Legislation

The Protecting Children in Surrogacy Act establishes a federal crime prohibiting registered sex offenders from obtaining a child through surrogacy, carrying penalties of fines or imprisonment. It also grants federal courts jurisdiction over civil actions involving surrogacy contracts under specific circumstances related to interstate or foreign commerce. This legislation aims to safeguard children by preventing sex offenders from utilizing surrogacy arrangements.

This bill proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code to revoke the tax-exempt status of any organization that provides or funds abortions. This revocation would apply unless the abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother or results from rape or incest. Organizations that lose this status would also no longer be eligible for tax-deductible charitable contributions.

The Ensuring Federal Purchasing Efficiency Act updates the schedule for adjusting key federal purchasing dollar thresholds. This legislation moves the required adjustment period from every five years to every three years, beginning in 2028. The goal is to ensure federal acquisition limits remain current and efficient.

The Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026 aims to improve access to care for new and expecting mothers. This bill prohibits most health plans from charging out-of-pocket costs for in-network mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. It also extends continuity of care protections for these essential services following childbirth.

This act officially redesignates the Chiricahua National Monument as the Chiricahua National Park, maintaining its existing boundaries. It ensures the continued protection of traditional cultural and religious sites within the new park. The Secretary of the Interior is mandated to consult with Indian Tribes regarding these sites and facilitate tribal access for traditional uses.

This Act establishes a "zero-based" system requiring specific federal energy and environmental regulations to automatically expire unless actively renewed. Covered agencies must set expiration dates for existing rules within one year and for new rules within five years. Agencies can extend these deadlines only after providing public notice and comment on the regulation's costs and benefits.

The Safe Skies Act of 2026 mandates the Department of Transportation to immediately apply the existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) duty and rest requirements for passenger flightcrews to all-cargo operations. This change aims to standardize safety protocols across both sectors. The required modification must be enacted within 30 days of the law's passage.

The Pay Less at the Pump Act of 2026 terminates the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing tax starting January 1, 2026. The bill also modifies how existing Superfund money is repaid to the Treasury. This aims to reduce the financial burden on consumers at the gas pump.

The Community Passport Services Access Act authorizes eligible public libraries to serve as official passport acceptance facilities. This allows these libraries to collect and retain the associated execution fee for processing passport applications. The bill ensures that libraries already performing this function can continue to do so.

The FAIR AIR Act establishes a new deadline of December 31, 2032, for the conversion of certain aircraft to quieter technology. This legislation amends existing law to adjust the timeline for implementing these noise reduction measures.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to list all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom as hazardous air pollutants. This action requires the EPA to identify and list the specific source categories that emit these newly designated hazardous substances under the Clean Air Act.

The SNAP Online Access Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, nationwide program allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to purchase food online. This legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transition the existing pilot into a permanent system within 120 days. The Secretary must also issue regulations addressing program integrity and consumer protections within two years, following consultation with key stakeholders.

This bill establishes the National Council on African American History and Culture within the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council will consist of 12 presidentially appointed members tasked with advising on national policy related to preserving and celebrating African American history and culture. Its duties include monitoring relevant efforts, evaluating NEH programs, and submitting annual reports. The Council is set to terminate ten years after the law's enactment.

The "Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act" aims to prevent state and local governments from banning dog ownership by restricting federal funding to any jurisdiction that implements such a prohibition. Congress asserts that the right to own a dog is an American right and that Sharia law is a foreign concept contrary to the pursuit of happiness.

The Rural Development Modernization Act standardizes the definition of a "rural community" across key USDA programs, setting a uniform population threshold of 25,000 inhabitants. This legislation also mandates the exclusion of incarcerated and military base populations when calculating eligibility for these programs. Furthermore, it expands eligibility for federal rural development and water supply programs to include U.S. territories and clarifies definitions for various housing and energy initiatives. The bill also establishes an annual process for reassessing and potentially adjusting the rural population threshold.

This Act establishes new federal prohibitions against marketing products as dietary supplements that do not meet the legal definition or were prepared under the direction of a debarred person. It grants the FDA updated authority to refuse import and seize products that violate these new prohibitions. The law specifically targets dangerous products, such as Tianeptine, by strengthening enforcement measures.

This bill reauthorizes the vital Healthy Start Initiative through fiscal year 2030. It authorizes appropriations of $145 million annually for the program from 2026 to 2030.

The Contracting America First Act prohibits federal agencies from awarding contracts for certain software systems to companies majority-owned by non-U.S. citizens. This legislation mandates that contractors certify they are not internationally owned when dealing with systems that handle sensitive employee data. Waivers are permitted only if deemed necessary for national security, requiring congressional notification.

This Act establishes the Ohio River Restoration Program within the EPA to fund large-scale projects aimed at restoring and protecting the Ohio River Basin. The program will focus on improving water quality, enhancing community resilience, and restoring vital habitats through grants and coordinated federal action. A new office, led by a Program Director, will oversee the development of a comprehensive action plan with measurable goals, supported by $350 million authorized annually through 2031.

The ePermit Act mandates the creation of a unified, digital system for managing all federal environmental reviews and project permits. This system will require electronic submission, real-time tracking, and public accessibility of all authorization data. The goal is to modernize the permitting process through standardized data and transparent, efficient digital workflows, while ensuring existing environmental laws are upheld.