Legislative Activity

This resolution commemorates the 13 U.S. servicemembers killed during the 2021 Abbey Gate bombing in Afghanistan. It formally condemns the Biden-Harris administration for its handling of the withdrawal, citing failures in planning, security, and accountability. The measure denounces the administration's decisions as a dereliction of duty that compromised national security and abandoned American allies.

The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act provides tax relief to individuals affected by federally declared disasters occurring between 2019 and 2027. The bill allows taxpayers to deduct qualified disaster-related casualty losses even if they do not itemize and excludes certain wildfire relief payments from gross income. These measures aim to reduce the financial burden on disaster victims by simplifying the deduction process and preventing the taxation of recovery compensation.

This resolution designates the first week of August as "National Community Health Center Week" to honor the vital role these centers play in providing comprehensive primary care to millions of Americans. It celebrates the 60-year legacy of community health centers in improving public health outcomes, supporting local economies, and expanding access to essential services. The bill encourages all Americans to visit their local centers and recognize the dedicated staff and partners who make this care possible.

The RESCUE Act of 2026 updates Medicare payment rates for ground and air ambulance services to better reflect the actual costs of providing emergency care. The bill mandates regular rate adjustments based on current operational data, expands cost-reporting requirements for air ambulance providers, and establishes a stakeholder commission to ensure the long-term adequacy of ambulance service reimbursement.

The Stop Insider Trading Act restricts Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from purchasing or selling individual stocks to prevent conflicts of interest. Additionally, the bill mandates that voters provide valid photo identification when voting in person or by mail in federal elections.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 324 Washington Avenue, Suite 1 in Grand Haven, Michigan. The facility will now be known as the "Ell Thomas Simantz Post Office Building." This designation updates all official records and references to reflect the new name.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act authorizes $6 million in annual grants over seven years to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. These funds will support the National Law Enforcement Museum’s public education, community outreach, and officer safety and wellness programs. As a condition of the grant, the museum must provide free admission to law enforcement officers and their families, as well as dedicated free hours for the general public.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 117 West Lovett Street in Charlotte, Michigan, as the "Francis C. Flaherty Post Office Building." All official references to this facility will be updated to reflect this new name.

The Timely Electronic Health Record Transfers for Transitioning Servicemembers Act of 2026 mandates that the Department of Defense improve the delivery process for electronic health records during the transition from military to civilian life. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to report on current wait times and establish clear, enforceable standards to ensure veterans receive their records in a timely manner.

This bill, the Pharmacists Fight Back in Federal Employee Health Benefit Plans Act, establishes new rules for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) administering prescription drug benefits for federal employees. It mandates specific reimbursement rates for pharmacies and prohibits PBMs from engaging in anti-competitive practices like steering patients to affiliated pharmacies. The legislation also institutes civil monetary penalties and potential debarment for PBMs that fail to comply with these new requirements.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The "Combating Illicit Xylazine Act" aims to combat the illegal use of xylazine by adding it to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which would allow for increased regulation and tracking of the substance. The bill includes exemptions and delayed effective dates for certain requirements to ease the transition for legitimate users, such as veterinarians and animal handlers. It also directs the Sentencing Commission to review sentencing guidelines for xylazine-related offenses and mandates reports to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use. Finally, it will include xylazine in Arcos tracking.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Rural Patient Monitoring Access Act aims to improve access to remote patient monitoring (RPM) for rural Medicare beneficiaries. It establishes a minimum payment floor for the geographic indices used to calculate practice expense and malpractice costs for RPM services starting in 2026. Furthermore, the bill sets new quality requirements for RPM providers to qualify for Medicare payment, including real-time clinical availability and data interoperability. Finally, it mandates a future report analyzing the actual cost savings generated by these enhanced RPM services.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2026 ensures that residents in long-term care facilities maintain access to designated essential caregivers, even when general visitation is suspended. The bill mandates that facilities allow residents to appoint up to two caregivers who can provide in-person support, provided they adhere to established safety protocols. It also prioritizes the investigation of access complaints and guarantees that these visitation rights cannot be waived during emergencies.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and processors from assigning specific merchant category codes to firearms retailers. This legislation aims to protect consumer privacy by preventing the tracking of firearm and ammunition purchases through specialized financial classification. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcing these provisions and reporting annually on compliance.

The SHIELD Citizens Act proposes to restrict eligibility for federal welfare programs, including SNAP, Medicaid, and housing assistance, exclusively to U.S. citizens. By amending existing law, the bill aims to ensure that federal public resources are reserved for citizens and nationals of the United States. The legislation includes a transition period for current recipients and maintains existing exceptions for emergency services and disaster relief.

This resolution designates July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day to honor the essential, high-risk work performed by these skilled professionals. It pays tribute to the lineworkers who provide critical service during emergencies and recognizes those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Diesel Engine Flexibility (DEF) Act provides a 10-year period of regulatory stability for on-road and nonroad diesel engines by freezing emission standards at current levels. During this time, the bill establishes a safe harbor for manufacturers and operators following specific EPA guidance regarding diesel exhaust fluid monitoring and engine repair strategies. Additionally, it mandates that any future emission standards must include significant lead times and consider the operational and economic impacts on engine owners.

This resolution recognizes Michigan's admission as the 26th state and celebrates the significant contributions of its people to the United States. It uses the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as an occasion to reflect on Michigan's lasting impact on the nation.