Legislative Activity

This Act establishes new federal prohibitions against marketing products as dietary supplements that do not meet the legal definition or were prepared under the direction of a debarred person. It grants the FDA updated authority to refuse import and seize products that violate these new prohibitions. The law specifically targets dangerous products, such as Tianeptine, by strengthening enforcement measures.

The Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of key Mississippian culture sites in Illinois, known as the "Study Area." This study must evaluate the national importance of these sites and determine the feasibility of including them in the National Park System. The Secretary must also consider alternative preservation and interpretation methods and submit a final report with recommendations to Congress within three years of funding.

The ABODE Act establishes a competitive grant program to fund the development or rehabilitation of highly energy-efficient and resilient affordable housing. Grants will be awarded to organizations to build or renovate homes for low-income households, prioritizing projects that reduce costs and increase accessibility. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will study the long-term savings generated by these improved housing standards.

The Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act of 2026 establishes consistent federal eligibility requirements for foreign graduate medical schools seeking to participate in U.S. student aid programs. This aims to increase accountability and protect U.S. students from high debt burdens and poor outcomes often seen at currently exempt for-profit institutions. The bill repeals existing grandfather provisions and sets new standards based on student citizenship and exam success rates. Current students at affected schools are protected and may continue receiving aid under certain conditions.

The Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026 establishes a demonstration program to award grants to nursing schools to help increase and retain qualified faculty. These grants will supplement eligible faculty salaries, aiming to bridge the compensation gap between academic and clinical nursing roles. The program prioritizes schools demonstrating the greatest need and those serving vulnerable populations.

The Produce Prescriptions for Veterans Act establishes produce prescriptions as a covered medical service for eligible veterans. This service provides veterans with diet-related chronic conditions who are also food-insecure with vouchers or direct benefits to purchase fruits and vegetables. The goal is to improve their health outcomes through better nutrition.

The Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2026 establishes a new federal requirement for all dietary supplements marketed in the U.S. to be listed with the FDA, requiring detailed product and ingredient information. This legislation mandates the FDA to create a public, searchable database of these listings. Failure to comply with the listing requirements will result in the supplement being deemed "misbranded."

The DEFIANCE Act of 2025 addresses the severe harm caused by non-consensual, sexually intimate digital forgeries (deepfakes). This bill establishes a federal civil cause of action allowing victims to sue those who knowingly create, possess with intent to disclose, or disclose these intimate digital forgeries. Successful plaintiffs can recover significant statutory damages, actual damages, and injunctive relief.

The S.T.O.P. Illicit Vapes Act establishes a federal multi-agency task force to combat the illegal importation, distribution, and sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes. This group, co-chaired by the Attorney General and the Secretary of HHS, will develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce illicit vapes in the market. The task force is required to meet monthly and submit detailed semi-annual reports to Congress on enforcement actions and necessary legal improvements.

This resolution recognizes the 28 Illinois schools selected as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2025 before the program was discontinued. It celebrates the history and importance of the Blue Ribbon Schools Program as the highest federal honor for academic excellence. The resolution also calls upon the Secretary of Education to immediately reinstate the program.

The Safer Detention Act of 2025 aims to expand options for elderly and terminally ill federal offenders to serve their remaining time in home detention. It modifies eligibility criteria and extends the authorization for this pilot program through 2029. Additionally, the bill clarifies and streamlines the process for older cases seeking compassionate release directly through the courts.

This bill amends federal law to prohibit judges from considering a defendant's acquitted conduct when imposing a sentence. Under this legislation, judges may only use information related to acquitted conduct if it serves to mitigate, or lower, the final sentence. This ensures that individuals are not punished for actions for which they were formally found not guilty.

The First Step Implementation Act of 2025 aims to expand sentencing relief under the First Step Act, introduce new "safety valve" options for certain drug offenses, and enact significant corrections reforms. Key provisions include establishing pathways for sentence reduction for those convicted as juveniles and creating procedures for sealing and expunging nonviolent juvenile records. The Act also mandates new federal procedures to ensure the accuracy and completeness of criminal records shared for employment and housing purposes.

This bill proposes to amend current law to extend the required reporting period for the First Step Act from five years to ten years. It specifically modifies Section 3634 of Title 18 of the United States Code to enact this change.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 1300 East Northwest Highway in Palatine, Illinois. The building will henceforth be known as the "Bernie Bluestein Post Office Building." This designation must be used in all future official federal references to the location.

The Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion from Trauma Act establishes new federal grant programs to coordinate local efforts in preventing trauma and building community resilience. It also expands support and training for professionals working with children and youth affected by trauma, violence, or addiction. Key provisions include funding for hospital interventions to reduce repeat injuries and strengthening the national network for child traumatic stress. Overall, the bill aims to improve outcomes for trauma survivors through coordinated community programming and a better-prepared workforce.

The Medical Device Recall Improvement Act of 2025 aims to enhance patient and provider safety by standardizing and accelerating medical device recall communications. This legislation mandates the creation of a standard electronic format for recall notifications and requires manufacturers to submit these notices for timely FDA review. Furthermore, it establishes new requirements for notifying affected patients about high-risk device recalls and creates a public database of all recall information.

The Federal Food Administration Act of 2025 establishes a new, independent agency within the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated solely to ensuring the safety and security of the U.S. food supply. This Act transfers all food-related regulatory authority, functions, and personnel from the FDA to the new Federal Food Administration, headed by a Senate-confirmed Commissioner of Foods. The new Administration is mandated to implement a risk-based inspection schedule for food facilities and enhance collaboration across federal agencies on food safety science.

The Dream Act of 2025 establishes a pathway to conditional permanent resident status for eligible long-term residents who entered the U.S. as children. This status lasts for eight years and requires meeting specific criteria related to continuous presence, good moral character, and education or military service. After meeting further requirements, including education, military service, or employment benchmarks, individuals can apply to remove the conditional basis and obtain full lawful permanent resident status. The bill also mandates strong confidentiality protections for applicant information, prohibiting its use for general immigration enforcement.

This act requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to apply new environmental and equity standards when approving natural gas pipeline projects. FERC must evaluate a project's greenhouse gas emissions and its impact on environmental justice communities when determining "public convenience and necessity." The bill mandates that applicants propose mitigation for adverse effects, and FERC must weigh these environmental impacts against the project's benefits.