Legislative Activity

The Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act amends federal law regarding the use of motor vehicles in certain crimes. This bill lowers the required mental state for conviction from proving "intent to cause death or serious bodily harm" to simply proving the act was done "knowingly." It also clarifies that enhanced penalties for death apply when the vehicle was taken with the intent to cause serious harm, and death subsequently occurs.

This bill combines two major components: the **Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act**, which reforms and extends key surveillance authorities like Section 702 of FISA with new privacy protections and criminal penalties for misuse, and the **Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act**, which explicitly prohibits the Federal Reserve from creating or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to the public. In essence, the legislation tightens oversight on foreign intelligence gathering while blocking the creation of a government-controlled digital currency.

This resolution formally welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States for His Majesty's address to a joint meeting of Congress. It recognizes the deep, historic partnership between the U.S. and U.K. across security, innovation, and shared democratic values. The bill reaffirms the enduring friendship and encourages deeper cooperation on strategic global issues.

The Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026 streamlines the acquisition of critical fighter jets by granting the Secretary of Defense multiyear procurement authority for the F-35 and F-15EX aircraft. This bill also establishes new minimum inventory requirements for the Air Force fighter fleet, aiming for at least 1,800 total fighters by 2026. Furthermore, it authorizes an expansion of the F-15EX fleet to replace aging F-15E aircraft.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing government waste, preventing fraud, and increasing financial transparency across federal programs. It targets improper payments in areas like child care and Medicare, permanently bars pandemic relief fraudsters from future SBA aid, and cancels unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the deficit. Additionally, the Act strengthens oversight of welfare programs, enhances fraud enforcement timelines, and expands whistleblower protections for federal contractors.

This bill mandates that states verify an applicant's lawful presence in the U.S. before issuing driver's licenses, commercial licenses, or identification cards. States failing to implement these strict verification and electronic confirmation requirements by October 2026 will face a 10% reduction in federal highway funding. Withheld funds will be redistributed to states that comply with the new federal standards.

The Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive federal review of cybersecurity support for commercial satellite systems, led by the Comptroller General. It requires the Department of Commerce to establish a public online clearinghouse for cybersecurity resources and consolidate voluntary industry recommendations. Furthermore, the Act compels the Department of Commerce to develop and submit a national cybersecurity strategy for these systems to Congress.

The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility (EBITDA) Act repeals recent modifications to the calculation of adjusted taxable income regarding business interest deduction limits. By removing these specific constraints from the Internal Revenue Code, the bill aims to restore previous standards for how businesses determine their deductible interest expenses. This change is set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act clarifies that states may use federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy centers. It ensures that organizations providing resources and services to expectant mothers, fathers, and families cannot be discriminated against in the allocation of these grants.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

The Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act authorizes the placement of a new National Medal of Honor Monument within the Reserve in Washington, D.C. This legislation ensures the monument’s site selection complies with specific federal location requirements while remaining subject to the broader planning and construction standards of the Commemorative Works Act.

This resolution establishes the first Saturday after the Spring Equinox as "National Day of Play" to promote community engagement and social connection. By encouraging people to step away from electronics, the initiative highlights the vital role that play serves in supporting mental, physical, and social well-being.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated grant program and emergency response fund to support the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. This legislation provides critical federal funding through 2030 to enhance conservation efforts and ensure authorized facilities have the resources necessary to care for these protected species.

The Pro Codes Act of 2026 protects the copyright of technical standards incorporated into law, ensuring that standards development organizations can continue to fund their work. In exchange for this protection, the Act requires these organizations to provide the public with free, searchable online access to the specific standards referenced in government regulations.

The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act of 2025 allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to eligible family members. It defines eligible dependents, sets conditions for benefit use, and allows veterans to modify or revoke transfers. The bill also addresses scenarios involving the death of the veteran and sets age limits for child transferees, ensuring dependents receive the same educational assistance as the veteran.

The "Stop Insider Trading Act" prohibits Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing individual stocks and requires advanced public notice for any sale of existing holdings. The bill establishes strict financial penalties for violations, which must be paid personally by the Member of Congress. These measures aim to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest by restricting personal investment activities among federal lawmakers.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act aims to eliminate delays in certifying the deaths of veterans who pass away from natural causes. This bill mandates that VA physicians or nurse practitioners must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours, or a local official can step in. The legislation also requires the VA Secretary to annually report on compliance with this new timely certification standard.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The PEARL Act establishes a three-year pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to adopt dogs from local animal shelters. These rescued dogs will be trained to serve as support animals within the agency's existing Support Canine Program.

The Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act mandates the withdrawal of FDA approval for the abortion drug mifepristone. Additionally, the bill establishes a federal legal right for individuals to sue manufacturers for physical or mental health injuries resulting from the use of the drug.