Legislative Activity

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.

This concurrent resolution supports the goals and ideals of International Transgender Day of Visibility. It celebrates the achievements, leadership, and cultural contributions of the transgender community while acknowledging the ongoing challenges and discrimination they face. The resolution affirms the right of transgender individuals to live with dignity and equal rights.

The Kira Johnson Act aims to eliminate maternal health disparities by funding community-based organizations that provide essential support to high-risk populations. The legislation also mandates comprehensive bias and anti-racism training for maternity care providers and establishes compliance programs to address discrimination in clinical settings. Through these initiatives, the bill seeks to ensure respectful, equitable, and high-quality care for all pregnant and postpartum individuals.

The Child Suicide Prevention Act establishes federal grant programs to support youth suicide prevention initiatives for individuals under 26. This legislation funds evidence-based prevention strategies, training for healthcare providers and educators, and the integration of suicide prevention curricula into medical and health education. Additionally, the Act mandates the creation of a public resource website and promotes lethal means safety, including the secure storage of firearms.

The Extending WIC for New Moms Act increases the duration of WIC eligibility for postpartum and breastfeeding mothers from the current limit to 24 months after giving birth. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive report to Congress evaluating the impact of these extensions on maternal and infant health outcomes, breastfeeding rates, and program accessibility.

The Perinatal Workforce Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes by expanding, diversifying, and strengthening the perinatal health workforce. The bill establishes new grant programs to support the training and recruitment of maternity care providers and perinatal health workers, with a focus on underserved communities and culturally congruent care. Additionally, it mandates federal guidance to states and requires comprehensive reporting to identify and address barriers to equitable maternal health access.

The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now Act of 2026 aims to lower insulin costs by capping out-of-pocket expenses for insured patients and mandating transparency in pharmacy benefit manager rebates. The legislation also seeks to increase market competition by accelerating the approval of generic and biosimilar drugs. Additionally, it establishes a pilot program and national resource center to improve insulin affordability and access for uninsured individuals.

The Data to Save Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities by enhancing data collection, research, and public awareness. The bill authorizes grants to support the maternal health workforce, strengthen state and tribal maternal mortality review committees, and fund research at minority-serving institutions. Additionally, it mandates a comprehensive review of existing maternal health data and quality measures to develop actionable strategies for saving lives.

The AFTER Act of 2026 mandates that federal research facilities establish formal programs to facilitate the adoption and retirement of animals no longer needed for research. By partnering with qualified nonprofit organizations and sanctuaries, this legislation ensures that suitable animals are transitioned into permanent homes rather than euthanized.

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act mandates the EPA to swiftly prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials from facilities involved in their manufacturing, use, packaging, or transport. This ban will be incorporated into all relevant Clean Water Act permits and performance standards. The goal is to prevent this form of plastic pollution from entering waterways.

This joint resolution exercises congressional authority to disapprove and nullify the National Credit Union Administration’s rule regarding the "Withdrawal of Fee Reporting Requirements." By blocking this rule, the resolution ensures that the existing fee reporting standards remain in effect.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated grant program and emergency response fund to support the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. This legislation provides critical federal funding through 2030 to enhance conservation efforts and ensure authorized facilities have the resources necessary to care for these protected species.

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 Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2026 reaffirms the United States' commitment to the security and strategic partnership of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The bill mandates a comprehensive report from the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to analyze emerging regional threats and provide recommendations for strengthening deterrence, cybersecurity, and democratic resilience in the Baltic region.

The "Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2025" expands Post-9/11 GI Bill eligibility to National Guard members performing specific full-time duties. This includes active duty under title 10 or title 14, section 3713, as well as full-time National Guard duty or active duty within the National Guard. These changes are retroactive to service performed on or after September 11, 2001, and will take effect one year after enactment.

This resolution honors the historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across all sectors of society, including military service, business, science, and public leadership. It celebrates their resilience and vital role in shaping the nation while calling for continued investment to address the unique challenges they face.

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 "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Antitrust Accountability and Transparency Act reforms the procedures for antitrust consent judgments and voluntary dismissals by the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. The bill increases judicial oversight, mandates greater public disclosure of settlement negotiations, and establishes a process for State Attorneys General to intervene or continue cases that the federal government seeks to dismiss.

The Equal Tax Act proposes significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code, effective after 2026, to limit preferential tax rates on dividends and capital gains for incomes exceeding $1 million. The bill introduces a "deemed realization" rule that triggers capital gains taxes on assets transferred via gift or at death, while providing specific exclusions and installment payment options for family farms and businesses. Additionally, the legislation places new caps on tax-deferred like-kind real estate exchanges and modifies deductions for qualified business income.