Legislative Activity

This resolution officially designates **March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day."** The day aims to recognize the essential role of speech and debate in developing vital 21st-century skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. It encourages the entire nation to celebrate and promote the lifelong impact of this education.

The Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act of 2026 modifies the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to increase the debt limits for filing certain bankruptcies. Specifically, it raises the maximum debt threshold for small business bankruptcy eligibility to \$7.5 million and increases the consumer debt limit for Chapter 13 filings to \$2.75 million. These changes apply to all bankruptcy cases filed on or after the date the Act is enacted.

The Litigation Funding Transparency Act of 2026 mandates new disclosure requirements for third-party litigation funders in large federal class and mass actions. This law requires parties to reveal the identity of funders, including any foreign state or sovereign wealth fund involvement, and produce funding agreements for court inspection. The legislation also prohibits funders from influencing litigation strategy and restricts their access to certain discovery materials.

This resolution supports the observation of National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month from January 1 to February 1, 2026. It highlights the severe scope of human trafficking globally and within the U.S., emphasizing the imperative to eliminate these modern-day forms of slavery. The measure calls for increased public awareness and continued collaborative efforts to protect victims and prosecute traffickers.

The Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2026 significantly strengthens federal efforts against illicit finance. This bill increases penalties for bulk cash smuggling, expands the scope of money laundering statutes to cover commingled funds and informal value transfer systems like hawalas, and enhances investigative tools like wiretap authority. Furthermore, it explicitly targets the use of remittances for criminal financing and strengthens laws against counterfeiting equipment.

The Student Loan Bond Expansion Act of 2026 aims to make it easier and more affordable for states to finance student loans. This bill achieves this by exempting qualified student loan bonds from federal volume caps and the Alternative Minimum Tax. These changes will apply to bonds issued after the date the law is enacted.

The FISA Accountability and Extension Act of 2026 seeks to increase Congressional oversight of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC) by guaranteeing member access to proceedings and shifting the appointment process for court advisors. The bill also strengthens penalties for FISA violations and extends key surveillance authorities under the FISA Amendments Act from two years to eight years. Furthermore, it clarifies whistleblower protections regarding disclosures to Congress.

This bill, the Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act, amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to enhance transparency in lobbying activities. It mandates that lobbyists must disclose the names and addresses of any foreign governments or political parties, beyond the direct client, that are involved in directing or controlling their lobbying efforts. This new requirement ensures greater visibility into the ultimate sources of influence directing lobbying work.

The SAFE Act directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and update federal sentencing guidelines for offenses involving child sexual abuse material. This update must account for the actual harm to victims, modern technology, and the spectrum of offender culpability. The Commission is required to develop new guidelines that specifically address factors like the use of multiple online channels, involvement in prohibited sexual conduct against a child, and the impact on the victim. Importantly, the Act prohibits lowering the existing base offense level for these crimes.

The Stop Sextortion Act criminalizes threatening to distribute child sexual abuse material, even if the material does not exist, to intimidate or coerce victims. This legislation establishes severe penalties for making such threats, mirroring those for actual distribution. Furthermore, the Act increases maximum prison sentences by ten years for crimes involving the use of child sexual abuse material to threaten or harm an individual.

The ECCHO Act establishes a new federal crime for intentionally coercing a minor under 18 to commit harmful acts, including self-harm, violence against others or animals, arson, or specific online offenses like swatting. This legislation defines coercion broadly to include manipulation, threats, and intimidation used to force a child into these prohibited actions. Penalties vary based on the severity of the coerced act, with life imprisonment possible for coercing suicide or homicide. The Act also updates existing federal laws to incorporate this new offense and ensure comprehensive enforcement.

This bill mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in coordination with the Treasury Secretary, to conduct and submit an annual fraud risk assessment of Obamacare premium tax credit determinations starting in 2025. The assessment must detail current fraud prevention controls and adhere to established government risk management standards. This report will be submitted to relevant Congressional committees and the HHS Inspector General.

The SIMSA Act of 2025 establishes a new Schedule A within the Controlled Substances Act to specifically target synthetic analogues that are structurally or functionally similar to existing controlled substances. This legislation grants the Attorney General authority to temporarily or permanently schedule these substances, imposing strict penalties for trafficking and mandatory labeling requirements. Furthermore, the Act outlines specific registration processes for handling Schedule A substances and provides a mechanism for sentence review if a substance is later descheduled.

The PROTECT Act of 2025 mandates that the Director of the United States Secret Service must be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. This legislation also establishes a single, non-renewable ten-year term limit for the Director position. These changes aim to increase oversight and transparency within the Secret Service leadership.

The Stop Pills That Kill Act aims to combat the distribution of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl or methamphetamine by expanding prohibited acts related to these substances. The bill mandates the DEA to develop a comprehensive operational plan focusing on investigation, seizure, and youth education efforts. Furthermore, it requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to Congress detailing seizures, prosecutions, and prevention strategies targeting these dangerous counterfeit substances.

The Gang Activity Reporting Act of 2025 mandates the Attorney General, in collaboration with DHS and the FBI, to submit comprehensive annual reports on gang activity to Congress. These detailed reports must cover trends in gang membership, criminal enterprises, and enforcement efforts over the preceding decade. The goal is to provide accurate, consistent data to inform effective, evidence-based policymaking against rising violent crime.

This resolution officially designates the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "National Character Counts Week." It emphasizes the critical role of families, schools, and communities in teaching foundational ethical values like trustworthiness and responsibility to young people. The designation encourages nationwide activities and programs focused on strengthening the character of America's youth.

The H–1B and L–1 Visa Reform Act of 2025 significantly overhauls temporary work visa programs to protect U.S. workers and increase transparency. This bill establishes stricter wage requirements, imposes anti-displacement rules, and grants enforcement agencies greater authority to audit and penalize employers for fraud and abuse. Ultimately, it aims to prioritize highly skilled workers and prevent the over-reliance on foreign labor in the U.S. workforce.

The Fertilizer Research Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive, year-long study of the U.S. fertilizer industry. This report will detail market size, pricing trends over 25 years, import volumes, and supply chain dynamics. A key focus is evaluating industry concentration and recommending whether a new system for transparent fertilizer price reporting should be established.

The Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act expands Medicare Part B coverage to include services provided by licensed pharmacists. These covered services must be delivered to patients in designated health professional shortage or medically underserved areas. The bill establishes a specific reimbursement structure for these pharmacist services, effective beginning January 1, 2027.