Legislative Activity

The Words Matter Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive update across all federal laws, replacing the outdated terms "mentally retarded" and "mental retardation" with "intellectual disability" or "individuals with intellectual disabilities." This change is strictly a linguistic update intended to align federal statutes with current, respectful terminology. The Act explicitly states that this language revision does not alter eligibility for benefits, rights, or responsibilities under any existing federal program. Agencies are required to update their regulations to reflect this new terminology while maintaining a record of the previous language used.

The PREDICT Act prohibits federal officials, including members of Congress, the President, and high-level executive and judicial employees, from trading in prediction markets tied to political events. The bill mandates financial penalties for violations, requires the disgorgement of any profits, and ensures public transparency by requiring ethics offices to disclose all assessed fines.

The Supporting VA Families Act establishes a supplemental parental leave program for Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This legislation provides eligible staff with four additional administrative weeks of unpaid leave following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. This benefit is designed to supplement, rather than replace, existing family and medical leave entitlements.

The Preventing Future Vintage Plastic Pipeline Tragedies Act mandates that gas pipeline operators identify and report the presence of AldylA polyethylene piping, a historic material associated with safety risks. The bill also updates federal safety requirements to ensure states and operators prioritize the assessment and replacement of these aging plastic pipes alongside other high-risk materials.

The Military Financial Literacy Act of 2026 expands and enhances financial and housing counseling services for members of the Armed Forces. The bill mandates a new, personalized one-on-one counseling program focused on credit management, budgeting, and homeownership, delivered through partnerships with qualified veteran-focused organizations. Additionally, it requires the Department of Defense to report on the program's effectiveness in improving financial stability and housing outcomes for service members.

The Federal Working Animal Protection Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make individuals who harm law enforcement animals inadmissible to the United States. Additionally, the bill establishes that such individuals are subject to deportation if they have been convicted of or admit to committing these offenses.

The Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026 authorizes $1 billion in EPA grants to support advanced wastewater treatment projects, with a significant focus on serving disadvantaged communities. The bill also mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to evaluate the effectiveness of these technologies in capturing emerging contaminants, including PFAS and nanomaterials.

The Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act mandates that the Treasury Department, in coordination with the OMB, include a new analysis of potential financial risks from major "fiscal shocks" in its annual report. This analysis must assess the short-term and long-term financial impacts of events like recessions, natural disasters, or cyber attacks on the federal government. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will subsequently review the methodology and findings of this new fiscal assessment.

The Moral Injury Recognition and Restitution Act ensures that veterans suffering from health conditions resulting from military sexual trauma receive retroactive disability benefits. Under this legislation, approved claims will be backdated to the day following the veteran's discharge, providing them with the full financial support they are owed.

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 Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026 improves patient care by officially recognizing doctors of podiatric medicine as physicians within the Medicaid program. Additionally, the bill streamlines Medicare documentation requirements to ensure patients with diabetes have better access to essential therapeutic footwear.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.