Legislative Activity

This bill mandates that states verify an applicant's lawful presence in the U.S. before issuing driver's licenses, commercial licenses, or identification cards. States failing to implement these strict verification and electronic confirmation requirements by October 2026 will face a 10% reduction in federal highway funding. Withheld funds will be redistributed to states that comply with the new federal standards.

The Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2026 establishes a phased payment schedule for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to provide faster financial support to those with a terminal diagnosis. By allowing eligible individuals to receive benefits during the standard waiting period, the bill aims to provide critical relief to those facing terminal illness. Additionally, the legislation mandates comprehensive reporting by the Social Security Administration and the GAO to ensure program integrity and evaluate its effectiveness.

The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026 aims to improve the availability of mental health care by increasing Medicare reimbursement rates for specific services. Effective January 1, 2027, the bill raises the payment rate from 75% to 85% of the physician fee schedule. This adjustment is designed to better support providers and expand access to essential mental health treatment for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act mandates that any increase or suspension of the federal debt limit must be accompanied by an equal or greater amount of federal spending reductions over the next decade. The bill requires the Treasury Secretary to issue formal warnings as the debt limit approaches and establishes strict congressional procedural rules to ensure these spending cuts are enacted. By prohibiting the use of interest savings or timing shifts to meet these targets, the legislation aims to enforce long-term fiscal discipline.

The Grasslands Grazing Act of 2025 makes a technical update to federal law regarding grazing leases and permits by aligning the land reference in the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 with the current definition of "National Forest System land." This change clarifies terminology without altering existing regulations or the application of other laws governing national grasslands.

The EDA Short Form Application Act streamlines the grant process for small rural communities by requiring the Economic Development Administration to create a simplified application form. This legislation mandates stakeholder input to reduce administrative burdens and increases transparency by providing public access to guidance, evaluation criteria, and sample applications.

This resolution officially designates February 28, 2026, as "Rare Disease Day." It recognizes the millions of Americans affected by rare diseases and highlights the ongoing challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and research. The bill aims to raise awareness and support efforts to advance treatments and cures for these often serious and life-threatening conditions.

This Act establishes an advisory committee to study and make recommendations on improving the transmission of location information for calls made to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The committee will examine policy, technical standards, and funding needs related to providing dispatchable location data for 988 calls. It must submit its findings and legislative recommendations to Congress and the FCC within one year of enactment.

The Pay Less at the Pump Act of 2026 terminates the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing tax effective January 1, 2026. This bill also accelerates the repayment schedule for prior advances made from the Superfund to the General Fund. The overall goal is to remove this specific tax burden.

The "Making National Parks Safer Act" requires the Secretary of the Interior to assess and report on the status of Next Generation 911 systems in National Park System units' emergency communication centers. It directs the Secretary to develop a plan, in consultation with state, local, and federal stakeholders, to install and maintain Next Generation 911 systems in these units to improve emergency response capabilities, ensuring interoperability with other systems. A plan is not required for units where the superintendent determines sufficient Next Generation 911 systems have already been installed or are being installed.

The No Climate Treaties Act of 2026 mandates that any international climate agreement involving legally binding U.S. emissions reductions must be submitted to the Senate for treaty ratification. This ensures that such agreements, including the Paris Agreement, require the Senate's advice and consent to take effect. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to implement any unratified agreement that mandates domestic emissions cuts.

The Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2026 ensures that Medicare beneficiaries will have coverage for genetic counseling services starting January 1, 2027. This legislation establishes clear definitions for qualified genetic counselors and mandates that these providers accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment. The bill sets a specific payment rate for these covered services, calculated as 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or 85% of the applicable physician fee schedule amount.

The American Voices in Federal Lands Act revises public involvement procedures for rulemaking on federal lands managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service. This bill mandates that only comments from U.S. citizens be considered for new Bureau of Land Management regulations. Additionally, it requires the use of CAPTCHA technology to prevent automated submissions during the public comment period for these lands.

The Less Than Lethal Act aims to reduce the tax burden on certain non-lethal defense and safety devices. This bill exempts qualifying less-than-lethal projectile devices from the federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition. Furthermore, it removes these specific devices from the regulatory requirements of the National Firearms Act. The legislation establishes clear criteria for what qualifies as an exempt device, focusing on projectile speed and design intent.

This bill delays the implementation of a proposed rule concerning the importation of sheep, goats, and related products. It mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on the potential economic and industry impacts of the rule. The prohibition on enforcing the rule remains in effect until one year after the required study report is submitted to Congress.

The Retirement Rollover Flexibility Act simplifies retirement savings by allowing individuals to directly roll over funds from an eligible Roth IRA into a designated Roth account within a workplace plan, like a 401(k). This transfer is tax-free and treated as a valid rollover contribution. The bill also clarifies how the five-year holding period for tax-free earnings is calculated for these transferred funds.

The ACO Assignment Improvement Act of 2025 aims to enhance beneficiary assignment under the Medicare Shared Savings Program. Beginning in 2026, the bill mandates the inclusion of primary care services provided by nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and clinical nurse specialists when assigning Medicare beneficiaries to an Accountable Care Organization (ACO). This change broadens the scope of providers considered for ACO assignment.

This resolution officially designates November 20, 2025, as "National Rural Health Day." It recognizes the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities, including provider shortages and hospital vulnerability. The Senate expresses support for rural health providers and commits to advancing policies that improve healthcare access and affordability in these areas.

This bill mandates the Secretaries of HUD and Agriculture to withdraw their recent final determination on energy efficiency standards for federally financed housing. It prohibits the implementation of these withdrawn standards or any substantially similar ones across HUD, USDA, and VA programs. Furthermore, the legislation restricts the Federal Housing Finance Agency from finalizing new energy efficiency rules and requires consideration of existing state-level energy codes.

The Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act establishes a dedicated "Ski Area Fee Retention Account" to hold fees collected from ski area permits on National Forest land. These retained funds are primarily directed back to the specific forest unit where they were collected to support administration, permit processing, and facility maintenance. The bill ensures these fees supplement, rather than replace, existing congressional appropriations for Forest Service operations.