Legislative Activity

The Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act mandates that all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities establish partnerships with local rural medical facilities to enhance care access and lower costs for rural veterans. These agreements can cover services like telehealth, shared resources, and care coordination. The Secretary must report to Congress on implementation and the success of these partnerships in improving veteran accessibility every two years. Existing facilities must comply with this requirement or obtain a waiver within three years of enactment.

This resolution commemorates the 114th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America, honoring its enduring legacy of fostering leadership, confidence, and character in girls. It celebrates the organization's commitment to community service, STEM education, and civic engagement while recognizing the achievements of Gold Award recipients. The bill further encourages the continued support of future women leaders as the organization prepares for its upcoming national events.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts Congress's constitutional authority to declare war while ensuring the military remains permitted to conduct defensive operations, intelligence gathering, and the evacuation of U.S. citizens.

The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2026 mandates that digital content and applications used by employers, government agencies, and public accommodations be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. The bill directs federal agencies to establish and enforce clear accessibility standards, provides a private right of action for non-compliance, and offers grant support to help small entities meet these requirements. Ultimately, the legislation ensures that emerging technologies do not exclude people with disabilities from participating in all aspects of society.

The BRIDGE Act establishes a new, competitive grant program to fund the maintenance, replacement, or rehabilitation of commuter rail bridges. This legislation authorizes $1.5 billion annually from 2027 through 2031 to support these critical infrastructure projects. Grants will be awarded by the Secretary of Transportation based on factors like system size, bridge condition, and asset management priorities.

The Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2026 mandates annual reporting from the Bureau of Prisons detailing the impact of major disasters on facilities, staff, and inmates. It requires the Bureau to submit a comprehensive corrective action plan to improve emergency preparedness. Furthermore, the Act expands the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board and requires a public hearing to incorporate diverse expertise into future disaster planning.

The Inspectors General Independence Act aims to strengthen the independence of Inspectors General by placing new restrictions on presidential nominations for these roles. Specifically, the bill prohibits the President from nominating individuals currently serving as, or who have previously served as, a political appointee under that same administration. This legislation seeks to ensure that Inspectors General maintain impartiality in their oversight functions.

The Passenger Rail Crew Protection Act establishes a new federal crime for interfering with or assaulting passenger train crew members while they are performing their duties. This law specifically prohibits intimidating crew members onboard trains, on platforms, or in rail stations. Penalties range up to 8 years in prison, increasing to 20 years if a dangerous weapon is involved.

The PROTECT Military Families Act establishes a new parole program to allow certain close relatives of current and former U.S. service members to enter the United States. This parole is granted in one-year increments to spouses, widows/widowers, parents, or children of eligible military personnel. Denials of this parole are highly restricted and require joint written justification from the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Defense, and Veterans Affairs.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois. The building will now be known as the "Staff Sergeant Jose Duenez Jr. Post Office Building." This designation requires all future official federal references to use the new name.

The Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act requires the TSA to update its guidance for the hygienic handling of breast milk, baby formula, and certain other liquids during airport security screening. This updated guidance must be developed in consultation with maternal health organizations to minimize contamination risks during any necessary extra screening. Furthermore, the Inspector General will audit compliance with these new hygienic standards.

The Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create and maintain a public, user-friendly list of medications approved for pilots and air traffic controllers. This list will clearly inform current and prospective aviation personnel about medications they can safely use while holding or applying for a medical certificate. The FAA must consult with medical and stakeholder groups to develop and annually update this comprehensive resource, including both approved and prohibited drugs.

The Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2025 establishes a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship for noncitizen veterans and service members removed or facing removal from the U.S. It protects eligible veterans and service members from deportation unless convicted of a crime of violence. Furthermore, the Act ensures that eligible veterans who adjust their status gain full access to military and veterans benefits.

The Immigrant Veterans Eligibility Tracking System (IVETS) Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security identify and record the military service of any alien applying for an immigration benefit or facing enforcement proceedings. This ensures that records clearly reflect military service, though this information cannot be used by the government for removal purposes. The goal is to better track the immigration outcomes for veterans and service members.

The Healthcare Opportunities for Patriots in Exile (HOPE) Act grants the Secretary of Homeland Security the discretionary authority to parole certain veterans currently outside the U.S. into the country. This parole is specifically for the purpose of allowing them to receive necessary healthcare from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Eligibility is restricted for those inadmissible due to serious violent or national security-related criminal convictions.

The Uniformed Services Leave Parity Act ensures that members of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) receive the same leave provisions currently afforded to members of the Armed Forces. This is achieved by adding a new chapter on "Leave" to the Public Health Service Act, applying military leave standards directly to PHS personnel. The Act also repeals an outdated section of the Public Health Service Act.

The Access to Contraception Expansion for Veterans Act (ACE Veterans Act) allows enrolled veterans to receive a full year's supply of FDA-approved contraceptive products at one time. This change applies to birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, and similar items prescribed by a VA doctor. The VA provider must inform the veteran of this option when writing the prescription.

The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act of 2025 ties federal justice grant eligibility to responsible firearm purchasing practices. Organizations receiving Edward Byrne Grants must agree not to deal with licensed dealers who have a high number of firearms traced back to them shortly after retail sale. Furthermore, the bill mandates the ATF to regularly share tracing information with state and local law enforcement and publicly list these "covered licensed dealers."

The CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act establishes a federal grant program to help student parents remain in college by making childcare accessible. The Secretary of Education can award five-year grants to eligible colleges and universities to provide on-campus or subsidized childcare services to student parents who qualify for Pell Grants. Grantees must ensure the funded programs meet specific quality benchmarks within three years and report annually on student outcomes. The Act authorizes $500 million annually for this program from Fiscal Years 2026 through 2031.

This bill, the ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act, modifies the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for school employees. It establishes a new, more flexible standard for paraprofessionals and education support staff to meet the FMLA's hours-of-service requirement based on their typical school-year schedule. Furthermore, the Act mandates the Department of Labor to create specific calculation methods for FMLA leave entitlement tailored to the unique scheduling of educational employees.