Legislative Activity

The Medicaid Financing Clarification Act of 2026 explicitly confirms that public funds provided by local government entities, such as counties and cities, can be counted toward a state's required matching contribution for Medicaid. This legislation clarifies the definition of "public funds" to ensure transparency and consistency in how states meet their financial obligations under the Medicaid program.

This act appropriates \$3.5 billion in emergency funding to the USDA to provide block grants to states for agricultural losses caused by the March 2026 freeze. These funds are specifically designated to compensate producers for lost revenue, quality, or production of crops, trees, bushes, and vines in designated disaster counties. The Secretary of Agriculture must report on the implementation of this assistance quarterly.

The America Bikes Act significantly boosts federal support for bicycling and pedestrian safety by expanding eligible highway safety projects and offering full federal funding for certain vulnerable road user improvements. The bill establishes new grant programs for large-scale active transportation networks and bicycle transit integration, while also temporarily suspending duties on imported bicycle manufacturing parts. Furthermore, it enhances bicycle commuting tax benefits and mandates updated safety education guidelines for schools.

This act ensures that the Environmental Protection Agency's approval of Florida's state-run dredge and fill permitting program is considered compliant with the Endangered Species Act. Compliance is achieved by strictly adhering to the terms outlined in a specific U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biological opinion. This provision eliminates the need for further Endangered Species Act consultation regarding the program's approval.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

The "Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to change how Medicare pays for ultralightweight manual wheelchairs. It mandates separate billing codes for these wheelchairs based on their construction material and ensures suppliers of titanium or carbon fiber wheelchairs are paid without payment reductions. This bill also lets suppliers charge beneficiaries the price difference between the Medicare payment and the wheelchair's cost, with potential requirements for suppliers to disclose out-of-pocket expenses to beneficiaries beforehand.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the FDA to update federal regulations within one year, replacing references to "animal testing" with the broader term "nonclinical testing" in drug development rules. This change aligns FDA regulations with recent legislative updates, allowing for the use of modern, non-animal testing methods in drug approval processes. The interim final rule implementing these changes will take effect immediately upon publication.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

This bill, the "No Tax on Border Patrol Agent Overtime Act," amends the Internal Revenue Code to redefine "qualified overtime compensation" specifically for Border Patrol agents. This change ensures that certain overtime pay received by these agents is treated favorably for tax purposes. The legislation aims to exclude specific forms of overtime and premium pay from taxation.

The At Home Observation and Medical Evaluation Services Act of 2026 establishes a two-year demonstration program allowing hospitals to provide outpatient observation services to eligible Medicare beneficiaries in their homes. This program grants necessary waivers, similar to those used during the public health emergency, to facilitate home-based care while maintaining hospital standards of care. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must study the program's impact on quality, outcomes, and costs before reporting findings publicly.

The Fostering the Future Act aims to significantly improve opportunities and support for youth who have experienced foster care. This legislation expands access to education and workforce training vouchers, increases financial support amounts, and improves access to stable housing. Furthermore, it enhances support services, including legal counseling and tailored resources for expectant and parenting foster youth.

This Act mandates a comprehensive study to examine the link between animal cruelty and future violence against humans. It also establishes a federal grant program to support eligible entities in detecting, intervening in, and preventing animal cruelty and related interpersonal violence. The overall goal is to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce future violent acts.

This resolution supports designating May 15, 2026, as "Endangered Species Day" to celebrate the success of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It recognizes the vital role this Act and other conservation efforts play in protecting imperiled wildlife and addressing the ongoing biodiversity crisis. The bill also highlights the cultural and economic benefits derived from healthy ecosystems and at-risk species recovery.

This resolution officially designates May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week. It honors the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, specifically recognizing 363 officers lost in 2025. The bill expresses unwavering support for law enforcement and acknowledges the need for proper resources to ensure officer safety.

The Critical Mineral and Extraction Tax Parity Act expands the advanced manufacturing production tax credit to include several new critical minerals, such as copper, silicon, and uranium. The bill also allows extraction costs for domestically sourced ore to qualify for the credit when refined into these minerals. Finally, it repeals the existing credit reduction previously applied to metallurgical coal.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 aims to combat sophisticated, cross-jurisdictional organized retail and supply chain theft. It achieves this by strengthening federal laws regarding money laundering and stolen property offenses, including lowering monetary thresholds for prosecution. Furthermore, the bill establishes a dedicated Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal, state, and local enforcement efforts against these criminal organizations.

The Petfax Act of 2026 enhances consumer protection by requiring sellers of dogs and cats to disclose detailed source and health history information before any sale. It also prohibits unfair or deceptive sales practices, such as misrepresenting an animal's origin. Furthermore, the Act strengthens enforcement against problematic breeders by barring individuals whose dealer licenses were recently suspended or revoked from obtaining new licenses at the same location, even through family members or new entities.

This bill, the Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act, aims to significantly improve support for pregnant and parenting youth currently in or transitioning out of foster care. It mandates that states enhance their foster care plans to include specialized parenting support services and caseworker training for these youth. Furthermore, the legislation requires better data collection on this population and ensures these young parents are connected with evidence-based home visiting and resource coordination services.

The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act aims to strengthen protections and streamline processes for IRS whistleblowers. Key provisions include establishing a *de novo* review standard for award disputes in Tax Court and allowing whistleblowers to maintain anonymity during court proceedings. The bill also mandates interest payments on awards that are significantly delayed by the IRS.

The Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 establishes a national system to map, protect, and restore critical pathways for wildlife movement across federal and nonfederal lands. It creates a scientific mapping program, designates formal wildlife corridors on federal property, and funds grants for habitat connectivity projects on private and state lands. The bill aims to reduce habitat fragmentation, improve species adaptation to climate change, and enhance public safety by mitigating wildlife-vehicle conflicts.