Legislative Activity

The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025 updates critical disaster assistance programs for farmers and forest landowners. This legislation expands eligible conservation activities, clarifies wildfire damage coverage, and introduces advance payment options for producers undertaking emergency repairs. It also extends the timeline for producers to complete necessary restoration work following a disaster.

The MAP for Broadband Funding Act aims to improve the accuracy and transparency of the federal Broadband Funding Map, which tracks infrastructure investments. It mandates coordination between the FCC and NTIA to ensure timely and complete data collection from all relevant federal agencies. Furthermore, the bill requires the FCC to conduct an inquiry into map functionality and directs the GAO to study agency compliance and data quality.

The CHIP IN for Veterans Act of 2026 permanently extends the VA's authority to accept donated facilities and related improvements, updating the criteria for acceptance to align with identified departmental needs. Additionally, the bill authorizes the VA Secretary to accept donations for minor construction projects, maintenance, or construction services. All accepted donations must meet specific criteria and be governed by a formal agreement to ensure project quality and benefit to veterans.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the volunteers and communities that supported the North Platte Canteen during World War II. The Canteen was a massive, entirely volunteer-run operation that fed approximately six million service members traveling across the country. The original gold medal will be permanently displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska. The bill also allows the U.S. Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.

This bill exempts stinger-steered automobile transporters carrying assembled vehicles from the federal requirement to display warning flags on projecting loads. The exemption takes effect immediately upon enactment. The Secretary of Transportation is directed to quickly update federal regulations to reflect this change without a formal rulemaking process.

This resolution supports designating May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the critical mental health challenges faced by farmers and farmworkers, who experience disproportionately high suicide rates. This day aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness within the agricultural industry.

The Secure Space Act of 2025 prohibits the FCC from granting satellite licenses, U.S. market access, or earth station authorizations to any entity that produces or provides "covered communications equipment or service." This restriction also applies to any affiliates of such entities. The goal is to prevent companies involved in restricted communications technology from operating U.S. satellite systems. This new rule takes effect immediately upon enactment.

The Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of federal regulations by requiring agencies to conduct rigorous impact analyses and maximize net benefits for all "major rules." The bill expands stakeholder consultation requirements to include the private sector and ensures that independent regulatory agencies are held to these same transparency standards. Additionally, it empowers the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to enforce compliance and provides a pathway for judicial review of major rules.

The Foster Care Stabilization Act of 2026 establishes a demonstration grant program to provide emergency relief and improve pre-placement services for foster youth. The Department of Health and Human Services will award grants to stabilization agencies to cover immediate needs like clothing, food, and essential support. This initiative aims to reduce placement instability and enhance the safety and self-sufficiency of foster youth awaiting placement.

This resolution supports designating 2026 as the "International Year of the Woman Farmer." It recognizes the vital and critical role women play in agriculture both in the United States and globally. The designation aims to honor their contributions to food systems and encourage future participation in the agricultural workforce.

This bill officially designates a specific section of Interstate Route 680 in Omaha, Nebraska, as the "Hal Daub Freeway." The designation covers the portion from mile post 0 to the Missouri River. This change requires all official references to that segment of the interstate to use the new honorary name.

The HAULS Act of 2025 streamlines federal motor carrier safety exemptions by establishing a year-round, 150-air-mile radius standard for transporting agricultural commodities and livestock feed, eliminating inconsistent state-level seasonal restrictions. Additionally, the bill updates and clarifies the definition of "agricultural commodity" to ensure consistent regulatory coverage for a wide range of farm products, including livestock, forestry, and minimally processed produce.

The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act of 2025 strengthens Tribal involvement in federal food assistance programs. It mandates consultation with Tribes when evaluating contracts for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Furthermore, the bill establishes emergency procedures, including designating emergency contractors, to address supply chain disruptions affecting both the Food Distribution Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

This resolution officially designates October 2025 as School Bus Safety Month. The designation aims to utilize media platforms to share public service announcements promoting child safety around buses, recognizing the efforts of school bus operators, and encouraging safe driving practices near school buses.

The Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act requires the FCC to create and maintain a public list of entities holding U.S. communications licenses that are owned or controlled by covered foreign adversaries. This process involves an initial list based on existing ownership reporting and a subsequent rulemaking to identify entities with other types of FCC authorizations. The FCC must update this transparency list annually.

The Child Care Modernization Act of 2025 aims to significantly update federal child care funding by increasing state flexibility, broadening eligibility for assistance, and strengthening workforce support. The bill mandates that states develop plans ensuring child care payment rates cover actual costs, determined by new cost estimation models. Furthermore, it establishes new grant programs to fund the startup, expansion, and physical improvement of child care facilities.

The NNSA Infrastructure Improvements Act of 2025 mandates comprehensive, long-term planning for the National Nuclear Security Administration's critical facilities. This legislation requires the Administrator for Nuclear Security to submit an annual, detailed report to Congress outlining investment needs, costs, and timelines for specialized infrastructure across short, mid, and long-term horizons. The goal is to address aging facilities and ensure the necessary capacity to support the nation's nuclear stockpile modernization and global security missions.

The ATTAIN Mental Health Act of 2025 mandates the creation of a new, accessible online interactive dashboard managed by HHS. This tool will centralize and clearly display all federal funding opportunities related to mental health and substance use disorder programs. The dashboard must provide up-to-date application statuses, key identifying details, and direct links to grant portals. This aims to significantly improve transparency and ease of navigation for potential applicants seeking mental health resources.

The CHIP IN for Veterans Act of 2025 expands and extends a pilot program allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to accept donated facilities, improvements, and minor construction projects. This legislation updates the program's terminology and clarifies the VA's authority to alter and maintain these donated assets. Crucially, the Act extends the program's operational deadline from 2026 to 2031.

This bill strengthens consumer protection in household goods shipping by granting the Secretary of Transportation new authority to directly impose civil penalties for commercial violations. It also allows states to use federal grant funds for household goods enforcement and requires businesses to designate a single, physical principal place of business for registration. Finally, it ensures states retain any fines they impose on carriers or brokers.