Legislative Activity

The Deputy Darren Almendarez Act establishes a new federal crime for the illegal trafficking of catalytic converters. This legislation imposes significant fines and prison sentences for the unauthorized possession or sale of these devices, while providing clear exemptions for legitimate automotive repair, recycling, and manufacturing businesses.

This resolution expresses the support of the House of Representatives for Charleston, South Carolina, to host the 2027 annual session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly. It highlights the city’s world-class infrastructure and honors the legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham by advocating for the event to proceed as originally planned.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act authorizes $6 million in annual federal grants over seven years to support the National Law Enforcement Museum. This funding will enhance public education, community outreach, and critical officer safety and wellness programs. By fostering greater understanding between law enforcement and the public, the bill aims to support the profession and improve safety for officers nationwide.

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 Protecting Home-Based Care for Rural Veterans Act of 2026 mandates the restoration of reimbursement rates for the VA’s Homemaker and Home Health Aide program to 2025 levels and requires 90-day congressional notification for any future reductions. The bill also improves oversight by requiring the VA to report annually on provider availability and to provide full transparency regarding the methodology used to calculate reimbursement rates.

The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 modernizes the H-2A visa program to better support the agricultural industry by streamlining application processes and establishing a centralized online portal for employers. The bill updates labor certification, housing, and wage requirements while expanding the definition of eligible agricultural work to include a broader range of activities. Additionally, it enhances worker protections—including new heat illness prevention standards—and provides greater administrative efficiency for federal agencies managing the program.

This bill, the Great American Outdoors Act 250, significantly reforms and renames the existing public lands restoration fund to the America’s Legacy Restoration Fund. It secures dedicated funding streams, primarily from energy revenues and new fees on foreign visitors, to address critical deferred maintenance across the National Park Service, Forest Service, and other public land agencies. The legislation establishes strict spending priorities for infrastructure repair while also creating pilot programs for enhancing outdoor recreation and sportsmen's access. Finally, it mandates increased transparency and accountability through standardized metrics and public reporting on all funded projects.

The "Protecting Americas Herds Act" establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. This program is designed to help cooperative extension services prepare for and respond to New World screwworm outbreaks. Funds will support training, livestock inspections, producer education, and technical assistance to prevent and manage infestations. Priority will be given to areas facing a heightened risk of introduction or spread.

This bill, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2026, extends the authorization and funding for the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. It specifically updates the Commission's operational period through the end of 2028. This action ensures the continued function of the body tasked with monitoring religious freedom abroad.

This bill reauthorizes funding for the National Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL) through fiscal year 2032. It aims to expand existing PAL chapters and establish 250 new chapters in distressed areas and public housing projects. The funding supports youth enrichment programs focused on academics, leadership, mentorship, and building positive relationships between law enforcement and young people.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

The Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026 exempts small "marginal wells" from specific performance standards and reporting requirements set by the EPA under the Clean Air Act. This legislation aims to reduce regulatory burdens on these smaller oil and gas operations. The bill also mandates automatic approval for state plans that remove these standards for marginal wells.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

The FAST Act, or Federal Agents Secure Travel Act, makes eligible federal law enforcement officers and their accompanying family members under age 12 for free expedited security screening through the TSA PreCheck Program. This benefit is subject to policies established by the Transportation Security Administration Administrator.

This bill directs the President to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran within 30 days, utilizing the authority granted by the War Powers Resolution. Congress asserts this action is necessary as it has not formally declared war or authorized military force against Iran. The resolution explicitly preserves the ability of the U.S. to defend itself, its allies, and its facilities from imminent attack, and does not interfere with intelligence-gathering activities.

This resolution officially designates May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week. It honors the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, specifically recognizing 363 officers lost in 2025. The bill expresses unwavering support for law enforcement and acknowledges the need for proper resources to ensure officer safety.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 aims to combat sophisticated, cross-jurisdictional organized retail and supply chain theft. It achieves this by strengthening federal laws regarding money laundering and stolen property offenses, including lowering monetary thresholds for prosecution. Furthermore, the bill establishes a dedicated Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal, state, and local enforcement efforts against these criminal organizations.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives commending public servants for their dedication to defending the Constitution and delivering essential services to the American people. It specifically designates the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Public Service Recognition Week. The bill honors the millions of federal, state, and local employees and uniformed service members who support the economy and democratic foundations of the nation.

The SAFER Transport Act aims to enhance security and combat fraud across the freight and motor carrier industries. Key provisions include establishing an advisory committee on freight fraud, phasing out MC numbers in favor of USDOT numbers, and strengthening Commercial Driver's License (CDL) verification for non-citizens. The bill also introduces new regulations for foreign dispatch services and enhances enforcement against illegal point-to-point transport by foreign carriers.

This bill establishes the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) within the Department of Homeland Security. The program authorizes DHS to work with foreign governments to voluntarily collect and share biometric data to identify potential security and terrorism threats before they reach the U.S. border. BITMAP requires collaboration with partner countries, data sharing with U.S. national security databases, and includes provisions for congressional oversight and periodic audits.