Congress 2026

• Between July 17-23, 2026, Missouri lawmakers participated in several congressional votes covering defense spending, stock trading bans, and healthcare. • The House of Representatives rejected an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 8800) sponsored by Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas). • The rejected amendment aimed to prevent judicial injunctions from impairing military readiness or the delivery of military supplies.

• On the third day of the 2026 Parliament Monsoon Session, Opposition MPs staged fresh protests demanding an immediate debate on the NEET controversy. • Protesters are calling for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and condemning police action against CJP protesters in Delhi. • Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress party of setting unrealistic conditions to intentionally scuttle the parliamentary debate.

• ISC2 announced the introduction of interactive AI Incident Rooms for its 2026 Security Congress, scheduled for October 24-28 in Denver. • These new learning formats are designed to provide cybersecurity professionals with hands-on exercises to simulate and manage AI-related security incidents. • The initiative matters as it addresses the growing need for practical, real-world training to combat evolving threats powered by artificial intelligence.

• Representative Barry Moore, endorsed by President Trump, won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat in Oklahoma. • Moore defeated Jared Hudson, a political newcomer who ran a conservative grassroots campaign to challenge the incumbent. • The election was triggered by Senator Tommy Tuberville vacating his seat to run for governor of Oklahoma.

• Congress passed landmark PBM reforms within the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, reshaping pharmacy benefit manager operations and introducing new compliance requirements for PBMs and group health plans. • The legislation coincides with proposed Department of Labor rules on PBM fee disclosures and increased FTC enforcement on drug pricing initiatives. • These changes aim to address compliance risks and evolving regulations in the pharmaceutical supply chain, impacting industry stakeholders significantly.

• FY2026 federal budget passed by Congress includes critical funding for autism research, early identification, health care training, and essential support programs. • Provisions secure resources for autism initiatives amid broader federal spending priorities for health and disability services. • Funding wins represent advocacy successes for autism community in annual appropriations process.