Legislative Activity

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.

This bill temporarily modifies the rules for handling questions of privilege in the House of Representatives concerning the conduct of a Member for the remainder of the 119th Congress. It establishes a new cosponsorship threshold of one-fifth of the House membership for resolutions addressing member conduct offered from the floor by leadership. This change also applies to the announcement of intent to offer such a resolution.

The **Fighting for Reliable Energy and Ending Doubt for Open Markets Act (FREEDOM Act)** aims to accelerate federal permitting for energy and mineral projects by establishing strict timelines, creating a compensation program for project delays, and streamlining review processes. It also includes specific provisions to improve geothermal leasing and reduce federal permitting requirements for certain oil and gas activities on non-federal land. The overall goal is to reduce regulatory uncertainty that deters investment in critical U.S. energy infrastructure.

The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026 establishes a commission to investigate the history and ongoing impacts of U.S. Indian boarding school policies. This legislation mandates the gathering of survivor testimony and the search for student burial sites across the country. It also creates advisory committees to ensure Native communities guide the process and clarifies existing laws to facilitate the repatriation and respectful reburial of cultural items. Ultimately, the Act aims to provide a formal record, promote healing, and recommend necessary policy changes to Congress.

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 Fuel the Force Act of 2026 creates a significant federal tax benefit for experienced law enforcement officers. This bill excludes up to $100,000 of annual ordinary income from federal income tax for officers who have served full-time for at least five years. This aims to provide financial relief and recognition for dedicated service in law enforcement roles.

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 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.

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 Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act supports key Eastern Mediterranean nations—Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel—as strategic partners for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The bill directs the U.S. to prioritize diplomatic engagement, energy security, and defense cooperation in the region. It also mandates several reports to Congress detailing implementation, multilateral initiatives, and potential expansions of successful U.S.-Israel partnership models to other regional allies.

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.

The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes strict new licensing requirements for exporting advanced integrated circuits to designated countries of concern, including China and Russia. This legislation mandates detailed national security certifications to Congress before any license can be approved for these high-performance technologies. Furthermore, the bill creates an exemption process for trusted U.S. companies while terminating existing licenses for these sensitive exports.

The Ending Importation of Laundered Russian Oil Act closes a loophole in existing sanctions by banning the import of petroleum products refined outside of Russia if they were produced using Russian crude oil. This legislation ensures that energy products derived from Russian sources cannot enter the U.S. market, subjecting violators to the same penalties as those who import Russian oil directly.

The No Aid for Russian Energy Act prohibits U.S. persons and entities from exporting petroleum-related equipment, technology, and services to the Russian Federation. It further mandates strict sanctions, including asset blocking and visa restrictions, against any foreign persons or companies that facilitate such trade with Russia. The bill provides limited exceptions for humanitarian aid and medical supplies while granting the President authority to issue temporary national security waivers.

This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to the sovereignty of Denmark and Greenland, emphasizing that any future changes to Greenland’s status must be determined by its people. It underscores that the U.S. rejects the use of military force or coercion in the region, prioritizing instead a partnership rooted in mutual respect, democratic values, and existing NATO treaty obligations.

The Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026 mandates that state Medicaid programs cover whole genome and whole exome sequencing for children with specific medical conditions, effective January 1, 2027. This sequencing is to be covered as a first-tier diagnostic test for genetic disorders, rare diseases, or conditions of unknown origin. The bill also directs the HHS Secretary to promote awareness and address implementation challenges for this new mandatory benefit.