Legislative Activity

The Kenya Merritt Renewing our PACT Act of 2026 establishes a legal presumption that certain diseases are proximately caused by employment for federal workers exposed to toxic burn pits during overseas military operations. This means qualifying federal employees who served in designated locations will automatically have covered illnesses considered work-related for disability or death claims. The bill mandates that the list of covered diseases aligns with the Department of Veterans Affairs' list.

The HELP Act of 2026 establishes a program within HHS to strengthen nationwide access to 211 services for health and human services information and referrals. This initiative aims to increase 211 capacity, improve coordination with 911 and 988 crisis lines, and raise public awareness. The Act authorizes $250 million annually through 2032 to provide grants to local 211 providers to expand and improve service accessibility across all states.

This bill establishes a grant program to enhance screening, intervention, and services for pregnant and postpartum individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. It also mandates a study on how various forms of violence and trauma impact maternal health risks. Finally, the legislation supports grants for innovative approaches to improve maternal and child health outcomes for victims of violence and trauma.

This bill aims to protect consumers from deceptive content created by generative Artificial Intelligence, such as deepfakes. It requires AI application providers to embed machine-readable disclosures in AI-generated audio or visual content. Covered online platforms must then clearly display these disclosures to users. The FTC is tasked with issuing regulations to enforce these transparency requirements.

The Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act aims to significantly improve access to and quality of mental health and substance use care nationwide. It strengthens Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) by establishing stable Medicaid and Medicare payment systems, providing substantial grant funding for expansion, and extending federal liability protection to their clinicians. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure comprehensive, affordable, and sustainable behavioral health services for patients across all major federal health programs.

The Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act of 2026 establishes a national system to map, protect, and restore critical pathways for wildlife movement across federal and nonfederal lands. It creates a scientific mapping program, designates formal wildlife corridors on federal property, and funds grants for habitat connectivity projects on private and state lands. The bill aims to reduce habitat fragmentation, improve species adaptation to climate change, and enhance public safety by mitigating wildlife-vehicle conflicts.

The Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025 affirms the critical importance of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to U.S. national security amidst Russian aggression. This bill mandates that the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense deliver a comprehensive report to Congress detailing emerging military, cyber, and political threats to the Baltic states. The report must also recommend specific actions to enhance U.S. and NATO defense cooperation and bolster Baltic resilience.

The BIS IT Modernization Act mandates a comprehensive overhaul of the Bureau of Industry and Security's (BIS) technology systems through fiscal year 2030. This modernization aims to leverage advanced tools like AI and data analysis to speed up export licensing and enhance supply chain tracking. The goal is to improve national security by better identifying and tracking entities involved in illicit trade, particularly concerning adversaries like China and Russia. Ultimately, the Act requires a unified, secure IT environment to boost efficiency and data sharing capabilities across government and industry partners.

This bill mandates a comprehensive report to Congress detailing Russia's systematic persecution of religious groups in occupied Ukrainian territories. It requires the administration to identify responsible individuals and entities involved in suppressing religious freedom, including the destruction of houses of worship. Following the report, the President must impose sanctions on those found responsible for this religious persecution.

The Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025 aims to establish a coordinated federal effort to combat lung cancer in women. This legislation focuses on increasing research tailored to women's specific risk factors, updating guidelines for preventive screening, and improving public awareness. It also mandates an interagency review to accelerate progress in research and access to preventive services for women and underserved populations.

The 21st Century Entrepreneurship Act aims to boost economic growth by increasing entrepreneurship rates, particularly in disadvantaged communities. This is achieved by requiring the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop an entrepreneurship curriculum for SCORE volunteers to teach at community learning centers. The bill mandates collaboration between the SBA and the Department of Education to implement this program and includes regular reporting to Congress on its progress and impact.

This bill designates April as Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month to renew the national commitment to reducing the burden of cancer. It aims to address gaps in screening access and promote preventive actions across all populations. The legislation encourages federal investment in early detection programs and supports advancements in lifesaving cancer innovation.

The Pets Belong with Families Act aims to ensure that pets can remain with their families by removing unnecessary barriers in federally assisted housing. This legislation prohibits most pet bans, fees, and breed restrictions in these housing situations. Housing providers can still enforce reasonable rules regarding pet behavior and safety, but cannot charge deposits beyond a specified limit or deny pets based on breed.

This bill officially designates April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month to combat the rising number of tragic crashes caused by distracted driving. It highlights the severe dangers of visual, manual, and cognitive distractions, such as texting while driving. The resolution supports ongoing public education and enforcement efforts aimed at encouraging drivers to put away their phones and focus solely on the road.

This bill officially designates April 18, 2026, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day." It recognizes the vital contributions of linemen in maintaining critical energy infrastructure and serving as essential first responders during emergencies. The resolution expresses strong support for these brave men and women who work under dangerous conditions to keep communities safe and powered.

This bill reauthorizes the popular Breast Cancer Research Stamp program, extending the authority to issue the special postage stamp until 2037. This ensures continued funding for breast cancer research through stamp sales.

The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 significantly expands federal accessibility mandates across video programming, communication services, and customer support. This comprehensive bill requires closed captioning and audio description for online content, improves accessibility features on video playback devices, and mandates real-time sign language support for emergency services and customer assistance. Ultimately, the legislation aims to ensure that Americans with disabilities have equal access to modern communication and media technologies.

The Tech to Save Moms Act establishes grant programs to improve maternal health outcomes by leveraging technology for better identification, monitoring, and response to pregnancy-related risks. It directs the Secretary of HHS to fund projects using remote monitoring, telehealth, and digital tools to reduce maternal mortality and severe morbidity, with a focus on underserved populations. The legislation also mandates studies and reports on integrating technology into maternity care and improving telehealth models for Medicaid recipients.

The Parents Decide Act mandates that operating system providers implement age verification for all users, requiring parental consent for anyone under 18. This law tasks the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with creating regulations to ensure secure data handling and parental control over access for minors. The goal is to give parents oversight regarding what minors can access on devices.

The Parental Bereavement Act of 2026 (also known as the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger-Barklage Act) amends the Family and Medical Leave Act to provide employees with job-protected, unpaid leave following the death of a son or daughter. This legislation allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave within a year of the loss, with the option to substitute accrued paid leave. These protections extend to both private-sector and federal civil service employees.