Legislation

The REPORTS Act mandates that federal agencies analyze the potential impact of proposed major rules on individuals living in poverty and on racial inequity. It also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to periodically report on the effects of specific federal programs on these same populations. This legislation aims to ensure a thorough review of how federal actions affect vulnerable communities.

The Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act bans the imposition and carrying out of the death penalty for any federal crime after the date of enactment. This legislation mandates that all individuals currently under a federal death sentence must be resentenced.

This bill, the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2026, amends Medicare rules to count time spent receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital toward the required 3-day inpatient hospital stay. This change allows beneficiaries to qualify sooner for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. The provision applies to observation services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 17, 2026, as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day." The goal is to raise public awareness about NEC, a devastating intestinal disease that severely impacts premature infants and their families. By increasing awareness, the resolution seeks to support efforts to reduce the incidence and improve outcomes for those affected by NEC.

This bill establishes a formal research and development partnership between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The collaboration focuses on joint projects addressing national security, agricultural resilience, and supply chain integrity, including bioindustrial manufacturing feedstocks. The Secretaries must coordinate through an agreement, utilize competitive funding, and implement robust risk management to protect sensitive research.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the VA from reporting veterans to the NICS background check system solely because a fiduciary was appointed to manage their benefits. This legislation ensures that a VA finding of mental incompetence or the appointment of a fiduciary alone is not used to treat a veteran as a "mental defective" for gun control purposes. Furthermore, the VA must notify the Attorney General about past transmissions of this information that lacked a proper legal basis.

The Strategy for Crisis Management Act of 2026 mandates the Secretary of Defense to develop a comprehensive crisis management strategy for the South China Sea. This strategy must include detailed crisis playbooks for likely flashpoints, outlining sequenced response options and interagency coordination plans. The goal is to deter Chinese provocation, ensure safety, protect U.S. interests, and manage potential escalation while maintaining strategic stability.

The Renter Resource Center Act establishes a HUD-administered resource for renters dealing with disputes involving large institutional investors who own residential properties. This resource will allow renters to report issues, share information across federal agencies, and seek resolution for their rental matters. The Act also mandates notice requirements for these large investors and requires HUD to submit an annual public report to Congress summarizing the disputes received.

The Habitable Housing Conversion Pilot Program Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program administered by HUD to insure mortgages financing the conversion of owner-occupied basement spaces into safe, habitable rental units. This initiative aims to increase housing supply, prioritizing areas identified as hazard-prone by FEMA and NOAA. The program will insure up to 150,000 mortgages, subject to safety and habitability standards, and concludes with a comprehensive report to Congress.

This bill recognizes five previously excluded Southeast Alaska Native communities—Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell—under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It authorizes these communities to form new Urban Corporations and grants them specific entitlements of federal land. The legislation also establishes rules for shareholder eligibility and protects existing distribution rights for affected Alaska Natives.

The Amtrak Grant Flexibility Act amends existing federal rail grant programs to allow Amtrak to use certain federal grant funds to meet non-federal cost-sharing requirements. This flexibility applies under specific conditions across several key infrastructure and partnership grant programs. The goal is to streamline how Amtrak can utilize federal funding for eligible projects.

The Drain the Slush Fund Act prohibits the federal government from using the Judgment Fund to pay any monetary award or settlement resulting from a lawsuit filed by the President or Vice President against the United States. This change ensures that the President or Vice President cannot benefit from this permanent fund if they sue the government. The restriction applies to current and future claims arising after January 20, 2025.

The Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025 directs the transfer of approximately 9.89 acres of federal land in Albuquerque, historically part of the Albuquerque Indian School, into trust for the benefit of the 19 New Mexico Pueblos. This land is designated for educational, health, cultural, business, and economic development purposes. The Act also conveys ownership of existing buildings on Tract 1 to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, while prohibiting gaming on the trust land.

This joint resolution disapproves of the District of Columbia Council's temporary law regarding arrest reporting. Congress is exercising its oversight authority to overturn the D.C. Council's enactment of the Full Accountability in Arrest Reporting Temporary Amendment Act of 2026. If passed, this resolution will prevent the D.C. law from taking effect.

The Protecting American Voters' Rights Act expands civil rights protections by allowing lawsuits against individuals acting under the authority of federal election agencies. This amendment to existing law creates a new mechanism for accountability regarding civil rights violations by federal election officials.

The Department of Justice Integrity Act of 2026 establishes a one-year post-employment restriction for former federal prosecutors. This ban prevents former attorneys who substantially participated in a federal prosecution or deferred prosecution agreement against a specific business entity from representing or assisting that same entity in related matters after leaving government service. This measure aims to enhance integrity by limiting the revolving door between federal prosecution and private representation of former targets.

This Act prohibits recipients of federal research funding from engaging in research collaborations with entities or individuals on specified U.S. government restricted entity lists. It mandates the creation of government-wide guidance for standardized compliance and enforcement across federal agencies. The legislation also includes a waiver authority for agency heads if necessary to advance U.S. national security or essential scientific purposes.

The Northern Mariana Islands Workforce Improvement Act eliminates the mandatory "touchback" requirement for Commonwealth Only Transitional Workers in the CNMI. This change allows eligible workers to renew their work permits without having to leave the islands first. The Act establishes new validity periods, offering general 1-year permits and up to 3-year permits for certain long-term transitional workers.

The Veterans Suicide Prevention and Care Enhancement Act of 2026 mandates annual suicide prevention training for community care providers participating in the VA program. It requires the VA to create and maintain a public "Preferred Provider List" of all trained providers to help veterans access specialized care. The Secretary must also report annually to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of this new provider list.

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 significantly enhances benefits for veterans and service members. It increases disability compensation with a new monthly allowance for certain veterans and ties future Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) adjustments to Social Security cost-of-living increases plus an extra percentage. The bill also expands VA home loan eligibility to include National Guard and Reserve members with at least 14 days of qualifying service, though these borrowers will pay a higher loan fee. Finally, it extends the current VA home loan fee structure and modifies definitions of active duty for Guard and Reserve components.