Legislative Activity

This bill, the "Local Data for Better Conservation Act," amends the Endangered Species Act to mandate that the Secretary must consider and incorporate data provided by state governments when making decisions about listing or delisting threatened and endangered species. This ensures state-level information is part of federal conservation determinations.

This Act authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Robert Lodge for his valorous actions while serving in the Air Force during the Vietnam War on May 10, 1972. The legislation specifically waives any existing time limits that would otherwise prevent the posthumous presentation of the award.

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 significantly enhances benefits for veterans and service members. It increases disability compensation with a new monthly allowance for certain veterans and ties future Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) adjustments to Social Security cost-of-living increases plus an extra percentage. The bill also expands VA home loan eligibility to include National Guard and Reserve members with at least 14 days of qualifying service, though these borrowers will pay a higher loan fee. Finally, it extends the current VA home loan fee structure and modifies definitions of active duty for Guard and Reserve components.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the VA from reporting veterans to the NICS background check system solely because a fiduciary was appointed to manage their benefits. This legislation ensures that a VA finding of mental incompetence or the appointment of a fiduciary alone is not used to treat a veteran as a "mental defective" for gun control purposes. Furthermore, the VA must notify the Attorney General about past transmissions of this information that lacked a proper legal basis.

The BEACON Act of 2026 establishes two new Department of Veterans Affairs grant programs to significantly advance the treatment of veterans suffering from chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). These programs will fund research, clinical trials, and the testing of new, non-drug neurorehabilitation approaches focused on improving mental health outcomes. The legislation aims to foster partnerships and independent third-party studies to identify and implement best practices for mTBI care outside of traditional VA pathways.

The STOP Resolution mandates that certain Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives must complete specialized training in counterintelligence and classified information protection. This training, administered by the Sergeant-at-Arms, must be completed within specific deadlines, with access to classified information restricted until compliance is verified. Failure to complete the required training results in penalties, including the denial of access to classified materials.

This bill officially designates the first Friday of May as "National Space Day." It recognizes the profound historical and ongoing contributions of the U.S. aerospace community to exploration, technology, and national security. The designation aims to celebrate achievements like the Apollo missions and the James Webb Space Telescope while encouraging STEM education for future generations.

The FIRE Act reforms how the EPA handles air quality data affected by wildfires and prescribed burns under the Clean Air Act. It establishes clearer standards for states to exclude wildfire-related air quality data from regulatory decisions, focusing on causality rather than event predictability. The bill also updates regulations regarding air quality data influenced by actions taken to mitigate wildfire risk, such as prescribed fires.

The "Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act" repeals the Corporate Transparency Act, eliminating the requirement for companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It also makes necessary technical adjustments to Title 31 of the United States Code, specifically sections related to financial recordkeeping and reporting of currency and foreign transactions, to reflect the repeal.

The FENCES Act amends the Clean Air Act to prevent areas within a state from being designated as nonattainment areas due to pollution originating outside the United States or beyond the state's control. It also waives certain federal sanctions and fees for states that demonstrate air quality failures are caused by uncontrollable external emissions or exceptional events. This legislation ensures states are not penalized for pollution they cannot regulate, while still requiring them to maintain plans to meet air quality standards.

The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 mandates significant safety upgrades across both civilian and military aviation to prevent midair collisions. It requires the FAA to implement advanced collision avoidance systems and new air traffic controller training, while also compelling the Department of Defense to equip most military helicopters with transponders for increased visibility. The bill establishes new transparency measures, including public tracking of safety rule implementation and enhanced reporting on near-miss incidents, particularly around major airports like Reagan National.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct an 18-month feasibility study on installing a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam. The proposed system aims to improve hydropower generation and mitigate the spread of invasive species. If deemed feasible and supported by project contractors, the Secretary is authorized to proceed with the compliance and construction process.

The Expanding the Fast Track Act of 2026 accelerates infrastructure development by lowering the cost threshold for "covered projects" from $200 million to $50 million. This amendment expands eligibility for federal permitting improvements, allowing a broader range of projects to benefit from streamlined review processes.

The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act prevents federal agencies from banning the use of lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands and waters open to hunting and fishing. Exceptions to this rule are only permitted if specific, site-based field data proves lead is causing a wildlife population decline and the action is approved by or consistent with state wildlife policies.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

The "No Federal Tax Dollars for Illegal Aliens Health Insurance Act of 2026" prohibits the use of federal health insurance innovation waiver funds to provide coverage or benefits to individuals who are not U.S. citizens or lawfully present in the United States. Additionally, the bill mandates the rescission of any existing state waivers that do not comply with these new eligibility requirements.

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

The ASCEND Act establishes a permanent NASA program to purchase and distribute commercial Earth observation data for scientific, operational, and educational needs. This initiative aims to supplement existing government data by acquiring cost-effective commercial imagery, prioritizing U.S. vendors. The bill ensures purchased data can be widely published for scientific purposes and requires regular reporting on program agreements and data usage.

The Rural Water Security Act expands access to federal water infrastructure programs for Colorado. This legislation specifically amends the Water Resources Development Act of 1999 to include Colorado in the eligibility criteria for Western Rural Water projects, including water storage and groundwater recharge initiatives.

The Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act ensures that Federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) receive the full 340B discounted price for drugs at the point of purchase. This legislation prohibits manufacturers from requiring FQHCs to pay more than the established ceiling price upfront, regardless of any later rebates or reimbursements. The goal is to guarantee immediate, upfront savings for these vital health centers.