Articles about Senate

• The U.S. Senate passed its 2026 spending bill containing multiple landmark pediatric cancer provisions, including the Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act to advance combination therapy research and the Accelerating Kids Access to Care Act to streamline Medicaid provider approvals. • The bill allocates $7.35 billion for the National Cancer Institute (a $128 million increase from 2025), with $30 million designated for the Childhood Cancer STAR Act and $50 million for the Childhood Cancer Data Initiative, plus $12.6 million for the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Program. • These provisions represent a significant recovery for the pediatric cancer community after 2025's devastating federal funding cuts, including removal of key provisions from the previous year's spending bill and a 15% cap on NIH grant indirect cost reimbursements. • The legislation also includes a five-year reauthorization of the FDA Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher Program to incentivize development of new treatments for rare childhood diseases.

• The U.S. Senate remains deadlocked over President Donald Trump's call for strict citizenship voting requirements, with Republicans in states like Missouri moving ahead independently to implement such measures. • While the Senate stalls on federal legislation addressing voting eligibility standards, individual states are forging their own paths on citizenship voting policies. • The legislative impasse highlights the ongoing partisan divide over voting access and eligibility requirements between the Trump administration and Democratic opposition.

• The U.S. Senate passed a broad bipartisan housing bill on Thursday designed to make U.S. housing more accessible and affordable, marking a rare bipartisan legislative effort to address the nation's growing housing shortage. • The bill represents a significant policy shift aimed at tackling housing affordability challenges facing American families across multiple income levels. • Congressional support for housing reform reflects bipartisan recognition of the critical need to expand housing supply and reduce barriers to homeownership and rental access.

Congressional Republicans, backed by President Trump, are advancing the SAVE America Act in the Senate this week after House passage last month, mandating documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration alongside photo ID requirements. The bill's strict provisions, lacking any phase-in period, would take immediate effect if signed into law, potentially impacting midterm elections by burdening millions of eligible voters without easy access to documents like birth certificates or passports. Critics including the Fair Elections Center warn it could disenfranchise married women, people of color, and rural residents, moving the U.S. 'in the opposite direction' of representative democracy. Noncitizen voting remains rare and illegal nationwide, but Republicans argue the safeguards enhance election integrity.[2]

Congressional Republicans, backed by President Donald Trump, are advancing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in the Senate next week after House passage last month, mandating documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration alongside photo ID requirements. The bill's strict documentation rules, lacking a phase-in period, could immediately impact midterm elections, potentially burdening millions including married women, people of color, and rural voters who may lack easy access to birth certificates or passports. Critics like Rebekah Caruthers of the Fair Elections Center warn it denies eligible Americans their voting rights, moving the U.S. opposite representative democracy, while Republicans claim it bolsters election integrity against rare noncitizen voting. If signed by Trump, the provisions apply without delay for November midterms.

The US Senate passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) on March 12, 2026, by a 89-10 vote, incorporating a temporary prohibition on the Federal Reserve issuing a central bank digital currency defined as a widely available US dollar-denominated digital asset. Section 901(b) bans large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, while Title III eliminates the permanent chassis requirement for manufactured homes to boost affordable housing production. The legislation combines House and Senate versions, reflecting Trump administration priorities, and now awaits House reconciliation amid opposition to Senate amendments. Provisions also increase FHA multifamily loan limits and expand appraiser training to address housing supply shortages.

The Senate approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 12, 2026, with an 89-10 bipartisan vote, marking the first major housing reform in a decade and including LeadingAge-supported policies for affordable senior housing. The bill creates grants for planning affordable housing, streamlines environmental reviews, and updates manufactured home standards to increase supply. It represents key wins by empowering state and local governments to revise zoning and regulatory barriers hindering development. Further reforms and House action remain needed to fully address senior housing shortages.

The US Senate passed a broad bipartisan housing bill on March 12, 2026, aiming to increase construction and limit institutional ownership of single-family homes. The White House endorsed the measure on March 2, highlighting its potential to address affordability challenges. Its path in the House remains uncertain amid midterm pressures. Lawmakers from both parties cite high home prices as a top voter issue, with implementation depending on state and local policies.

The US Senate passed a broad bipartisan housing bill on Thursday, March 12, 2026, aiming to boost construction and limit institutional ownership of homes amid affordability crisis. The measure responds to median home prices at $398,000, five times median income, pressuring both parties before midterms. Its path in the House remains uncertain despite White House support announced March 2. Implementation could take time due to state and local regulations.

The US Senate passed a broad bipartisan housing bill on March 12, 2026, aimed at increasing construction and curbing institutional home purchases amid affordability woes. The bill's path in the House remains uncertain despite White House support announced March 2. Complementing President Trump's recent executive orders, it addresses voter concerns over home prices five times median income heading into midterms. Implementation hinges on state policies and market rates, with potential construction boosts eyed for relief.