Legislative Activity

The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for key Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and surety bonds. This change allows businesses majority-owned by certain immigrants, non-citizens lawfully present in the U.S., and even some individuals residing abroad to access federal support. The bill ensures that businesses meeting ownership and location criteria are not denied SBA financing solely because of the status of their eligible owners.

The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 establishes a system of "deemed wages" to improve the retirement security of unpaid caregivers. This provision credits individuals who spend at least 80 hours per month caring for a dependent relative with notional earnings for Social Security benefit calculations. The goal is to recognize the value of caregiving and increase future benefits for those who provide essential, unpaid support.

The HELP Separated Children Act establishes comprehensive procedures to protect the rights and ensure the well-being of children when their parents are apprehended during immigration enforcement actions. It mandates that DHS officials identify detained parents, provide them with immediate access to make childcare arrangements, and facilitate ongoing communication and legal participation in child welfare and custody proceedings. The bill also requires mandatory training for personnel and extensive data collection to track the outcomes for these families.

The Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 expands FEMA disaster assistance eligibility to include occupants without formal property ownership, such as those experiencing homelessness. It simplifies repair standards, allowing aid for any home "damaged by a major disaster," and mandates streamlined processes for self-certifying eligibility. The bill also requires FEMA to coordinate with HUD on joint temporary rental assistance programs following a disaster declaration.

This bill officially reauthorizes the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIP) for an additional seven years, extending its operation until 2034. It also updates the mandatory recoupment timelines for when the government recovers insurance payments following a covered terrorist act.

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 establishes the Neighborhood Tree Fund to increase and improve urban tree canopies, prioritizing investments in underserved and high-heat communities. This legislation directs the Department of Agriculture to fund projects that enhance community health and climate resilience through tree planting and maintenance. The Act also updates the composition of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to better reflect community needs.

This bill, the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, explicitly repeals Executive Order 14399, which attempted to regulate mail-in voting. It prohibits federal agencies, including the Postal Service, from using funds to create national voter/citizenship databases or interfere with state administration of absentee and mail-in ballots. The Act reaffirms that states, not the federal government, control federal election procedures.

The Speedy Tariff Refund Act of 2026 mandates the immediate, automatic refund of all duties unlawfully collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This legislation requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to issue these refunds, with interest, within 30 days without requiring any formal request or documentation from importers. Congress strongly urges businesses that benefited from these duties to pass the refunds along to affected customers and families.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized the action. It asserts Congress's sole power to declare war and notes the current hostilities lack such authorization under the War Powers Resolution. The bill carves out exceptions for necessary self-defense, intelligence sharing, and assisting allies defensively.

The YouthBuild for the Future Act reauthorizes and updates the existing YouthBuild program to better prepare low-income young people (ages 16-24) for postsecondary education, apprenticeships, and careers in high-demand fields like clean energy. The bill expands authorized activities to include comprehensive support services and requires stronger performance accountability measures. Additionally, it establishes a new grant program to foster employer partnerships specifically designed to create employment and training opportunities for YouthBuild participants.

The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act repeals federal tax incentives that encourage private donations to scholarship granting organizations. Specifically, it eliminates the tax credit for contributions and the exclusion of certain scholarship amounts from gross income. This legislation aims to redirect financial support toward public education systems.

This resolution designates March 5, 2026, as "National Slam the Scam Day" to combat the pervasive issue of government imposter scams. The day aims to raise public awareness and promote education about these scams, which cost consumers billions annually and disproportionately harm older adults. It encourages proactive measures, reporting, and collaboration among various organizations to protect Americans from fraud.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and nullify a specific rule recently issued by the Department of Education concerning the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If enacted, this resolution would prevent the published rule from taking effect or being enforced.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It mandates that military involvement must cease unless Congress provides a formal declaration of war or specific authorization for the use of force. The bill preserves the President's authority to defend against direct attacks and provide humanitarian and defensive support to U.S. personnel and allies.

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 strengthens the ability of claimants to recover art looted by the Nazis by ensuring cases are decided on their legal merits rather than procedural technicalities. The bill prevents courts from dismissing claims based on the passage of time or other non-merits defenses and clarifies that these actions may proceed regardless of the victim's nationality. These updates aim to remove legal barriers and ensure that justice for victims of Nazi persecution is not frustrated by procedural delays.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts Congress's constitutional authority to declare war while ensuring the U.S. retains the ability to defend its personnel, allies, and interests. The bill mandates this withdrawal unless Congress provides explicit authorization for the continued use of military force.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

This resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the vital contributions of women across the agricultural industry. It celebrates the essential roles women play as producers, educators, and leaders, while encouraging the nation to support and empower the next generation of female agricultural professionals.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Delaware River Basin Restoration Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the program’s authorization through 2033 and formally expands its scope to include Maryland. The bill also introduces new grant priorities to better support projects serving small, rural, and disadvantaged communities within the basin.