Legislative Activity

This bill officially recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year, specifically in 2026, the Year of the Horse. It expresses deep respect for Asian American communities and all who celebrate this important occasion. The resolution concludes by offering wishes for a happy and prosperous new year to all observers.

The Ensuring Casualty Assistance for our Firefighters Act establishes the Wildland Fire Management Casualty Assistance Program to support the next-of-kin of firefighters or staff seriously injured, critically ill, or killed during wildland fire incidents. This program mandates comprehensive support, including travel assistance for families, immediate access to case management and counseling, and clear information on all available federal benefits. It ensures a structured, coordinated federal response to provide timely and thorough assistance to survivors without altering existing death benefits.

The After Hours Child Care Act establishes a new Child Care and Development Innovation Fund to improve access to care for parents working nontraditional hours. This fund supports a competitive pilot grant program managed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Grants will help eligible entities expand capacity, contract services, or establish new programs specifically serving families with irregular work schedules. The goal is to help these parents maintain employment and advance their careers.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 10 East Main Street in Mahaffey, Pennsylvania. The facility will now be known as the "Robert Allen Bishop, Sr. Post Office Building." This designation will apply to all future official federal references to the building.

The No Funds for Forced Labor Act aims to prevent U.S. support for international financial institution loans that fund projects involving forced labor, particularly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. It directs the Treasury Secretary to use U.S. influence to oppose such loans and requires annual reporting on these efforts. Congress asserts that international financial institutions should not fund entities credibly accused of using forced labor.

The Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General on improving wildfire mitigation efforts across different land ownership boundaries. This study will examine current federal programs to identify barriers and opportunities for better collaboration and funding among federal, state, local, and Tribal entities. The final report will include recommendations for streamlining cross-boundary wildfire prevention projects.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 2026 as "National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month." It recognizes the significant public health impact of teen dating violence and calls on communities nationwide to observe the month with awareness and prevention activities. The goal is to empower teens to build healthy relationships.

The Airborne Act of 2026 establishes a new business tax credit to incentivize improvements in indoor air quality for commercial, public, and nonprofit buildings. This credit covers costs for air quality assessments, air cleaning system upgrades, and HVAC upgrades, with significantly increased amounts available for projects meeting prevailing wage and apprenticeship standards. The Act also creates a voluntary indoor air quality certification program managed by the Department of Energy and the EPA.

The FAIR Act establishes a 3.1% pay increase for General Schedule and prevailing rate federal employees in 2027. Additionally, the bill mandates a 1% increase to federal locality pay rates for the same year.

This act establishes the "$2.50 for America's 250th Act" to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It authorizes the Treasury to mint and issue special commemorative gold, silver, and clad $2.50 coins featuring designs from the 1926 Sesquicentennial coin. Additionally, the bill mandates a study on the feasibility of minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation.

The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026 reauthorizes the WISEWOMAN program through fiscal year 2031, securing significant funding for women's health initiatives. This legislation allows for supplemental grants to expand preventive health services, such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, to low-income women. These services will be integrated with existing breast and cervical cancer screening programs.

This resolution expresses support for designating 2026 as the "National Year of the Volunteer" to celebrate and recommit to community service. It recognizes the vital role volunteers play in strengthening communities despite recent declines in volunteer rates. The designation encourages nationwide efforts to highlight service opportunities in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.

This bill, the "Passports for Purple Hearts and Medals of Honor Act," exempts recipients of the Purple Heart and Medal of Honor from paying standard U.S. passport fees. It directs the State Department to coordinate with the Department of Defense to establish verification procedures for these eligible applicants.

The Vote by Mail Tracking Act mandates that all mail-in ballot envelopes for federal elections starting in 2026 must include a U.S. Postal Service barcode for tracking. This ensures enhanced transparency and traceability for every mailed ballot. The bill also requires the Postal Service to provide necessary compliance information to election officials annually.

The PASTEUR Act of 2026 aims to combat antimicrobial resistance by creating a subscription-style contract program to incentivize the research and development of new, life-saving antibiotics. This program will provide substantial annual payments to drug sponsors for ensuring the availability and appropriate use of eligible antimicrobials targeting urgent threats. The bill also establishes grants to promote stewardship programs in healthcare facilities and enhance national surveillance of resistance data.

The No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026 restricts the air transportation of adult roosters to enhance aviation safety and combat illegal activities like cockfighting. The bill prohibits air carriers from knowingly transporting adult roosters as cargo, with an exemption for shipments related to certified commercial farms for legitimate agricultural purposes. Enforcement authority rests with the Secretary of Transportation, and violations are subject to civil penalties.

The Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act establishes a program to counter Iranian government censorship by providing technologies and support to help citizens access the open internet. It directs the Secretary of State to coordinate efforts, update strategies to ensure sanctions don't block access tools, and safeguard satellite coverage over Iran. The bill authorizes significant funding to support these initiatives, including cybersecurity training for Iranian civil society.

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 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.