Legislative Activity

The SMART Savings Act of 2026 streamlines retirement account regulations by narrowing the definition of "plans" subject to prohibited transaction rules and removing specific restrictive categories. It also clarifies self-dealing rules for IRAs while introducing a "relationship benefits" exception, allowing account holders to receive certain perks based on account value or service fees without jeopardizing their IRA status.

This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise the payment structure for bonus payments on certain coal leases issued under a deferred payment system. It mandates that the bonus payment be made in 10 equal annual installments, with the first installment due at the time of the lease bid.

This resolution designates July 25, 2026, as "National Day of the American Cowboy" to honor the historical and cultural significance of cowboys and cowgirls. It recognizes their vital role in shaping the American West and celebrates the enduring values, economic contributions, and community spirit they continue to embody today.

This bill mandates annual, standardized point-in-time counts of homeless individuals each April to improve data accuracy and consistency across the country. It requires the use of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) for year-round tracking and directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and recommend modernizations for HUD’s counting methodology. Additionally, the legislation provides increased support and guidance for rural and resource-limited areas to ensure comprehensive data collection.

The Let America Build Act of 2026 aims to significantly accelerate domestic energy and mineral development by streamlining federal permitting and limiting environmental reviews and legal challenges across oil and gas, mining, and electric transmission projects. The bill shifts oversight authority to states for certain drilling activities and imposes strict deadlines on federal agencies for project approvals. Ultimately, it reduces regulatory hurdles to boost resource production while curtailing the scope of environmental considerations and public litigation against development.

The Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025 aims to accelerate wildfire risk reduction on federal lands by mandating ambitious, measurable targets for forest thinning and prescribed burns. The legislation streamlines environmental reviews for vegetation management near power lines and roads, while empowering local governments and tribes to participate in legal proceedings. Additionally, it fosters agency innovation through new technology pilot programs and requires enhanced public reporting to ensure greater accountability and transparency in forest management.

The CLOSE THE GAP Act aims to significantly streamline and expedite the process for approving and modifying communications facilities on federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service. It mandates new regulations for standardized application processing, establishes rigorous data tracking for transparency, and provides exemptions from certain environmental reviews for upgrades and projects on previously analyzed sites. Furthermore, the bill integrates communications projects into the FAST Act's expedited permitting process and requires the creation of online portals for application submission.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Hospital Week, observed May 10–16, 2026. It honors the critical role of hospitals and their dedicated workers in providing essential care across the nation. The bill recognizes the diverse services offered by U.S. hospitals, from critical access to specialized mental health care. It encourages the public to observe the week to demonstrate appreciation for these vital community institutions.

This bill aims to improve the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by requiring telecommunications providers to transmit precise, **dispatchable location information** for all calls made to the service. It mandates the FCC to initiate an inquiry into the technical and privacy challenges of this requirement. Additionally, the GAO must report to Congress on the feasibility and implications of using geolocation technology for 988 callers.

The Time for Completion Act aims to increase transparency by requiring colleges to provide detailed, publicly available data on how long it actually takes different types of students to complete their degrees or certificates. This new reporting will break down completion rates across various timeframes (up to 200% or 300% of normal time) based on enrollment status. These expanded graduation rates must also be included in the information provided directly to prospective and current students.

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 expands federal grazing lease eligibility by formally including national grasslands under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. This update ensures that national grasslands are treated consistently with other National Forest System lands regarding permit issuance. The bill maintains all existing environmental and regulatory protections currently governing these areas.

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.

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 directs the Secretary of the Interior to assess the current state of emergency communications within the National Park System. Following this assessment, the Secretary is required to develop a comprehensive plan to implement Next Generation 911 systems across national parks to ensure reliable, interoperable emergency response.

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.