Legislation

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.

The SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 establishes a federal framework for the safe testing and deployment of automated driving systems (ADS) across the United States. It mandates that manufacturers submit a comprehensive "safety case" demonstrating their ADS will not pose an unreasonable risk before vehicles can be sold. Furthermore, the bill creates a national repository for automated vehicle crash data and clarifies federal preemption over state laws regarding ADS sales and reporting.

The NO ICE ADs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from using federal funds to create or broadcast advertisements that promote U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), recruit personnel, or enhance the agency's public image. This legislation specifically targets the use of taxpayer dollars for ICE-related promotional activities.

The Life at Conception Act of 2026 declares that the constitutional right to life is vested in every human being from the moment of fertilization or beginning of existence. This Act grants Congress and states the authority to enforce equal legal protection for both born and preborn persons. Crucially, the bill specifies it does not require prosecuting women, prohibit IVF, or ban contraception used to prevent fertilization.

This act prohibits the U.S. government from using taxpayer funds to reimburse any person or entity for capital investments made in Venezuela's oil and gas sector. It specifically bans payments for qualified capital expenditures related to oil and gas operations within the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026 establishes a new initiative to address the residential construction labor shortage. This act prioritizes and funds the expansion of Job Corps training programs in essential building trades. It also creates a grant program to incentivize construction firms to hire and retain graduates of these specialized training programs.

This resolution officially recognizes February 8, 2026, as "Scouting America Day" to celebrate the organization's 116th anniversary. It honors Scouting America's long history of teaching youth self-reliance, character, and civic leadership. The bill also acknowledges the significant achievements of its members, like the Eagle Scout rank, and the dedication of its volunteers.

The In Good Standing Adoption Agencies Act of 2026 mandates that states submit an annual list of licensed, compliant, and tax-exempt child placement agencies to the federal government. This information will be compiled into a publicly available national list maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. States that fail to comply with this reporting requirement risk losing eligibility for adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments.

This bill establishes the NASA Talent Exchange Program, allowing for the temporary assignment of NASA employees to private companies and vice versa. The program aims to foster collaboration and share expertise between the public and private sectors for up to four years. Strict agreements are required to protect government interests, including commitments from NASA employees regarding their post-assignment service. The Administrator must also report annually on the program's activities and impact.

The Railroad Safety and Accountability Act permanently establishes the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee to advise the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on critical safety regulations. This committee will bring together key stakeholders, including carriers, labor, and local governments, to develop collaborative solutions for rail safety issues. The FRA Administrator is required to meet with the committee quarterly to discuss regulatory priorities and emerging safety concerns.

The Territorial SBA Loan Guaranty Adjustment Act of 2026 increases the Small Business Administration's loan guarantee percentage for businesses operating in covered territories. This act establishes a 90 percent government guarantee for eligible 7(a) program loans made to these businesses. Certain specific provisions and pilot programs within the 7(a) program are excluded from this higher guarantee level.

The Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026 aims to enhance vehicle safety and regulatory efficiency by requiring NHTSA to create transparent, forward-looking safety plans. The bill also reforms the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) by establishing a dedicated office and advisory committee to modernize safety ratings. Furthermore, it mandates regular reviews of existing safety standards and improves accountability for rulemaking deadlines and recall procedures.

The Duty Status Reform Act aims to modernize and streamline the process for determining and managing duty status for federal employees. This legislation seeks to clarify existing regulations and ensure fair and consistent application of duty status rules across government agencies.

The Hemp Planting Predictability Act delays the implementation of amendments to hemp production provisions. This bill extends the timeframe for these changes from 365 days to three years.