Legislative Activity

The Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2025 elevates the leadership of the Indian Health Service by replacing the Director position with an Assistant Secretary for Indian Health. This legislation mandates that the new Assistant Secretary report directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and authorizes the appointment of a Deputy Assistant Secretary. These changes aim to strengthen the agency's administrative authority and improve its integration within the federal government.

The Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act aims to strengthen consumer protections for service members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This bill mandates improved financial literacy training focusing on SCRA interest rate caps and requires specific notifications of these benefits upon entry or mobilization to active duty. Additionally, it ensures financial institutions must retroactively apply maximum interest rates to pre-service debts from the start of active duty and expand those protections to all debts held by the creditor.

The Moms Matter Act establishes two grant programs to improve maternal mental health. The first program funds initiatives to expand mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, prioritizing high-risk populations. The second program provides grants to grow and diversify the workforce of mental and behavioral health providers specializing in maternal health.

The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act of 2026 aims to improve the full spectrum of care for cancer survivors, from diagnosis through the remainder of life. The bill establishes an Office of Cancer Survivorship, mandates Medicare coverage for care planning, and creates programs to support employment and comprehensive survivorship services. It also requires Medicaid to cover essential transition services for childhood cancer survivors and mandates fertility preservation coverage for all cancer patients.

The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2026 aims to significantly increase the number of U.S. students participating in study abroad programs, focusing on greater diversity and access for underrepresented groups. It renames and expands the existing IDEAS Program, directing the Secretary of State to award competitive grants to colleges and universities. The ultimate goal is to have one million students studying abroad annually within ten years, with increased participation in developing nations.

The End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act of 2026 establishes a new grant program to fund local, state, and tribal entities in their efforts to locate, investigate, and disrupt illegal opioid distribution. The Attorney General, through the COPS Director, will award grants for hiring, training, equipment, and establishing or expanding multi-jurisdictional task forces. The legislation prioritizes support for Tribal law enforcement and task forces, authorizing $70 million annually from 2027 through 2031.

The Supporting Survivors from Faith-based Communities Act establishes a national resource center to improve how faith communities and service providers respond to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who have a faith or spiritual background. This center will provide education and training to strengthen prevention efforts and ensure victim safety and autonomy remain the highest priority. The bill also directs the Attorney General to create model state legislation addressing religious divorce denial.

This resolution designates May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month to recognize the significant contributions of Jewish Americans to the nation. It also addresses the concerning rise in antisemitism across the country. The bill calls on leaders to actively counter hate, educate the public on Jewish heritage, and ensure the safety and dignity of Jewish Americans.

This resolution officially designates May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week. It honors the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, specifically recognizing 363 officers lost in 2025. The bill expresses unwavering support for law enforcement and acknowledges the need for proper resources to ensure officer safety.

This resolution officially supports designating the month of May as "Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Awareness Month." It recognizes the significant and growing threat of Lyme disease across the United States. The bill commits to continuing efforts to raise public awareness and improve the federal response to these illnesses.

The YALI Act of 2025 formally establishes and expands the Young African Leaders Initiative to invest in emerging African leaders across sub-Saharan Africa. This legislation mandates the creation of professional development, training, and networking opportunities focused on business, civic engagement, and public administration. The bill specifically supports the Mandela Washington Fellowship and requires the establishment of regional leadership centers and online networks to foster ongoing engagement and U.S.-Africa ties.

The Supporting Newborn Parents Act of 2026 establishes a new federal income tax credit of up to $2,000 for each qualifying child born during the tax year. This credit includes an option for parents to receive an advance payment shortly after the child's birth. The bill also streamlines the application process by collecting necessary election information directly through the Social Security application for a newborn's number.

This bill reaffirms the strong alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, emphasizing its importance for security, economic growth, and shared values. It recognizes the deep economic ties, the contributions of Korean Americans, and continued commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty. The bill also supports strengthening security, economic, and cultural bonds between the two nations, and celebrates Korean Culture-Kimchi Day.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 aims to combat sophisticated, cross-jurisdictional organized retail and supply chain theft. It achieves this by strengthening federal laws regarding money laundering and stolen property offenses, including lowering monetary thresholds for prosecution. Furthermore, the bill establishes a dedicated Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal, state, and local enforcement efforts against these criminal organizations.

The COPS Reauthorization Act of 2026 updates and extends the funding for the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program through fiscal year 2031. It also formally establishes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) as a distinct entity within the Department of Justice, headed by a Presidentially-appointed Director. This legislation ensures continued support for community policing initiatives.

The Respect Tribal IDs Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) develop and implement comprehensive training for its personnel on recognizing and accepting Native American tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. This training will cover proper interaction protocols, document identification, and the U.S. government's trust responsibility to tribes. All immigration enforcement personnel must complete this mandatory training annually and upon regional assignment.

The Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act provides temporary protected status and work authorization specifically to Iranian nationals lawfully present in the U.S. whose immigration applications were stalled by a USCIS adjudication pause beginning in late 2025. This designation shields eligible individuals from accruing unlawful presence and protects them from removal while their underlying applications remain unprocessed. The Act mandates swift processing of these temporary status applications and requires regular reporting on the resolution of the paused cases.

This bill expresses support for designating the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the nation's millions of small businesses and entrepreneurs to the U.S. economy. The resolution honors the hard work and achievements of small business owners and their employees across every community.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 15, 2026, as Glioblastoma Awareness Day. It aims to raise public awareness about glioblastoma, the most aggressive malignant brain tumor, and honor those affected by the disease. The bill encourages greater investment in research and collaboration to develop improved treatments and outcomes for patients.

The Nursing is a Professional Degree Act officially designates nursing as a professional degree under federal law. This bill amends the Higher Education Act to provide a clear statutory definition for "professional degree," explicitly including nursing alongside other established professions like medicine and law. This change ensures consistency in recognizing the advanced academic requirements necessary to practice nursing.