Legislation

The SEED Act expands the existing tax deduction for educator expenses to include early childhood educators. This legislation allows early childhood educators to claim the same deduction for unreimbursed classroom supplies as K-12 teachers. The bill broadens the definition of an eligible "school" to cover qualifying early childhood education and childcare facilities.

This bill facilitates a land interchange between the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service in Tuolumne County, California. It transfers approximately 160 acres of National Forest land to Yosemite National Park and about 170 acres of National Park land to Stanislaus National Forest. The legislation outlines procedures for managing hazardous substances and ensures existing rights and authorizations on the transferred lands remain valid.

This Act directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to conduct a comprehensive study on motor vehicle flammability hazards. The study will examine occupant safety risks, the materials used to meet current flammability standards, and potential health and environmental hazards associated with those materials. NHTSA must report its findings and recommendations for mitigation to Congress within 30 months of enactment.

The Energy Bills Relief Act is a comprehensive bill designed to lower energy costs for American families, accelerate the deployment of low-cost, clean energy, and modernize the nation's electricity grid. It achieves this by reversing harmful policies against renewables, expanding energy assistance programs, streamlining grid connection processes, and increasing transparency in utility regulation. Ultimately, the legislation aims to create a more reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy system while ensuring communities have a stronger voice in energy development.

This bill establishes a permanent Full Risk Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Program within Medicare to improve health outcomes and lower costs. It allows provider groups to take on full financial responsibility for managing the care of their Medicare patients in exchange for innovative payment models. The program offers options like primary care capitation or total care capitation, moving providers away from traditional fee-for-service payments. It mandates full financial risk sharing for savings and losses, with specific structures for standard and complex care ACOs.

The Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026 establishes a new, separate personnel system within the Department of State to maintain a pool of trained civilian experts ready for immediate deployment. This Corps will be gradually built up to 1,000 members and can be called to active service during national emergencies or to augment diplomatic efforts abroad. The legislation details comprehensive rules for appointments, compensation, benefits, retirement, and service obligations, closely aligning the Corps' structure and protections with those of the Foreign Service and uniformed services.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 significantly revises H-1B visa requirements by mandating higher minimum wages, limiting visa validity for third-party worksites, and prioritizing petitions offering greater compensation. Additionally, the bill exempts qualifying healthcare workers from H-1B visa fees, provided employers demonstrate good-faith efforts to hire U.S. workers first. These changes apply to all petitions filed on or after the date of enactment.

The Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026 aims to enhance timely access to care and improve oversight for Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees. The bill mandates faster decision-making for prior authorization requests, establishes strict compliance scoring with financial penalties for non-compliant plans, and requires MA plans to use the same medical necessity criteria as traditional Medicare. Furthermore, it protects providers by limiting retroactive denials for pre-approved services and ensuring prompt payment for those services.

This bill amends federal law to adjust the mandatory retirement age for United States Capitol Police officers. It replaces the previous fixed retirement age of 60, allowing the Capitol Police Board to set an individual officer's retirement age anywhere between 57 and 65.

The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026 aims to make it easier for local farmers and ranchers to accept benefits from major federal nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC. It mandates the creation of a single, streamlined application process for farmers to become authorized vendors across these programs. Additionally, the bill requires the provision of modern, mobile payment technology to support direct sales at farmers markets.

The RESCUE Act establishes a U.S. policy to end reliance on Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, due to the war in Ukraine. It mandates sanctions against Rosatom and foreign entities dealing with it, while requiring the President to develop a strategy to decouple the U.S. from Russian nuclear energy. The bill also requires a report assessing the impact of the existing U.S.-Russia nuclear cooperation agreement.

The Restoring Law and Order on America’s Streets Act expands federal authority to allow the civil commitment of individuals deemed a danger to public safety, similar to existing provisions for sexually dangerous persons. This bill mandates evaluations for certain homeless individuals in federal custody to determine if they meet the criteria for commitment. It introduces new definitions for "person who is a danger to public safety" based on specific past behaviors and a serious mental condition that makes refraining from those actions difficult.

The Improving IRS Customer Service Act aims to significantly enhance taxpayer experience by mandating increased transparency and accessibility from the IRS. This bill requires the IRS to publish real-time data on call wait times, expand online access to return and refund information, and develop comprehensive online taxpayer accounts. Furthermore, it directs the IRS to improve callback technology and ensure taxpayers facing economic hardship are informed of all available payment alternatives.

The HUMBLE Presidents Act prohibits the use of a sitting President's name, image, likeness, or signature on federal property, assets, coins, and currency. This legislation aims to prevent the unilateral labeling or decoration of federal items by the current President. No federal funds can be used for these prohibited activities.

The Rural Child Care Access Act aims to improve access to child care in rural communities through federal support. It establishes competitive grant programs, managed by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services, to fund infrastructure improvements for local child care facilities. These grants will help modify, upgrade, or construct facilities, as well as support provider training and recruitment in areas with fewer than 50,000 residents. The bill also mandates regular reporting and studies on the construction and renovation needs of child care facilities nationwide.

This bill mandates that states verify an applicant's lawful presence in the U.S. before issuing driver's licenses, commercial licenses, or identification cards. States failing to implement these strict verification and electronic confirmation requirements by October 2026 will face a 10% reduction in federal highway funding. Withheld funds will be redistributed to states that comply with the new federal standards.

The Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026 establishes a formal process for banning books in federal prisons, requiring approval from a newly created Publication Review Committee. This committee must include diverse members, such as an incarcerated individual and a professional librarian. The Act also mandates annual reporting to Congress on all banned books and the status of related appeals.

The JOAN Act streamlines the federal review and permitting process for natural gas infrastructure projects by designating FERC as the lead agency for environmental reviews and establishing strict timelines for all agencies. It centralizes legal challenges against project authorizations into a single, accelerated lawsuit in federal appellate court, limiting judicial review scope and imposing strict deadlines. The bill aims to expedite project development while requiring coordination among federal and state agencies regarding water quality and project data.

The Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026 significantly expands educational and training support for youth who have experienced foster care. This bill broadens eligibility, increases the maximum voucher amount to $12,000, and allows vouchers to cover a wider range of opportunities, including short-term training and remedial education. Furthermore, it mandates improved state efforts to inform eligible youth about these benefits and removes transportation barriers to participation.

This bill aims to eliminate "sanctuary jurisdictions" by penalizing local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It provides legal protections for local officers who comply with DHS detainers and makes sanctuary jurisdictions ineligible for a wide range of federal grants. Furthermore, it allows states to sue jurisdictions that release immigrants who subsequently commit crimes in other states.