Legislative Activity

This bill establishes the **Older Workers Bureau** within the Department of Labor to address the unique challenges faced by workers aged 55 and older. The Bureau will investigate issues like age discrimination, access to training, and retirement security. It is tasked with developing policy recommendations and administering research and anti-ageism grant programs to promote productive employment opportunities for older Americans.

The Protecting Hospitals from Disaster Act of 2026 directs Medicare's Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs) to assist hospitals and other key healthcare facilities in preparing for and responding to extreme weather events. This new mandate is funded by a $50 million transfer from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for fiscal year 2026. The goal is to reduce physical and chronic risks to these essential providers and their patients.

The Airborne Act of 2026 establishes a new business tax credit to incentivize improvements in indoor air quality for commercial, public, and nonprofit buildings. This credit covers costs for air quality assessments, air cleaning system upgrades, and HVAC upgrades, with significantly increased amounts available for projects meeting prevailing wage and apprenticeship standards. The Act also creates a voluntary indoor air quality certification program managed by the Department of Energy and the EPA.

The Methane Monitoring Science Act of 2026 directs NASA to develop a comprehensive, science-based strategy for assessing and improving methane monitoring capabilities across ground, air, and space-based systems. This strategy aims to enhance the detection of methane emissions, including large events, to strengthen American energy security. The plan must facilitate the rapid mitigation of methane leaks and ensure data is accessible to state, local, academic, and commercial entities.

The National Urgent Recruitment for Skilled Employees Visa Act of 2026, or NURSE Visa Act, significantly increases the annual availability of H-1C visas for nonimmigrant nurses from 500 to 20,000. This expansion aims to address critical nursing shortages by prioritizing placements in designated shortage areas. Additionally, the bill mandates that healthcare facilities petitioning for these visas must maintain a formal policy on provider-to-patient staffing ratios.

The Cost of Police Misconduct Act of 2026 establishes a national system for tracking and publicly reporting all financial judgments and settlements related to law enforcement misconduct. This requirement applies to federal, state, and local agencies, mandating detailed annual data collection on allegations, officer demographics, and payment sources. The collected information will be compiled into a public, searchable database maintained by the Department of Justice. Non-compliant state and local jurisdictions face potential reductions in federal grant funding.

The Parkway Safety and Reinvestment Act establishes a program to install speed safety cameras on highways within the National Park System to enhance traffic safety. Revenue generated from these automated citations will be dedicated to the construction, maintenance, and repair of park roads and camera systems within the unit where the violation occurred. The Secretary of the Interior must implement the camera program in compliance with relevant state laws.

The Office of Fusion Act of 2025 reestablishes a dedicated Office of Fusion within the Department of Energy to accelerate the research, development, and commercial deployment of fusion energy. This office will coordinate federal efforts, foster public-private partnerships aimed at starting construction on private fusion power plants by 2028, and ensure U.S. leadership in the sector. The Act mandates the creation of a commercial deployment roadmap to identify and overcome key barriers to bringing fusion power online.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act strictly prohibits dangerous restraint and seclusion practices in federally funded schools, establishing national safety standards and requiring immediate parental notification after any restraint incident. It mandates that states create detailed plans, publicly report incident data broken down by student demographics, and utilize federal grants to fund training and prevention strategies. The bill creates a private right of action for families harmed by violations and ensures oversight across various federal school systems.

The Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act of 2025 aims to combat childhood diabetes through comprehensive measures focused on food labeling and advertising restrictions. It mandates new FDA warning labels on sugar-sweetened beverages, foods with non-sugar sweeteners, and ultra-processed foods, alongside restrictions on advertising these products to children. Additionally, the Act establishes new NIH research programs on nutrition science and funds a national public education campaign on healthy eating and activity.

This bill proposes amending the House Rules to increase the threshold required for disciplinary action against a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner. Specifically, it mandates that a supermajority of at least 60% of votes cast must support any resolution for censure, disapproval, or removal from committee membership. This change establishes a higher bar for imposing these specific forms of House discipline.

The AIM Act primarily focuses on eliminating numerous existing statutory restrictions and prohibitions that currently limit the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in its operations. This includes removing limitations on the use and analysis of firearms trace data and allowing for the consolidation of dealer records. Furthermore, the bill removes requirements for the destruction of background check records and eases restrictions on the ATF's ability to inspect dealer inventories and deny or revoke Federal Firearms Licenses.

The Wildlife Road Crossings Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and expands federal funding for wildlife crossing infrastructure through 2031. This legislation renames the existing pilot program, authorizes \$200 million annually for the program, and ensures 100% federal cost-sharing for projects led by Indian Tribes. Additionally, it establishes technical assistance to help tribes efficiently access these crucial wildlife safety funds.

The Veterans Transition Support Act of 2025 expands the existing Solid Start program to enhance outreach to specific separating service members. This legislation mandates proactive contact between 210 and 120 days before separation to inform members about transitional health care and provide disability claim assistance resources. The program must also incorporate suicide prevention resources into its outreach efforts for these veterans.

The Innovative Practices for Soil Health Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance soil health and climate resilience across agricultural operations. This bill updates key conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program, by redefining resource concerns and prioritizing activities like carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas reduction. Furthermore, it establishes a national framework for Agroforestry Centers to research, develop, and promote integrated tree and shrub systems to improve farm profitability and environmental quality.

The Pre-Registration Of Voters Everywhere (PROVE) Act mandates that states establish a process for 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote in federal elections. Once they turn 18 and meet other requirements, these individuals will be automatically registered. The bill also authorizes grants to states to encourage civic engagement and promote the use of this new pre-registration system among young people.

The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act of 2025 provides financial relief to federal employees affected by government shutdowns. This bill waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty on Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions up to $30,000 during a qualifying shutdown. Additionally, it allows affected employees greater access to TSP hardship withdrawals and loans, and prevents missed TSP loan payments due to a shutdown from being treated as a taxable distribution.

The Ejiao Act of 2025 prohibits the knowing trade, import, and export of donkeys, donkey hides, and ejiao products within U.S. commerce due to the devastating impact of the ejiao trade on global donkey populations. This legislation establishes significant civil and criminal penalties for violations, including substantial fines and imprisonment. Furthermore, the Act grants enforcement authority to agencies like U.S. Customs and Border Protection and mandates the forfeiture of illegal goods and related equipment.

The Peer to Peer Mental Health Support Act establishes a pilot program to fund evidence-based mental health peer support activities in high schools. This program allows eligible entities to receive competitive awards to train students and staff on early intervention and resilience building. All activities must be overseen by a mental health professional, and the program's effectiveness will be evaluated and reported to Congress before its scheduled end in 2029.

The Appalachian Trail Centennial Act officially recognizes the vital role of cooperative management, particularly volunteer partnerships, in maintaining National Scenic and Historic Trails. This bill formally designates operational partners, like the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, to share management responsibilities with federal agencies. It also establishes processes for prioritizing land protection and assessing the economic impact of these trails on local communities. Ultimately, the Act aims to strengthen the framework for long-term stewardship and development of the National Trails System.