During the week of August 16, 2026, Congress focused on long-term budgetary adjustments and the introduction of specialized healthcare and national security measures. The House and Senate advanced several bills previously introduced in the 119th Congress, while public interest centered on new proposals regarding drug compounding oversight and the 2026 and 2027 National Defense Authorization Acts. Significant activity included the House's movement on the SAFE Drugs Act and the Senate's continued consideration of a major reconciliation bill impacting federal nutrition programs.
Bills introduced: - H.R. 6509, the SAFE Drugs Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN), would establish new oversight for drug compounding facilities, allowing pharmacists to compound copies of commercial drugs up to 20 times per month and requiring annual reports for high-volume interstate shippers. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. - H.R. 5316, the Drug Shortage Compounding Patient Access Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), would permit pharmacists to compound drugs on the FDA shortage list without specific prescriptions and require manufacturers to report demand surges. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. - H.R. 1315, introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), would mandate a Department of Health and Human Services study on the impact of home-based monitoring and diagnostic technologies on Medicare beneficiary outcomes. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. - H.R. 1314, also introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), would make the Health Coverage Tax Credit permanent for individuals affected by international trade-related job loss or pension takeovers. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. - H.R. 1313, introduced by Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), would make the tax deduction for mortgage insurance premiums a permanent part of the Internal Revenue Code. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Debated and reported: - H.R. 891, the Countering CCP Drones Act, was reported favorably by the House Oversight and Accountability Committee. The bill prohibits federal agencies from purchasing drones from Chinese entities. Proponents, such as sponsor Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), argued the ban is necessary for national security, while the bill includes narrow exceptions for law enforcement and research. - H.R. 320, the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act, was reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and placed on the Union Calendar. The bill, as described in records, includes provisions to restructure tax brackets for married couples to remove the "marriage penalty." - S. 682, the Rural Mental Health Access Act, was introduced and referred to committee. While the title focuses on mental health, the brief indicates the bill establishes a Special Inspector General for Ukrainian Aid to audit military and humanitarian funds. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) is the sponsor.
Votes taken: - H.R. 1 (House): An act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of H. Con. Res. 14. Passed 221-212. - H.R. 734 (House): American Future Bonds Act. Passed 225-198. - S. 142 (Senate): Abraham Lincoln Memorial Post Office Designation Act. Passed by Unanimous Consent. - S.Res. 78 (Senate): A resolution honoring the victims of the Parkland mass shooting. Passed by Unanimous Consent. - S.Res. 77 (Senate): A resolution designating "National Ferris Wheel Day." Passed by Unanimous Consent. - H.R. 310 (House): Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act. Passed 221-205. - H.R. 863 (House): No Visas for Hamas Terrorists Act. Passed 252-167. - S.J.Res. 5 (Senate): A resolution to overturn EPA heavy-duty vehicle emission regulations. Failed 48-50. - H.R. 930 (House): Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act (IRS funding rescission). Passed 220-210.
Provisions unrelated to the bill: - H.R. 320, the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability Act, contains provisions that restructure federal income tax brackets for married couples to eliminate the "marriage penalty" for tax years beginning after 2024. The record does not state who added this provision. - S. 682, the Rural Mental Health Access Act of 2025, contains provisions establishing the Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukrainian Military, Economic, and Humanitarian Aid to audit U.S. funds. The record does not state who added this provision. - S. 142, a post office naming act, contains provisions authorizing a Congressional Gold Medal for wildland firefighters. The record does not state who added this provision. - S.Res. 77 and S.Res. 78, both commemorative resolutions, contain provisions authorizing operational funding for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on the Budget, respectively. The record does not state who added these provisions. - H.R. 310, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act, contains provisions repealing 13 specific business tax credits for renewable energy production and semiconductor manufacturing. The record does not state who added these provisions.
What happens next: H.R. 1, having passed the House, is now on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. The National Defense Authorization Acts for 2026 (S. 2296) and 2027 (H.R. 8800) await further action in their respective opposite chambers after passing their chambers of origin. H.R. 891 and H.R. 320 have been placed on the Union Calendar for future floor votes in the House.