Legislative Activity

The "Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act" authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of women in the United States, seeking guidance from varied sources. The Act mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating its governing structure and expanding the scope of its oceanographic research and data-sharing capabilities. It also mandates improved collaboration between regional and federal observing systems to enhance data integration. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $47.5 million in annual funding for these initiatives from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

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 bill recognizes community water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure proven to prevent tooth decay. It highlights the significant oral and overall health benefits, as well as the substantial cost savings associated with this intervention. The resolution encourages states and localities to adopt or continue fluoridating community water systems at optimal levels.

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 METRIC Act aims to modernize how the U.S. measures total energy input into the national system to improve transparency and decision-making. It requires a study on current primary energy indicators and mandates the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to develop and report on "incident energy" statistics. This effort seeks to better account for diverse energy sources, especially renewables, aligning national statistics with the ongoing energy transition.

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 Powering Productivity Act establishes a national program to significantly improve how efficiently the U.S. economy uses energy. It sets a goal to double national energy productivity by 2030, compared to 2010 levels. The bill creates an interagency Energy Productivity Task Force responsible for developing and implementing the national strategy to meet this goal. Furthermore, it mandates the creation of new baseline assessments and quarterly reports to track progress and inform policy decisions.

The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 aims to improve aviation safety by mandating advanced collision avoidance technology and modernizing air traffic control procedures. The legislation enhances oversight and data sharing across both civilian and military aviation, with a specific focus on reducing congestion and collision risks in high-traffic areas like the Washington, D.C. region.

The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2026 establishes a federal process for issuing Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) that temporarily prohibit individuals deemed a danger from possessing firearms. The bill allows family members or law enforcement to petition federal courts for temporary or long-term orders based on evidence of imminent risk of harm. Furthermore, it creates a federal grant program to incentivize and support states and tribes in implementing their own qualifying ERPO laws. Finally, it mandates that individuals subject to these federal orders surrender their firearms and ensures these orders are recognized across state lines.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick leave. Employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, usable for personal or family health needs, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act prohibits employer retaliation for using this leave and ensures existing, more generous leave policies are not diminished.

Jaime's Law aims to improve the background check system by requiring licensed dealers to conduct background checks for most private ammunition transfers. This legislation makes it illegal for unlicensed individuals to transfer ammunition unless a licensed dealer first processes the transaction. The Act includes specific exceptions, such as transfers between immediate family members or for law enforcement use.

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials into U.S. waters from industrial facilities. This requires the EPA to swiftly issue a rule banning these discharges from facilities involved in the manufacturing, use, packaging, or transport of these plastics. The prohibition will be enforced through existing permitting and regulatory systems under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

The Responsible Firearms Marketing Act directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and regulate unfair or deceptive advertising and marketing practices related to firearms. This includes examining advertising that targets minors, encourages illegal use, or involves semiautomatic assault weapons. The FTC must issue regulations prohibiting these practices and enforce them using existing authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

This bill provides the funding and establishes the operational rules for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2026 across all major components, including intelligence, security operations, emergency management, and research. It allocates billions for agencies like TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and CISA while imposing strict new requirements for congressional oversight, spending transparency, and management of federal grants. The legislation also includes specific policy directives, such as mandating security screening for senior officials and restricting certain intelligence and contracting activities.

The Patient Debt Relief Act establishes new standards for hospitals participating in Medicare regarding financial assistance and medical debt collection practices, including limits on liens and wage garnishment. It also creates a grant program for eligible nonprofits to purchase and eliminate the medical debt of low-income individuals. These provisions aim to protect patients from aggressive debt collection and provide avenues for debt relief.

The **Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026** establishes major federal funding streams, including grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide from 2027 through 2031. The legislation prioritizes districts with the greatest need, focusing on improving student health, safety, and environmental conditions in school buildings. It also mandates increased transparency through public databases tracking facility conditions and requires specific labor and "Buy America" standards for funded construction projects.

The Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act establishes minimum standards for health screening, nutrition, sanitation, and shelter for individuals detained by ICE and CBP. This bill mandates specific protocols for medical care, facility conditions, and personnel training to ensure humane treatment. It also requires regular inspections and public reporting on compliance and sexual abuse complaints.

The Addressing Climate Financial Risk Act of 2026 establishes new structures within the Financial Stability Oversight Council to identify and mitigate climate-related risks to the U.S. financial system. It mandates updated supervisory guidance for large financial institutions and requires comprehensive annual reports assessing these risks. Furthermore, the bill directs the Federal Insurance Office to report on climate risks in the insurance sector and collect detailed homeowners insurance data.

This resolution seeks to disapprove the Department of Veterans Affairs' final rule concerning "Reproductive Health Services" issued in September 2024. If enacted, this disapproval, made under the Congressional Review Act, would prevent the VA rule from taking legal effect.