Legislation

The SHIELD Our Elections Act strengthens election integrity by establishing a private right of action against voter intimidation and extending the statute of limitations for election-related crimes. The bill also protects election records by restricting the seizure of voting materials and provides federal grants to states to implement comprehensive, transparent absentee ballot tracking programs.

The Harley Jacobsen Clinical Trial Participant Income Exemption Act of 2026 ensures that compensation received for participating in medical research is tax-exempt. Additionally, the bill mandates that these payments cannot be counted as income or resources when determining an individual's eligibility for federal assistance programs. This legislation aims to remove financial barriers for those contributing to vital clinical trials.

The Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026 mandates that all new single-family homes and townhouses built with federal financial assistance include at least one floor designed to be accessible to individuals with mobility disabilities. By requiring "visitability" standards—such as step-free entrances and accessible bathrooms—the Act ensures that new federally-funded housing is inclusive and usable for all. The legislation includes robust enforcement mechanisms, allowing for both government oversight and private legal action to ensure compliance with these accessibility requirements.

The Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026 aims to improve access to behavioral healthcare by expanding Medicare incentive payments to clinical psychologists working in underserved rural areas. Additionally, the bill removes unnecessary physician oversight requirements for psychological services in various clinical settings, allowing psychologists to manage patient care directly where permitted by state law.

This bill mandates that the United States Postal Service continue selling the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp for an additional six years. Proceeds from these sales will be transferred to the National Institutes of Health to support ongoing medical research into Alzheimer’s disease.

The Fairness for Immigrant Families Act of 2026 aims to keep families together by reducing deportations, eliminating restrictive reentry bans, and expanding pathways to legal status for long-term residents. The bill also establishes robust protections against immigration fraud, mandates greater transparency in agency processing, and fosters community trust by shielding crime victims and witnesses from enforcement actions. Together, these measures prioritize family unity and legal accountability while strengthening protections for vulnerable immigrant populations.

The Digital Equities and No Automatic Disqualifications Act eliminates automatic disqualifications under securities and commodities laws, replacing them with a standardized, case-by-case review process. This legislation requires the SEC and CFTC to establish joint rules ensuring that disqualifications are only applied when necessary, appropriate, and supported by a thorough assessment of the specific circumstances.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 mandates that online platforms hosting pornographic content implement rigorous age and identity verification for users and obtain explicit, documented consent from every individual depicted in such media. The bill establishes significant civil and criminal penalties for platforms and users that fail to comply with these requirements. Additionally, it strengthens existing law by requiring platforms to actively prevent the re-uploading of flagged intimate visual depictions.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require supervisory or departmental approval before the IRS can impose tax penalties or credit-blocking disallowance periods. It mandates that these approvals be secured prior to issuing appealable notices to taxpayers, while providing an exception for penalties calculated through automated systems. Additionally, the legislation requires the Treasury to publish annual reports detailing IRS penalty data and enforcement outcomes to increase transparency.

This bill improves transparency and fairness for taxpayers by requiring the IRS to provide clear, detailed notices when denying major tax credits like the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. It grants the U.S. Tax Court authority to review multi-year bans on these credits and shifts the burden of proof to the IRS to justify such penalties. Additionally, the legislation protects taxpayer rights by suspending refund deadlines while these cases are under judicial review.

The Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act of 2026 aims to improve air quality monitoring in rural and remote communities threatened by wildfire smoke. The bill authorizes the EPA to provide grants, technical assistance, and expanded loan programs to help local agencies deploy portable air sensors. By increasing data collection in underserved areas, this legislation seeks to better protect public health from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.

The CORE Pacific Act aims to strengthen U.S. relations with Pacific Island nations by exploring more efficient ways to deliver consular services. The bill mandates a comprehensive report evaluating the feasibility of embedding State Department consular officers onto U.S. Coast Guard and Navy vessels operating in the region. This initiative seeks to improve access to essential services for citizens in areas currently underserved by U.S. embassies.

The CFTC Whistleblower Protection and Program Improvement Act of 2026 strengthens the agency’s whistleblower program by increasing the Customer Protection Fund cap and expanding the scope of eligible whistleblower awards. The bill enhances anti-retaliation protections for employees, mandates whistleblower rights training for registered entities, and establishes strict deadlines for the timely processing of award claims. These measures aim to provide more robust support for individuals who report misconduct in the commodities and futures markets.

The Tribal Access to Nutrition Assistance Act of 2026 removes barriers to food security by allowing eligible households to participate in both the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) simultaneously. This legislation ensures that tribal members have greater flexibility and access to essential nutrition assistance.

The RESULTS Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program to help states modernize and integrate their longitudinal data systems, connecting information from early childhood education through workforce training and employment. By fostering secure, cross-sector data collaboration, the bill aims to provide policymakers, educators, and the public with the insights needed to improve educational outcomes and career readiness. Additionally, the legislation enhances state access to national employment data to better track and report on workforce development performance.

The Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act empowers workers aged 50 and older to move employer-contributed 401(k) funds into individual retirement annuities while still employed. Additionally, the bill establishes a clear, plain-language safe harbor for plan administrators to ensure employees better understand their distribution and rollover options.

The POLAR Act establishes a dedicated Directorate for Polar Programs within the National Science Foundation to advance scientific research, workforce development, and infrastructure in the Arctic and Antarctic. This legislation centralizes the management of U.S. polar operations, ensuring a strategic, coordinated approach to logistical support, safety, and international collaboration. By prioritizing key research areas and fostering partnerships with indigenous communities and federal agencies, the Act aims to strengthen the United States' influential presence and scientific capabilities in both polar regions.

The Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act aims to strengthen rural healthcare by expanding eligibility for rural emergency hospital (REH) status and enhancing financial support for these facilities. The bill introduces new payment incentives, allows for expanded service offerings like swing beds and specialized units, and ensures REHs are eligible for critical grant programs and Medicaid coverage. These measures are designed to increase the sustainability of rural hospitals and improve access to essential care in underserved communities.

The Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act expands and standardizes paid family and medical leave across the federal government. This legislation increases leave flexibility for birth, adoption, and caregiving, while extending comprehensive coverage to congressional, postal, and District of Columbia court employees. By aligning these benefits, the bill ensures that a broader range of federal workers have access to consistent, paid leave for serious health and family needs.

The Government Audit and Accountability of Federally Funded State-Administered Programs Act requires the Comptroller General to conduct periodic assessments of federal funds managed by state and local governments. This initiative aims to identify systemic vulnerabilities to waste, fraud, and abuse while providing Congress and federal agencies with evidence-based recommendations to improve program integrity.