Legislative Activity

The ALS Better Care Act aims to improve care for individuals with ALS by establishing new Medicare coverage for essential ALS-related services starting in 2027. This includes creating a new, single payment system for providers delivering specialized care, such as therapy and nursing support. Additionally, the bill mandates a report to address current challenges in staffing and administering ALS clinical trials.

The Protecting Children in Surrogacy Act establishes a federal crime prohibiting registered sex offenders from obtaining a child through surrogacy, carrying penalties of fines or imprisonment. It also grants federal courts jurisdiction over civil actions involving surrogacy contracts under specific circumstances related to interstate or foreign commerce. This legislation aims to safeguard children by preventing sex offenders from utilizing surrogacy arrangements.

The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program, administered by the Attorney General, to fund essential library services for incarcerated individuals. These grants aim to reduce recidivism and boost reintegration efforts by supporting education, job training, and access to modern library materials. States and territories can apply for these renewable, multi-year grants, which must be used strictly for library-related activities and cannot charge inmates for access to resources.

This bill expresses support for designating May 2025 as Renewable Fuels Month to highlight the benefits of renewable fuels, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting rural economies. It also establishes the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council to develop legislative solutions addressing challenges in the renewable fuels sector. The Council is tasked with investigating key areas like E15 sales and the Renewable Fuel Standard, with recommendations due to Congress by early 2026.

The Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 establishes a federal program to address the shortage of general surgeons in underserved communities. This program offers loan repayment assistance of up to $200,000 over four years for eligible surgeons who commit to working in designated shortage areas. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study to develop a standardized methodology for accurately identifying and designating general surgery shortage areas across the nation.

The Gerald's Law Act expands eligibility for a veteran's burial allowance. It now covers survivors whose veteran died at home while receiving VA hospice care, provided that care immediately followed a stay in a VA hospital or nursing home. This change ensures benefits for veterans transitioning from facility care to end-of-life care at home.

The Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act establishes mandatory minimum health and safety standards for privatized military housing to combat hazardous conditions like mold. It institutes rigorous independent inspection protocols, requires standardized reporting on housing quality, and holds contractors financially accountable for remediation and tenant relocation costs. This legislation aims to improve habitability, protect service members' health, and enhance military readiness.

The U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026 establishes a framework to significantly enhance joint U.S.-Israel cooperation specifically aimed at countering threats posed by Iranian unmanned aerial systems (drones). This legislation increases authorized funding for cooperative missile defense programs and mandates detailed annual reporting on joint counter-drone research, development, and deployment efforts. The goal is to accelerate the exchange of technology and expertise to defend against evolving drone attacks.

This bill proposes awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to Frank Siller in recognition of his tireless work through the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. The foundation honors his brother's sacrifice by supporting first responders, military service members, and their families. This legislation formally recognizes Siller's leadership in promoting patriotism, gratitude, and remembrance for America's heroes.

This Act prohibits the download or use of specific Chinese-developed applications on devices owned or controlled by the Federal Government due to national security risks. Agencies must remove any listed "covered applications" within 60 days of their designation. Limited exceptions are allowed only if deemed necessary for specific research or intelligence functions, provided strict cybersecurity safeguards are in place. The Office of Management and Budget will regularly update the official list of prohibited applications.

The Stop Insider Trading Act restricts Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing new securities issued by publicly traded companies. It requires advance public disclosure for any sale of existing covered investments, with a mandatory 7-to-14-day notice period before the transaction. Violations result in significant financial penalties, including disgorgement of any net gains, payable by the Member personally.

The Fiscal State of the Nation Act mandates an annual joint hearing where the Comptroller General presents the findings of the federal government's financial audit to the Budget Committees. This presentation must objectively analyze the nation's financial position and sustainability measures based on the Treasury Secretary's report. The hearing ensures public review of the government's fiscal health, open to all members of Congress.

The Evidence-Based Grantmaking Act requires federal agencies to prioritize and mandate the use of evidence-based practices when awarding and managing specific public and community service grants. This legislation mandates that agencies clearly define intended outcomes, prioritize applicants using proven methods, and conduct ongoing evaluations to ensure funds achieve their goals. The law also establishes a timeline for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and agencies to define "evidence-based" practices and report annually to Congress on implementation progress.

This resolution expresses strong support for the Iranian people protesting for freedom, democracy, and basic human rights against the repressive Islamic Republic. It condemns the regime's brutal crackdown on demonstrators and demands an end to violence and the release of political prisoners. Furthermore, it urges the U.S. government to work with allies to deter further lethal violence against protesters.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

The **No Funds for NATO Invasion Act** prohibits the use of any federal funds for an invasion of any territory belonging to a member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Furthermore, the bill bars U.S. officials from taking any action to execute such an invasion.

This bill officially designates January 9, 2026, as "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers nationwide. It also establishes National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th) to commemorate officers who have died in the line of duty. The legislation encourages the President to issue annual proclamations recognizing these days and calls for flags to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.

The Community Passport Services Access Act authorizes eligible public libraries to serve as official passport acceptance facilities. This allows these libraries to collect and retain the associated execution fee for processing passport applications. The bill ensures that libraries already performing this function can continue to do so.

The Mental Health TALK SAFE Act of 2026 amends federal law to permanently allow certain controlled substances to be prescribed via telehealth evaluations, establishing specific requirements for practitioners and telehealth entities. It also streamlines DEA registration for providers prescribing via telemedicine and creates a framework for psychiatrists to provide telehealth services across state lines if licensure requirements are substantially similar. This Act preempts state laws that would otherwise prohibit or restrict these telehealth prescribing and practice allowances.