Legislative Activity

The Supporting VA Families Act establishes a supplemental parental leave program for Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This legislation provides eligible staff with four additional administrative weeks of unpaid leave following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. This benefit is designed to supplement, rather than replace, existing family and medical leave entitlements.

The Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to end preventable maternal mortality and close racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. By addressing social determinants of health, expanding nutritional and mental health support, and investing in a diverse, culturally competent workforce, the bill provides a holistic framework for improving care. Through targeted federal grants, enhanced data collection, and innovative technology, the Act aims to ensure that all pregnant and postpartum individuals receive the equitable, high-quality care they deserve.

The Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act mandates that the Treasury Department, in coordination with the OMB, include a new analysis of potential financial risks from major "fiscal shocks" in its annual report. This analysis must assess the short-term and long-term financial impacts of events like recessions, natural disasters, or cyber attacks on the federal government. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will subsequently review the methodology and findings of this new fiscal assessment.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

This resolution formally honors the life and enduring legacy of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Louis Burns Jackson, Sr. It recognizes his significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, including his work with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his founding of Operation PUSH. The bill specifically urges the President to order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in his memory.

The Highway Formula Fairness Act establishes a new, equitable framework for distributing federal highway funds among states starting in fiscal year 2026. This legislation ensures states receive a guaranteed minimum share of funding based on their proportional contributions to the Highway Trust Fund. By modernizing the apportionment process, the bill aims to create a more balanced and transparent allocation of national infrastructure resources.

The Sustaining Rural Healthcare Act aims to protect essential healthcare access in rural communities. It temporarily exempts certain Critical Access Hospitals from strict distance requirements to maintain their Medicare designation. Additionally, the bill establishes a discretionary, temporary Medicare payment program to stabilize rural hospitals facing closure or service reduction due to unique operating challenges. This stabilization program provides CAH-equivalent reimbursement rates for up to three years while hospitals work toward financial stability.

The RELIEF Act establishes a mandatory refund process for certain tariffs collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection starting January 1, 2025, specifically those imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This legislation requires the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to automatically issue refunds to importers within 90 days of enactment. Importers will receive these refunds without needing to file an application or protest.

The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 aims to support the Iranian people by expanding access to uncensored internet and communication technologies. The bill strengthens U.S. policy against regime repression by mandating investigations into human rights abuses and establishing a new Treasury initiative to combat corruption and money laundering by Iranian officials. Additionally, it enhances congressional oversight of sanctions and promotes independent media to counter state-sponsored censorship.

The RELIEF Act mandates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection refund all tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act since January 1, 2025. These refunds will be processed automatically for importers of record without the need for a formal application or protest. The agency is required to complete all disbursements within 90 days of the bill's enactment.

The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act aims to promote de-escalation by exempting specific, clearly defined less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal firearm restrictions and excise taxes. This legislation provides a formal process for determining which devices qualify for these exemptions under both federal law and the National Firearms Act. The bill also modernizes tax regulations by exempting qualifying less-than-lethal devices and their ammunition from federal excise taxes.

This bill establishes the United States-Israel Defense Technology Cooperation Initiative to accelerate joint research, development, and integration of critical defense technologies. The initiative focuses on key areas like AI, missile defense, and counter-drone systems to enhance the security and technological edge of both nations. It mandates regular reporting to Congress on progress and authorizes funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.

The Recycled Materials Attribution Act of 2026 establishes national standards for making recycled content claims in commerce. This bill recognizes mass balance accounting as an acceptable method for substantiating these claims, provided it adheres to a third-party certification system. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with updating its Green Guides to reflect these standards and will enforce prohibitions against misleading recycled content claims. Furthermore, the Act preempts state and local regulations concerning the enforcement of these federal standards.

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2026 establishes the Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit to incentivize the use of U.S.-grown cotton in products sold domestically. This new business tax credit is calculated based on the volume of U.S. cotton used, the market price, and where the product was processed. The bill mandates digital tracing to verify the supply chain and offers significantly increased credit multipliers for products containing U.S.-made cotton yarn or fabric.

The PRESS Act establishes a new federal crime for manufacturing or distributing equipment used to make illegal drugs if that equipment is intended for substances that will be unlawfully imported into the United States. This legislation amends the Controlled Substances Act to create specific prison sentences for these supply chain offenses. The Act also directs the Sentencing Commission to update federal guidelines to reflect these new penalties.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

This bill establishes the EB-5 Regional Center Program Advisory Committee within USCIS to advise the agency on improving the EB-5 Regional Center Program. The committee will consist of up to 35 members representing various government and EB-5 stakeholders. Its duties include making recommendations, submitting periodic and annual reports, and briefing Congress on program matters until the program's related benefits are fully adjudicated.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.

This bill officially designates the week of September 15 through September 21, 2024, as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the significant achievements and goals of these vital institutions across the nation. The resolution encourages public observance with appropriate activities to demonstrate support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions during Hispanic Heritage Month.