Legislative Activity

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.

This Act mandates the U.S. Secretary of State to ensure and report on sufficient food assistance for all civilians in Gaza. It requires certification within 30 days that policies are in place to guarantee children receive three nutritious meals daily and other civilians receive two. The Secretary must also submit detailed oversight procedures and publicly report on food distribution efforts, including prompt notification to Congress of any aid interference.

The Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026 mandates that Medicaid programs cover up to 12 mental health telehealth visits annually for certain individuals recently released from incarceration and placed under home confinement. This provision aims to improve access to crucial mental health services during the critical transition period following release.

The PETSAFE Act of 2026 allows states, local, and tribal governments to use federal emergency preparedness grants to support companion animals during disasters. This funding can cover essential supplies, veterinary care, and emergency sheltering equipment. Furthermore, the bill increases the federal cost share for these specific animal preparedness activities to 90 percent.

This resolution supports the goals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by recognizing the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black Americans. It encourages testing, commends organizations providing culturally competent care, and supports the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce disparities. The bill also calls for prioritizing funding for minority-led agencies and addressing systemic barriers to care.

The No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026 restricts the air transportation of adult roosters to enhance aviation safety and combat illegal activities like cockfighting. The bill prohibits air carriers from knowingly transporting adult roosters as cargo, with an exemption for shipments related to certified commercial farms for legitimate agricultural purposes. Enforcement authority rests with the Secretary of Transportation, and violations are subject to civil penalties.

The Growing Reputable Academic Departments (GRAD) Act expands eligibility for existing federal grant programs benefiting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). This expansion specifically targets institutions offering qualified master's degree programs. The bill also updates the formula for distributing leftover funds within these grant programs.

This bill, the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Transparency Act, enhances oversight of the Nonprofit Security Grant Program by requiring FEMA to submit detailed pre-award and annual reports to Congress. These reports will provide comprehensive data on grant applications, awards by state and high-risk area, and how recipient funds are ultimately spent. The goal is to increase transparency regarding the distribution and use of security grant funds for eligible nonprofits.

This resolution condemns current and proposed staffing cuts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), arguing they undermine national preparedness and disaster response capabilities. It highlights that workforce reductions endanger the ability to effectively manage increasingly severe disasters and critical counterterrorism programs. The bill expresses concern that these cuts compromise institutional knowledge and slow vital assistance to communities recovering from events like recent hurricanes. Ultimately, it commits Congress to supporting a stable and adequately resourced FEMA workforce.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees and certain contract employees receive their full pay and benefits during any government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. It also mandates retroactive contract price adjustments to compensate contractors for costs incurred during previous shutdowns. Furthermore, the bill prohibits federal agencies from implementing workforce reductions or placing employees on extended administrative leave during funding lapses.

The AI for Secure Networks Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to study the impact of artificial intelligence on telecommunications network security. This study will examine how AI can enhance network security, resiliency, and efficiency, including its application with Open RAN and virtualized technologies. The resulting report, submitted to Congress, will detail findings and may include legislative recommendations.

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.

The Restarting Education After Disasters (READ) Act establishes a program to provide immediate federal aid to State educational agencies to help local public and eligible non-public schools restart operations following a major disaster or emergency. Funds are prioritized for schools severely impacted and can be used for essential recovery activities like data recovery, temporary learning spaces, and replacing initial instructional materials. The bill authorizes $200 million annually from 2026 through 2030 to support these critical, short-term recovery efforts.

The Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026 repeals Section 642 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. This action aims to restore constitutional balance by limiting federal intrusion into state and local control over their public institutions and internal operations. The bill respects state and local authority while affirming the federal government's exclusive role in civil immigration enforcement.

This bill mandates the President to withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Venezuela. This action is required unless Congress has formally declared war or passed specific legislation authorizing the use of military force in that country.

The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2026 establishes the Blue Campaign Certification Program within the Department of Homeland Security. This program recognizes employers in high-risk industries that provide their employees with training to recognize and respond to human trafficking. Eligible employers will receive a public certificate of completion and be recognized in the Federal Register. The Act also mandates increased coordination for the DHS Blue Campaign with private sector, academic, and industry experts.

The Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to collect and publish comprehensive, up-to-date information on fishing restrictions in federally managed fisheries on a public website. This legislation also mandates the standardization of geospatial data related to ocean activities and marine protected areas. The goal is to improve accessibility and interoperability of critical ocean use information for the public, while explicitly preserving existing regulatory authority and Tribal rights.

The Follow the Science Act aims to insulate the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from political influence by prohibiting most political appointees from working on or managing NIH programs. This legislation specifically bars political employees from participating in the review, selection, or awarding of NIH grants and contracts. Furthermore, it restricts the NIH Director from canceling or delaying existing funding agreements unless specific findings of mismanagement or fraud are documented and reported to Congress.

The FLEX Act amends federal charter school funding laws to increase required funding reservations and expand allowable uses for grants, including supporting program additions at high-quality schools. It also updates grant requirements, streamlines administrative burdens, and mandates the Secretary of Education to seek input from charter school operators before issuing new rules. These changes aim to enhance support for the development, expansion, and operation of charter schools nationwide.

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act establishes new competitive grants for states to support charter school facilities, prioritizing those in high-need areas. It expands how existing federal charter school grant funds can be used for facility acquisition and compliance, and allows states to reserve funds for revolving loan programs. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that federal funds used for property acquisition do not create a federal interest in the property.