Legislative Activity

The HEALTHY BRAINS Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive federal research program to investigate how environmental factors contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The bill creates a network of Collaborative Centers for Neurodegenerative Disease Environmental Research to advance scientific understanding, improve prevention strategies, and develop new treatments. This initiative is supported by $50 million in annual funding through 2031 to foster interdisciplinary research and public health education.

This bill officially designates March 3, 2026, as National Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Day. The purpose is to raise awareness about the devastating impact of these cancers and emphasize the need for strong action to eradicate them.

This Act mandates that the VA-DOD Joint Executive Committee conduct a comprehensive inventory and effectiveness assessment of mental health services available to transitioning service members. The Committee must then report its findings, including recommendations for improvement, to Congress. Additionally, the bill requires a regular review of the joint separation health assessment to ensure its continued relevance.

Leo’s Law aims to support the development of treatments for rare diseases by extending market exclusivity periods for certain orphan drugs. This legislation provides a 180-day extension to compensate for development delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Senate resolution recognizes the significant impact of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and calls for robust, continued research funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It specifically encourages the NIH to support research on CMT, including the CMT4B3 type, and to promote collaborative efforts to advance understanding, diagnosis, and treatment for this and other rare diseases.

The Tribal Police Department Parity Act amends federal law to grant Tribal law enforcement agencies the same access to regulated firearms and equipment as federal and state agencies. The bill removes restrictions on the possession and importation of certain firearms and provides exemptions from federal excise taxes for Tribal departments. This legislation ensures Tribal police have the necessary tools to effectively maintain public safety within their communities.

This resolution expresses support for the National FFA Organization and designates February 21–28, 2026, as National FFA Week. It recognizes the FFA's vital role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. The bill also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the chartering of the Alaska State FFA Association.

The State of Men's Health Act addresses the growing national health crisis among men, marked by shorter lifespans and higher mortality rates from leading causes of death. This legislation mandates a comprehensive study by the GAO to identify health disparities and recommend improvements. Furthermore, it establishes a dedicated Office of Men's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate and promote programs focused on men's health education, screening, and research.

The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act mandates that states develop and implement comprehensive concussion safety and management plans for all public schools. These plans require immediate removal from play for suspected concussions and written medical clearance before a student can return to athletics. The bill also establishes annual training requirements and supports for students returning to academics after a concussion, with federal funding tied to state compliance.

The Reserve Forces Travel Fairness Act establishes a new travel reimbursement for members of the uniformed services who must rent a vehicle for certain training or duty travel exceeding 150 miles. This provision ensures service members are reimbursed for necessary rental vehicle costs incurred during the period of duty and associated travel days. The Department of Defense is required to update travel regulations within 180 days to implement this change.

This bill establishes the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to accelerate joint research, development, and integration of critical defense technologies. The initiative focuses on key areas like AI, missile defense, and counter-drone systems to enhance the security and technological edge of both nations. It mandates regular reporting to Congress on progress and authorizes funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.

The Safe Skies Act of 2026 mandates the Department of Transportation to immediately apply the existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) duty and rest requirements for passenger flightcrews to all-cargo operations. This change aims to standardize safety protocols across both sectors. The required modification must be enacted within 30 days of the law's passage.

This resolution supports the goals of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month by recognizing CTE's vital role in preparing students for high-demand, high-skill careers. It affirms that CTE is crucial for American economic competitiveness and encourages promotion of these educational pathways. The resolution celebrates the contributions of CTE programs across the nation.

This bill mandates the creation of secure electronic communication systems for incarcerated individuals, ensuring that privileged communications with their attorneys cannot be monitored. It establishes strict rules for retaining and accessing the contents of these electronic messages, requiring a warrant for law enforcement access and prohibiting the review of privileged information by prosecutors. Ultimately, this Act aims to safeguard the attorney-client privilege in the digital age for those in federal custody.

This resolution expresses support for designating 2026 as the "National Year of the Volunteer" to celebrate and recommit to community service. It recognizes the vital role volunteers play in strengthening communities despite recent declines in volunteer rates. The designation encourages nationwide efforts to highlight service opportunities in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.

This resolution officially recognizes January 2026 as National Mentoring Month to honor the dedicated staff and volunteers in mentoring programs. It highlights the significant benefits of mentoring, such as boosting educational achievement and reducing juvenile delinquency. The bill encourages the growth of quality mentoring programs nationwide to ensure more young people have supportive adult connections.

The Defend Rural Health Act of 2026 establishes stricter criteria for hospitals seeking rural geographic reclassification for Medicare payment purposes starting in late 2026. It limits eligibility to hospitals meeting specific designations like Rural Referral Center or Sole Community Hospital, and phases out existing reclassifications after 2029 unless new criteria are met. Furthermore, the bill prohibits hospitals from holding dual geographic classifications simultaneously for payment purposes.

This resolution officially recognizes February 8, 2026, as "Scouting America Day" to celebrate the organization's 116th anniversary. It honors Scouting America's long history of teaching youth self-reliance, character, and civic leadership. The bill also acknowledges the significant achievements of its members, like the Eagle Scout rank, and the dedication of its volunteers.

The Vote by Mail Tracking Act mandates that all mail-in ballot envelopes for federal elections starting in 2026 must include a U.S. Postal Service barcode for tracking. This ensures enhanced transparency and traceability for every mailed ballot. The bill also requires the Postal Service to provide necessary compliance information to election officials annually.

The PASTEUR Act of 2026 aims to combat antimicrobial resistance by creating a subscription-style contract program to incentivize the research and development of new, life-saving antibiotics. This program will provide substantial annual payments to drug sponsors for ensuring the availability and appropriate use of eligible antimicrobials targeting urgent threats. The bill also establishes grants to promote stewardship programs in healthcare facilities and enhance national surveillance of resistance data.