Legislative Activity

The Special Election Timeliness (SET) Act mandates that states hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives within 180 days of the vacancy occurring, unless a general election is already scheduled during that period. This ensures timely representation for affected districts. The bill provides enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Attorney General or affected parties to sue to compel compliance.

The Offshore Parity Act of 2026 aims to grant Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama expanded management authority over submerged lands extending out to three marine leagues from their coastlines. This delegation covers oil, gas, and other energy activities, allowing the states to manage new leases if they meet specific criteria within five years. Additionally, the Act extends state jurisdiction for fisheries management within these expanded waters, while preserving federal control over certain species and national security matters.

The Rural Animal Shelter Investment Act expands existing Rural Development loan and grant programs to include animal shelters and veterinary clinics. This allows rural animal welfare and veterinary facilities to access federal funding for building, expanding, or equipping their operations. The bill amends current law to make these facilities eligible for the same essential community facility assistance available to other rural services.

The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and updates critical federal support programs for rural healthcare providers through fiscal year 2030. This legislation reauthorizes key Medicare payment adjustments for small and low-volume rural hospitals, ensuring their continued operation. Furthermore, it refines grant programs supporting rural health services and networks, emphasizing that funds must directly benefit and involve rural underserved populations.

This bill seeks to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to update the definition of eligible food items for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, it would explicitly add hot rotisserie chicken to the list of items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits. The legislation also includes minor technical formatting updates to the existing law.

The Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to address how climate change risks, like extreme heat and pollution, harm maternal and infant health. The bill establishes grant programs to support local efforts and education, and mandates research and strategies to identify high-risk zones for pregnant individuals and young children. Its goal is to reduce adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality linked to climate change.

This resolution officially designates April 19 through April 25, 2026, as National Crime Victims' Rights Week. It recognizes the lasting impact of crime on victims and survivors while honoring the efforts of organizations that support them. The bill reaffirms Congress's commitment to strengthening victims' rights and services nationwide.

This bill supports designating a week in April 2026 as "Black Maternal Health Week" to focus national attention on the severe maternal health crisis facing Black women. It highlights the unacceptable and unjust disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black women due to structural racism and inequities. The legislation urges Congress to invest in comprehensive maternal care and pass legislation, like the Momnibus Act, grounded in human rights and reproductive justice.

The Transit Workforce Development Act establishes a competitive grant program through the Department of Transportation to address critical workforce shortages in public transit maintenance. This funding supports training, recruitment, and retention efforts for essential transit workers like mechanics and technicians. The bill also expands existing funding flexibility, allowing transit agencies to use more federal bus and facility funds specifically for broader workforce development training.

The Tech to Save Moms Act establishes grant programs to improve maternal health outcomes by leveraging technology for better identification, monitoring, and response to pregnancy-related risks. It directs the Secretary of HHS to fund projects using remote monitoring, telehealth, and digital tools to reduce maternal mortality and severe morbidity, with a focus on underserved populations. The legislation also mandates studies and reports on integrating technology into maternity care and improving telehealth models for Medicaid recipients.

The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 mandates significant safety upgrades across both civilian and military aviation to prevent midair collisions. It requires the FAA to implement advanced collision avoidance systems and new air traffic controller training, while also compelling the Department of Defense to equip most military helicopters with transponders for increased visibility. The bill establishes new transparency measures, including public tracking of safety rule implementation and enhanced reporting on near-miss incidents, particularly around major airports like Reagan National.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 890 East 152nd Street in Cleveland, Ohio. The building will now be known as the Technical Sergeant Alma Gladys Minter Post Office Building.

The HBCU Research Capacity Act aims to significantly increase federal research funding and infrastructure at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It mandates the creation of a centralized Federal Clearinghouse to connect HBCUs with grant opportunities and best practices. The bill also requires federal agencies to develop strategies and report annually on concrete actions taken to boost HBCU participation in research and development.

The Next Gen Road Safety Act authorizes federal grant funding for law enforcement agencies to acquire advanced technology and equipment. These resources are specifically intended to help police prevent and safely de-escalate high-speed vehicular pursuits, improving overall public safety.

The CFTC International Operational Improvements Act of 2026 updates the Commodity Exchange Act to broaden the definition of foreign futures authorities and enhance information-sharing capabilities. The bill also authorizes the CFTC to engage in resource-sharing and personnel exchanges with both U.S. federal agencies and foreign governmental entities. These measures aim to strengthen international regulatory cooperation and operational efficiency within the derivatives markets.

This resolution recognizes the essential contributions of the nation’s 728,000 social workers in promoting health, social justice, and well-being across American communities. It formally supports the goals and ideals of Social Work Month and World Social Work Day on March 17, 2026, while highlighting the urgent need for continued investment in the profession.

The Maternal Vaccination Act establishes a dedicated awareness and equity campaign to increase vaccination rates among pregnant and postpartum individuals. By providing targeted funding and expanding immunization program grants, the bill ensures that healthcare providers are better equipped to support maternal health, with a specific focus on reaching underserved and minority communities.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 819 West Washington Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. The building will henceforth be known as the "Jerry T. Hodges, Jr. Post Office Building."

The Save Struggling Hospitals Act codifies the Medicare low-wage index hospital policy to provide financial support to facilities in lower-wage areas. By increasing the area wage index for hospitals in the bottom 25th percentile, the bill aims to stabilize funding while ensuring budget neutrality. Crucially, these adjustments are protected by safeguards that prevent significant wage index decreases for other hospitals.

The Kira Johnson Act aims to eliminate maternal health disparities by funding community-based organizations that provide evidence-based support to high-risk populations. The legislation also establishes grant programs to implement anti-bias training for maternity care providers and creates compliance programs to address racism and discrimination in clinical settings. Through these initiatives, the bill seeks to ensure respectful, culturally congruent care and improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals.