Legislative Activity

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands critical federal programs to improve services and prevention for victims of domestic and dating violence through 2031. It significantly increases funding and broadens support, especially for Tribal communities and underserved populations, by allowing for culturally specific and digital services. Additionally, the bill enhances efforts to prevent teen dating violence through increased funding for broader educational programs.

The Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 expands federal efforts to protect migratory whales and other large cetaceans. This legislation mandates the creation of high-accuracy distribution maps for whale habitats and funds research into understudied species. It also establishes a competitive grant program to develop and deploy technologies that reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users, such as vessel strikes.

The ALS Better Care Act aims to improve care for individuals with ALS by establishing new Medicare coverage for essential ALS-related services starting in 2027. This includes creating a new, single payment system for providers delivering specialized care, such as therapy and nursing support. Additionally, the bill mandates a report to address current challenges in staffing and administering ALS clinical trials.

The Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026 establishes a demonstration program to combat the shortage of qualified nursing faculty. This program awards grants to nursing schools specifically to supplement the salaries of eligible faculty members for up to three years. The goal is to enhance the recruitment and retention of faculty by bridging the gap between academic salaries and competitive clinical practice wages. Priority will be given to schools demonstrating the greatest need and those serving vulnerable populations.

The Safe Intersections for Buses and Pedestrians Act mandates the creation of new federal safety standards to ensure bus drivers have a minimally obstructed forward-facing view. This requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish these standards within one year of enactment. Motorcoaches may meet this requirement through direct visibility or approved camera technology that enhances the driver's field of vision.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the 52nd annual National Catholic Schools Week, taking place from January 25 to January 31, 2026. It honors the significant contributions of Catholic schools nationwide, highlighting their commitment to academic excellence, diverse student populations, and values-based education. The bill supports the goals of this week, which is cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Stop SCAMS Act establishes a comprehensive, government-wide strategy to combat fraud and manipulation. It mandates key agencies like the FBI, CFPB, and FTC to standardize scam definitions, improve data collection, and report annually on scam complaints and financial losses. This legislation aims to better track the scope of scams and measure the effectiveness of federal anti-fraud training efforts.

The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes strict new licensing requirements for exporting advanced integrated circuits to designated countries of concern, including China and Russia. This legislation mandates detailed national security certifications to Congress before any license can be approved for these high-performance technologies. Furthermore, the bill creates an exemption process for trusted U.S. companies while terminating existing licenses for these sensitive exports.

The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act supports key Eastern Mediterranean nations—Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, and Israel—as strategic partners for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The bill directs the U.S. to prioritize diplomatic engagement, energy security, and defense cooperation in the region. It also mandates several reports to Congress detailing implementation, multilateral initiatives, and potential expansions of successful U.S.-Israel partnership models to other regional allies.

The Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act establishes mandatory minimum health and safety standards for privatized military housing to combat hazardous conditions like mold. It institutes rigorous independent inspection protocols, requires standardized reporting on housing quality, and holds contractors financially accountable for remediation and tenant relocation costs. This legislation aims to improve habitability, protect service members' health, and enhance military readiness.

The American Cooperation with Our Neighbors Act establishes a strategy for the U.S. government to enhance local and state-level cooperation with Mexican partners to combat fentanyl trafficking. It also mandates a review by the State Department to explore ways to improve access to financial services within Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states. The bill focuses on strengthening security coordination, sharing resources, and building local capacity on both fronts.

The U.S.-Israel Anti-Killer Drone Act of 2026 establishes a framework to significantly enhance joint U.S.-Israel cooperation specifically aimed at countering threats posed by Iranian unmanned aerial systems (drones). This legislation increases authorized funding for cooperative missile defense programs and mandates detailed annual reporting on joint counter-drone research, development, and deployment efforts. The goal is to accelerate the exchange of technology and expertise to defend against evolving drone attacks.

The AIWISE Act directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop and publish free, publicly accessible educational resources and modules about artificial intelligence (AI) for small businesses. These materials must cover topics like how AI works, risk management, privacy, and best practices for adoption. The SBA must ensure the content is accurate, current, and actionable, coordinating with experts and resource partners to support small business understanding and effective use of AI.

The Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act ensures that service-connected disability compensation received by veterans is excluded when calculating income for eligibility in certain federal housing programs. This change aims to increase access to affordable housing for disabled veterans. The bill also mandates a report to Congress reviewing how HUD currently treats this compensation across its programs.

The ACE Agriculture Act permanently reauthorizes and expands the Agriculture Advanced Research and Development Authority (AGARDA) within the USDA. This legislation refocuses AGARDA's mission on high-risk research addressing long-term challenges like export competitiveness, sustainability, and climate resilience. It also authorizes $100 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to support these advanced agricultural research goals.

The Shutdown Fairness Act automatically appropriates necessary funds to ensure federal employees and essential contractors receive their regular pay during a government shutdown. This legislation mandates timely payment for covered personnel, regardless of whether they were deemed "excepted" or furloughed. The funds are charged against the agency's subsequent regular appropriations once they are enacted.

This resolution expresses Congressional support for the Iranian people in their ongoing struggle for a free and democratic nation. It condemns the Iranian regime’s history of brutal repression, human rights abuses, and violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters. Furthermore, it calls for the protection of fundamental freedoms and urges the U.S. government to coordinate with allies to deter further state violence.

The No Aid for Russian Energy Act prohibits U.S. persons and entities from exporting petroleum-related equipment, technology, and services to the Russian Federation. It further mandates strict sanctions, including asset blocking and visa restrictions, against any foreign persons or companies that facilitate such trade with Russia. The bill provides limited exceptions for humanitarian aid and medical supplies while granting the President authority to issue temporary national security waivers.

The Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026 mandates that state Medicaid programs cover whole genome and whole exome sequencing for children with specific medical conditions, effective January 1, 2027. This sequencing is to be covered as a first-tier diagnostic test for genetic disorders, rare diseases, or conditions of unknown origin. The bill also directs the HHS Secretary to promote awareness and address implementation challenges for this new mandatory benefit.

This resolution recognizes the vital role of the Older Americans Act (OAA) nutrition programs in combating hunger, malnutrition, and social isolation among seniors and individuals with disabilities. It highlights how these essential services improve health outcomes and reduce long-term medical costs while calling on Congress to support local providers through sustained funding and active volunteer participation.