Legislative Activity

The "Protecting Puppies from Sharia Act" aims to prevent state and local governments from banning dog ownership by restricting federal funding to any jurisdiction that implements such a prohibition. Congress asserts that the right to own a dog is an American right and that Sharia law is a foreign concept contrary to the pursuit of happiness.

This Act establishes a "zero-based" system requiring specific federal energy and environmental regulations to automatically expire unless actively renewed. Covered agencies must set expiration dates for existing rules within one year and for new rules within five years. Agencies can extend these deadlines only after providing public notice and comment on the regulation's costs and benefits.

The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act aims to promote de-escalation by exempting specific, clearly defined less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal firearm restrictions and excise taxes. This legislation provides a formal process for determining which devices qualify for these exemptions under both federal law and the National Firearms Act. The bill also modernizes tax regulations by exempting qualifying less-than-lethal devices and their ammunition from federal excise taxes.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 prohibits U.S. universities and their affiliated personnel from transferring intellectual property rights in covered research to governments of designated "prohibited nations," such as China and Russia. This legislation aims to safeguard American innovation developed at universities from external competitive threats. Violations carry significant civil penalties, which are determined and enforced in consultation with the Secretary of State.

The National Bridge Funding Reform Act establishes a new dedicated National Bridge Program to fund the replacement, rehabilitation, and preservation of bridges on Federal-aid highways. This new program replaces and eliminates the existing Carbon Reduction Program and the PROTECT program. Funding for the new program will be apportioned to states based on a formula prioritizing total bridge deck area and the amount of bridge area in poor condition.

This bill, the No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act, prohibits the use of federal election administration funds in any state that permits third parties to collect and transmit absentee ballots. It mandates that states must ban the practice commonly known as "ballot harvesting" to remain eligible for federal election funding. Exceptions are made for election officials, mail carriers, and immediate family or caregivers of the voter.

The Incentivize Savings Act mandates how federal agencies must handle unspent appropriations by dedicating the majority to debt reduction and allowing a portion for employee retention bonuses. This legislation also restricts future budget requests to only account for inflation unless the agency fully spends its prior allocation. Ultimately, the bill aims to encourage fiscal responsibility by linking unspent funds to debt reduction and limiting budget growth.

This Act establishes specific definitions for "female," "male," and "sex" based on biological reproductive systems for amateur athletics. It mandates that organizations recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee must prohibit individuals identified as male from competing in competitions designated for females. This aims to protect competitive opportunities specifically for biological females in amateur sports.

The Medal of Sacrifice Act establishes a new Presidential award, the Medal of Sacrifice, to honor law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty. The bill mandates the creation of a Commission to advise on the medal's design, presentation, and eligibility criteria. This Commission will also make final determinations regarding eligibility in cases involving alleged wrongdoing by the fallen officer or responder.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE America Act) mandates that individuals must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. It also establishes a federal requirement for voters to present a photo ID indicating U.S. citizenship when casting a ballot in federal elections. The bill outlines specific acceptable forms of proof and requires states to implement verification programs to ensure only citizens are registered and voting.

The Protecting Motherhood Act mandates that federal agencies use specific, sex-based terminology such as "mother," "woman," or "female" instead of the term "birthing person" in all official documents. This legislation defines the required terms to ensure consistency in federal communications regarding pregnancy and parenthood.

The PRESS Act establishes a new federal crime for manufacturing or distributing equipment used to make illegal drugs if that equipment is intended for substances that will be unlawfully imported into the United States. This legislation amends the Controlled Substances Act to create specific prison sentences for these supply chain offenses. The Act also directs the Sentencing Commission to update federal guidelines to reflect these new penalties.

The SCAM Act establishes new grounds for the government to revoke the citizenship of naturalized individuals. It allows for denaturalization if a person commits fraud against the government, joins a terrorist organization, or commits an aggravated felony within ten years of naturalization. These actions are deemed proof that the individual lacked good moral character at the time they became a citizen. Revocation of citizenship under this Act is retroactive to the original date of naturalization.

The Jumpstart Savings Act establishes a new tax-advantaged savings program, the Jumpstart Program, designed to cover expenses for vocational training and professional development. Funds can be used tax-free for apprenticeships, community college programs, professional certifications, and necessary business startup costs. This new program mirrors existing rules for 529 college savings plans and allows rollovers from those accounts.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 targets the increasing threat posed by organized theft groups impacting retail and the national supply chain. This bill strengthens federal law by expanding money laundering statutes and lowering thresholds for property crimes related to theft. Crucially, it establishes a new federal coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations to align efforts across all levels of law enforcement and the private sector to combat these cross-jurisdictional crimes.

The Public Charge Clarification Act of 2026 establishes a strict, codified definition for when an immigrant is deemed a "public charge," making them inadmissible to the U.S. This law specifically lists numerous federal, state, and local benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, that count toward this determination if received for more than 12 months within any 36-month period. The Act mandates that officers consider all statutory factors holistically but allows for public charge bonds as a condition of entry in certain cases. These new standards will apply to all pending and future immigration applications after the effective date.

The Reporting Accountability and Abuse Prevention Act of 2026 mandates that all recipients of federal Title X family planning funds must strictly comply with state and local laws regarding the reporting of various forms of abuse, including child abuse and sexual assault. This compliance requires grantees to implement specific policies, conduct annual training, and establish protocols for patient safety and intervention. Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in penalties, including the repayment of federal funds and a multi-year ban on receiving future Title X assistance for repeat violations.

The Cashless Bail Reporting Act requires the Attorney General to publish an annual list of jurisdictions that allow pretrial release without money bail for individuals charged with serious or violent crimes. This legislation aims to increase transparency regarding policies that permit the release of defendants accused of offenses that threaten public safety and order.

The Protect Children’s Innocence Act establishes federal criminal penalties for performing genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration on individuals under 18 years old. This law applies when the act involves interstate commerce or occurs in U.S. territories. It explicitly prohibits procedures intended to change a minor's body to correspond with a different sex, with narrow exceptions for specific medical necessities.

The Respect State Housing Laws Act aims to clarify federal housing regulations by amending the CARES Act. Specifically, this legislation removes Section 4024(c) from the CARES Act.