Legislative Activity

This bill, the NEW HORIZON Act, establishes a pilot program for the Department of Defense to evaluate commercially available, space-based cloud computing and orbital data center services. The goal is to test whether processing data in orbit can improve the speed, resilience, and security of national security space missions. The program will assess integration, security requirements, and operational viability before any potential permanent adoption.

This bill, the SUSTAIN Act, prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from reducing, retiring, or modifying existing MQ-9 aircraft units through September 30, 2032, with limited exceptions for unsafe aircraft or approved mission conversions. It also requires the Air Force to submit a comprehensive report detailing the recapitalization and modernization plan for the MQ-9 fleet through fiscal year 2035. The legislation aims to protect the current inventory and operational status of these critical unmanned systems.

The Protect College Sports Act of 2026 establishes a nationwide framework to protect student athletes by guaranteeing NIL rights, securing medical coverage post-career, and ensuring academic flexibility. Title II concurrently creates an antitrust exemption allowing major conferences to collectively sell football media rights, ensuring local free access while protecting non-revenue sports funding. This comprehensive bill aims to stabilize college sports by shifting power toward athletes and creating uniform national standards.

This bill, TREY's Law, declares that nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements are void and unenforceable if they prevent the disclosure of sexual abuse against a minor. The legislation aims to protect survivors' rights to report crimes and cooperate with authorities by overriding any state or private contract that suppresses information about child sexual abuse. This law applies retroactively to all existing and future agreements.

This bill authorizes the Army to partner with private industry to extract strategic and critical minerals from its industrial facilities. These agreements require private entities to assume full environmental liability and provide fair compensation to the Army. Funds received can be used to support and modernize the Army's industrial base, streamlining support for national defense needs.

The Pipeline Integrity, Protection, and Enhancement for Leveraging Investments in the Nation's Energy to assure Safety Act of 2025 significantly increases funding for federal pipeline safety programs through 2030. It modernizes regulations by increasing penalties for violations, allowing for risk-based inspections, and mandating public access to safety standards. The bill also directs studies and new rules for emerging gases like hydrogen and carbon dioxide, while strengthening emergency response and tribal involvement in oversight.

The CHATBOT Act establishes comprehensive rules for artificial intelligence chatbot providers, focusing heavily on protecting children and teens. It mandates family account requirements for users under 13 and verifiable parental consent for teens (13-17) accessing these services. Furthermore, the Act prohibits targeted advertising based on the personal data of minors and requires robust parental controls within designated family accounts.

The No FED in West Texas Act prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from implementing or enforcing the 2023 Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. This restriction also applies to any future plans substantially similar to the one published in February 2023.

This resolution commemorates the successful Artemis II mission and honors its crew for achieving historic milestones in deep space exploration. It specifically recognizes April 6, 2026, as the day the crew surpassed the Apollo 13 record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth. The bill celebrates the mission's technological achievements, international partnerships, and the safe return of the astronauts.

The Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 prohibits state and local governments from imposing liability on energy businesses for climate change-related harms through lawsuits or new penalty laws. This legislation asserts that the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of federal law. Consequently, all pending "qualified liability actions" in state or federal court must be dismissed.

The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026 mandates that the Secretary of State annually report on any military or intelligence cooperation between the Polisario Front and Iranian-affiliated terrorist organizations. If such cooperation is confirmed, the President is required to formally designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization and impose associated sanctions.

The Safe Access to Cash Act of 2026 establishes new federal criminal penalties for robberies, thefts, and assaults targeting ATM users, service personnel, and the machines themselves. Additionally, the bill strengthens existing bank robbery laws by clarifying the definition of force and explicitly criminalizing conspiracies to commit bank robbery.

The Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act mandates sanctions against foreign individuals complicit in the forced harvesting of organs from prisoners of conscience in China. The bill requires the President to identify and penalize those involved through property blocking and visa restrictions. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of State to submit comprehensive reports to Congress regarding China’s organ transplant practices and the potential classification of these acts as atrocities.

The NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes the agency's funding for fiscal year 2025 and solidifies the strategic direction for human spaceflight, emphasizing the "Moon to Mars" program and the transition to commercial Low-Earth Orbit destinations. The bill directs significant investment into science missions, technology development, and aeronautics research, while also restructuring STEM education programs. Finally, it establishes new policy guidelines regarding commercial partnerships, cost oversight, and international collaboration.

The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 significantly updates and extends NOAA's weather and environmental forecasting authorities through 2030. The bill prioritizes public safety by funding research to improve warnings for severe weather like tornadoes and hurricanes, while also modernizing infrastructure through AI integration and commercial data use. Furthermore, it establishes new programs to enhance forecasts for agriculture, water management, wildfires, and harmful algal blooms.

The Highway Formula Fairness Act establishes a new framework for distributing federal highway funds to states beginning in fiscal year 2027. This legislation ensures a more equitable allocation by guaranteeing that each state receives at least 95 percent of its proportional contribution to the Highway Trust Fund.

The SPONSOR Act holds tax-exempt organizations legally and financially accountable for the actions of the projects they fiscally sponsor. Under this bill, sponsoring organizations face criminal and civil liability if their sponsored projects engage in terrorism, violent intimidation, or the obstruction of lawful commerce. The legislation establishes a presumption of responsibility, requiring sponsors to maintain rigorous oversight to ensure funds are not used for prohibited activities.

The ROTOR Act focuses on enhancing aviation safety and transparency, primarily by reforming exceptions that allow aircraft to disable their ADS-B Out tracking systems. It mandates that the FAA require most aircraft to install and use ADS-B In technology for improved situational awareness. Furthermore, the bill establishes new coordination offices and requires comprehensive safety reviews of airspace operations, particularly around major airports, involving both civil and military aviation.

The SAT Streamlining Act aims to bolster U.S. leadership in the space industry by establishing strict deadlines for the FCC to process satellite and earth station license applications. This legislation introduces a "deemed granted" provision if the FCC misses these new processing timelines for licenses and renewals. Furthermore, it clarifies Congressional intent regarding space policy and preempts state and local regulation of licensee rates.

The Payment Integrity Act amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act to require states to pay child care providers based on verified attendance rather than enrollment. This legislation clarifies that payments can be made after services are delivered, ensuring funds align with actual care provided.