Legislative Activity

The Bonuses for Cost-Cutters and Fraud Preventers Act of 2026 enhances the federal employee awards program to reward employees who identify wasteful spending and prevent improper government payments. This legislation increases the maximum cash award for such disclosures from $10,000 to $20,000. It also establishes new reporting requirements for agencies to notify the President and Treasury, and mandates public disclosure of awards given for these cost-saving efforts.

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study on designating the 287-mile Benton MacKaye Trail, which runs through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, as a National Scenic Trail. The study must be completed and submitted to Congress within two years. This action follows the existing framework of the National Trails System Act.

This bill provides fiscal year 2027 appropriations for the Departments of Energy and the Interior, along with the Army Corps of Engineers and several independent agencies. It allocates billions for water infrastructure, energy research, and nuclear security while imposing strict controls on how agencies can reprogram funds. Key policy provisions include restrictions on foreign entities in energy grants and requirements for local consent regarding nuclear waste storage.

The SAFE School Act establishes a grant program through the Department of Justice to enhance school security. Funds can be used by states and local agencies for physical security upgrades and for training and hiring veterans or former law enforcement as school safety officers. This legislation authorizes $900 million for the program.

The Quantum Leadership in Emerging Applications and Policy Act of 2025 establishes the Commission on American Quantum Information Science and Technology Dominance. This 12-member commission will review the nation's position in quantum science and technology to ensure U.S. global leadership. The group is tasked with developing recommendations for investment, workforce development, and national security strategies related to quantum advancements. The Commission will issue an interim report after one year and a final report two years after its establishment.

This bill provides appropriations for the fiscal year 2026 across key federal areas, including the Army Corps of Engineers civil works, the Department of the Interior's water and reclamation projects, and the Department of Energy's research, defense, and infrastructure programs. It allocates billions for water infrastructure, energy development, and scientific research while imposing strict controls on fund transfers and procurement across these agencies. Furthermore, the Act includes several general provisions that restrict the use of federal funds for lobbying, certain regulatory actions, and specific social policy mandates.

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Historic Lands Reacquisition Act transfers specific federal lands and easements in Monroe County, Tennessee, to be held in trust by the United States for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These lands will be used for cultural preservation, memorials, education, and limited recreational purposes, with specific conditions and use rights outlined for both the Tribe and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The Act also prohibits gaming activities on these trust lands.

The "James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell Congressional Gold Medal Act" posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to James J. Andrews and William H. Campbell, the only civilian members of Andrews' Raiders, for their extraordinary bravery and service to the Union during the Civil War. The medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display, with the hope that it will be prominently featured at the Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Museum. The Act also authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to offset production costs.