Legislation

The **Fighting for Reliable Energy and Ending Doubt for Open Markets Act (FREEDOM Act)** aims to accelerate federal permitting for energy and mineral projects by establishing strict timelines, creating a compensation program for project delays, and streamlining review processes. It also includes specific provisions to improve geothermal leasing and reduce federal permitting requirements for certain oil and gas activities on non-federal land. The overall goal is to reduce regulatory uncertainty that deters investment in critical U.S. energy infrastructure.

The Addressing Climate Financial Risk Act of 2026 establishes new structures within the Financial Stability Oversight Council to identify and mitigate climate-related risks to the U.S. financial system. It mandates updated supervisory guidance for large financial institutions and requires comprehensive annual reports assessing these risks. Furthermore, the bill directs the Federal Insurance Office to report on climate risks in the insurance sector and collect detailed homeowners insurance data.

The Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026 repeals Section 642 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. This action aims to restore constitutional balance by limiting federal intrusion into state and local control over their public institutions and internal operations. The bill respects state and local authority while affirming the federal government's exclusive role in civil immigration enforcement.

This act mandates that the Commissioner of Social Security regularly advertise the Ticket to Work program to all disabled beneficiaries. Information must be sent to every eligible beneficiary within one year of the law's enactment, and then every six months thereafter. This ensures disabled beneficiaries are consistently informed about available employment support programs.

The "Make Congress Drive Union-Made Act" restricts how Members of the House and Senate can use taxpayer funds to purchase or lease official vehicles. Beginning in October 2026, these funds can only be used for vehicles assembled in the United States by workers covered under a collective bargaining agreement. This aims to ensure official vehicle purchases support American union labor.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study on designating the approximately 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail as a National Scenic Trail. The study will assess the trail's potential for national recognition, considering its scenic, recreational, and cultural significance to the San Francisco Bay Area. The findings must be submitted to Congress within one year of enactment.

The Leveraging Investment in Mass Building and Employment with Renewable Timber Act of 2026 (LIMBER Timber Act) establishes several new tax credits to incentivize the mass timber industry. These credits target investments in mass timber manufacturing facilities, workforce development for mass timber projects, and the construction of buildings utilizing mass timber. All provisions are set to terminate for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2030.

The Poverty Statistics Enhancement Act mandates the Census Bureau to develop and implement a new methodology for measuring poverty and income inequality, supplementing existing measures. This new approach will calculate individual income by adding earned income and government benefits while subtracting taxes paid, based on a specific Congressional Budget Office framework. The bill requires federal and state agencies to provide necessary data for this calculation and mandates comprehensive reporting to Congress on the implementation and resulting statistics.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026 reauthorizes and significantly expands federal programs to prevent and address domestic and dating violence. It updates services to explicitly include technological and economic abuse while increasing funding and focusing on culturally relevant support for underserved populations. The bill also establishes new grant programs to fund local demonstration projects aimed at preventing teen dating violence.

This joint resolution officially renames the Robert E. Lee Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to the **Arlington House National Historic Site**. The change takes effect immediately upon enactment, updating all federal records to reflect the new designation. This action also repeals the prior laws that established the site as a memorial to Robert E. Lee.

The SPUR Housing Act establishes a new grant program through HUD to help housing developers offset state/local taxes and impact fees associated with building new residential units. To qualify, developers must secure significant property tax reductions from local governments. The program prioritizes projects that increase affordable housing, are feasible, and can start construction quickly.

This bill establishes the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services to investigate and document the history of racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ discrimination within the U.S. military since 1775. The Commission is tasked with holding hearings, gathering testimony, and developing recommendations for remedies, including apologies, compensation, and policy changes. It must submit a final report to Congress and the President detailing its findings and proposed actions within 18 months of its first meeting.

This bill officially designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the "Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic." The naming honors Mr. Hamilton for his military service, including receiving the Purple Heart, and his dedicated efforts in securing the establishment of the clinic. This designation ensures the facility will carry his name in all official records.

This concurrent resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson, Arizona, shooting. It honors the six individuals who lost their lives and recognizes the survivors, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution reaffirms the importance of civility in democracy and Congress's dedication to preventing gun violence.

The Inspectors General Independence Act aims to strengthen the independence of Inspectors General by placing new restrictions on presidential nominations for these roles. Specifically, the bill prohibits the President from nominating individuals currently serving as, or who have previously served as, a political appointee under that same administration. This legislation seeks to ensure that Inspectors General maintain impartiality in their oversight functions.

The NDO Fairness Act of 2026 establishes new, stricter requirements for government agencies seeking court orders to prevent technology companies from notifying users that their data has been requested. It sets specific time limits for these nondisclosure orders and mandates that courts find a clear danger before granting them. Furthermore, the bill requires the government to notify customers after an order expires and mandates annual public reporting on the use of these secrecy orders.

The First-Time Home Buyers Match Act establishes a pilot program administered by HUD to help eligible first-time homebuyers save for a home purchase. This program matches participant savings, up to $5,000 annually, deposited into a qualifying savings account. The matching funds must be used for home purchase costs, and the assistance is treated as a repayable second mortgage if the home is sold within 36 months.

The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2026 establishes the Blue Campaign Certification Program within the Department of Homeland Security. This program recognizes employers in high-risk industries that provide their employees with training to recognize and respond to human trafficking. Eligible employers will receive a public certificate of completion and be recognized in the Federal Register. The Act also mandates increased coordination for the DHS Blue Campaign with private sector, academic, and industry experts.

The Banning Perpetrators of Religious Persecution Act of 2026 amends U.S. immigration law to prohibit visas for foreign individuals, including government officials, who have committed or directed severe violations of religious freedom. The State Department is required to publicly list the names of those found inadmissible, with a narrow exception for cases that would harm U.S. foreign policy interests. This act aims to hold perpetrators of religious persecution accountable by restricting their entry into the United States.

The SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 establishes the Strategic Resilience Reserve Corporation to secure U.S. supply chains for critical minerals through domestic investment and the creation of a national stockpile. This new government entity will set specific production goals to reduce reliance on foreign adversaries while managing a reserve of vital materials. The Act mandates strict oversight, public transparency, and regular audits to ensure responsible management of this strategic national asset.