Legislative Activity

The "Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act" establishes a national technical assistance center and a grant program to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of direct care professionals. By providing funding for education, career advancement, and supportive services, the bill aims to strengthen the workforce that supports older adults and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation provides resources to assist both paid and unpaid family caregivers in their essential roles.

The Medicare Cost Cap Act of 2026 establishes a new annual out-of-pocket spending limit for Medicare Part A and Part B beneficiaries, ensuring that seniors and individuals with disabilities are protected from catastrophic healthcare costs. Additionally, the bill expands access to low-income assistance programs by eliminating asset tests, raising income eligibility thresholds, and streamlining the enrollment process between Medicare and Medicaid.

The Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2026 establishes a new federal tax credit for qualified early childhood educators working in licensed child care facilities. Eligible professionals can receive up to $4,500 annually for three years, depending on their level of education or certification. This initiative aims to support and retain skilled child care providers by incentivizing professional credentials in the field.

This resolution honors the 27th anniversary of the landmark *Olmstead v. L.C.* Supreme Court decision, which affirmed the right of individuals with disabilities to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate. It strongly condemns a recent Department of Justice opinion that rejects this fundamental community integration mandate. The resolution calls for the immediate rescission of that flawed opinion and urges Congress to increase funding for home- and community-based services.

The Aging with Artificial Intelligence Act of 2026 mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to evaluate the benefits, risks, and safety implications of AI-enabled systems for adults aged 65 and older. Additionally, the bill directs the National Institute on Aging to coordinate multidisciplinary research and establish best practices to improve health outcomes and care for older adults in an increasingly digital world.

This joint resolution disapproves a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that would have implemented prior authorization for certain Medicare services under the WISeR model. The rule aimed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring pre-approval for specific procedures. Due to this congressional disapproval, the CMS rule will not take effect.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the Department of Health and Human Services' rule titled "Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)." By nullifying this rule, the resolution prevents the proposed relaxation of federal child care subsidy requirements from taking effect.

The Small Farm Conservation Act establishes a dedicated Small Farm EQIP subprogram to provide enhanced financial and technical conservation assistance to small-scale agricultural producers. This subprogram mandates minimum payments, offers increased incentives for soil health management on smaller farms, and reserves significant funding for tailored support. It aims to streamline the application process and ensure equitable access for historically underserved groups, including beginning and limited-resource farmers.

The PASTEUR Act of 2026 aims to combat antimicrobial resistance by creating a novel federal subscription contract program to ensure the availability of critical new antibiotics. This program will provide substantial annual payments to drug sponsors in exchange for guaranteed access to their life-saving medicines. The Act also establishes an advisory group, funds grants for antimicrobial stewardship in healthcare settings, and enhances national surveillance of resistance data.

The DNII Act of 2026 establishes a strict, mandatory order of succession for temporarily filling the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) position. This new order prioritizes the Senate-confirmed Principal Deputy Director and other Senate-confirmed ODNI officials before allowing the use of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act as a last resort. The Act ensures continuity in the leadership of the Intelligence Community by setting clear, high-level qualifications for any acting DNI.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and shifting the program to mandatory funding. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell eligibility semesters, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress rules to better support students. Overall, it seeks to stabilize and increase financial support for millions of postsecondary students, particularly those with high financial need.

This bill aims to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the United States and Israel by enhancing the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund (BARD Fund). It expands the Fund's focus to include mid-stage research collaborations and establishes a new Accelerator Program to fast-track promising joint projects. The legislation also authorizes specific funding for the BARD Fund through fiscal year 2031.

The PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs for researching and developing next-generation firefighter turnout gear that is free of harmful PFAS chemicals. These grants will support the creation of safer protective clothing and the development of training programs for first responders on its proper use and decontamination. The ultimate goal is to prevent occupational illness and injury among firefighters by advancing safer alternatives.

This bill amends the Passport Act of 1920 to authorize qualifying public libraries to serve as official passport acceptance facilities. Under this legislation, eligible libraries are permitted to collect and retain passport execution fees. Additionally, the bill mandates the reauthorization of libraries that previously served in this capacity and were in compliance with federal regulations.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and modifies the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its authorized funding to \$2.0 billion. This legislation broadens eligible lands for maintenance projects and prioritizes those receiving significant private donations. It also enhances transparency by requiring multi-year project lists and actively encouraging public contributions to address deferred maintenance across federal lands.

The Addressing SILO Act of 2026 establishes a grant and training initiative to combat social isolation and loneliness among older adults and individuals with disabilities. This program funds local aging and community organizations to identify at-risk individuals, develop interventions, and connect them to necessary supports. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must also provide training to these organizations and report to Congress on the program's effectiveness.

The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act establishes the Eastern Mediterranean as a critical strategic hub within the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The legislation directs the U.S. to prioritize energy security, defense cooperation, and regional integration through enhanced multilateral strategic dialogues. By fostering deeper ties with key partners like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, the Act aims to strengthen connectivity and stability across three continents.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits licensed healthcare providers and transplant hospitals from denying organ transplants or related services to qualified individuals solely because of a disability. This legislation mandates reasonable modifications, auxiliary aids, and consideration of a patient's support network to ensure equal access throughout the entire transplant process. Exceptions only apply if a physician determines the disability is medically significant to the transplant, or if accommodations fundamentally alter the service.

This bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until early 2029. TPS provides individuals from designated countries with the ability to temporarily live and work in the U.S. due to unsafe conditions in their home nation.

The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to support the Iranian people by expanding access to uncensored information and countering regime-imposed internet blackouts. The bill mandates the development of new communication technologies, increases funding for digital freedom programs, and requires the identification and sanctioning of individuals complicit in human rights abuses. Additionally, it strengthens support for independent media and provides cybersecurity training to Iranian journalists and civil society activists.