Legislative Activity

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 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.

This resolution recognizes the Girl Scouts of the United States of America on its 114th birthday and designates March 12, 2026, as "Girl Scouts of the United States of America Day." It celebrates the organization's legacy of empowering girls through leadership, character development, and community service. Additionally, the bill honors the 2025 Gold Award recipients and encourages the continued support of future women leaders.

The SUPER BUGS Act of 2026 aims to strengthen U.S. national security by fostering international collaboration to combat emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. The bill directs the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and implement a global strategy for the coordinated development, commercialization, and deployment of pandemic and epidemic products. By enhancing partner countries' public health capabilities, this legislation seeks to detect and contain health threats before they reach the United States.

The Secret Service-Local Law Enforcement Partnership Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to reimburse state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies for the costs of protecting non-governmental properties designated for Secret Service protection. The bill provides funding for personnel, equipment, and operational expenses incurred while protecting eligible individuals at their private residences or offices. Additionally, it mandates strict oversight, including annual audits and reporting requirements, to ensure the transparent and effective use of federal funds.

The Safe SPEEDS Act directs the Consumer Product Safety Commission to establish national safety, classification, and labeling standards for electric bicycles and off-road electric devices. This legislation aims to improve consumer safety by requiring clear age recommendations, standardized device labeling, and ongoing federal analysis of crash data. Additionally, the bill authorizes grant funding to support state and local enforcement, data collection, and public safety education initiatives.

The STEAM Act aims to streamline the environmental review process for geothermal energy projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It amends existing law to treat geothermal exploration and development similarly to oil and gas projects, applying the same expedited review procedures. This change is intended to accelerate the deployment of geothermal energy resources.

The Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2026 amends the Fair Housing Act to establish survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or severe forms of trafficking as a protected class. This makes it illegal to discriminate against these individuals in housing transactions, including rentals, sales, and financing. The bill aims to ensure survivors can secure and maintain safe housing free from further victimization.

The BRUSH Fires Act mandates a comprehensive, one-year study by the Forest Service to evaluate the effectiveness of current wildfire mitigation methods in shrubland ecosystems. This study must analyze fuel management, ignition source control, and implementation hurdles to determine best practices. The resulting report will provide Congress with recommendations for improving fire risk reduction and enhancing partnerships to protect communities near wildlands.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prioritize competitive housing grants for projects located in or serving federally designated Opportunity Zones. By providing additional weight to these applications, the legislation aims to incentivize the construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of housing in low-income communities.

This act reauthorizes the Young Fishermen's Development Act through fiscal year 2031. It is named in honor of Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo.

The Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of the Interior to create and maintain a single, unified list of designated critical minerals and materials. This list must incorporate existing designations from both the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy. Federal agencies must use the most current version of this unified list when administering relevant programs.

The HEALTHY BRAINS Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive federal research program to investigate how environmental factors contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The bill creates a network of Collaborative Centers for Neurodegenerative Disease Environmental Research to advance scientific understanding, improve prevention strategies, and develop new treatments. This initiative is supported by $50 million in annual funding through 2031 to foster interdisciplinary research and public health education.

The Railway Safety Act of 2026 significantly enhances rail safety by imposing stricter operational rules, mandatory minimum crew sizes, and increased penalties for hazardous material trains. It also bolsters emergency preparedness by expanding funding and training programs for local responders. The bill aims to prevent derailments and improve community response capabilities through comprehensive new federal oversight.

This Act mandates that the VA-DOD Joint Executive Committee conduct a comprehensive inventory and effectiveness assessment of mental health services available to transitioning service members. The Committee must then report its findings, including recommendations for improvement, to Congress. Additionally, the bill requires a regular review of the joint separation health assessment to ensure its continued relevance.

Gwenn's Law aims to boost the participation of women in NIH clinical trials through a targeted public awareness campaign. The bill also mandates a separate campaign to increase women's awareness and involvement in research concerning bleeding and clotting disorders. Furthermore, it establishes a permanent Interagency Task Force and requires an action plan to better coordinate federal efforts on rare diseases that disproportionately affect women.

The Specialty CROP Act of 2026 mandates an annual report from the Secretary of Agriculture to Congress regarding the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop exports. This legislation requires the identification and analysis of foreign trade barriers, their economic impact, and the executive branch's ongoing efforts to resolve these issues. By incorporating public and industry input, the Act aims to increase transparency and support the global market presence of American specialty crops.

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026 mandates a transition to secure, chip-enabled EBT cards to better protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from fraud and skimming. The bill requires states to implement modernized digital account management tools, establishes new federal cybersecurity standards for online transactions, and prohibits fees for replacing compromised or malfunctioning cards. Additionally, it provides funding to help retailers upgrade to secure payment terminals and requires regular reporting to Congress on program security and benefit theft trends.