Legislative Activity

The Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 establishes a federal program to address the shortage of general surgeons in underserved communities. This program offers loan repayment assistance of up to $200,000 over four years for eligible surgeons who commit to working in designated shortage areas. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study to develop a standardized methodology for accurately identifying and designating general surgery shortage areas across the nation.

This resolution asserts that advancing the rights of women and girls in Haiti is crucial for the nation's stability and successful transition from crisis. It condemns the widespread gender-based violence and the exclusion of women from leadership roles in the transitional government. The bill calls for urgent measures to center women's needs, ensure their representation in government, and prioritize funding for survivor services and accountability for violence.

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2026 establishes the Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit to incentivize the use of U.S.-grown cotton in products sold domestically. This new business tax credit is calculated based on the volume of U.S. cotton used, the market price, and where the product was processed. The bill mandates digital tracing to verify the supply chain and offers significantly increased credit multipliers for products containing U.S.-made cotton yarn or fabric.

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act establishes new competitive grants for states to support charter school facilities, prioritizing those in high-need areas. It expands how existing federal charter school grant funds can be used for facility acquisition and compliance, and allows states to reserve funds for revolving loan programs. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that federal funds used for property acquisition do not create a federal interest in the property.

The Shutdown Fairness Act automatically appropriates necessary funds to ensure federal employees and essential contractors receive their regular pay during a government shutdown. This legislation mandates timely payment for covered personnel, regardless of whether they were deemed "excepted" or furloughed. The funds are charged against the agency's subsequent regular appropriations once they are enacted.

This resolution expresses strong support for the Iranian people protesting for freedom, democracy, and basic human rights against the repressive Islamic Republic. It condemns the regime's brutal crackdown on demonstrators and demands an end to violence and the release of political prisoners. Furthermore, it urges the U.S. government to work with allies to deter further lethal violence against protesters.

This bill, the Hemp Planting Predictability Act, seeks to amend the Agriculture Appropriations Act of 2026. Specifically, it delays the implementation of recent amendments affecting hemp production under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The delay for these changes is extended from one year to three years.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.

This resolution formally recognizes Atlanta, Georgia, as the cradle of the civil rights movement for its profound historical contributions to the fight for equality. It commemorates numerous pivotal events and leaders from the city that shaped American society. Furthermore, the bill honors Atlanta's ongoing role as a dynamic center for diversity, opportunity, and progress.

The Military CARE Act establishes a digital system for military beneficiaries to easily file and track complaints regarding access to care at military medical facilities. It mandates the creation of an annual report analyzing these complaints to identify trends and inform improvements. This aims to enhance transparency and accountability in military healthcare access.

This resolution strongly condemns the antisemitic shooting attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. It expresses solidarity with the victims, their families, and the Jewish community worldwide. Furthermore, the bill reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating all forms of religious hatred and violence.

The Bridge to Summer Nutrition Act of 2025 aims to strengthen summer food assistance programs by increasing federal support for state administrative costs. Specifically, it mandates that the USDA reimburse states 90% of their monthly administrative expenses for operating summer electronic benefit transfer (EBT) programs for children. This increased funding also applies to administrative costs for regular SNAP operations.

The Rural Hospital Flexibility Act of 2025 expands federal support for rural healthcare providers through the Medicare rural hospital flexibility program. This bill authorizes new grants to support quality improvement, behavioral health integration, and transformation to new care models like rural emergency hospitals. It also revises existing grant structures to better assist small rural hospitals through State Offices of Rural Health. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance the sustainability and service delivery capabilities of critical access hospitals and other rural health entities.

The Healthcare Equality and Rights for Our Heroes Act (HERO Act) establishes a new legal process allowing members of the uniformed services to sue the United States for damages resulting from medical malpractice at military treatment facilities. This act repeals existing law and creates a new exclusive remedy against the U.S. government for injuries or death caused by negligence in military healthcare. Lawsuits must be filed within 10 years of discovering the injury, and damage awards cannot be reduced by any VA benefits received.

This Act addresses the significant unemployment disparities faced by young African Americans by strengthening pathways into registered apprenticeship programs. It establishes a Diversity and Inclusion Administrator within the Department of Labor to promote greater participation from underrepresented groups. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a competitive grant program to help entities create or expand apprenticeships, requiring applicants to submit plans specifically aimed at increasing African American enrollment.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

This bill establishes new federal requirements for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) contracting with Medicare Part D and Medicaid plans, effective in 2027. It mandates specific payment standards for pharmacies, requires PBMs to pass manufacturer rebates directly to patients and plan sponsors, and strictly prohibits steering patients toward specific pharmacies. Additionally, the legislation enhances transparency by expanding drug price reporting requirements for all types of pharmacies within the Medicaid program.

The Endometriosis CARE Act aims to improve the understanding and management of endometriosis through increased research funding and data collection at the NIH. The bill also mandates studies to identify barriers to treatment access and requires the development of public education campaigns and provider information resources. Furthermore, it calls for a comprehensive study on disparities in endometriosis prevalence, detection, and treatment outcomes.