Legislative Activity

The Water Authority Cybersecurity Protection Act strengthens the security of our nation's water systems by extending and doubling the funding for the Drinking Water Infrastructure Risk and Resilience Program through 2029. This legislation increases support for technical assistance and grants, specifically prioritizing resources for small water systems to improve their cybersecurity defenses.

The Oversight Access Act ensures that Members of Congress maintain unrestricted access to immigration detention facilities for the purpose of conducting official oversight. The bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from requiring prior notice for visits or altering facility conditions to influence oversight findings. Additionally, it mandates that the Inspector General report any material non-compliance to the relevant congressional committees.

The Build America Fund Act establishes a government-backed investment vehicle designed to revitalize U.S. industrial capacity, secure critical supply chains, and promote domestic innovation. The Fund provides targeted financial support to strategic sectors while enforcing strict labor standards, domestic operational requirements, and national security protections. Additionally, the legislation creates an Industrial Sovereignty Council to align these investments with broader national economic goals and introduces a dividend program to share the Fund's long-term success with the American public.

The Pathway to Trades Act amends the Federal Perkins Loan program to better support students pursuing vocational careers. It requires participating colleges to designate a dedicated faculty contact for trade students and develop specialized coursework focused on trade-related skills.

The Stop Spying Bosses Act establishes comprehensive federal protections regarding the collection and use of employee data by employers. It strictly limits what data employers can collect, bans surveillance unrelated to essential job functions, and mandates transparency about data practices. The bill also grants workers rights to access and correct their data, creates a new Department of Labor division to oversee the law, and establishes robust enforcement mechanisms, including private lawsuits and the invalidation of forced arbitration agreements.

This Act mandates the Department of Defense to develop and implement a plan for using advanced manufacturing to rapidly increase the production of critical military supplies. The plan requires establishing a working group to identify solutions capable of boosting production within 24 months. Additionally, it directs the Defense Logistics Agency to flag specific critical items on its "No Bid Solicitation List."

This Act invalidates mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreements and class action waivers for consumer and civil rights disputes between Amtrak and its customers. It ensures that customers retain the right to pursue legal action in court for claims involving discrimination or general consumer issues. The prohibition applies to all relevant disputes arising after the date the bill is enacted.

The Let Kids Play Act prohibits "vulture investors"—private equity firms with harmful track records—from investing in youth sports entities. It bans covered firms from using specific predatory business tactics, such as imposing junk fees or restricting competition, when involved in youth sports. The bill mandates that designated vulture investors must fully divest from these entities within two years. Enforcement is granted to the FTC and the Department of Justice, and the Act also allows private lawsuits for damages.

The Screen-time Management And Recommendations for Teens and Kids Act (SMART Kids Act) directs the Surgeon General to develop evidence-informed, age-specific recommendations for daily screen time limits for children and teens. These guidelines must be created in collaboration with an independent, unbiased expert entity. The final recommendations must be published within one year of the bill's enactment.

The Railroad Retirement Fairness Act aims to increase retirement benefits for eligible individuals under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974. This is achieved by eliminating a specific, existing deduction from those annuities.

The Cost-of-living Emergency Act declares a national emergency to address rising prices for essential household goods and services. The bill establishes a high-level commission and task forces to investigate the causes of inflation, enforce anti-price gouging laws, and coordinate federal efforts to lower costs. Additionally, it mandates that federal agencies prioritize household affordability in their regulatory decisions and utilizes the Defense Production Act to expand the domestic supply of basic necessities.

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 Railway Safety Act of 2026 significantly enhances rail safety by imposing stricter operational rules, mandatory minimum crew sizes, and increased penalties for hazardous material trains. It also bolsters emergency preparedness by expanding funding and training programs for local responders. The bill aims to prevent derailments and improve community response capabilities through comprehensive new federal oversight.

The Bond Improvement and Reclamation Assurance Act of 2026 reforms the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977. This bill significantly increases the financial assurance requirements for surface coal mining operations to ensure reclamation costs are fully covered. It mandates that performance bonds reflect current inflation, potential early closure costs, and the government's actual cost to reclaim the site. Furthermore, the Act strengthens oversight by requiring bond recalculations upon permit transfer and ensuring former operators and related entities remain liable.

The Full Cost of War Act mandates that all future authorizations for the use of military force or declarations of war must include dedicated funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This provision ensures that resources are specifically allocated to cover medical care, disability compensation, and other earned benefits for veterans affected by the authorized military action.

The Under Pressure Act mandates that the Federal Railroad Administration investigate and report to Congress on the failure rates and causes of pressure relief devices on rail tank cars during derailments. This report must detail specific failure circumstances, assess device compatibility and survivability in high heat, and include recommendations for prevention. The FRA is also required to address outstanding safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board.

The Thomas M. Conway Veterans Access to Resources in the Workplace Act mandates that employers prominently display a state-specific notice detailing veterans' benefits. This notice, developed by the Departments of Labor and Veterans Affairs, will include critical resources like the Veterans Crisis Line. The goal is to ensure veterans in the workplace have easy access to vital federal and state benefit information.

The Whole Health for Veterans Act aims to increase access to proactive wellness services by capping monthly copayments at $30 for eligible veterans. The bill further ensures that veterans in priority groups 1 through 5 are entirely exempt from these costs. By limiting financial barriers, the legislation encourages broader participation in programs like yoga, meditation, and health coaching to improve overall veteran well-being.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 521 Thorn Street in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, as the "Mary Elizabeth Bettie Cole Post Office Building." This change ensures all future federal references use the newly established name for the building.

This bill aims to reauthorize and update funding for municipal grants under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. These grants support projects focused on improving sewer overflow systems and promoting the reuse of stormwater runoff. The legislation authorizes $350 million annually for these critical water infrastructure improvements from fiscal year 2026 through 2031.