Legislative Activity

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 modernizes GI Bill benefits and support for service members and veterans. This bill revises the repayment timing for service members who contribute to their Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits and expands eligibility for independent study programs. It also provides service members with new options when called to active duty during their education and updates compliance survey procedures for educational institutions.

This bill officially designates 2026 as the "International Year of the Woman Farmer" to recognize and honor the vital contributions of women in U.S. agriculture. It encourages citizens to celebrate the impact of these women on the food system and empowers women to pursue leadership roles in the field.

This act mandates that the Commissioner of Social Security regularly advertise the Ticket to Work program to all disabled beneficiaries. Information must be sent to every eligible beneficiary within one year of the law's enactment, and then every six months thereafter. This ensures disabled beneficiaries are consistently informed about available employment support programs.

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2026 establishes the Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit to incentivize the use of U.S.-grown cotton in products sold domestically. This new business tax credit is calculated based on the volume of U.S. cotton used, the market price, and where the product was processed. The bill mandates digital tracing to verify the supply chain and offers significantly increased credit multipliers for products containing U.S.-made cotton yarn or fabric.

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 Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act establishes mandatory minimum health and safety standards for privatized military housing to combat hazardous conditions like mold. It institutes rigorous independent inspection protocols, requires standardized reporting on housing quality, and holds contractors financially accountable for remediation and tenant relocation costs. This legislation aims to improve habitability, protect service members' health, and enhance military readiness.

The U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026 establishes a framework to significantly enhance joint U.S.-Israel cooperation specifically aimed at countering threats posed by Iranian unmanned aerial systems (drones). This legislation increases authorized funding for cooperative missile defense programs and mandates detailed annual reporting on joint counter-drone research, development, and deployment efforts. The goal is to accelerate the exchange of technology and expertise to defend against evolving drone attacks.

The Agriculture and National Security Act of 2026 formally recognizes food and agriculture as critical to national security. This bill establishes a Senior Advisor for National Security within the USDA to prioritize national security concerns alongside homeland security. It also mandates regular reporting to Congress on identified vulnerabilities, such as foreign influence and data control, and authorizes personnel exchanges with key defense and intelligence agencies.

The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to formally include Taiwan in existing certification and reporting requirements. It also mandates a feasibility study for expediting the licensing process for allied nations transferring U.S.-origin military equipment to Taiwan. The legislation is intended to enhance security cooperation while affirming that it does not alter existing U.S. policy as defined by the Taiwan Relations Act.

The Shutdown Fairness Act automatically appropriates necessary funds to ensure federal employees and essential contractors receive their regular pay during a government shutdown. This legislation mandates timely payment for covered personnel, regardless of whether they were deemed "excepted" or furloughed. The funds are charged against the agency's subsequent regular appropriations once they are enacted.

The No Aid for Russian Energy Act prohibits U.S. persons and entities from exporting petroleum-related equipment, technology, and services to the Russian Federation. It further mandates strict sanctions, including asset blocking and visa restrictions, against any foreign persons or companies that facilitate such trade with Russia. The bill provides limited exceptions for humanitarian aid and medical supplies while granting the President authority to issue temporary national security waivers.

The Ending Importation of Laundered Russian Oil Act closes a loophole in existing sanctions by banning the import of petroleum products refined outside of Russia if they were produced using Russian crude oil. This legislation ensures that energy products derived from Russian sources cannot enter the U.S. market, subjecting violators to the same penalties as those who import Russian oil directly.

The Purple Heart Freedom to Work Act supports veterans by allowing Purple Heart recipients to return to the workforce without losing their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. The bill increases the earnings threshold for "substantial gainful activity" and implements a gradual benefit reduction rather than a total cutoff, ensuring veterans can work while maintaining financial security.

The Renewed Hope Act strengthens efforts to combat child sexual exploitation by mandating the hiring of additional forensic analysts and investigators within the Department of Homeland Security. The bill establishes specialized training programs, improves inter-agency coordination, and provides direct hiring authority to accelerate the rescue of victims. Additionally, it implements strict privacy protections to ensure that sensitive victim information is handled securely by law enforcement.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

This bill officially designates January 9, 2026, as "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers nationwide. It also establishes National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th) to commemorate officers who have died in the line of duty. The legislation encourages the President to issue annual proclamations recognizing these days and calls for flags to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.

The Duty Status Reform Act aims to modernize and streamline the process for determining and managing duty status for federal employees. This legislation seeks to clarify existing regulations and ensure fair and consistent application of duty status rules across government agencies.

This bill establishes a grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to help agricultural producers and eligible schools retrofit older tractors with approved rollover protection structures. The grants will cover 70% or more of the costs associated with purchasing, transporting, and installing these safety devices. A selected nongovernmental organization will manage the application process and public outreach for the program.

The SPEED Act aims to streamline and expedite federal project reviews by reforming the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It clarifies NEPA as a procedural statute, narrows the scope of environmental effects agencies must consider, and establishes strict timelines for agency decisions. Furthermore, the bill imposes significant limitations on judicial review, requiring courts to defer to agency judgment and limiting remedies to remanding the action for correction rather than vacating permits.

The Veteran Suicide Prevention Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a comprehensive review of veteran suicides over the preceding five years, focusing on prescription practices. This review will analyze medication use, diagnoses, and demographic data for veterans who died by suicide while receiving VA care. The VA must then submit a detailed report of its findings and recommendations to Congress and the public.