Legislative Activity

The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act of 2026 strengthens tribal consultation requirements for federal food distribution programs serving Indian reservations. It establishes clear procedures for the Department of Agriculture to respond to supply chain disruptions by designating emergency contractors or providing direct payments to Tribes. The bill also enhances tribal input and supply chain responsiveness within the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act establishes an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). This office will focus on connecting Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations with SBA resources for entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access. Headed by an Assistant Administrator with relevant cultural knowledge, the Office aims to promote economic growth for these communities before its authority sunsets after seven years.

The USDA Field Office Stability Act aims to prevent the closure or relocation of essential local USDA county and field offices, including those for the NRCS, FSA, and Rural Development. This bill ensures that critical agricultural services remain accessible to the public by maintaining current office locations and adequate staffing levels. Exceptions are made only for offices located very close to another office in the same state or for minor relocations within the same county.

The Respect Tribal IDs Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) develop and implement comprehensive training for its personnel on recognizing and accepting Native American tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. This training will cover proper interaction protocols, document identification, and the U.S. government's trust responsibility to tribes. All immigration enforcement personnel must complete this mandatory training annually and upon regional assignment.

The Truth in National Parks Act mandates that interpretive programs and materials within National Parks must be historically and culturally accurate. It prohibits the alteration of such accurate materials unless updated with new, verified historical information following consultation. Furthermore, the bill requires the restoration of any accurate interpretive materials that were removed or altered between January 20, 2025, and the date of enactment. Finally, it calls for a report on improving co-stewardship agreements with Indigenous communities.

The 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act aims to boost economic growth by increasing entrepreneurship rates, particularly in disadvantaged communities. This is achieved by requiring the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop an entrepreneurship curriculum for SCORE volunteers to teach at community learning centers. The bill mandates collaboration between the SBA and the Department of Education to implement this program and includes regular reporting to Congress on its progress and impact.

The SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026 changes how in-kind support and maintenance (non-cash aid like food or shelter) is counted as income for certain benefit programs, now including it in the calculation. The bill also modifies rules regarding sponsor support for recent immigrants. These changes will take effect one year after the law is enacted.

The Data to Save Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes and eliminate disparities by enhancing data collection, research, and public awareness. The bill provides funding for Maternal Mortality Review Committees, supports community-based organizations addressing social determinants of health, and mandates training for providers on implicit bias and culturally congruent care. Additionally, it authorizes comprehensive studies and grant programs focused on high-risk populations, including racial and ethnic minority groups and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

The Resilient Food Supply Chain and Affordability Act ensures the continued operation of the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program. This legislation expands the program's scope to allow funding to be used for activities specifically related to meat and poultry products.

This bill expresses support for designating a specific week as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It encourages the public and relevant groups to observe this week with activities celebrating the vital contributions of Tribal Colleges and Universities.

The Afterschool ACCESS Act creates a new federal tax deduction for property owners who donate the free use of their property or vehicles to qualified community learning centers. This deduction specifically covers the use of real property for educational purposes or vehicles used for student transportation. The goal is to encourage support for afterschool programs by providing a financial incentive for property donations.

The Securing Americas Fuels (SAF) Act extends and significantly increases the clean fuel production tax credit specifically for sustainable aviation fuel. This legislation establishes higher credit rates per gallon based on carbon capture technology used in production. The bill also extends the applicability of this credit through 2033 for qualifying sustainable aviation fuels.

The Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025 significantly boosts funding for cleaning up contaminated sites by increasing the maximum grant amount per site to $1 million and authorizing $250 million annually through 2030. This legislation also expands the eligible uses for state response program grants. Overall, it strengthens federal and state efforts to revitalize brownfield properties.

This resolution officially recognizes the week of September 30th as "National Orange Shirt Week" or "National Week of Remembrance." This week is dedicated to honoring the victims and survivors of federally funded Indian boarding schools. The measure acknowledges the devastating, ongoing trauma resulting from past U.S. government assimilation policies. It signals the need for further investigation into these historical injustices.

The ABLE Employment Flexibility Act modifies retirement plan rules to allow eligible individuals with disabilities to direct employer contributions into their ABLE accounts instead of traditional retirement plans. This change aims to help working individuals save money without jeopardizing their eligibility for means-tested federal benefits. The bill also clarifies that employer contributions made directly to an ABLE account are treated as reasonable business expenses.

This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize Indian Tribal Governments to directly request federal fire management assistance. It ensures Tribes can seek aid similar to how States do, while maintaining the option to receive assistance through a State request if their direct application is not approved. The President is required to update regulations to implement these direct eligibility provisions after consulting with Tribal Governments.

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Act of 2025 aims to enhance tribal self-determination by allowing eligible Indian entities to directly manage the food distribution program through self-governance agreements. This legislation establishes specific rules for tribes purchasing U.S.-produced agricultural goods, ensuring nutritional parity or cultural relevance in food packages. Furthermore, the Act terminates existing FDPIR demonstration projects once their current performance periods conclude.

The Empowering Parents’ Healthcare Choices Act allows parents with separate health insurance plans to jointly choose which plan will serve as the primary coverage for their newborn child. This choice must be communicated to the insurers within 60 days of the child's birth. This new flexibility applies to coverage decisions for children born on or after January 1, 2026.

The Pride In Mental Health Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to improve mental health and substance abuse outcomes for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally competent care and resource development. These grants strictly prohibit funding for conversion therapy practices. The bill also mandates federal data collection on LGBTQ+ youth mental health and requires a report on the needs of those in foster care.

This resolution formally commemorates and celebrates the extraordinary legacy of the late Honorable Raúl Grijalva for his decades of dedicated service in Congress. It specifically honors his unwavering advocacy for the people of Arizona and his significant contributions to environmental protection and Tribal rights across the nation. The bill recognizes his leadership in safeguarding sacred sites, advancing social justice initiatives, and securing resources for Indigenous communities.