Legislative Activity

The AI Foundation Model Transparency Act of 2026 mandates that providers of powerful AI foundation models disclose detailed information regarding their training data, safety benchmarks, and risk management procedures. The Federal Trade Commission will oversee these transparency requirements, ensuring that information is accessible to the public in both consumer-friendly and machine-readable formats. This legislation aims to increase accountability for high-impact AI systems while providing specific compliance support for small businesses and startups.

The Words Matter Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive update across all federal laws, replacing the outdated terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" or "individuals with intellectual disabilities." This change is strictly a linguistic update intended to align federal statutes with current, respectful terminology. The Act explicitly states that this language revision does not alter eligibility for benefits, rights, or responsibilities under any existing federal program. Agencies are required to update their regulations to reflect this new terminology while maintaining a record of the previous language used.

The Cyber Ready Workforce Act establishes a competitive grant program within the Department of Labor to support the creation and expansion of registered cybersecurity apprenticeship programs. By providing funding to workforce intermediaries, the bill aims to develop skilled talent through industry-recognized training, certifications, and comprehensive support services for apprentices. The initiative is authorized at $10 million annually from 2024 through 2028 to help bridge the cybersecurity skills gap.

The Chip Security Act mandates the installation of security mechanisms on advanced integrated circuit products before they are exported from the United States. These requirements aim to verify chip location, prevent diversion, and protect U.S. technological leadership. The Secretary of Commerce must also study and implement additional security features to enhance export control enforcement and national security.

The 988 Connect Act strengthens the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline by establishing a grant program to provide essential follow-up care for individuals in crisis. Additionally, the bill mandates technical improvements to ensure that all mobile devices and multi-line telephone systems can directly connect users to 988 services.

The HOPE with Fertility Services Act mandates that employer-sponsored group health plans providing obstetrical coverage must also include comprehensive coverage for infertility and iatrogenic infertility treatments. The bill establishes clear standards for these benefits, prohibits discriminatory plan practices, and requires rigorous oversight of utilization management tools. These requirements aim to improve patient access to essential reproductive care, with enforcement and reporting provisions effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

The Veterans Benefits Information Protection Act amends the Communications Act of 1934 to prohibit the use of automated telephone equipment to place repeated, interactive calls to federal departments or agencies. This legislation aims to prevent unauthorized entities from using automated systems to contact federal agencies on behalf of others.

The PREDICT Act prohibits federal officials, including members of Congress, the President, and high-level executive and judicial employees, from trading in prediction markets tied to political events. The bill mandates financial penalties for violations, requires the disgorgement of any profits, and ensures public transparency by requiring ethics offices to disclose all assessed fines.

The Supporting VA Families Act establishes a supplemental parental leave program for Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This legislation provides eligible staff with four additional administrative weeks of unpaid leave following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. This benefit is designed to supplement, rather than replace, existing family and medical leave entitlements.

The Military Financial Literacy Act of 2026 expands and enhances financial and housing counseling services for members of the Armed Forces. The bill mandates a new, personalized one-on-one counseling program focused on credit management, budgeting, and homeownership, delivered through partnerships with qualified veteran-focused organizations. Additionally, it requires the Department of Defense to report on the program's effectiveness in improving financial stability and housing outcomes for service members.

The Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act mandates that gas pipeline operators identify and report the presence of AldylA polyethylene piping, a historic material associated with safety risks. The bill also updates federal safety requirements to ensure states and operators prioritize the assessment and replacement of these aging plastic pipes alongside other high-risk materials.

The Federal Working Animal Protection Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make individuals who harm law enforcement animals inadmissible to the United States. Additionally, the bill establishes that such individuals are subject to deportation if they have been convicted of or admit to committing these offenses.

The Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026 authorizes $1 billion in EPA grants to support advanced wastewater treatment projects, with a significant focus on serving disadvantaged communities. The bill also mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to evaluate the effectiveness of these technologies in capturing emerging contaminants, including PFAS and nanomaterials.

The Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act mandates that the Treasury Department, in coordination with the OMB, include a new analysis of potential financial risks from major "fiscal shocks" in its annual report. This analysis must assess the short-term and long-term financial impacts of events like recessions, natural disasters, or cyber attacks on the federal government. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will subsequently review the methodology and findings of this new fiscal assessment.

The Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act ensures that veterans suffering from health conditions resulting from military sexual trauma receive retroactive disability benefits. Under this legislation, approved claims will be backdated to the day following the veteran's discharge, providing them with the full financial support they are owed.

The H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act exempts healthcare workers from a $100,000 entry fee requirement currently imposed on certain H-1B nonimmigrant visa petitions. This legislation aims to remove financial barriers for medical professionals, ensuring they are not subject to fees exceeding standard immigration costs.

The Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act establishes a Department of the Interior program to restore federal and tribal lands damaged by wildfires, storms, and disease. The initiative prioritizes areas unlikely to recover naturally by funding reforestation projects through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reporting to Congress and requires outreach to tribal, state, and local stakeholders to ensure effective land recovery.

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 Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026 improves patient care by officially recognizing doctors of podiatric medicine as physicians within the Medicaid program. Additionally, the bill streamlines Medicare documentation requirements to ensure patients with diabetes have better access to essential therapeutic footwear.

The FOOD for Health Act establishes a pilot grant program to support community-based organizations that partner with healthcare providers to deliver "Food is Medicine" services. This initiative provides funding for medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition education to help patients manage and recover from diet-related diseases. The program aims to improve health outcomes and reduce system costs through evidence-based dietary interventions.