affects Chinese citizens and passport holders by prohibiting their visa-free admission and directing the Department of Homeland Security to stop using funds for any Chinese participation in existing visa waiver programs. The legislation explicitly includes Hong Kong and Macau under the definition of the People's Republic of China for the purposes of this restriction. The bill would remove the ability of Chinese nationals to enter the country without a visa under current waiver arrangements.
The Railway Safety Act of 2026 establishes new safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, including speed limits, enhanced reporting, and stricter tank car standards. It mandates that high-hazard trains carrying flammable liquids or toxic materials be limited to 40 mph in urban areas, while requiring railroads to provide real-time information to emergency responders. The bill also increases penalties for safety violations, requires more frequent inspections of rail equipment, and creates a new emergency response assistance program to help communities affected by hazardous materials incidents. Additionally, it authorizes funding for research into safer tank cars and defect detection systems, and requires the Federal Railroad Administration to improve its safety workforce management.
