Legislation

The Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act establishes a new civilian leadership structure for the U.S. Coast Guard by creating the positions of Secretary and Under Secretary of the Coast Guard. This legislation shifts oversight responsibilities from the Secretary of Homeland Security to these new civilian roles, while redefining the Commandant’s reporting structure to ensure streamlined management. These changes aim to enhance administrative efficiency and clarify the chain of command within the service.

The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act establishes the Eastern Mediterranean as a critical strategic hub within the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The legislation directs the U.S. to prioritize energy security, defense cooperation, and regional integration through enhanced multilateral strategic dialogues. By fostering deeper ties with key partners like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, the Act aims to strengthen connectivity and stability across three continents.

The Expanded Consular Fellows Act of 2026 aims to increase staffing capacity at U.S. embassies and consulates to meet rising demand for visa processing and security vetting. The bill amends the Foreign Service Act to extend the maximum duration of limited consular appointments to eight years and introduces a new two-year short-term appointment category. These measures are designed to ensure efficient consular operations during upcoming major international sporting events and support the continued growth of the U.S. travel and tourism industry.

The American Decade of Sports Act mandates that the State Department develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to leverage major international sporting events hosted in the U.S. between 2024 and 2034 for diplomatic and economic gain. The bill establishes an Office of Sports Diplomacy to coordinate these efforts, foster international partnerships, and streamline visa processes for event participants. Additionally, it requires regular reporting to Congress to ensure accountability and progress throughout this "mega-decade" of global competition.

The "Slow Down Act" mandates that states implement "Stop Super Speeders" programs to improve highway safety. Under this legislation, repeat or severe speeding offenders are required to install intelligent speed assistance technology that automatically prevents their vehicles from exceeding posted speed limits. States are also tasked with establishing penalties for non-compliance with these technology requirements.

The Tax Complexity and Fraud Prevention Review Act requires the Treasury Secretary to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the IRS’s efforts to combat tax fraud. These reports must analyze fraud-prevention strategies, collaboration with tax-filing providers, and data regarding identified and prevented fraudulent refund claims. To ensure transparency, this information will be made available to the public on the IRS website.

The Enhancing Electric Grid Resilience Act streamlines the development of major interstate and offshore transmission projects by establishing a clear framework for cost allocation. It empowers the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure that costs for these significant facilities are distributed proportionally among beneficiaries based on a broad range of reliability, economic, and environmental factors.

The UNLOCK AUKUS Act streamlines defense cooperation by amending the Arms Export Control Act to remove specific regulatory barriers. This legislation facilitates the seamless transfer of defense articles and services among AUKUS partners, strengthening collaborative security efforts.

The FAIR DME Appeals Act requires Medicare contractors to reimburse small durable medical equipment suppliers for attorney fees and litigation costs when those suppliers successfully overturn a clearly erroneous claim denial. This legislation ensures that small businesses are not financially burdened by the costs of challenging incorrect payment decisions. It establishes a clear, binding process for fee recovery while protecting against fraudulent claims.

The Energy Security Pacts Act establishes a framework for the U.S. Department of State to enter into multiyear agreements with partner countries to strengthen energy and economic security. By creating a dedicated Office of Energy Security Pacts and an interagency Council, the bill aims to diversify critical mineral and energy supply chains while fostering private-sector investment. These pacts are designed to enhance global energy reliability and competitiveness through transparent, strategic, and collaborative international partnerships.

The **Reassessing the United States-Tanzania Bilateral Relationship Act** mandates a comprehensive review of U.S.-Tanzania relations in response to significant democratic backsliding, human rights abuses, and political violence surrounding the 2025 elections. The bill authorizes the President to impose targeted sanctions on Tanzanian officials responsible for these violations and restricts certain U.S. security and financial assistance until the government implements verifiable democratic reforms.

The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act strengthens dental coverage for children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This legislation prohibits states from imposing annual or lifetime dollar limits on dental benefits and mandates that states provide dental-only supplemental coverage. These changes ensure that low-income children have consistent, comprehensive access to necessary dental care.

The Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to better support children raised by relatives, both within and outside the foster care system. The bill prioritizes kinship placements, expands advisory board representation, and enhances community-based resources to ensure these families receive the specialized training and services they need.

The FIRST Act establishes a Department of State program to promote the international deployment of U.S. civil nuclear energy technology, specifically focusing on small modular reactors. The program provides diplomatic support, regulatory consultation, and project development assistance to partner nations to ensure high safety and nonproliferation standards. By fostering these partnerships, the Act aims to strengthen U.S. national security and economic interests in the global nuclear energy market.

The Taxpayer Transparency and Notice Act requires the IRS to provide taxpayers with quarterly notices regarding overdue tax debts, replacing the current annual notification system. These notices must include updated estimates of potential penalties and interest, as well as information on available taxpayer assistance programs. This measure aims to increase transparency and help taxpayers manage their delinquencies more effectively.

The Higher Education Accreditation Accountability Act strengthens federal oversight of accrediting agencies by establishing stricter eligibility requirements and shorter initial recognition periods. Additionally, the bill mandates a rigorous, Secretary-approved application process for institutions seeking to change their primary accreditor to ensure the switch is not used to evade oversight or accountability.

The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 aims to strengthen Taiwan’s asymmetric defense capabilities by integrating its drone industry into the U.S. "Blue UAS" supply chain. The bill establishes a working group to identify opportunities for co-developing secure, PRC-independent unmanned aircraft systems and creates a fast-track certification process for Taiwanese manufacturers. By fostering these partnerships, the legislation seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese-sourced components and enhance regional security through a collaborative, allied drone supply chain.

The Lawful Hemp Protection Act establishes a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for hemp-derived cannabinoid products to ensure consumer safety and industry accountability. The bill mandates strict age-gating, standardized manufacturing and labeling requirements, and FDA oversight to eliminate deceptive products. Additionally, it implements a federal tax and permit system for manufacturers and wholesalers while preserving the authority of states to enforce their own regulations.

The **CURRENT Act** streamlines the federal permitting process for energy infrastructure by narrowing the scope and authority of state water quality certifications under the Clean Water Act. The bill establishes strict deadlines for agency reviews, raises the burden of proof for project denials, and limits the conditions states can impose on energy projects. Additionally, it mandates expedited judicial review for energy-related infrastructure to reduce delays and provide greater regulatory certainty.

The Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act streamlines the approval process for biological products by automatically granting interchangeability status to biosimilars upon licensure. By removing the requirement for separate, redundant interchangeability determinations, this legislation aims to reduce regulatory burdens and accelerate patient access to affordable biosimilar medications.