Legislative Activity

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 "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 Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act significantly updates existing law to expand online privacy protections for individuals aged 13 to 16. It broadens the definition of personal information collected online and imposes stricter requirements on operators regarding notice, verifiable consent, and data use for advertising. The bill also mandates studies on application oversight and the privacy risks associated with teens using financial technology products.

The Stop Unemployment Fraud Act strengthens the integrity of the unemployment insurance system by mandating stricter identity verification and data-matching procedures to prevent improper payments. The bill prohibits reliance on self-attestation for eligibility, establishes rigorous federal work-search requirements, and provides states with new tools and funding to modernize fraud detection. These measures aim to ensure benefits are distributed accurately while holding states accountable for program compliance.

The Fiscal Commission Act establishes a bipartisan, 16-member commission tasked with developing legislative recommendations to improve the federal government's long-term fiscal health and reduce the national debt. The bill mandates that the Commission’s approved proposals be submitted to Congress for expedited consideration through a fast-track process that prohibits amendments. This initiative aims to address the nation's fiscal condition and ensure the long-term solvency of federal trust funds.

The End Foreign Abuse of United States Courts Act establishes a legal mechanism to quickly dismiss frivolous lawsuits filed by foreign adversaries or their agents that target protected speech and political activity in the U.S. By creating an expedited motion to dismiss, the bill protects Americans from being silenced by foreign-backed litigation. It also allows for the recovery of attorney fees and punitive damages to deter such harassment.

This resolution officially designates February 2026 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month to celebrate and support CTE programs nationwide. It recognizes CTE's vital role in preparing a skilled workforce for high-demand careers and boosting American economic competitiveness. The resolution encourages promotion of CTE as a respected educational pathway for students.

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026 mandates a transition to secure, chip-enabled EBT cards to better protect SNAP recipients from fraud and benefit theft. The bill requires states to modernize their digital account management tools, improves online transaction security, and establishes a grant program to help small retailers upgrade their payment terminals. Additionally, it streamlines the card replacement process and prohibits states from charging fees for replacing cards compromised by fraud or technical malfunctions.

The Home School Graduation Recognition Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to formally recognize home school graduates as high school graduates for federal education purposes. This legislation ensures that students completing secondary education in state-recognized home school settings are treated equitably under federal law.

The Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act strengthens Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by improving the bond guarantee program and establishing new liquidity and capitalization initiatives. The bill also creates a dedicated relending program to expand homeownership opportunities within Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it mandates increased congressional oversight and reporting regarding the effectiveness of these federal financial programs.

The Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act prohibits federal agencies from providing funding or support for the creation or maintenance of state-level firearm ownership databases. This legislation ensures that federal resources cannot be used to track lawful gun owners or their property, with narrow exceptions for databases tracking lost or stolen firearms.

The Employer-Directed Skills Act establishes a new category of job training focused on meeting specific employer skill demands. This training requires employers to commit to hiring participants and contribute a mandated percentage of the program costs based on their size. The bill streamlines the referral process for employer-sponsored training while updating performance metrics to track completion rates.

The Workforce Development Modernization Act updates federal workforce laws to enhance access to services through the introduction of virtual one-stop career centers. This legislation provides greater flexibility for local areas to establish physical or virtual centers, including options for shared centers between adjacent regions. It also mandates the colocation of state employment service offices with physical one-stop centers where they exist.

The Student Loan Bond Expansion Act of 2026 aims to make it easier and more affordable for states to finance student loans. This bill achieves this by exempting qualified student loan bonds from federal volume caps and the Alternative Minimum Tax. These changes will apply to bonds issued after the date the law is enacted.

The Clawing back Lapsed Obligations from State Emergency programs (CLOSE) Act terminates three major pandemic unemployment assistance programs established under the CARES Act. This legislation rescinds all remaining unspent federal funds designated for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). The bill effectively ends federal payments for these emergency unemployment benefits 30 days after enactment.

The Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2026 establishes a U.S. policy to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing through international collaboration and technology deployment. It authorizes the President to impose strict sanctions, including asset blocking and visa denials, on foreign persons and entities involved in IUU fishing or the trade of endangered species. Furthermore, the Act mandates regular briefings and detailed annual reports to Congress regarding global efforts and China's role in these illicit activities.

The National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026 mandates the establishment of clear metrics to define and measure veteran success across physical, mental, and economic well-being. It requires the President to formulate and submit a comprehensive, recurring National Veterans Strategy to Congress, aligning government and private sector resources to meet these goals. This strategy must consider diverse veteran needs and can be disapproved by Congress through a joint resolution.

This bill, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE America Act), mandates that individuals must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It also establishes a federal requirement for voters to present a photo ID containing a citizenship indicator when casting a ballot in federal elections. Furthermore, the legislation requires states to implement ongoing programs to verify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls.

The No Climate Treaties Act of 2026 mandates that any international climate agreement involving legally binding U.S. emissions reductions must be submitted to the Senate for treaty ratification. This ensures that such agreements, including the Paris Agreement, require the Senate's advice and consent to take effect. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to implement any unratified agreement that mandates domestic emissions cuts.

This resolution officially designates the week of January 25 through January 31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week." It expresses support for the week, recognizing the importance of diverse K-12 education options for empowering parents. The bill encourages all Americans to learn more about the educational choices available to families.