Legislative Activity

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to expand eligibility for additional federal subsidies for water infrastructure projects. It specifically allows these funds to support investments in new technologies and processes that promote water efficiency, energy efficiency, and stormwater runoff reduction. The goal is to encourage the development of cost-effective and sustainable water infrastructure.

The NSF AI Education Act of 2025 significantly expands the National Science Foundation's role in bolstering the AI workforce through education and training. It establishes new scholarships and fellowships for students and professionals in AI-related fields, while also creating Centers of AI Excellence at community colleges and technical schools. Furthermore, the bill funds research awards to develop effective AI teaching methods and materials for K-12 education. Overall, this legislation aims to build a robust, skilled, and diverse AI talent pipeline across all educational levels.

The AMERICA DRIVES Act modernizes federal regulations to facilitate the safe deployment of self-driving commercial trucks across state lines. It explicitly preempts state laws that require a human occupant in Level 4 or 5 automated driving system (ADS) equipped commercial motor vehicles. Furthermore, the bill mandates the review and updating of existing trucking regulations to clarify applicability for driverless operations and defines new roles like "remote driver." This legislation aims to reduce regulatory obstacles and ensure fair treatment for companies adopting autonomous trucking technology.

The ACERO Act directs NASA to leverage its technology and expertise to enhance aerial wildfire response capabilities through research and development. It aims to improve aircraft technology, data sharing, and coordination among wildfire response teams, establishing a platform for real-time situational awareness. The Act generally prohibits NASA from procuring drones from covered foreign entities, with a national interest waiver option, and requires annual reports to Congress on its progress. Fifteen million dollars is authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the act.

The SKIM Act, or Stopping Klepto-card and Identity Misuse Act, mandates stricter sentencing guidelines for crimes involving counterfeit or stolen credit and debit cards, ensuring a minimum offense level for such offenses. It also requires the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress on federal and local cooperation in combating access device fraud. This legislation aims to increase penalties and improve coordination against identity and payment card misuse.

The ANCHOR Act directs the National Science Foundation to develop a comprehensive plan to significantly upgrade the cybersecurity and telecommunications infrastructure for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. This plan must assess necessary network capabilities, identify security risks, estimate costs, and propose a funding strategy involving multiple stakeholders. The goal is to ensure research vessels have the necessary high-speed connectivity to support advanced science, crew well-being, and remote expertise.

The Save Our Sequoias Act establishes a comprehensive, multi-agency strategy to protect giant sequoias from threats like catastrophic wildfire, drought, and pests. It mandates a scientific assessment of grove health, creates emergency response authorities to expedite hazardous fuel reduction, and sets up dedicated funding and grant programs. The legislation emphasizes collaboration with California and Native American Tribes to ensure long-term reforestation and resilience for these iconic trees.

The MACH Act allows NASA to establish the "Making Advancements in Commercial Hypersonics Program" to facilitate testing opportunities for high-speed aircraft technologies, while ensuring alignment with existing research roadmaps and collaboration with other agencies like the Department of Defense and the FAA. The Act requires NASA to develop a strategic plan and submit regular reports to Congress on the program's activities and progress. It also prohibits NASA from collaborating with entities or countries of concern on these technologies.

The "Clergy Act" allows clergy members to revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, making them eligible for benefits. To revoke the exemption, clergy must file an application by the due date of their second tax year after December 31, 2027, with the revocation taking effect in either the first or second tax year after that date. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Social Security, must submit a plan to Congress on how to inform clergy about this new option.