The Plain Record — Front Page

S. 596 — Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2021

This legislation amends the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of certain obesity-related treatments, including drugs and behavioral health services. It targets healthcare access for seniors and individuals with disabilities nationwide. This version was originally introduced during the 117th Congress.

S. 5653 — Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026

This bill provides tax incentives for domestic manufacturing and establishes new vocational training grants to promote employment in high-demand industries. It targets small to medium-sized businesses and seeks to lower consumer costs for American-made goods. The legislation applies nationwide and was introduced as a bipartisan effort in the 119th Congress.

S. 4668 — Protect College Sports Act of 2026

The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 establishes federal requirements for name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreements while codifying revenue-sharing limits for college athletes. It prohibits schools and the NCAA from restricting student-athletes from earning NIL compensation, mandates that students report earnings over $600, and caps sports agent fees at 5%. The bill also grants a limited antitrust exemption for major conferences to pool and sell media rights and requires high-revenue institutions to maintain the same number of roster spots for non-revenue sports through 2035. Introduced by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), the legislation has passed the Senate and awaits further action in the House.

H.R. 5269 — RESULTS Act

This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to contract with an independent nonprofit entity to build a database of private-sector claims for widely available laboratory tests. These data must be used to set Medicare payment rates for these tests starting January 1, 2028. The legislation also delays scheduled payment reductions for laboratory tests until 2028 and establishes new processes for setting rates when adequate data is missing. Introduced by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), the bill is currently awaiting consideration by the House Committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.

Disaster Relief - 2025-2026 Declarations

$21.0B · active

Israel Military Aid Package

$17.9B · active

Federal Workforce Buyout & Restructuring

$14.0B · active

Mass Deportation Operations (ICE Enforcement Surge)

$9.8B · active

Kayem Foods Inc. Recalls Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Temperature Abuse

USDA · Class I

Lidl US Recalls Gelatelli Coffee & Vanilla Gelato Due to Possible Health Risk

FDA

Family Farmstead Dairy Announces Recall of Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese Due to Potential E. coli O157:H7 Contamination

FDA

Family Farmstead Dairy Announces Recall of Raw Mild Cheddar Cheese Due to Potential E. coli O26:H11 and O45:H2 Contamination

FDA

The 25th Amendment, explained: how presidential succession and disability actually work

The amendment sets out four separate procedures — for succession, for filling a vice presidential vacancy, and for handling a president who is unable to serve. Here is what each section says and what it requires.

How a bill becomes law

The full path a proposal takes from introduction to the president's desk, and the points where most bills die.

What a government shutdown is

Why funding lapses happen, which services stop, and how the standoff usually ends.

The filibuster and the 60-vote Senate

How unlimited debate became a routine supermajority requirement, and what the carve-outs are.