Legislation

The EMPOWER Act formalizes the U.S. policy of promoting women's economic security and advancement in South and Central Asia through public-private partnerships. It mandates the expansion of existing Women's Councils to foster private sector commitments supporting women's employment and entrepreneurship. The bill also establishes a dedicated Unit within the State Department, led by a Special Advisor, to oversee these efforts and requires regular reporting to Congress on their impact.

The Lowering Utility Bills Act aims to reduce consumer energy costs by establishing stricter federal and state guidelines for how electric transmission providers and investor-owned utilities calculate their allowed rate of return. The bill mandates using the lowest reasonable return on equity based on market data and explicitly bans passing numerous lobbying, administrative, and political expenses onto customers. Furthermore, it requires utilities to prioritize lower-cost, grid-enhancing technologies when planning new capital expenditures.

This bill, the Timely Access to Coverage Decisions Act of 2026, establishes strict new deadlines for Medicare contractors to process and decide on requests for local coverage determinations (LCDs). It mandates a transparent and rigorous development process for specific LCDs, requiring public meetings and extensive evidence review before implementation. The goal is to ensure beneficiaries and providers receive timely, evidence-based decisions regarding covered medical services in their geographic areas.

This bill makes technical amendments to the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act. It clarifies the use of the Settlement Trust Fund to include operation and maintenance of water facilities, in addition to construction. The legislation also updates the definition of the Tribe's Reservation and expands the allowed uses for the Pechanga Water Quality Account. These changes ensure the settlement language aligns with the parties' agreement and tribal needs.

The United States Trade and Development Agency Modernization Act of 2026 aims to update the USTDA to better advance U.S. commercial and security interests abroad. This legislation expands the agency's authority to fund early-stage project preparation in high-income countries, up to 15% of its annual budget, specifically targeting strategic energy and infrastructure sectors. Additionally, the bill enhances USTDA's personnel flexibility by increasing the number of appointed staff and allowing for the use of personal services contractors.

The U.S. in Expos Act ends the previous restriction that required U.S. participation in international expositions to be funded solely through private donations. This legislation authorizes federal funding for U.S. pavilions at world's fairs to ensure continued American leadership and cultural representation on the global stage. The Department of State must now notify Congress before spending funds and submit a final report after the pavilion opens.

The Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance efforts against illicit fentanyl. This involves ensuring all relevant DHS components collaborate and share data on fentanyl detection and seizures. Furthermore, the Act mandates the identification of information-sharing barriers and the establishment of performance metrics for these operations.

The PURE Executive Act significantly strengthens ethics rules for former senior executive branch personnel. It extends the post-employment lobbying ban from one or two years to a uniform five years for domestic lobbying. Furthermore, the bill establishes a permanent, lifetime ban on these former officials lobbying on behalf of foreign governments or foreign-controlled entities.

This bill establishes the Non-Domiciled CDL Reporting Act, requiring states to report the issuance of Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to non-domiciled applicants to a federal database. It mandates the creation of a system to check the immigration status of these CDL holders using the SAVE program. The law directs the federal government to investigate and potentially initiate removal proceedings for non-domiciled CDL holders found to be unlawfully present in the U.S. Failure to comply with these reporting and verification requirements may result in the withholding of federal highway funding from non-compliant states.

The Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 establishes a federal gasoline tax holiday, suspending the federal excise tax and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate through December 31, 2026. To offset lost revenue, the Treasury will transfer funds from the general fund to the affected trust funds. This legislation intends for consumers to immediately benefit from lower pump prices.

The Sudan Waiver Report Reduction Act streamlines reporting requirements related to the Sudan Accountability and Divestment Act of 2007. It replaces annual reports with a single initial report from the President within 90 days of enactment. Subsequently, the head of the relevant executive agency must report to Congress within 30 days of granting any future waiver.

The Fuel and Strengthen the American Refinery Act of 2026 (Fuel STAR Act) reforms the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by limiting non-advanced renewable fuel volumes and establishing new criteria for small refinery exemptions. The bill also permits the year-round sale of E15 gasoline by adjusting volatility standards. These changes aim to modify biofuel blending requirements and support domestic refining operations.

This bill, the Short-Term Holding Facility Standards Restoration Act, limits the time individuals can be held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) holding facilities to a maximum of 12 hours, except in rare, exceptional circumstances. It also mandates humane conditions, including regular meals and constant access to drinking water, for all detainees. Furthermore, the legislation requires detailed documentation and annual reporting to Congress regarding any instances where the 12-hour limit is exceeded.

This bill reauthorizes and improves the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program. It secures \$250 million annually from the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to support active transportation projects. The funding is dedicated specifically for this program and must be administered under existing federal highway funding rules.

The Honor Our Commitment Act of 2026 prohibits the detention and removal of certain long-term Vietnamese nationals already in the U.S. who are subject to a final removal order. This legislation also mandates that the Department of Homeland Security issue work permits to these protected individuals. Furthermore, the Act requires the government to notify these nationals of their rights and allows for judicial review of any violations.

This bill, known as TREY's Law, bans the use of nondisclosure clauses in any contract related to claims of sexual abuse against a minor. It renders such clauses void and unenforceable, even in agreements signed previously, to prevent silencing survivors. The law ensures victims and others can freely disclose information about child sexual abuse without fear of civil liability.

The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 establishes federal grant programs to fund community reentry centers and statewide assistance hotlines. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services to individuals post-conviction or incarceration to reduce recidivism. The Act prioritizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and mandates rigorous evaluation and reporting on program outcomes.

This bill mandates that state child welfare agencies make reasonable efforts to keep siblings together in foster care and ensure ongoing contact if they are separated. It also establishes a competitive grant pilot program to fund specialized foster care programs designed to successfully place large, widely-aged, or complex-needs sibling groups together. The goal is to prioritize and improve sibling connections while in state care.

The St. Louis Postal Accountability and Reform Act addresses significant service failures within the USPS St. Louis region, as documented by recent Inspector General audits. This bill mandates the Postmaster General to submit a detailed report to Congress outlining performance, workforce challenges, and the accuracy of internal reporting for mail delivery in the area. Furthermore, it requires the USPS to describe new management accountability systems designed to prevent the recurrence of these documented operational problems.

The Build the Ballroom Act authorizes the President to construct a permanent ballroom on White House grounds to safely host large formal events and state dinners. This measure addresses current space limitations that force large gatherings off-site, citing past security incidents as justification. The President is granted sole authority to approve the project, ensuring it meets modern security and functional needs for the Executive Office.