Rick Scott

This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission to indefinitely suspend trading of securities for Chinese military companies that appear on a Department of Defense list for two consecutive annual revisions. The SEC must implement the suspension within 10 days of each Defense Department list update. The ban applies to U.S. investors and anyone trading on American markets, preventing them from buying or selling shares of these designated companies. There is an exception if the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control adds a company to a separate Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, in which case the SEC must notify Congress instead of suspending trading. The bill requires the SEC to establish regulations for identifying affected securities and administering the trading ban, but limits the agency's authority to only implement what the law specifically requires without creating additional criteria or restrictions.

This bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to add a "CMC" label to the ticker symbols of securities issued by Chinese military companies within 180 days of the law's passage. The modifier would apply to any company designated on the Defense Department's official list of Chinese military companies, as established under previous defense law. If a company is later removed from that list, the ticker symbol modifier would be removed as well. The bill affects investors and financial markets by making it easier to identify securities linked to Chinese military organizations. The legislation aims to increase transparency so American investors know when they are buying stocks or other securities from entities connected to China's military.

This bill would ban new oil and gas leasing, exploration, and production activities in the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range, a military training area in the Gulf of Mexico off Florida's coast. The moratorium would take effect immediately upon enactment and apply to all new federal oil and gas operations in that designated zone, though it would not affect oil and gas leases that are already valid and in effect when the law passes. The ban could be lifted only if the Secretary of War certifies to Congress that the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range is no longer critical for military use. The bill was introduced by Florida Senators Rick Scott and Moody in September 2026 and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. No specific funding or timeline for implementation is specified in the legislation.

This Senate resolution formally honors the 46 Americans killed by Hamas and its affiliates during and after the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks on Israel, listing each victim by name and age. It condemns Hamas for murdering roughly 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, including 12 Americans, and commends U.S. diplomatic efforts across multiple administrations that helped secure the release of living and deceased American hostages, including the final living hostage freed in May 2025 after 584 days in captivity. The resolution expresses condolences to victims' families and surviving former hostages, and calls on the U.S. government to keep using all available diplomatic and legal tools to support Americans held hostage anywhere in the world. It also affirms support for continued U.S. engagement with victims' families as they pursue legal accountability against Hamas and its supporters through the American court system. Finally, it directs the Senate to send an official copy of the resolution to the Secretary of State for delivery to the affected families and former hostages, serving primarily as a symbolic statement of remembrance and policy commitment rather than creating new funding or legal mandates.

The SCREEN Act of 2026 expands the types of federal agencies that can access information held by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, a nonprofit that collects reports of child exploitation and missing children. Specifically, the bill adds the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security to the list of agencies permitted to receive disclosures from the center for purposes of screening and vetting individuals. This change allows these two departments to use information about potential child exploitation or missing children cases when evaluating people, presumably as part of visa, immigration, or border security processes. The bill does not include specific funding provisions or implementation timelines. The legislation was introduced by Senator Rick Scott of Florida and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2026.

This bill requires the federal government to submit annual reports on efforts to combat illegal cross-border tunnels. Currently, there is a requirement to report on a strategic plan to counter tunnel operations, but it does not specify that these reports must happen every year. The legislation amends existing law to ensure the Department of Homeland Security provides yearly updates on how it is implementing this strategy to detect and stop smuggling tunnels. The bill affects border security agencies and law enforcement operations along the U.S. border, particularly those focused on stopping drug trafficking and other illicit activities conducted through underground routes. No new funding is specified in the bill; it simply creates an ongoing annual reporting requirement to improve oversight of tunnel-detection efforts.

Cost Estimates Improvement ActThis bill requires cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation to include the costs of servicing the public debt.

This bill modifies congressional rules for handling appropriations legislation by establishing specific procedures for how Congress must consider spending bills. In the Senate, the bill would limit debate on annual appropriation bills and related amendments to no more than 20 hours total. In the House of Representatives, the bill would prohibit the chamber from approving longer adjournment periods during July until it has passed appropriation bills covering all subcommittees of the Appropriations Committee for the upcoming fiscal year. The legislation is designed to encourage Congress to complete its appropriations work on a more timely basis by creating procedural incentives, particularly during the summer months. This bill affects members of Congress and the overall legislative process but has no direct impact on federal spending amounts or the general public.

The Trade Deficit Elimination Act of 2026 would authorize the U.S. Trade Representative to impose additional tariffs on imported goods from countries with which the United States has a trade deficit in goods. The Trade Representative would be required to identify and publish a list of all trading partners with bilateral trade deficits by April 1st each year, starting within 30 days of the bill's enactment, using the most recent available trade data. The bill would allow the President to increase or modify these tariffs as needed to eliminate the bilateral trade deficit with each country, though certain goods could be exempted if tariffs would cause supply shortages, disrupt critical industries, or threaten national security. Before imposing or changing any tariffs, the Trade Representative must consult with Congress's trade committees. The bill also permits the Trade Representative to negotiate bilateral trade agreements with deficit countries aimed at reducing the imbalance through commitments such as purchasing more U.S. goods or restraining exports.

This bill speeds up the federal approval process for state wildlife conservation plans under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. Currently, the Interior Department reviews state wildlife action plans without a firm deadline, which can delay funding and conservation efforts. The bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to approve or deny state wildlife plans within 180 days of submission and allows states to begin implementing their programs conditionally while awaiting final approval. The legislation also directs the Interior Department to work with states to develop a streamlined review process and requires the department to report to Congress if it fails to meet the 180-day deadline, explaining the reasons for any delays. The bill affects all states that submit wildlife conservation plans and aims to reduce bureaucratic delays in getting wildlife restoration funding and projects underway.

# Summary The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act significantly strengthens protections for small businesses in federal rulemaking. The bill expands the types of rules subject to small business impact analysis, requiring agencies to examine both direct and indirect economic effects, including compliance costs and revenue impacts. It adds new requirements for detailed analysis of alternatives that could minimize negative impacts or maximize beneficial ones on small entities, and expands coverage to include land management plan revisions and amendments, as well as tribal organizations and small nonprofits. The legislation strengthens the role of the Small Business Administration's Chief Counsel for Advocacy by requiring agencies to notify the office before proposing major rules, establishing a formal review panel process that must be completed within 60 days, and giving the Chief Counsel new powers to intervene in agency decisions and issue compliance rules. Agencies must now conduct periodic reviews of existing rules within 10 years to determine whether they should be modified to better serve small businesses, and they must publish plain language summaries of their regulatory agendas within three business days. The bill also waives civil fines for small businesses' first-time paperwork violations and requires the Comptroller General to study whether the Small Counsel's office has adequate resources to implement these new duties.

This bill requires employers to pay a fee of at least $10,000 when they apply for permanent labor certification to hire foreign workers. The fee applies to employers filing the Application for Permanent Employment Certification form, which is used to demonstrate that qualified American workers are not available for the position. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the fee will be adjusted annually for inflation, rounded to the nearest $10. Of the fees collected, half will go into a dedicated PERM Fee Account and half into the general Treasury, with the account funds split between the Department of Labor and the Office of Personnel Management to improve job search and recruitment capabilities on USAJOBS and related platforms. The fees cannot be waived or reduced under any circumstances.

The Service Academy Parity Act amends federal law to establish a formal nomination and appointment process for cadets at the Coast Guard Academy, similar to procedures used at other military service academies. Beginning in the 2029 academic year, the bill creates specific position allocations for cadets from different sources: 230 positions for residents of each state nominated by members of Congress proportional to their representation, three positions for children of deceased or disabled service members, one position nominated at large by the Vice President, individual positions for residents of U.S. territories and Puerto Rico, and twenty positions for enlisted Coast Guard members nominated by the Commandant. The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security will establish a competitive merit-based selection system to choose among nominated candidates, ranking applicants based on competitive exams, academic background, and other indicators of success. Members of Congress who nominate candidates must be notified at least 48 hours before official appointment announcements, and can request transparency information about their nominees. This legislation brings the Coast Guard Academy into alignment with nomination procedures already in place at West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy.

This bill establishes a new Cabinet-level Secretary of the Coast Guard position to provide civilian leadership over the service. Currently, the Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security without its own secretary, but this legislation creates both a Secretary and an Under Secretary of the Coast Guard, both appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Secretary would have direct authority over the existing Commandant of the Coast Guard, who would become a military subordinate rather than the service's top leader. The bill includes safeguards such as prohibiting recently retired military officers from holding the Secretary position and requiring Senate confirmation for these new roles. The legislation essentially elevates the Coast Guard's organizational structure to match that of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, which already have their own civilian secretaries overseeing military leadership.

This bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to establish a memorial in International Park in Northwest Washington, D.C., within two years of enactment to honor victims of persecution and alleged crimes against humanity committed by the Chinese Communist Party. The memorial will specifically highlight the persecution of Uyghurs and ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, suppression of Tibetan and Mongolian culture and religion, imprisonment of democracy advocates and journalists, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms in China. The memorial will include educational materials and artwork describing these issues while expressing American solidarity with the Chinese people and hope for their future freedom. Federal spending on design and construction is capped at $500,000 using existing State Department funds, though private donations are welcome and unlimited. The Secretary of State may consult with survivors, victims' families, and human rights organizations when designing and maintaining the memorial.

This bill modernizes how the federal government distributes clean water infrastructure funding to states, territories, and Indian tribes. The legislation replaces the existing allocation formula with a new three-part system that distributes 60 percent of available funds based on identified water quality needs, 20 percent based on population, and 20 percent based on poverty levels. The bill sets aside funding for Buy American oversight activities, allocates 2 percent of funds to Indian tribes and 1.5 percent to U.S. territories, and includes a transition period that limits how dramatically any state's funding can increase or decrease over four years to prevent budget disruptions. Additionally, states are permitted to use up to 0.5 percent of their water infrastructure grants to conduct watershed assessments needed to inform future funding decisions. The bill takes effect beginning in fiscal year 2027 and does not affect separate infrastructure funding provided under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Safeguard Kids Act amends federal education law to require schools to teach students about artificial intelligence technologies, including their dangers, limitations, and responsible use. The bill specifically addresses AI chatbots and expands existing school safety and student support programs to include education about AI risks. Schools would also be able to provide counseling to students experiencing mental health issues related to AI chatbot use. The legislation defines key terms like artificial intelligence and AI chatbots and integrates AI education into existing federal education funding streams under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, though no specific new funding amount is identified in the bill text. This bill targets both elementary and secondary school students and modifies how schools can use current federal education resources to address AI-related student concerns.

This resolution commends Cuban pro-democracy protesters who demonstrated five years ago against the Communist regime and demands international support for their cause. The resolution references the July 2021 protests in which thousands of Cubans took to the streets across more than 40 cities calling for freedom and civil liberties, and condemns the regime's violent response that included detaining and persecuting over 1,400 protesters. It highlights ongoing human rights abuses including torture, solitary confinement, and disproportionate prison sentences imposed on democracy activists, as well as the deteriorating economic conditions facing ordinary Cubans. The resolution calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners, urges international sanctions and diplomatic pressure against the Cuban government, and supports the Trump administration's strengthened embargo policy and human rights review. As a Senate resolution, this measure expresses the body's sentiment and position but does not create binding law or require funding.

This Senate resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Champlain Towers South condominium building collapse in Surfside, Florida, which occurred on June 24, 2021, killing 98 people. The resolution honors the victims and their families while recognizing the extraordinary response efforts that followed the disaster, including rescue and recovery teams from across the United States and international crews from Israel and Mexico who worked around the clock to search for survivors. The resolution also acknowledges the National Institute of Standards and Technology's formal investigation into the cause of the collapse. As a commemorative resolution, this legislation does not authorize any funding or create new policies, but instead expresses the Senate's recognition of the tragedy and its support for the Surfside community and survivors.

Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026This bill establishes additional requirements for and expands the scope of Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs). RACs identify improper Medicaid payments to providers, collect overpayments, and reimburse underpayments. Current law requires state Medicaid programs to establish a RAC program; however, states may apply to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for an exception. The bill prohibits the CMS from granting exceptions after December 31, 2028. The CMS must inform states that have an approved RAC exception that the exception will not be renewed after this date, and it must also inform these states of the current expiration date of their excepted status. The bill also expands the scope of RACs to include a review of payments to Medicaid managed care organizations, prepaid inpatient health plans, and prepaid ambulatory health plans. In addition, the bill expands the period of review for RACs to include the four-year period prior to the fiscal year at issue.Finally, the bill establishes reporting requirements relating to the effectiveness of RACs, including annual reports with state-specific data on collected overpayments. The CMS must also conduct a study and establish a related demonstration program to increase the number of states with a RAC program.

The Prioritizing American Talent Act would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from using any federal funds to process work authorization applications for foreign students unless Congress explicitly authorizes such employment through legislation. Currently, the department uses fees collected from visa applicants to cover the costs of adjudicating these applications, but this bill would eliminate that funding mechanism and redirect any unspent balances in the Immigration Examinations Fee Account that relate to foreign student work permits. The Secretary of Homeland Security would have 30 days after the bill becomes law to determine how much money should be rescinded from the account based on fees previously collected for these unauthorized employment authorizations. The legislation would effectively halt the issuance of work permits for foreign students pursuing F-1 and M-1 visas unless Congress passes separate legislation approving such employment. This bill affects international students studying in the United States and employers who rely on hiring them for positions like internships and practical training.