Cory Booker

The SOAR Act creates a new federal grant program to fund organizations that support early-stage startups through business acceleration and incubation services. The Small Business Administration would award grants of at least $1 million to eligible accelerators and incubators to help them provide resources like office space, mentorship, access to capital, and professional services to new businesses operating five years or less. At least fifty percent of annual grant funding must go to accelerators either located outside major venture capital hubs or serving underrepresented entrepreneurs including women, minorities, veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals, and people with disabilities. The program requires grant recipients to help at least ten new businesses annually and submit yearly progress reports measuring business survival rates, capital raised, and job creation. Congress has authorized $80 million annually for the program from fiscal years 2027 through 2036, with the SBA required to begin implementation within one year of the bill's enactment.

The NAMES Act requires the Secretary of the Navy to create and publish clear, objective standards for naming and renaming Navy vessels. Under this legislation, the Navy must obtain historical assessments from the Naval History and Heritage Command before assigning any new vessel name, provide written explanations for why specific names were chosen, and justify any decisions that go against the command's primary recommendation. When renaming an existing vessel, the Navy must also explain the historical importance of the old name and why it is being changed. All written determinations and rationales must be shared with congressional defense committees and made available to the public, ensuring transparency in the vessel naming process.

The NO SELF Act prohibits the Navy from naming or renaming warships after any sitting President or Vice President of the United States. The bill applies to all naval vessels and takes effect immediately upon enactment. The legislation does not prevent ships from being named after former presidents or vice presidents once they leave office. This bill affects the Navy's ship-naming authority and would prevent sitting officeholders from having naval vessels named after them while in power. The bill contains no special funding requirements or implementation timeline beyond the effective date.

This bill prohibits the federal government from using any taxpayer money to rename, redesignate, or change the name of the aircraft carrier designated CVN-81, which is currently named the USS Doris Miller. The legislation applies to all federal funds and prevents any action that would alter the vessel's current designation. The bill was introduced in September 2026 and referred to the Senate Committee on Armed Services for consideration. The measure is short and straightforward, containing no funding amounts or specific timelines beyond its introduction date. It effectively locks in the ship's current name and prevents future administrations from changing it without congressional action to repeal this restriction.

The John Lewis Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment Act of 2026 amends federal healthcare law to require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to prioritize health equity and address health disparities when testing new payment and service delivery models for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. The bill mandates that the agency consult with specialized offices focused on minority health, rural health, and women's health when developing new models, and requires models beginning in 2027 or later to explicitly address health equity and social determinants of health such as housing, food security, and transportation. The legislation establishes a specific social determinants of health payment model to be tested by December 31, 2027, focusing on behavioral health services, conditions affecting dual Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries, underserved areas, and pregnant and postpartum women. Future reports to Congress must include information about health equity improvements, estimated federal savings from reducing disparities, and the effectiveness of interventions addressing social determinants of health. The bill affects Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, healthcare providers in underserved areas, and federal health agencies involved in payment model testing and oversight.

This Senate resolution expresses support for designating October 2026 as "Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month." Lewy body dementia is the second most common degenerative dementia in the United States, affecting an estimated 1.4 million people, and is also the most expensive form of dementia. The resolution highlights that the disease causes cognitive decline, movement difficulties, visual hallucinations, and other symptoms, and notes that many people wait years for an accurate diagnosis, which can lead to patient harm and unnecessary healthcare costs. The resolution seeks to increase awareness and understanding of the disease, support research for better treatments and a cure, recognize patients participating in clinical trials, and commend the healthcare professionals, organizations, and caregivers working to help those affected. This is a ceremonial resolution with no funding or direct policy changes, but it demonstrates congressional support for raising public awareness about a significant health condition and the need for continued research and support services.

This bill would eliminate a long-standing federal restriction on using U.S. foreign aid money to fund abortion services overseas. Currently, the "Helms amendment," a provision in place since 1973, prohibits U.S. foreign assistance from being used to pay for abortion care in other countries. The legislation would remove this ban and explicitly authorize the use of federal foreign aid funds for comprehensive reproductive health services, including abortion procedures, training for providers, and medical equipment needed to deliver safe abortion care. The bill affects developing countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where supporters argue that unsafe abortion procedures cause thousands of deaths annually. According to the bill's findings, allowing U.S. funding for safe abortion services in countries where abortion is already legal could prevent millions of unsafe abortions and thousands of maternal deaths each year, though the legislation does not specify new funding amounts or implementation timelines.

The STOP Neglected Diseases of Poverty Act establishes a comprehensive federal strategy to address neglected diseases of poverty, primarily parasitic and bacterial infections like Chagas disease and dengue fever that disproportionately affect low-income Americans. The legislation creates an Interagency Task Force comprising representatives from seven federal departments including Health and Human Services, State, Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, EPA, and Defense to coordinate prevention, treatment, and diagnosis efforts. Within 180 days, the task force must submit a report identifying gaps in surveillance and treatment capabilities and recommend strategies for affordable drug and diagnostic development. The bill also establishes federally funded centers of excellence through grants of up to five years, renewable based on peer review, to support research, clinical training, diagnostics development, and public health education efforts at eligible organizations. All activities will be coordinated through the National Institutes of Health and related federal task forces to ensure a unified approach to addressing these diseases among vulnerable populations.

The Transit-Oriented Housing Development Act of 2026 provides tax incentives and funding to encourage affordable housing construction near public transportation. The bill increases state housing bond allocations by 30 percent for projects located within a half-mile of transit stations, with units required to serve households earning up to 120 percent of area median income, including at least 20 percent of units for those earning 50 percent or less of median income. It also increases tax credits for transit-oriented developments by 50 percent (or 100 percent for projects meeting prevailing wage standards), making such projects more attractive for private investment. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $30 billion annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2035 to the Housing Trust Fund, prioritizing projects within transit hubs. These changes take effect for bonds and credits issued after December 31, 2025, aiming to create more affordable housing in walkable, transit-accessible communities.

This bill establishes a federal educational assistance program for the children of public service employees, including first responders, teachers, and social workers. To qualify, a public service employee must have at least 20 years of service in their field, either before or after the bill's enactment. The program covers tuition, fees, and course materials for eligible dependents attending public colleges, universities, or public training programs that lead to recognized credentials, with assistance available for up to four academic years and limited to in-state tuition rates. The educational assistance can be used alongside other federal student aid and tax benefits, and will not affect the employee's retirement or eligibility for means-tested public benefits like food assistance or housing support. The program takes effect one year after the bill is signed into law, with the Secretary of Education responsible for establishing regulations and agreements with participating institutions.

This is a Senate resolution celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Peace Corps, which President Kennedy established on March 1, 1961. The resolution honors nearly 250,000 American volunteers who have served in 144 countries over the past six and a half decades, working in fields like education, health, agriculture, and community development. The resolution recognizes the Peace Corps' role in promoting global peace and improving international perceptions of the United States through cultural exchange and grassroots partnership rather than military or political intervention. It also highlights how returned Peace Corps volunteers bring valuable language skills, cultural knowledge, and technical expertise that benefit the American workforce and enhance the nation's diplomatic and economic standing. This is a ceremonial resolution with no direct funding or implementation requirements; it simply expresses Senate recognition of the Peace Corps' contributions to American foreign policy and global development.

This bill directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award supplemental grants to states for heart health promotion and research focused on South Asian communities, which experience disproportionately high rates of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. States receiving these grants must use funds to develop culturally appropriate educational materials on nutrition and exercise, support community organizations serving South Asian populations, fund conferences on improving research practices to include these communities, and conduct research on cardiovascular disease among at-risk populations. The bill authorizes $2 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support these activities. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must report to Congress within two years on the funded activities and data about heart disease in affected communities. The legislation aims to address a health disparity and improve prevention and research efforts specifically tailored to South Asian Americans.

The Diversify Act expands the TEACH Grants program, which helps prospective teachers afford college by providing grants in exchange for teaching service commitments. The bill doubles the annual grant amount from $4,000 to $8,000 per student and doubles the lifetime maximum from $16,000 to $32,000, allowing recipients to cover the full cost of attendance at eligible institutions. The legislation also expands eligibility to include teachers in high-need early childhood education programs and removes monetary penalties for those who fail to complete their service requirements, instead providing only an electronic certificate upon completion. Additionally, the bill protects TEACH Grants from budget cuts by exempting them from sequestration under federal deficit control rules. These changes are designed to make teaching careers more accessible to students from diverse backgrounds by reducing the financial barriers to educator preparation.

The Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act of 2026 establishes a no-fault compensation program for firefighters who have suffered health injuries from exposure to PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), dangerous chemicals found in some firefighting foam and other products. Eligible firefighters must have served for at least two years and developed a PFAS-related health condition, with cancer cases receiving base awards of $250,000 and non-cancer conditions receiving $50,000, adjusted based on years of service. The program, administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, will process claims within 120 days and make payments from a dedicated PFAS Trust Fund funded through excise taxes on PFAS manufacturers and litigation proceeds. Firefighters and their heirs have two years from the program's launch to submit claims, with an appeals process available through the Court of Federal Claims, and the program is exempted from federal budget offset requirements through 2031.

This Senate resolution officially recognizes suicide as a serious public health problem in the United States and expresses support for designating September 8, 2026, as "988 Day." The resolution highlights that suicide was the second-leading cause of death for people aged ten to thirty-four in 2024, causing over 48,800 deaths that year, and emphasizes that the national suicide rate has increased by thirty-five percent since 1999. The resolution commends the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a free nationwide service launched in 2022 that has handled nearly 26.2 million contacts through phone, text, and chat since its inception and is available twenty-four hours a day in over 240 languages. The Senate encourages public awareness campaigns about the 988 Lifeline and supports expanding access to mental health services and crisis intervention programs across the country. This is a non-binding resolution that does not authorize any spending but signals congressional support for suicide prevention efforts and the 988 service.

The Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act authorizes the federal government to award grants to community mental health organizations to train and certify mental health workers who can provide basic mental health and substance abuse screening and treatment to people with mild to moderate conditions like depression, anxiety, and alcohol use disorder. The bill applies to certified community behavioral health clinics, community mental health centers, certain hospitals, and other community-based behavioral health organizations designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Priority for grant funding goes to organizations located in areas with high poverty, unemployment, or substance use rates, as well as areas serving populations with high numbers of people eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. The legislation authorizes $25 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031, with at least 20 percent reserved for training and technical assistance to help organizations integrate these workers into their existing operations. The Secretary must report to Congress on program results within one year and again by the end of fiscal year 2031, including the total number of workers trained and certified.

The FITNESS Act establishes uniform eligibility standards for federal law enforcement officers, requiring candidates to be U.S. citizens aged 21-36 with either a bachelor's degree or a high school diploma plus four years of work experience, along with passing medical exams, drug tests, background investigations, and firearms qualifications. The bill prohibits hiring or employing federal officers who have participated in or materially supported hate groups, violent organizations, or groups advocating discrimination based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or gender, and bars current officers from socializing with criminals or joining organizations that compromise their agency's integrity. To enforce these standards, the bill creates the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database to track officer misconduct, terminations, criminal convictions, and commendations, requiring federal agencies to query this database before hiring, transferring, or promoting officers and to report use-of-force incidents within 30 days. The law takes effect 30 days after being signed, though agencies may begin preparatory steps immediately, and agencies must implement all requirements using existing budgets with no new federal funding authorized.

# Momnibus Act Summary The Momnibus Act is comprehensive legislation designed to address maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health disparities in the United States. The bill, introduced in August 2026, affects pregnant people, new mothers, healthcare providers, states, and federal agencies involved in maternal health. **Key Provisions and Funding:** The legislation establishes a federal task force to coordinate strategies across multiple agencies to eliminate preventable maternal deaths and health complications. It authorizes $100 million annually through 2031 to support community-based organizations addressing social determinants of maternal health like housing, transportation, and nutrition. The bill extends WIC (nutrition assistance) eligibility for new mothers from six months to 24 months postpartum. The act funds cultural competency training for maternity care workers, establishes programs to improve respectful care and reduce bias in hospitals, and invests $100 million through 2031 in grants to community organizations advancing maternal health equity. It creates workforce development programs with $15 million annually to grow and diversify perinatal healthcare workers, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds. **Additional Focus Areas:** The bill addresses maternal mental health through $25 million in annual grants and includes provisions for incarcerated pregnant individuals, such as ending shackling and creating model programs in federal prisons with $10 million annually. It expands telehealth for maternity care, supports research through the National Institutes of Health with $73.4 million annually, and establishes a climate change initiative with $100 million to protect pregnant people and infants from environmental health risks. The legislation also includes data collection improvements, studies on maternal health among Native Americans, and guidance for respectful maternity care during public health emergencies. Multiple reporting requirements ensure accountability and track progress toward reducing maternal mortality disparities.