Legislative Activity

This Act prohibits direct U.S. assistance to the Federal Government of Somalia and encourages restrictions on remittances until safeguards against diversion to terrorism or corruption are confirmed. It mandates increased congressional oversight, suspends most U.S. foreign aid to the Somali government, and imposes visa restrictions and sanctions on corrupt officials. The bill also establishes a rewards program to help recover assets stolen from U.S. programs in Somalia.

The Defending Women in the Workplace Act clarifies the interpretation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It establishes that, for the purposes of federal anti-discrimination law, the terms "because of sex" or "on the basis of sex" do not include gender identity.

The Quantum Instrumentation for Science and Engineering Act establishes a National Science Foundation grant program to upgrade research facilities and expand access to essential quantum technology equipment. This initiative aims to accelerate quantum development by supporting infrastructure improvements, fostering industry partnerships, and providing hands-on training for students.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to incentivize the domestic production of and investment in biobased renewable materials. It establishes a production tax credit of 10 cents per pound for qualified materials and a 30 percent investment tax credit for facilities dedicated to their manufacture. These measures aim to support sustainable supply chains by providing financial support for non-fuel, non-food biomass conversion projects.

The Election Infrastructure Integrity Act mandates the creation of a publicly accessible database to track private vendors involved in federal election systems. States are required to report detailed vendor information, including ownership structures and contract terms, following each federal election. Failure to comply with these transparency requirements will result in the loss of federal election administration funding.

This bill, the Biodefense Diplomacy Enhancement Act, requires the Secretary of State to improve international cooperation on biodefense, biosecurity, and biotechnology with U.S. allies and partners. It mandates the development of two key strategies focused on enhancing biodefense cooperation within NATO and expanding global engagement on biotechnology security. The legislation aims to strengthen allied capabilities, coordinate export controls for dual-use items, and promote adherence to high safety standards globally.

The Securing Partner Supply Chains Act establishes a temporary State Department initiative to help allied and partner nations develop their own systems for screening foreign investments that pose national security risks. This program will provide technical assistance, training, and coordination to strengthen global investment security standards. The Secretary of State is required to report annually to Congress on the progress made by these partner countries.

The Humanitarian Theft Enforcement Act establishes financial liability for foreign persons or entities that divert or destroy U.S. humanitarian assistance. The Secretary of State is required to take steps to recover the value of the lost aid. Recovered funds will be available for use by the Department of State or transferred to the original funding agency.

The American Assistance Visibility Act mandates the prominent display of the U.S. flag on all foreign assistance provided by the U.S. government. This ensures the American public and recipients clearly recognize U.S. contributions to global aid efforts. The flag must generally be the sole visual branding element, with limited exceptions authorized by the Secretary of State.

The SHADOW Act aims to strengthen U.S. defense against hybrid warfare by requiring the State Department to assess threats and enhance diplomatic engagement with allies, particularly NATO. It establishes a new Coordinator for Hybrid Warfare Accountability to oversee information sharing and coordinate response strategies against threats from actors like China and Russia. Furthermore, the bill mandates a report identifying Chinese entities materially supporting Russia's defense industrial base and recommending appropriate countermeasures.

The PREDICT Act prohibits federal officials, including members of Congress, the President, and high-level executive and judicial employees, from trading in prediction markets tied to political events. The bill mandates financial penalties for violations, requires the disgorgement of any profits, and ensures public transparency by requiring ethics offices to disclose all assessed fines.

The Deporting Fraudsters Act of 2026 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make non-citizens inadmissible to and deportable from the United States if they commit fraud against the government or unlawfully receive public benefits. Additionally, the bill renders individuals convicted of these offenses ineligible for any form of immigration relief.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of legendary college football coach Lou Holtz. It recognizes his historic coaching career, his commitment to mentoring student-athletes, and his enduring impact on the sport through his dedication to character, faith, and excellence.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

The NSF Plant Biology Act establishes a dedicated grant program within the National Science Foundation to support fundamental research in plant and microbial biology. With an authorized funding level of $150 million annually from 2026 through 2031, the act aims to advance agricultural, food, and biotechnology innovation. The program provides competitive grants to a wide range of institutions, including universities, nonprofits, and private sector entities.

The First-Time Home Buyer Empowerment Act amends tax law to allow first-time homebuyers to take tax-free distributions from a 529 college savings plan for a home purchase. This special provision is subject to conditions, including a $35,000 lifetime limit per beneficiary. If the home is sold within five years, a recapture tax applies to recover the avoided income tax.

The BASICS Act (Bridges And Safety Infrastructure for Community Success Act) reforms federal transportation funding to prioritize local decision-making and infrastructure maintenance. The bill establishes a new $5.5 billion annual program for bridge repairs and replacements, while increasing support for regional and metropolitan transportation planning. Additionally, it mandates greater local consultation for project selection and streamlines the process for regional organizations to receive and manage federal transportation funds directly.

This bill, the "Passports for Purple Hearts and Medals of Honor Act," exempts recipients of the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor from paying standard U.S. passport fees. It directs the State Department to coordinate with the Department of Defense to establish verification procedures for these eligible applicants.

The No Foreign NIL Funds Act prohibits U.S. colleges, student-athletes, and related groups from entering into Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements or other revenue-generating contracts with entities or nationals of designated foreign countries. This legislation aims to restrict foreign influence in collegiate athletics by banning financial relationships with countries outside of NATO allies, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Covered entities must report solicitations from foreign interests, and non-compliant institutions risk losing federal student aid eligibility.

The Incentivize Savings Act mandates how federal agencies must handle unspent appropriations by dedicating the majority to debt reduction and allowing a portion for employee retention bonuses. This legislation also restricts future budget requests to only account for inflation unless the agency fully spends its prior allocation. Ultimately, the bill aims to encourage fiscal responsibility by linking unspent funds to debt reduction and limiting budget growth.