Legislation

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027, provides comprehensive funding for the Department of Agriculture, the FDA, and various rural development and nutrition programs. The bill allocates resources for agricultural research, food safety, and farm support while establishing strict congressional oversight and spending caps to ensure fiscal accountability. Additionally, it sets new policy directives for food labeling, public health enforcement, and rural infrastructure to support both producers and consumers.

This resolution honors the 67 victims of the 2025 Potomac River mid-air collision and extends sincere condolences to their families and loved ones. It recognizes the heroic efforts of the first responders and emergency personnel involved in the rescue and recovery operations. Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms a commitment to supporting the affected families and implementing safety measures to prevent future tragedies.

This resolution expresses support for the 52nd annual National Catholic Schools Week, celebrated from January 25 through January 31, 2026. It recognizes the vital contributions Catholic schools make to the United States by highlighting their commitment to academic excellence, community service, and the holistic development of a diverse student population.

This joint resolution exercises congressional disapproval to nullify a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration rule that sought to rename the "Gulf of Mexico" to the "Gulf of America" in federal pipeline safety regulations. By passing this resolution, Congress ensures the rule has no force or effect, maintaining the original terminology in official documents.

The Ratepayer Protection Act requires large-scale data centers and computational facilities with a demand of 100 megawatts or more to cover the full cost of any necessary grid upgrades. By mandating upfront financial assurances, the bill ensures that these infrastructure expenses are borne by the large-load customers rather than passed on to everyday utility ratepayers. States are required to review and implement these standards to ensure grid costs are fairly allocated.

This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a formal investigation into potential antitrust violations within the fire truck manufacturing industry. The inquiry aims to address concerns regarding market consolidation, surging equipment prices, and extended delivery delays. The FTC is required to report its findings and recommendations for corrective legislative action to Congress within one year.

The DASH Act is a comprehensive legislative effort to combat homelessness and expand housing affordability through increased federal funding, tax incentives, and zoning reform. The bill establishes new rental voucher programs, funds the construction of affordable units, and provides tax credits for both renters and first-time homebuyers. Additionally, it incentivizes local governments to remove restrictive zoning barriers to increase housing supply and density.

The SECURE 340B Act establishes a comprehensive framework to increase transparency, accountability, and oversight within the 340B drug pricing program. The bill introduces clear definitions for patient eligibility, mandates rigorous reporting and auditing standards for covered entities and contract pharmacies, and prohibits discriminatory practices by health plans and pharmacy benefit managers. Additionally, it implements new patient affordability protections and creates a data clearinghouse to prevent duplicate discounts and ensure program integrity.

The Stop Retail Food Store SNAP Trafficking Act of 2026 aims to reduce the illegal exchange of SNAP benefits by requiring more rigorous, data-driven estimates of trafficking activity. The bill also strengthens enforcement by significantly increasing civil money penalties for retailers and mandating stricter oversight and reporting on program integrity.

The *Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act* aims to reduce preventable patient harm and healthcare costs caused by diagnostic errors. The bill establishes a comprehensive federal research and quality improvement program, modernizes patient-safety reporting infrastructure, and promotes the use of data science and AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Additionally, it creates an interagency council to coordinate federal efforts and mandates new training and quality standards to ensure safer, more timely diagnoses across the U.S. healthcare system.

The South Dakota Water Feasibility Studies Act authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to partner with regional water systems to evaluate the viability of three major water infrastructure projects. These studies will assess the potential for expanding municipal, rural, and industrial water access across South Dakota and neighboring states. Each project requires a 50% local cost-share and must be completed within a 10-year authorization window to determine if future construction is recommended.

The Intelligent Arbitration Act of 2026 amends the Federal Arbitration Act to permit the use of non-generative artificial intelligence in arbitration proceedings. Under this legislation, parties may utilize AI for legal research, document management, and decision delivery, provided all participants give written consent. The Act also establishes that parties assume the risk for any AI-related errors, preventing them from challenging awards based on such technical inaccuracies.

The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act aims to lower drug costs by streamlining the biosimilar approval process. It limits the number of patents a reference product sponsor can assert in infringement litigation against biosimilar applicants, preventing the use of excessive patent litigation to delay market competition.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 185) establishes new enforcement tools to prevent the U.S. Attorney General from withholding or concealing records related to Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their criminal network. The bill grants victims, state law enforcement, and members of Congress the legal authority to sue for access to unredacted files and mandates strict compliance timelines. Additionally, it imposes criminal penalties for the destruction or falsification of these records and limits the government's ability to use legal privileges to block transparency.

The Foreign Service Test-Free Reentry Act of 2026 streamlines the rehiring process for qualified former career Foreign Service members who were involuntarily separated due to reductions in force between 2025 and 2030. This legislation allows the Secretary of State to reappoint these individuals without requiring them to repeat standard written or oral examinations.

The Security Sector Governance Compacts Act establishes a standardized framework to assess and rank foreign security partners based on the quality of their democratic governance, transparency, and accountability. By linking U.S. security assistance to these governance tiers, the bill incentivizes institutional reform and ensures that aid is directed toward partners committed to professional, civilian-led security sectors. Additionally, the Act creates a "compact" system to provide targeted, long-term support for countries working to improve their governance standards.

This bill commemorates the 100th anniversary of the city of Miami Springs, Florida, celebrating its centennial in 2026. It honors the city’s rich history, from its founding by aviation pioneer Glenn Hammond Curtiss to its enduring contributions to the aviation industry and South Florida culture. The resolution recognizes the community's commitment to preserving its unique heritage, landmarks, and high quality of life.

The Conversational AI Services Act establishes essential safety and transparency standards for AI services interacting with minors, including mandatory disclosures, parental control tools, and protections against harmful content. The bill also prohibits deceptive practices, such as AI masquerading as human or providing unauthorized mental health advice, and mandates protocols for suicide and self-harm prevention. Enforcement of these requirements is granted to the Federal Trade Commission to ensure compliance and consumer protection.

The Public Service Retirement Tax Relief Act of 2026 provides federal income tax relief for state and local government retirees. Under this legislation, the total tax liability for eligible pension recipients is capped at their non-pension income tax plus $10,000. This measure aims to reduce the tax burden on public servants beginning in the 2026 tax year.

The *Saving Lives and Reducing Health Care Waste by Improving Diagnosis in Medicine Act* establishes a comprehensive federal framework to improve the accuracy, timeliness, and safety of medical diagnoses. The bill creates research programs, patient-reporting infrastructure, and an interagency council to modernize diagnostic systems through data science, artificial intelligence, and patient-centered collaboration. By funding specialized training and standardizing health data, this legislation aims to reduce preventable patient harm and eliminate significant waste within the U.S. health care system.