Legislative Activity

The Bank Fraud Technology Advancement Act of 2026 mandates a comprehensive study by federal banking agencies on the current use, effectiveness, and barriers to adopting advanced fraud detection technologies like AI and machine learning in financial institutions. The bill aims to identify challenges faced by community banks and credit unions in accessing these tools. Furthermore, it authorizes a voluntary pilot program to help smaller institutions gain access to and effectively utilize modern fraud prevention technology.

This bill establishes the Precision Agriculture Workforce Training and Development Act to create a federal grant program supporting workforce training in precision agriculture. The grants will help eligible entities develop and expand programs that teach skills related to technologies like GPS, drones, and data analytics for modern farming. This legislation aims to increase the number of skilled workers ready for careers utilizing advanced agricultural technology.

The TRIA Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program through December 31, 2034. The bill also streamlines the certification process for acts of terrorism by updating monetary thresholds, establishing a 90-day decision deadline, and implementing new public notice requirements. Additionally, it includes technical amendments to ensure the program's continued operational accuracy.

The Least Cost Exception Act amends FDIC rules to allow the agency to choose a bank resolution method that is *not* the least costly option. This exception permits the FDIC, in consultation with the Federal Reserve and Treasury, to prioritize limiting concentration among global systemically important banks. Any alternative method chosen must still be less costly than outright liquidation and subject to specific cost limitations and special assessments on acquiring entities.

The VA TRUST Act aims to increase transparency regarding compensation for senior executives at the Department of Veterans Affairs. It mandates that reports on performance awards and bonuses must detail the funding source and the recipient's base pay. Furthermore, the bill establishes standardized pay rules for these senior executive positions, aligning them with the government-wide Senior Executive Service structure.

The USS Frank E. Evans Act mandates the Secretary of Defense to add the names of the 74 crew members lost when the USS Frank E. Evans sank on June 3, 1969, to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. This action must be completed within one year of the Act becoming law. The Secretary is required to consult with relevant authorities regarding space on the Memorial Wall for these additions.

This bill mandates the U.S. Postal Service to create and sell a "Veterans Medical Debt Relief Stamp." All proceeds from the sale of this special stamp will be transferred directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The VA must then use these funds exclusively to pay down medical debt, including copayments and coinsurance, owed by veterans for VA and Community Care Program services.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 1201 Calvert Street in Lincoln, Nebraska, as the "Commodore Dixie Kiefer Memorial Post Office Building." This change ensures all official records and documents will now use the new memorial name for the building.

The HOME Reform Act of 2025 amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to modernize definitions, adjust income thresholds for low-income assistance up to 100% of area median income, and allow HOME funds to support infrastructure improvements in nonentitlement areas. The bill also streamlines regulatory burdens by exempting certain small projects and infill housing from environmental reviews and limits federal restrictions on local housing use choices. Furthermore, it expands long-term affordability mechanisms for homeownership and provides exceptions for military members and heirs of deceased owners.

The HOME Reform Act of 2025 updates the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act by redefining eligibility for low-income assistance and expanding local flexibility in using housing funds. It allows certain infrastructure spending adjacent to affordable housing and streamlines environmental review processes for smaller projects. Furthermore, the bill removes expiration dates on certain trust funds and adjusts affordability standards for homeownership and rental units.

The College Students Continuation of Mental Health Care Act of 2025 establishes a system for licensing reciprocity, allowing college mental health providers to offer telehealth services to their enrolled students across state lines. This streamlines care by generally adhering to the provider's home state licensing rules, while ensuring patient safety through required disclosures and identity verification. The Act also encourages interstate agreements to further facilitate this cross-state mental health support for students.

This bill centralizes the authority for establishing federal manufactured home construction and safety standards under the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It requires any other federal agency to obtain the Secretary's explicit approval before implementing new or updated standards. The Secretary can reject proposed standards based on cost concerns or conflicts with existing safety regulations.

This Act, the Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act, aims to accelerate housing development by modernizing and simplifying the environmental review process managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It reclassifies numerous routine housing and rehabilitation activities for faster processing under NEPA, including assistance programs and infill projects. The Secretary of HUD must annually report on the resulting administrative cost savings and increased speed over five years.

The Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act aims to address the national housing shortage by encouraging local governments to reform restrictive land use and zoning rules. Recipients of certain federal housing grants must now submit a report every five years detailing their policies on increasing housing types, reducing development restrictions, and streamlining permitting. This measure seeks to clear regulatory roadblocks that currently make building affordable housing too difficult or expensive.

The Equal Opportunity for All Investors Act of 2025 mandates that the SEC create a comprehensive certification examination to allow non-wealthy individuals to qualify as accredited investors. Passing this free, standardized test will grant access to investment opportunities previously reserved for the wealthy. This aims to broaden participation in private markets by ensuring a baseline level of financial competency among new investors.

The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Information Act mandates that the Energy Information Administration (EIA) begin collecting and reporting detailed data on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This new reporting will cover the feedstock sources, production volumes by state, and import statistics for SAF. The goal is to provide transparent, accurate information on the growing sustainable aviation fuel supply chain.

The Weather Workforce Improvement Act aims to strengthen the National Weather Service's ability to provide accurate and timely forecasts critical for public safety. It grants the NWS Director temporary direct-hire authority to quickly fill essential, public safety-related staffing vacancies. Furthermore, the bill mandates regular workforce assessments and reports on employee health and morale, particularly concerning shift work.

The Housing Supply Frameworks Act aims to address the national housing shortage by encouraging state and local governments to reform restrictive zoning and land use regulations. It directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop and publish comprehensive guidelines and best practices for these reforms. The Act also establishes reporting requirements to track the adoption of these new frameworks and authorizes funding to support these efforts.

The "No More D.C. Waste Act" ensures that federal funds allocated to the District of Columbia for resident tuition support are used within the fiscal year they are appropriated. It mandates that unspent funds do not remain available indefinitely. Additionally, it requires the District of Columbia's Chief Financial Officer to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the use of these federal payments, including the number of students assisted, the average aid amount, and any unspent funds.

This bill disapproves and nullifies the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule that defines larger participants in the market for general-use digital consumer payment applications. The disapproval effectively cancels the rule.