Legislative Activity

The Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to issue a specific right-of-way for an emergency egress route near Milepost 9.6 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. This issuance is contingent upon the completion of an evaluation of non-federal alternative routes, an analysis of fire ecology behavior, and necessary environmental reviews. This ensures a designated emergency exit is established after critical safety and environmental prerequisites are met.

The **Clean Air and Economic Advancement Reform Act (CLEAR Act)** adjusts EPA timelines for reviewing air quality standards, shifting them to a 10-year cycle and allowing states more flexibility in developing compliance plans. The bill updates the definition of "exceptional events" to better account for wildfire mitigation activities and limits penalties when pollution spikes are demonstrably beyond a state's control. Finally, it modifies the makeup of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee to increase state representation and requires new impact assessments before setting air quality standards.

This Act ensures that when the EPA sets new air quality standards, they must immediately provide the necessary guidance for states to process preconstruction permits. If this guidance is delayed, the new standard cannot be applied to permit reviews until the instructions are published. Furthermore, the bill specifies that the new 2024 PM2.5 standard will not apply to certain permit applications already underway before the EPA officially designates the affected areas. These changes do not eliminate requirements for installing the best available pollution control technology.

The Stop Insider Trading Act restricts Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing new securities issued by publicly traded companies. It requires advance public disclosure for any sale of existing covered investments, with a mandatory 7-to-14-day notice period before the transaction. Violations result in significant financial penalties, including disgorgement of any net gains, payable by the Member personally.

This bill, the Hemp Planting Predictability Act, seeks to amend the Agriculture Appropriations Act of 2026. Specifically, it delays the implementation of recent amendments affecting hemp production under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. The delay for these changes is extended from one year to three years.

The Reliable Power Act mandates annual long-term reliability assessments by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to proactively identify risks of power shortages. If a "generation inadequacy" is found, it triggers a review process for certain federal agency regulations that affect power generation resources. This ensures federal agencies must address and respond to FERC's recommendations on how their proposed rules might impact the reliability of the bulk-power system before finalizing those actions.

This bill proposes to repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) 240 days after enactment. Congress finds that the current interpretation of the 2001 AUMF grants overly broad, open-ended military authority. The legislation aims to restore Congress's constitutional role in authorizing military action.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act extends the authority of the Adams Memorial Commission until 2032 and approves a specific location for the memorial, allowing it to proceed despite certain location standards. The bill also grants the Commission flexibility to relocate the memorial to the "Reserve" if the primary site proves unsuitable. Finally, it makes technical amendments to existing law to align dates and clarify the memorial's authorization.

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act formally recognizes the installation of high-efficiency mechanical insulation as a key energy and water efficiency measure for federal buildings. This legislation mandates that mechanical insulation must meet or exceed ASHRAE Standard 90.1 requirements to qualify for these efficiency designations. Consequently, future energy and water evaluations for federal facilities must specifically identify potential savings opportunities related to mechanical insulation upgrades.

The Energy Choice Act prevents state and local governments from enacting bans or restrictions on the type or source of energy services consumers can access. This legislation protects consumer choice across various energy sources, including natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and electricity, provided the energy is sold across state lines. Essentially, it limits local interference with energy delivery options.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 46164 Westlake Drive in Sterling, Virginia, as the "Firefighter Trevor Brown Post Office Building." This action ensures that all official records and documents will use this new name for the specified location.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 12109 New Kent Highway in New Kent, Virginia, as the "Patricia Paige Post Office." This action ensures that all official federal references to the location will use the new name.

This act grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) exclusive authority to approve or deny applications for natural gas and LNG export/import facilities, mandating that such actions be considered consistent with the public interest. The legislation clarifies that it does not limit the President's existing authority to impose sanctions through trade restrictions.

This bill repeals specific requirements for notifying Senate offices when legal processes seek the disclosure of Senate data. Essentially, it removes existing notification mandates related to legal requests for Senate information.

This bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Major Thomas D. Howie for his extraordinary bravery and leadership during the Battle of Normandy. The medal will be presented to his next of kin before being permanently displayed at The Citadel Museum. The Treasury Secretary is also authorized to strike and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.

This resolution officially supports designating the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "Coal Week." It recognizes the vital contributions of the coal industry and its workers to the nation's economy and national security. The measure also commends the progress made in reducing coal-related emissions through advanced technologies.

The Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2025 aims to increase patient access to physical therapy, recognizing its importance in pain management and recovery. This bill integrates physical therapists into the National Health Service Corps, making them eligible for loan repayment in underserved areas. Furthermore, it mandates that Medicare Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers cover physical therapy services starting in 2027.

The GRID Power Act directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to rapidly update rules governing how new power plants connect to the electric grid. This legislation mandates that FERC prioritize and streamline the interconnection process for dispatchable power projects that demonstrably improve grid reliability and resilience. The goal is to ensure that necessary, dependable power sources can connect quickly while maintaining public input and regular review of the new procedures.

This bill, the National Coal Council Reestablishment Act, mandates the Secretary of Energy to reestablish the National Coal Council within the Department of Energy, adhering to its charter as of November 19, 2021. The Council will generally operate under the Federal Advisory Committee Act guidelines. Crucially, this legislation exempts the Council from the automatic termination provisions that typically apply to federal advisory committees.