Legislative Activity

The "Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act" authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of women in the United States, seeking guidance from varied sources. The Act mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

The Kelsey Smith Act requires telecommunications providers to disclose a device's location information to law enforcement during emergency situations involving a risk of death or serious physical harm. This legislation ensures that critical data can be accessed quickly when a person's life is in danger, provided specific safety and consent protocols are met.

The RELIEF Act establishes a mandatory refund process for certain tariffs collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection starting January 1, 2025, specifically those imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This legislation requires the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to automatically issue refunds to importers within 90 days of enactment. Importers will receive these refunds without needing to file an application or protest.

This resolution expresses support for the National FFA Organization and designates February 21–28, 2026, as National FFA Week. It recognizes the FFA's vital role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. The bill also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the chartering of the Alaska State FFA Association.

The Respect for Local Communities Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security provide advance notice and conduct public hearings before establishing or modifying ICE processing and detention facilities. The bill requires federal agencies to complete comprehensive impact assessments and secure formal, written agreements from state and local officials prior to project approval. This ensures greater transparency and local oversight regarding the economic and social impacts of new immigration detention sites.

The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 aims to improve aviation safety by mandating advanced collision avoidance technology and modernizing air traffic control procedures. The legislation enhances oversight and data sharing across both civilian and military aviation, with a specific focus on reducing congestion and collision risks in high-traffic areas like the Washington, D.C. region.

This resolution supports the goals of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month by recognizing CTE's vital role in preparing students for high-demand, high-skill careers. It affirms that CTE is crucial for American economic competitiveness and encourages promotion of these educational pathways. The resolution celebrates the contributions of CTE programs across the nation.

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials into U.S. waters from industrial facilities. This requires the EPA to swiftly issue a rule banning these discharges from facilities involved in the manufacturing, use, packaging, or transport of these plastics. The prohibition will be enforced through existing permitting and regulatory systems under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick leave. Employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, usable for personal or family health needs, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act prohibits employer retaliation for using this leave and ensures existing, more generous leave policies are not diminished.

This bill provides the funding and establishes the operational rules for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2026 across all major components, including intelligence, security operations, emergency management, and research. It allocates billions for agencies like TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and CISA while imposing strict new requirements for congressional oversight, spending transparency, and management of federal grants. The legislation also includes specific policy directives, such as mandating security screening for senior officials and restricting certain intelligence and contracting activities.

This resolution expresses support for designating a specific day as Barth Syndrome Awareness Day to raise public awareness of this rare genetic disorder. The goal is to encourage early diagnosis, advance research, and support the development of new treatments and cures for Barth syndrome.

The First-Time Home Buyer Empowerment Act amends tax law to allow first-time homebuyers to take tax-free distributions from a 529 college savings plan for a home purchase. This special provision is subject to conditions, including a $35,000 lifetime limit per beneficiary. If the home is sold within five years, a recapture tax applies to recover the avoided income tax.

This act establishes the "$2.50 for America's 250th Act" to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It authorizes the Treasury to mint and issue special commemorative gold, silver, and clad $2.50 coins featuring designs from the 1926 Sesquicentennial coin. Additionally, the bill mandates a study on the feasibility of minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation.

The Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act ensures that Federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) receive the full 340B discounted price for drugs at the point of purchase. This legislation prohibits manufacturers from requiring FQHCs to pay more than the established ceiling price upfront, regardless of any later rebates or reimbursements. The goal is to guarantee immediate, upfront savings for these vital health centers.

The **Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026** establishes major federal funding streams, including grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide from 2027 through 2031. The legislation prioritizes districts with the greatest need, focusing on improving student health, safety, and environmental conditions in school buildings. It also mandates increased transparency through public databases tracking facility conditions and requires specific labor and "Buy America" standards for funded construction projects.

The Feed Our Veterans Act permanently exempts all veterans from the work requirements associated with receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This legislation ensures that veterans have consistent access to food assistance without meeting specific employment criteria.

The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026 establishes a commission to investigate the history and ongoing impacts of U.S. Indian boarding school policies. This legislation mandates the gathering of survivor testimony and the search for student burial sites across the country. It also creates advisory committees to ensure Native communities guide the process and clarifies existing laws to facilitate the repatriation and respectful reburial of cultural items. Ultimately, the Act aims to provide a formal record, promote healing, and recommend necessary policy changes to Congress.

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.

The Motor Carrier Safety Screening Modernization Act updates federal requirements for investigating a commercial driver's safety history both before and during employment. It mandates clearer information sharing between carriers regarding an operator's safety performance record. Additionally, the bill improves the DataQs system by requiring clear labeling of contested violations and establishing a formal, multi-step appeals process for challenging safety reports.