Legislative Activity

The Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 mandates the public reporting of "other transaction agreements" (OTAs) on USASpending.gov to increase transparency in federal spending. It requires the automatic transmission of OTA data to the public website within three years, alongside annual reports detailing any unreported spending. The bill also refines existing transparency laws by updating data quality requirements and establishing a clearer, regularly updated list of agencies responsible for reporting spending data.

This bill, the Ending Double Dealing Act of 2026, prohibits the Department of Defense from contracting with consultancies that also serve specified foreign adversaries. It mandates disclosure from bidders regarding current or recent work with "covered entities" to prevent conflicts of interest. Failure to disclose or contracting with a covered consultancy can result in contract termination and debarment.

This bill mandates that the United States Postal Service assign a single, unique ZIP Code to each of 75 specified communities. The USPS must complete this designation process within one year of the bill's enactment.

This bill, the "No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act," amends federal law to require the forfeiture of government annuities and retired pay for federal employees and retirees convicted of specific sex crimes. The forfeiture applies to individuals convicted of these offenses on or after the date the Act is enacted. This legislation ensures that those convicted of serious sex offenses cannot receive taxpayer-funded retirement benefits.

This resolution expresses Congressional appreciation for key military alliances and the sacrifices made by allied special operations forces in conflicts like Afghanistan and Iraq. It voices concern that recent, politically motivated war crimes allegations against allied forces undermine mutual trust and morale. The bill urges that investigations into such matters remain impartial and free from political interference to preserve essential defense partnerships.

This bill, the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act, extends the statute of limitations to 10 years for prosecuting fraud related to the Shuttered Venue Operators and Restaurant Revitalization programs. It also mandates regular reporting from the Attorney General to Congress detailing enforcement activities against fraud in these specific COVID-19 relief programs.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing government waste, preventing fraud, and increasing financial transparency across federal programs. It targets improper payments in areas like child care and Medicare, permanently bars pandemic relief fraudsters from future SBA aid, and cancels unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the deficit. Additionally, the Act strengthens oversight of welfare programs, enhances fraud enforcement timelines, and expands whistleblower protections for federal contractors.

This bill aims to improve child care reliability for military families by expanding the pool of eligible providers and streamlining hiring processes. It establishes a mandatory preclearance system for child care employees and authorizes job-sharing arrangements to increase staffing flexibility. Furthermore, the Act mandates the creation of a comprehensive data system to track child care readiness and requires reports on waitlists and the link between child care availability and military readiness.

The Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act reauthorizes the SBIR and STTR programs through 2031 while strengthening national security through enhanced due diligence and foreign risk screening for award applicants. The bill also introduces a "strategic breakthrough" funding mechanism to accelerate the development of critical technologies and streamlines administrative processes to improve commercialization and program efficiency.

This resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the vital contributions of women across the agricultural industry. It celebrates the essential roles women play as producers, educators, and leaders, while encouraging the nation to support and empower the next generation of female agricultural professionals.

The Cost Openness and Spending Transparency (COST) Act of 2026 mandates that recipients of federal funds clearly disclose the specific dollar amounts and percentages of federal versus non-governmental funding used for their projects. The bill establishes rigorous compliance oversight by the Office of Management and Budget, including annual audits and a public mechanism for reporting non-compliant communications.

The End-of-Year Fiscal Responsibility Act prevents federal agencies from artificially increasing discretionary spending during the final two months of the fiscal year. It mandates that agencies maintain spending rates consistent with their previous ten-month averages, with exceptions for national security and disaster relief. Additionally, the bill requires agencies to publicly report and certify their end-of-year expenditures to ensure greater fiscal transparency and accountability.

This bill establishes an annual **National STEM Week** to highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education. It directs a committee to designate this week and report on nationwide participation and its impact on closing educational gaps. The goal is to encourage family engagement, showcase STEM careers, and foster partnerships between schools and industry leaders.

The "No Lifeline for Dead People Act" mandates that telecommunications companies use the federal National Verifier system to confirm consumer eligibility before providing discounted services under the Lifeline program. This legislation aims to prevent fraud and ensure that federal benefits are only distributed to qualified individuals.

The RECEIPTS Act aims to enforce financial accountability within the Department of Defense (DoD) by mandating that the agency achieve a clean, unqualified audit opinion by 2028. The bill provides incentives for achieving this goal, such as enhanced budget flexibility, while imposing strict leadership qualifications and operational changes if the deadline is missed. Additionally, it authorizes funding for artificial intelligence to automate financial processes and establishes an independent Audit Committee to oversee the Department's financial reporting.

This Act officially designates two Department of Veterans Affairs clinics in Iowa to honor fallen Iowa National Guard heroes. Specifically, it names the Des Moines VA clinic after Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar and the Marshalltown VA clinic after Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard. This legislation ensures these service members are permanently recognized at these facilities.

The Prospectus Modernization Act of 2026 temporarily raises the dollar thresholds requiring the General Services Administration (GSA) to submit a prospectus to Congress for certain real estate projects through fiscal year 2028. Specifically, the threshold for construction or purchase projects increases to $10 million, and the threshold for leasing space increases to $5 million. This legislation also suspends the standard annual inflation adjustment for these new thresholds during the specified period.

The "Putting an N to Learing about Fraud Act" aims to combat fraud across federal programs by strengthening oversight and recovery mechanisms. It mandates attendance-based billing for child care services and establishes new federal audit requirements for providers. Furthermore, the bill requires prompt notification and auditing of significant payment spikes in Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA exchange plans. Finally, it directs federal agencies to improve guidance and reporting on the recovery of all improper payments.

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who were killed in action in Syria on December 13, 2025. It recognizes their dedication and commitment while serving with the Iowa Army National Guard. The resolution extends profound gratitude to the soldiers and condemns the terrorist assault that claimed their lives.