Legislative Activity

The ADVICE Act establishes an advisory committee within the Department of Labor to improve the standardization and integration of registered apprenticeship data across various state and federal systems. This committee will provide recommendations on how to better track apprenticeship outcomes, reduce reporting burdens, and increase data interoperability. Following the committee's report, the Secretary of Labor must develop a policy plan and seek funding to help states implement these data improvements.

The Mined in America Act of 2026 aims to bolster U.S. national security and energy independence by promoting domestic proof-of-work mining and high-density computing. The bill establishes a federal certification program for mining operations that meet strict security and sourcing standards, while providing these certified entities with access to federal energy grants and procurement preferences. Additionally, the Act creates a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and mandates federal studies to advance the development of secure, energy-efficient mining hardware and decentralized artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The SMART Act modernizes national service programs like AmeriCorps by increasing administrative flexibility, enhancing program oversight, and expanding eligibility. It improves the member experience by offering more diverse financial benefits, including new career training options and a direct pathway to federal employment. Additionally, the bill secures funding for these vital volunteer programs through 2031 to ensure their continued impact on communities nationwide.

The Veteran Access to Neurosurgery Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program to improve neurosurgical access for veterans in rural areas. By allowing for market-based rate adjustments, the program incentivizes qualified surgeons to provide essential care where standard VA reimbursement rates are insufficient. This initiative aims to reduce wait times and travel distances for veterans requiring specialized surgical services.

The Removing Medicare Mental Health Inpatient Limitations Act of 2026 eliminates the 190-day lifetime cap on Medicare-covered inpatient psychiatric hospital services. Starting January 1, 2027, this legislation ensures that beneficiaries have continuous access to essential mental health care without restrictive lifetime limits.

The Securing Accountability in Foreign Entries Act strengthens U.S. customs oversight by requiring that importers of record maintain a verified physical presence or established business footprint within the United States. The bill mandates that all duties and fees be paid directly through verified U.S. bank accounts and increases the minimum continuous import bond requirement to $100,000. These measures aim to enhance accountability, ensure the collection of revenue, and improve compliance for goods entering the U.S. market.

The Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the healthcare sector by mandating closer coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The bill establishes new cybersecurity standards for healthcare entities, including requirements for multifactor authentication and encryption, while creating a grant program to assist organizations in adopting these protections. Additionally, it enhances breach reporting transparency, provides specialized cybersecurity guidance for rural health providers, and directs the development of a strategic plan to grow the healthcare cybersecurity workforce.

The Last Sale Valuation Act of 2026 modifies customs valuation rules by establishing that the dutiable value of imported goods will be based on the price paid in the *last sale* leading up to importation, especially in transactions involving multiple sales. This act clarifies the definition of "sold for exportation to the United States" for duty calculation purposes. It also grants U.S. Customs and Border Protection the necessary access to records to verify these adjusted values.

This bill officially designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the "Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic." The naming honors Mr. Hamilton for his military service, including receiving the Purple Heart, and his dedicated efforts in securing the establishment of the clinic. This designation ensures the facility will carry his name in all official records.

This Senate resolution affirms the critical importance of the Social Security program to the American people and expresses the Senate's commitment to preserving and strengthening it for all generations. It establishes August as Social Security Awareness Month to promote public education on the program's history and financial future. Furthermore, the resolution calls for bipartisan action to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security and prevent benefit cuts.

The VetPAC Act of 2025 establishes the Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission, composed of experts appointed by the Comptroller General. This new commission is tasked with conducting comprehensive reviews of VHA operations, including quality of care, staffing, and technology. The Commission will then submit annual reports to Congress containing recommendations for improving the delivery of veteran healthcare.

The MAP for Care Act establishes a voluntary Medicare Advance Directive Certification Program to encourage Medicare beneficiaries to create and maintain certified advance directives. This program requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accredit vendors who provide secure, accessible electronic living wills or durable powers of attorney. The goal is to ensure beneficiaries' healthcare wishes are known and followed if they become incapacitated.

The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act 2.0 aims to streamline the veterans' benefits appeals process through several key reforms. It establishes new deadlines for evidence submission and offers veterans more flexibility in managing their appeals while preserving their place in line. The bill also mandates improvements to electronic notifications, requires more detailed decision notices from the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and introduces new procedures for decision reconsideration. Finally, it requires comprehensive reviews of the appeals system and mandates annual public reporting on appeal outcomes.

The Humanoid ROBOT Act of 2025 aims to safeguard national security by restricting the U.S. government's acquisition of humanoid robots from entities associated with countries of concern. It mandates that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review foreign investments in domestic humanoid robot technology production. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of Defense to report on the national security threats posed by these advanced robotics, particularly those developed by adversarial nations.

This bill, the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act, extends and significantly increases the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers hiring from targeted groups through 2030. It raises the base credit amount, adjusts key figures for inflation, and adds qualified military spouses as an eligible group. Furthermore, the legislation mandates federal agencies to promote the hiring of WOTC-eligible individuals within critical sectors like manufacturing and healthcare.

The Fairness in Filing Act amends the National Labor Relations Act to require that all unfair labor practice charges filed with the NLRB must be submitted in good faith and supported by evidence or a certification explaining the lack of documentation. This legislation also mandates that the Board must provide charged parties with evidence before a hearing to allow for inspection and copying. Finally, the Act establishes penalties, including a fine of up to \$5,000, for individuals who file charges without good faith or engage in a pattern of filing frivolous claims.

This bill automatically extends the authorities of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until the end of the fiscal year following its scheduled termination date. This ensures the NFIP can continue to issue and renew policies, pay claims, and operate normally unless Congress passes new legislation. The extension maintains existing financial limitations and funding levels during the extended period. This provision is designed to prevent an immediate lapse of critical flood insurance coverage.

The Union Members Right to Know Act amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act to require labor organizations to provide members with detailed information regarding their rights under federal law. This bill mandates that unions disclose summaries of the LMRDA, religious accommodation rights regarding dues, and *Beck* rights to all members. Furthermore, it restricts the use of member funds for non-representational activities unless the member provides specific, time-limited written authorization.

The NLRB Stability Act aims to create greater consistency in labor law enforcement by requiring National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) orders to align with decisions from the relevant Circuit Court of Appeals. This legislation also streamlines the process for judicial review by mandating that challenges to NLRB orders be filed in the circuit where the unfair labor practice occurred or the D.C. Circuit.

The Worker RESULTS Act amends the National Labor Relations Act to revise the rules governing representation elections and bargaining representative certification. It establishes stricter timelines for when elections can occur after a vote or collective bargaining agreement takes effect, while also setting new requirements for secret ballot majorities for certification. Furthermore, the bill limits the Board's ability to block or dismiss elections based on pending unfair labor practice charges, aiming to speed up the election and bargaining process.