Legislative Activity

This bill expresses the disapproval of Congress for a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule requiring prior authorization for certain Medicare services under the WISeR Model. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its implementation. This action effectively blocks the proposed prior authorization requirement for select services.

The Extinction Prevention Act of 2026 establishes dedicated conservation funds and competitive grant programs across four titles to protect threatened and endangered species. These titles focus on North American butterflies, Pacific Island plants, freshwater mussels, and Southwest desert fish. The legislation aims to provide reliable, multi-year funding for on-the-ground habitat restoration and research, prioritizing species already listed under the Endangered Species Act.

The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. It authorizes significant funding for enhanced data collection, surveillance, and research across various CDC programs. Furthermore, the bill mandates public data disclosure, requires public health communication campaigns, and establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for ensuring safe, respectful, and equitable maternity care during crises.

The Moms Matter Act establishes two grant programs to improve maternal mental health. The first program funds initiatives to expand mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, prioritizing high-risk populations. The second program provides grants to grow and diversify the workforce of mental and behavioral health providers specializing in maternal health.

The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act of 2026 aims to improve the full spectrum of care for cancer survivors, from diagnosis through the remainder of life. The bill establishes an Office of Cancer Survivorship, mandates Medicare coverage for care planning, and creates programs to support employment and comprehensive survivorship services. It also requires Medicaid to cover essential transition services for childhood cancer survivors and mandates fertility preservation coverage for all cancer patients.

The **Protecting Our Democracy Act** imposes sweeping reforms across the executive branch to strengthen accountability and restore checks and balances. It restricts presidential pardon power, closes loopholes to ensure no President is above the law, and enforces constitutional emoluments clauses to prevent self-enrichment. Furthermore, the Act enhances congressional oversight by strengthening subpoena enforcement, increasing transparency around White House visitors and tax returns, and protecting federal whistleblowers from retaliation.

The YALI Act of 2025 formally establishes and expands the Young African Leaders Initiative to invest in emerging African leaders across sub-Saharan Africa. This legislation mandates the creation of professional development, training, and networking opportunities focused on business, civic engagement, and public administration. The bill specifically supports the Mandela Washington Fellowship and requires the establishment of regional leadership centers and online networks to foster ongoing engagement and U.S.-Africa ties.

This Act establishes the January 6th Law Enforcement Heroes Compensation Fund to provide financial compensation for injuries and deaths sustained by law enforcement officers defending the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The program will be administered by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General, who will review claims for economic and noneconomic losses. The bill also mandates an additional, guaranteed payment for all eligible officers, funded in part by certain government settlement amounts related to the attack. Determinations made by the Special Master regarding compensation are final and not subject to judicial review.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 establishes permanent, universal free breakfast and lunch programs for all enrolled students at participating schools, eliminating income tests and meal debt collection. The bill significantly updates federal funding mechanisms by replacing reliance on free and reduced-price lunch data with new measures for identifying economically disadvantaged students across various education and social programs. Furthermore, it expands access to summer and afterschool meals while making technical amendments across several federal education and nutrition laws.

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.

The Trade Responsibly for Environmental Emissions (TREE) Act prohibits the import and sale of "deforestation goods"—commodities linked to deforestation or forest degradation after December 31, 2020—starting in 2029. Importers must submit detailed due diligence statements to Customs and Border Protection, with violations resulting in significant civil penalties, including fines up to 4% of U.S. revenue and potential import bans. The bill also mandates a risk-based country categorization system to guide increased border inspections.

This bill officially designates the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law. The designation is based on Russia's documented support for international terrorism and its ongoing acts of violence against civilians in Ukraine. This designation triggers existing legal consequences but includes specific protections for humanitarian aid and limits the designation's duration. Furthermore, the Act preserves the President's authority over frozen Russian assets while protecting victims' rights to seek compensation through other legal channels.

The No Funds for Iran War Act prohibits the use of federal funds for military action in or against Iran through the end of 2026. This ban remains in effect unless Congress formally declares war or passes a specific authorization for military force. Exceptions are made only for actions consistent with the War Powers Resolution or necessary self-defense against an imminent attack.

The Afterschool for All Act establishes a new competitive grant program to fund high-quality afterschool, before-school, and summer learning opportunities for K-12 students. These grants will support partnerships between schools and community organizations to provide academic enrichment, youth development, and family engagement services. The bill also significantly increases funding for the existing Community Learning Centers program.

This Act nullifies three specific Department of State rules concerning foreign assistance, effectively treating them as if they never existed. It prohibits any federal agency from implementing or enforcing these rules, or any substantially similar future policies. The legislation aims to prevent the enforcement of rules related to "Protecting Life," "Discriminatory Equity Ideology," and "Gender Ideology" in foreign aid.

The Second Look Act of 2026 establishes a process for individuals serving long federal prison sentences to petition a court for a sentence reduction after serving at least 10 years. Courts must consider factors like rehabilitation and community safety when deciding on a modification. The bill also creates a rebuttable presumption for release for defendants aged 50 and older and mandates annual reporting by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 establishes federal grant programs to fund community reentry centers and statewide assistance hotlines. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services to individuals post-conviction or incarceration to reduce recidivism. The Act prioritizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and mandates rigorous evaluation and reporting on program outcomes.

The Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act amends federal juvenile justice laws to raise the minimum age for prosecution as an adult and limits murder convictions for those under 18 to intentional killings. The bill also mandates comprehensive federal data collection on incarcerated youth and authorizes grants to improve collaboration between state child welfare and juvenile justice systems. These measures aim to prioritize rehabilitation and better address the needs of children in the justice system.

This bill officially designates the week of April 24th through April 30th as "National Reentry Week." It recognizes the challenges of mass incarceration and the high rates of recidivism facing formerly incarcerated individuals. The legislation encourages increased support and investment in programs that promote successful reentry, including access to housing, education, job training, and mental health services. Ultimately, the goal is to foster safer communities by supporting the stability and success of those returning to society.

The Marine Mammal Climate Change Protection Act of 2026 amends existing law to mandate the identification of marine mammal species threatened by climate change. It requires the development of specific Climate Impact Management Plans to conserve and recover these at-risk populations. The bill also establishes a federal monitoring program to track climate impacts and ensures all agencies coordinate to support these conservation efforts.