Legislative Activity

The Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2026 establishes a new federal crime for knowingly misrepresenting the source of DNA used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) or artificial insemination. This offense, which applies when interstate or foreign commerce is involved, carries penalties of a fine and up to 10 years in prison. The bill also extends the statute of limitations for prosecution once the perpetrator is identified.

This bill mandates that House Members, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners personally reimburse the U.S. Treasury for any sexual harassment settlements or awards paid on their behalf. It establishes a strict 90-day repayment timeline and enforces transparency by requiring Members to appear before the House for a public disclosure of the claim. Failure to comply with these reimbursement or disclosure requirements results in significant penalties, including the suspension of official duties for current Members and the loss of floor privileges for former Members.

The Workforce and Education Partnership Act of 2026 amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to mandate stronger collaboration between educational institutions and employers. By integrating these partnerships into statewide and local youth and adult workforce programs, the bill aims to better align training initiatives with regional labor market needs.

The STEADFAST Act converts funding from the former Presidential Election Campaign Fund into a new grant program administered by the Election Assistance Commission. This program provides grants to states for essential election security activities, such as updating voting systems and enhancing cybersecurity. States must meet specific eligibility requirements, including using paper ballots and voter ID, to receive priority funding. The bill also terminates public financing for presidential campaigns and transfers remaining funds to this new Election Security Fund.

The Turn It Down Act extends the volume requirements of the CALM Act to commercial advertisements delivered with video programming over the internet. This legislation mandates the FCC to create regulations ensuring internet-delivered ads meet volume standards substantially similar to those for traditional television. The goal is to prevent sudden, loud advertisements for viewers watching content online.

The Agriculture and National Security Act of 2026 formally recognizes food and agriculture as critical to national security. This bill establishes a Senior Advisor for National Security within the USDA to prioritize national security concerns alongside homeland security. It also mandates regular reporting to Congress on identified vulnerabilities, such as foreign influence and data control, and authorizes personnel exchanges with key defense and intelligence agencies.

This bill waives certain historic preservation review requirements (Section 106) for projects focused on upgrading or structurally rehabilitating public water systems and treatment works. This waiver applies when the entity carrying out the project specifically requests the responsible federal agency to exclude it. The goal is to streamline infrastructure improvements while maintaining historic review for other undertakings.

The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act of 2025 aims to significantly upgrade and expand the national weather alert system to ensure reliable, uninterrupted access for all Americans, regardless of location. This legislation mandates the modernization of existing infrastructure, including transitioning to newer communication technologies and expanding transmitter coverage to underserved rural and tribal areas. Furthermore, the Act requires a comprehensive assessment to improve data dissemination and ensure the system remains resilient against various threats.

The Stop Illegal Entry Act of 2025 significantly increases penalties for non-citizens who enter the U.S. illegally and subsequently commit crimes, imposing mandatory minimum sentences. This legislation also raises the maximum penalty for initial illegal entry and establishes much harsher prison terms for individuals who reenter the country after being previously removed or deported. These enhanced penalties include mandatory minimums of 10 years for repeat offenders or those with prior serious criminal convictions.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 201 West Oklahoma Avenue in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as the "Oscar J. Upham Post Office." This action formally renames the existing post office building.

The Secret Service Recording Accountability Act of 2025 mandates that the Secret Service record all communications made while actively protecting an individual entitled to protection. These recordings must generally be deleted within 90 days, unless specific Congressional committees request their retention for at least 18 months. Recordings related to an attempt or act of harm against the protected individual must be provided to designated Congressional committees upon request.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that any public performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" must adhere strictly to the original English lyrics written by Francis Scott Key. It affirms the importance of preserving the historical integrity and unifying symbolism of the national anthem. The bill strongly encourages adherence to the original text as written in 1814.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a specific rule submitted by the Department of Energy (DOE) concerning energy conservation standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. By utilizing the Congressional Review Act, this measure nullifies the DOE's recently published rule, preventing it from taking effect. Essentially, Congress is overturning the new energy efficiency requirements for commercial refrigeration units.

The More Paid Leave for More Americans Act aims to enhance paid family leave by establishing a federal grant program to support and improve existing state-level paid leave laws. It also creates the Interstate Paid Leave Action Network (IPLAN) to encourage states to standardize definitions, administration, and benefit coordination across state lines. This dual approach seeks to increase the quality of benefits for workers while simplifying compliance for employers operating in multiple states.

The National Biotechnology Initiative Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive, whole-of-government effort to advance U.S. leadership in biotechnology for national security and economic competitiveness. This Act creates the National Biotechnology Initiative, overseen by a new National Biotechnology Coordination Office within the Executive Office of the President. Participating federal agencies are mandated to coordinate strategies across research, data management, biomanufacturing, regulatory streamlining, and workforce development. The law also establishes mechanisms for interagency coordination, public reporting, and the development of a national biotechnology strategy.

This Joint Resolution seeks to disapprove a recent rule issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) concerning the listing of derivative contracts based on voluntary carbon credits. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, Congress is effectively nullifying the CFTC's guidance published in October 2024. This action prevents the agency's specific interpretation regarding carbon credit derivatives from taking legal effect.

This bill directs the Librarian of Congress to transition the production of the *Constitution Annotated* and its supplements from physical, hardbound books to entirely digital formats. The goal is to promote more cost-effective, efficient, and expanded public availability of this important legal resource. Consequently, the requirement to print decennial editions and annual pocket supplements will be repealed after specific dates, moving all updates to a publicly accessible website.

The Duplicative Grant Consolidation Act aims to prevent federal agencies from awarding grants to applicants who are already funded for the exact same project, with an exception for colleges and universities. It mandates the creation of a centralized electronic tracking system managed by the OMB to flag potential double-funding across agencies. Furthermore, the bill requires a report on the feasibility of using artificial intelligence to enhance the identification of duplicative or fraudulent grant applications.

The "Supporting Disabled National Guardsmen Act" allows National Guard members to be eligible for retirement from the Armed Forces due to disabilities incurred while performing State active duty. It also makes National Guard members eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital care and medical services for disabilities incurred while performing State active duty, as well as for any illnesses or conditions resulting from these disabilities. The VA's ability to provide these services is limited to the extent and amount specifically allocated in advance through appropriations acts. Before the VA can reimburse for care or services, individuals or their healthcare providers are required to first exhaust all other available payment options.

The "Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act" amends the Mineral Leasing Act to streamline oil and gas activities on non-federal surface land where the U.S. owns less than 50% of subsurface mineral rights, by removing the need for a federal drilling permit if a state permit is submitted. This exemption aims to reduce federal oversight and expedite energy resource development, but does not apply to Indian lands or alter royalty obligations. The Secretary of the Interior retains authority for audits, inspections, and royalty collection.