Legislative Activity

This bill, the Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act, invalidates mandatory arbitration agreements and class action waivers for Amtrak passengers involved in consumer or civil rights disputes. It ensures that passengers alleging personal injury, discrimination, or other civil rights violations can pursue their claims in court. These new rules do not apply to disputes covered under the Railway Labor Act.

The Extinction Prevention Act of 2026 establishes dedicated federal funds and competitive grant programs across four titles to support the conservation of imperiled species. These titles focus on protecting North American butterflies, Pacific Island plants, freshwater mussels, and Southwestern desert fish. Each program authorizes up to $5 million annually for six years, prioritizing projects that aid species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) rule concerning the "Time or Space" exception for digital marketing providers. By disapproving the rule, Congress effectively nullifies the CFPB's action regarding the withdrawal of a previous regulation on this matter.

This bill updates the eligibility requirements for service members transferring unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members, generally requiring a minimum of 10 years of service. It also provides greater flexibility for when these benefits can be transferred while establishing that dependent children must be 18 or hold a high school diploma before utilizing the transferred assistance.

The Restoring College Access and Affordability Act aims to reverse recent changes to federal student aid programs by repealing provisions related to loan limits, repayment options, and Pell Grant eligibility. This legislation restores prior law regarding student loan forgiveness, deferment, and how other grants affect Pell Awards. Additionally, it modifies the excise tax on private college endowment income and adjusts rules concerning ineligibility based on low earning outcomes.

The Carlton H. Ingram Veterans’ Benefits Protection Act ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs disregards the beneficial effects of medication or treatment when determining a veteran’s disability rating. By establishing a baseline based on the veteran's condition without such interventions, the bill aims to provide a more accurate assessment of service-connected disabilities. Additionally, it protects a veteran's right to seek compensation for new or aggravated conditions resulting from medical treatment.

The Social Determinants for Moms Act establishes a federal task force to coordinate cross-agency strategies aimed at eliminating preventable maternal deaths and health disparities. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program to provide $100 million annually to community-based organizations addressing the social and environmental factors that impact maternal health outcomes.

The OATH Act of 2025 establishes new requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs to proactively notify veterans released from secrecy oath programs about their full range of benefits. This legislation specifically mandates outreach to veterans who participated in programs like those at Edgewood Arsenal. Furthermore, it adjusts the effective date for disability compensation awards for these veterans to begin the day following their discharge.

The Advancing VA’s Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act of 2025 mandates comprehensive reports from the VA Secretary regarding its emergency management structure, roles, and readiness centers. This legislation aims to streamline internal operations, assess current supply inventories, and analyze coordination barriers between the VA and FEMA regarding fuel and resource sharing during crises. Ultimately, the bill seeks to improve the VA's overall preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies.

The Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act of 2025 mandates the establishment of federal, interagency task forces to conduct collaborative research on the health conditions affecting descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances. This legislation updates reporting requirements, requiring an initial report within one year detailing research activities and subsequent annual reports summarizing findings. The law specifically requires the creation of a dedicated task force and a public website to share evidence reviews linking specific health conditions to toxic exposure risks for these descendants.

The Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act of 2026 establishes a federal framework to regulate online prediction markets, classifying them as gambling services subject to state oversight. The bill mandates strict consumer protections, including age verification, mandatory self-exclusion lists, and prohibitions on predatory advertising and insider trading. It empowers states to authorize and regulate these platforms while granting the Attorney General authority to enforce federal standards and ensure market integrity.

The Responsible Firearms Marketing Act directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and regulate unfair or deceptive advertising and marketing practices related to firearms. This includes examining materials that may appeal to minors or encourage illegal use, particularly concerning semiautomatic assault weapons. Following the study, the FTC must issue rules to prohibit these deceptive practices, enforced under the existing Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Preventing Roadside and Work Zone Deaths Act of 2026 aims to reduce fatalities involving disabled vehicles and in active work zones. It expands highway safety program coverage and data collection to specifically track roadside and work zone incidents. The bill establishes two distinct working groups to analyze crash data and develop strategic solutions for both disabled vehicle and work zone safety. Finally, it enhances public awareness campaigns and mandates reporting on the use of work zone safety contingency funds.

This bill seeks to amend Medicare law to provide coverage for wigs, referred to as cranial prostheses, as durable medical equipment. Coverage would be granted only when a physician certifies the wig is medically necessary due to hair loss from a health condition like cancer or an autoimmune disease. This ensures Medicare covers essential supportive care for patients requiring cranial prostheses.

The Prohibiting Political Prosecutions Act of 2026 aims to safeguard the integrity of federal law enforcement by explicitly barring political considerations from investigations and prosecutions. It mandates sworn attestations from officials confirming that legal actions are not politically motivated and establishes a right for individuals to sue for violations. Furthermore, the bill introduces significant grand jury reforms and prohibits direct influence over charging decisions by the White House.

Jaime's Law aims to strengthen the ammunition background check system to prevent prohibited individuals from purchasing ammunition. The bill requires licensed dealers to conduct background checks for most private ammunition transfers, with specific exceptions for family, law enforcement, and certain temporary situations. This legislation does not authorize a national firearms or ammunition registry and preserves state authority to enact stricter laws.

This bill establishes the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services to investigate and document the history of racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ discrimination within the U.S. armed forces since 1775. The Commission is tasked with holding hearings, gathering testimony, and developing comprehensive recommendations for Congress and the President. These recommendations will address remedies such as compensation, record correction, and policy reform to promote equity and reconciliation. The independent commission will terminate shortly after submitting its final report.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove a recent rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs concerning "Reproductive Health Services." If enacted, this resolution would nullify the VA's September 9, 2024, regulation, rendering it without legal effect.

The Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act establishes mandatory minimum health and safety standards for all military family housing, addressing issues like mold contamination and poor maintenance. It institutes rigorous independent inspection, reporting, and enforcement requirements for privatized housing providers. Furthermore, the bill mandates financial accountability for contractors regarding remediation and relocation expenses, aiming to improve living conditions for service members and their families.

The SHIFT Act modernizes federal fishery management by requiring the consideration of shifting fish stocks due to ecological changes in management plans. It establishes a clear process for determining when a fishery spans multiple regional council jurisdictions and dictates how those councils must cooperate to manage it. Furthermore, the bill tightens the process for authorizing new fisheries or fishing gear, ensuring minimal adverse effects on existing ecosystems and fisheries.