Legislative Activity

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.

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.

The Rail Passenger Fairness Act aims to restore Amtrak's statutory right to priority over freight trains on shared tracks, which has been frequently ignored by freight railroads, causing significant passenger delays. This bill grants Amtrak the direct authority to file civil lawsuits in federal court to enforce these crucial preference rights. By ensuring passenger trains run on time, the Act is expected to improve service reliability and generate substantial cost savings.

The Bipartisan Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program Expansion Act increases the federal share of grant funding for certain public safety activities from 50% to 60%. This change aims to reduce the financial burden on states for purchasing essential equipment. Additionally, the Act authorizes $60 million annually for this program from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The Defense Industry Pricing Transparency Act requires defense contractors to report significant price increases on non-competitive or sole-source government contracts. Contractors must notify the contracting officer within 30 days if a price exceeds established historical or contractual benchmarks by 25% or 50%. Failure to report these hikes will result in the contractor's noncompliance being logged in the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS).

The Defense Contractor Competition Act mandates that the Comptroller General conduct a comprehensive assessment of the competitive effects resulting from mergers and acquisitions within the defense industry over the past decade. This report must analyze the effectiveness of post-merger remedies, information sharing between regulatory bodies, and the impact of vertical integration on competition. Ultimately, the Act aims to ensure a sustainable and competitive defense industrial base by reviewing past consolidation efforts.

The Best Price for Our Military Act of 2025 aims to ensure fair pricing in government defense contracts. This bill prohibits contractors from using cost or pricing data older than 30 days as a defense in pricing disputes after a final contract price has been established. This change prevents contractors from justifying inflated prices with stale information.

The All Aboard Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to significantly modernize and expand American passenger and freight rail networks. It establishes major funding streams to incentivize the transition to zero-emission locomotives, electrify infrastructure, and improve high-performance rail service nationwide. The Act also mandates strong labor protections, workforce development programs, and prioritizes investments in environmental justice communities.