Legislative Activity

This bill amends the Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act to mandate the National Science Foundation to develop a plan for ongoing data collection and analysis concerning the skilled technical workforce. The plan, submitted to Congress every two years, will establish the necessary capabilities within the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics. This action aims to improve understanding and tracking of this critical workforce segment.

The **REAADI for Disasters Act** aims to significantly improve disaster preparedness, response, and recovery for older adults and individuals with disabilities. It establishes dedicated funding, creates new grant programs, and mandates accessible standards across all phases of emergency management. The bill seeks to ensure these vulnerable populations are included in planning, protected from discrimination, and receive necessary human services during and after a disaster.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.

This resolution expresses strong support for the Iranian people protesting for freedom, democracy, and basic human rights against the repressive Islamic Republic. It condemns the regime's brutal crackdown on demonstrators and demands an end to violence and the release of political prisoners. Furthermore, it urges the U.S. government to work with allies to deter further lethal violence against protesters.

The Remote Access Security Act amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to establish new controls on the remote access of sensitive U.S. items by foreign persons. This legislation grants the Secretary of Commerce authority to regulate such access when it poses a serious risk to national security. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Secretary consult with key congressional committees before issuing new regulations on remote access controls.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

This bill officially designates January 9, 2026, as "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers nationwide. It also establishes National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th) to commemorate officers who have died in the line of duty. The legislation encourages the President to issue annual proclamations recognizing these days and calls for flags to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.

The Community Passport Services Access Act authorizes eligible public libraries to serve as official passport acceptance facilities. This allows these libraries to collect and retain the associated execution fee for processing passport applications. The bill ensures that libraries already performing this function can continue to do so.

This bill establishes the EB-5 Regional Center Program Advisory Committee within USCIS to advise the agency on improving the EB-5 Regional Center Program. The committee will consist of up to 35 members representing various government and EB-5 stakeholders. Its duties include making recommendations, submitting periodic and annual reports, and briefing Congress on program matters until the program's related benefits are fully adjudicated.

The Justice for Exploited Children Act significantly strengthens penalties for child labor violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act. This legislation introduces harsher criminal penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment, for willful or repeated offenses. It also dramatically increases the civil monetary penalties for all child labor violations, especially those resulting in serious injury or death to a minor employee.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to list all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom as hazardous air pollutants. This action requires the EPA to identify and list the specific source categories that emit these newly designated hazardous substances under the Clean Air Act.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.

This bill mandates new federal safety standards for electric and hybrid vehicles to address battery fire risks, requiring technology for timely extinguishment and safe passenger escape. It also requires standardized first responder access to batteries and the installation of mechanical door releases for electrical system failures. Additionally, the legislation directs a study on the health impacts of these battery fires on first responders.

This act expands an existing grant program to specifically fund research-based public service announcement (PSA) campaigns aimed at preventing youth substance use. These campaigns must use age-appropriate materials across various media platforms. The bill also mandates annual reporting on the awarded grants, including campaign details and effectiveness evaluations.

The Stop Crimes Against Children Act aims to strengthen the national strategy to combat child exploitation. It mandates coordination between the strategy and nonprofits/universities for prevention, research, and victim support. Additionally, the bill requires the strategy to provide best practice recommendations for all levels of law enforcement in identifying and responding to these crimes.

The NIH Clinical Trial Integrity Act mandates the public registration and timely reporting of results for all NIH-funded clinical trials. It also establishes strict diversity goals for participant recruitment based on race, ethnicity, age, and sex, requiring detailed plans to achieve representation. Furthermore, the bill authorizes a study on eliminating participant cost barriers and funds a national campaign to boost public awareness of diverse trial participation.

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 Protecting Students on Campus Act of 2025 aims to increase awareness of civil rights protections for students under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The bill mandates a public awareness campaign and requires colleges receiving federal aid to prominently display links and materials related to filing discrimination complaints. Furthermore, it establishes regular congressional briefings and requires annual reporting and targeted audits on how institutions handle complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.

The Snowmobiles Arent Weapons (SAW) Act establishes a federal prohibition against using a motor vehicle to intentionally harm or capture mammalian predators on most federal lands. This act sets significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for violations. An exception is made for actions taken in self-defense against immediate harm.

The SAFE TRACKS Act requires states to update their highway-rail grade crossing safety plans to specifically address and reduce pedestrian fatalities and suicides along railroad tracks. These updated plans must detail collaboration strategies with railroads, mental health agencies, and law enforcement. States are mandated to submit these comprehensive safety reports to the Federal Railroad Administration every five years.