Legislation

The Children Harmed In Life-threatening or Dangerous Labor (CHILD) Labor Act strengthens federal protections against child labor by expanding the definition of hazardous work and increasing corporate accountability across supply chains. The bill imposes significantly tougher financial and criminal penalties for violations, grants the Department of Labor enhanced enforcement tools, and mandates stricter child labor standards for federal contractors. Additionally, it requires annual reporting on workplace injuries to ensure greater transparency and safety for young workers.

The Outcomes-Based Financing (OBF) for Students Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework for education financing products where repayment is tied to a borrower’s future income. The bill provides tax incentives for both borrowers and providers, mandates clear and standardized disclosures for consumers, and introduces robust protections regarding payment caps and bankruptcy dischargeability. By aligning these products with federal standards, the legislation aims to increase transparency and affordability while providing a structured path for the growth of income-based education funding.

The North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends critical U.S. programs aimed at promoting human rights, freedom of information, and humanitarian assistance in North Korea through 2030. The bill strengthens support for North Korean refugees, mandates reporting on the Special Envoy for North Korean human rights, and introduces new sanctions against those involved in the forced repatriation of refugees. Additionally, it requires increased transparency regarding the impact of sanctions on humanitarian aid delivery to ensure support reaches the North Korean people without exploitation by the regime.

The Voter Choice Act establishes a new federal program to support state and local governments in transitioning to ranked choice voting systems. Through the Election Assistance Commission, the bill provides technical assistance and matching grants to help jurisdictions update voting equipment, design ballots, and conduct voter outreach. This initiative aims to modernize election administration by facilitating the adoption of systems that allow voters to rank candidates by preference.

The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the U.S. Geological Survey’s mapping initiative through 2031. This legislation modernizes the program by incorporating advanced sensing technologies and integrating 3D hydrography data to better characterize critical mineral, geothermal, and natural hydrogen resources.

The **Getting Innovations to Patients During Shutdowns Act** ensures that the FDA can continue processing critical human drug and medical device submissions during federal government shutdowns. By allowing applicants to defer required fees until after a funding lapse ends, the bill prevents administrative delays and ensures that life-saving medical innovations remain under review.

The Protecting Columbia River Salmon Act of 2026 authorizes federally recognized Indian tribes with ancestral ties to the Columbia River to lethally remove California and Steller sea lions from the river system. This legislation amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act to allow tribes to manage pinniped populations using humane methods of their choosing to help protect salmon stocks. The act preserves all existing tribal treaty rights and authorities.

The Sunshine for Our Kids Act of 2026 establishes standard time as the permanent default across the United States. Additionally, the bill provides states with the flexibility to adopt daylight saving time year-round through state legislation.

The American Space Leadership for the 21st Century Act directs the State Department to lead diplomatic efforts to secure U.S. space interests against growing global threats. The bill authorizes the development of international norms, risk-reduction measures, and security dialogues with allies to ensure space remains a stable and accessible domain. Additionally, it establishes mandatory congressional oversight and consultations to address emerging challenges from adversaries in the space sector.

The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 provides the necessary funding and legal framework for U.S. intelligence activities and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System. The bill authorizes specific appropriations for the Intelligence Community Management Account while establishing guidelines for employee compensation and the conduct of intelligence operations. Additionally, it mandates a classified schedule of authorizations to oversee the allocation of resources across the intelligence community.

The Birthright Citizenship Clarification Act of 2026 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict automatic birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to parents who are unlawfully present or in the country on a temporary, non-immigrant status. The bill codifies specific historical exceptions to citizenship and aims to deter birth tourism and visa manipulation. These changes would apply prospectively to individuals born 30 days or more after the legislation's enactment.

The Protecting Americans’ Health Care Act of 2026 seeks to repeal the Medicaid-related provisions established under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. This legislation effectively reverses those specific statutory changes, restoring the affected laws to their status prior to the enactment of the 2021 provisions.

The "BILL Drivers Act" directs the Energy Information Administration to produce a standardized, public analysis of the factors driving residential and small business electricity costs across the country. By breaking down expenses into categories like generation, transmission, and state policy mandates, the legislation aims to provide consumers and policymakers with greater transparency regarding electricity pricing trends. This report will be published in a user-friendly format to help clarify how different components contribute to total utility bills.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the marriage penalty within the state and local tax (SALT) deduction. Beginning in 2027, it establishes new, higher deduction limits and income phase-out thresholds tailored to filing status, ensuring married couples filing jointly receive double the deduction capacity of single filers. These limits and thresholds will be adjusted annually for inflation to maintain consistent tax treatment.

The Modernizing Aeronautical Standards Act directs NASA, in coordination with the FAA and NOAA, to conduct a comprehensive study on how shifting atmospheric conditions impact aircraft performance and airport infrastructure. This study will analyze historical and future climate trends to provide recommendations for updating aeronautical standards, aircraft design, and infrastructure investments. The findings will help ensure the U.S. aviation industry remains safe and efficient in a changing environment.

The Hmong Congressional Gold Medal Act honors the Hmong people for their courageous service and sacrifice alongside the United States during the Vietnam War. This legislation authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize their critical contributions in the fight against communism and their subsequent resettlement in America. The medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution to preserve the history of their service for future generations.

The Freedom to Build Act establishes a voluntary federal designation for local governments that commit to reducing regulatory barriers and increasing housing supply. Localities that qualify through housing reforms or production targets will receive priority consideration for competitive federal grants related to housing and community development. This initiative aims to incentivize communities to streamline construction, protect property rights, and accelerate the development of affordable housing.

The Protecting Communities from Data Center Impacts Act of 2026 mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to evaluate the environmental and public health effects of data centers, including noise, pollution, and resource consumption. The resulting report will provide Congress with actionable recommendations to mitigate these impacts.

The Northwest Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2026 expands management authority to protect endangered salmon populations by allowing for the controlled, lethal removal of pinnipeds in the Columbia River and specific Washington state waters. The bill also establishes a technology accelerator program to develop non-lethal exclusion methods and mandates ongoing studies to monitor the impact of these measures on salmon recovery.

The "Less Bureaucracy, Better Student Aid Act" proposes transferring all federal student aid functions—including loan servicing, collections, and grant administration—from the Department of Education to the Department of the Treasury. This phased transition aims to streamline operations and improve oversight without increasing the total number of federal employees. The bill ensures that all existing legal obligations, contracts, and ongoing proceedings remain in effect throughout the transfer process.