Legislative Activity

The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to broaden the definition of "renewable biomass." By including forest manufacturing by-products, wildfire risk-reduction materials, and vegetation from defensible spaces, the bill incentivizes the removal of hazardous fuels from public and private lands. This legislation streamlines the certification process to support sustainable forest management and expand the market for renewable energy feedstocks.

The Parents Opt-in Protection Act requires schools to obtain prior written consent before collecting specific survey or evaluation data from students. This legislation amends existing law to ensure that participation in certain student surveys is voluntary and requires explicit parental or student permission.

This act, the Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2025, prohibits the Secretary of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule regarding heat injury and illness prevention published in August 2024. This restriction extends to any future standard substantially similar to the one proposed.

The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends Title IX to explicitly define "sex," "female," and "male" based on an individual's biologically determined sex and reproductive system. This legislation clarifies the scope of sex-based protections under federal education law. The changes take effect immediately upon enactment.

The End EPA Abuse Act of 2026 aims to significantly limit the regulatory authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This bill amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit the EPA from issuing regulations that restrict vehicle sales, mandate fuel-switching at power plants, or reduce electric grid reliability. It also bars the EPA from requiring the use of technologies deemed commercially unavailable, cost-prohibitive without subsidies, or otherwise infeasible.

This bill authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the collective heroism of the individuals who defended Bataan, Corregidor, and other locations in the Pacific theater during World War II. The medal honors the extraordinary sacrifice of U.S. service members and Filipino forces who fought and endured imprisonment by Imperial Japan. Following the presentation, the medal will be permanently displayed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The legislation also allows for the production and sale of bronze duplicate medals.

The Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act mandates updated threat analyses of the northern border every two years, with the first due by September 2, 2026. Following each analysis, the Department of Homeland Security must update its border strategy or formally explain why an update is unnecessary. The bill also requires classified briefings for Congress and the development of performance measures for Air and Marine Operations along the northern border.

This bill, the Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act, modernizes the hydropower licensing process under the Federal Power Act. It expands the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's authority to impose conditions on licenses to ensure hydropower projects reasonably mitigate direct adverse effects on federal reservations and local fish populations.

The Tehran Incitement to Violence Act targets Iranian clerics and organizations that have issued religious decrees (fatwas) calling for violence against U.S. and Israeli leaders. This bill mandates that the President determine which specific individuals and entities are involved in issuing or amplifying these threats for the imposition of mandatory sanctions. Sanctions include blocking property and rendering those individuals inadmissible to the United States.

This bill, the "Local Data for Better Conservation Act," amends the Endangered Species Act to mandate that the Secretary must consider and incorporate data provided by state governments when making decisions about listing or delisting threatened and endangered species. This ensures state-level information is part of federal conservation determinations.

The "No Safe Haven for Terrorist Families Act" amends immigration law to bar entry to and mandate the deportation of specified close family members of foreign threat actors, including designated terrorists and senior officials from adversarial nations. This measure expands inadmissibility grounds to address national security risks posed by relatives of individuals involved in terrorism, state sponsorship of terrorism, or significant corruption. The Act requires mandatory visa revocation and prioritizes the removal of these inadmissible individuals, eliminating most forms of discretionary relief.

This Act invalidates surrogacy agreements between foreign national prospective parents and U.S. surrogate mothers, voiding such contracts. It imposes criminal penalties on surrogacy brokers who facilitate these arrangements for foreign nationals. Furthermore, the bill limits the ability of foreign national parents to gain immigration benefits through a child born under these voided agreements.

The State Emissions Authority Act of 2026 eliminates federal mandates requiring states to operate mandatory vehicle emission inspection and maintenance programs. This legislation amends the Clean Air Act to remove specific requirements for state air quality plans related to these inspections. Consequently, federal vehicles and facilities are also removed from compliance with state inspection programs.

The Merit Restoration Act prohibits federal research agencies and grant recipients from using specific diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) practices when awarding or conducting federally funded research. These prohibitions focus on preventing discrimination based on race, sex, or other protected characteristics and banning mandatory training or agreements asserting inherent superiority or inferiority based on these factors. Violations can result in the freezing and required repayment of federal grant funds.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the VA from reporting veterans to the NICS background check system solely because a fiduciary was appointed to manage their benefits. This legislation ensures that a VA finding of mental incompetence or the appointment of a fiduciary alone is not used to treat a veteran as a "mental defective" for gun control purposes. Furthermore, the VA must notify the Attorney General about past transmissions of this information that lacked a proper legal basis.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026 establishes a temporary, zero-interest loan program to help eligible, long-standing rural hospitals replace, improve, or renovate their facilities. Loans prioritize hospitals serving the most remote and underserved populations, offering a five-year interest-free period with potential renewals based on financial need and community impact. Following the initial period, loans are refinanced under standard terms unless the hospital remains financially vulnerable, in which case further interest-free extensions or technical assistance are provided.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

The Fair and Accurate Ingredient Representation on Labels Act of 2026 establishes clear regulatory oversight and mandatory labeling standards for both cell-cultivated protein products and plant-based alternative protein products. It revises the division of responsibilities between the USDA and FDA for overseeing these novel foods. The bill mandates prominent labeling requirements to ensure consumers clearly understand the origin of these products, whether grown from cells or derived from plants.

The Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act aims to protect U.S. national security by restricting adversary access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The bill mandates diplomatic efforts to align export controls with allied nations and establishes a framework to impose strict U.S. regulations if those partners fail to implement sufficient safeguards. By targeting specific entities and facilities in countries of concern, the legislation seeks to close gaps in the current export control regime and maintain America’s technological advantage.