Legislative Activity

The Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 aims to increase transparency in federal spending by mandating the reporting of "other transaction agreements" (OTAs) on USAspending.gov. It requires the Treasury Department to centralize this data and mandates annual public reports detailing any missing spending data and the reasons for its omission. Furthermore, the bill strengthens data accuracy requirements and tasks the GAO with reviewing federal purchasing rules to ensure transparency compliance.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

This resolution directs the President, under the authority of the War Powers Resolution, to immediately remove U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that military action must cease unless Congress has formally declared war or passed a specific authorization for the use of force. The bill explicitly states that it does not authorize new military action nor does it impede necessary self-defense against an immediate attack.

The Respect for Local Communities Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security provide advance notice and conduct public hearings before establishing or modifying ICE processing and detention facilities. The bill requires federal agencies to complete comprehensive impact assessments and secure formal, written agreements from state and local officials prior to project approval. This ensures greater transparency and local oversight regarding the economic and social impacts of new immigration detention sites.

The RELIEF Act mandates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection refund all tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act since January 1, 2025. These refunds will be processed automatically for importers of record without the need for a formal application or protest. The agency is required to complete all disbursements within 90 days of the bill's enactment.

The Freedom House Ambulance Service Congressional Gold Medal Act honors the pioneering Pittsburgh-based service that established the model for modern emergency medical care. As the nation’s first paramedic program, Freedom House revolutionized life-saving techniques while providing vital job training to the Black community. This legislation awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the service to commemorate its enduring contributions to both medical innovation and civil rights.

The Small Business Lending Fraud Prevention Act requires Small Business Administration (SBA) employees involved in loan processing to certify they have no conflicts of interest. This certification must confirm compliance with federal conflict of interest standards before they can work on an SBA loan. Employees must also immediately disclose any new conflicts and recuse themselves from the relevant loan.

This bill provides the funding and establishes the operational rules for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2026 across all major components, including intelligence, security operations, emergency management, and research. It allocates billions for agencies like TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and CISA while imposing strict new requirements for congressional oversight, spending transparency, and management of federal grants. The legislation also includes specific policy directives, such as mandating security screening for senior officials and restricting certain intelligence and contracting activities.

The Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act establishes minimum standards for health screening, nutrition, sanitation, and shelter for individuals detained by ICE and CBP. This bill mandates specific protocols for medical care, facility conditions, and personnel training to ensure humane treatment. It also requires regular inspections and public reporting on compliance and sexual abuse complaints.

This bill, the SUPPLIES Act, mandates the Department of State and USAID to establish and publish clear procedures for managing leftover supplies when foreign aid projects conclude. The primary goal is to prevent the loss, destruction, or expiration of these unused commodities. These new guidelines must prioritize the proper disposition of residual supplies.

This bill mandates the President to withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Venezuela. This action is required unless Congress has formally declared war or passed specific legislation authorizing the use of military force in that country.

The Full Cost of War Act mandates that all future authorizations for the use of military force or declarations of war must include dedicated funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This provision ensures that resources are specifically allocated to cover medical care, disability compensation, and other earned benefits for veterans affected by the authorized military action.

The Main Street Parity Act modifies the criteria for Small Business Investment Act loans used for acquiring, building, or expanding business facilities. Specifically, it removes certain restrictive clauses related to facility loan eligibility under Section 502(3)(C). This aims to streamline or broaden the requirements for small businesses seeking capital for physical expansion.

The AIWISE Act directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop and publish free, publicly accessible educational resources and modules about artificial intelligence (AI) for small businesses. These materials must cover topics like how AI works, risk management, privacy, and best practices for adoption. The SBA must ensure the content is accurate, current, and actionable, coordinating with experts and resource partners to support small business understanding and effective use of AI.

The 504 Program Risk Oversight Act mandates that the Small Business Administration (SBA) conduct and report on an annual portfolio risk analysis for all loans guaranteed under the 504 program. This detailed report, submitted to Congress and made publicly available, must analyze program risk across various dimensions, including industry concentration, loan size, borrower stage, and property type. The legislation also requires the SBA to detail the steps taken to mitigate identified risks.

The Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act amends the Small Business Act to officially include the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in the federal microloan program. This legislation expands access to vital microloans for small businesses operating within the CNMI. The bill also includes minor technical corrections to existing statutory language.

This bill, the PUBLIC SAFETY Act, redirects $2 billion from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to significantly boost the COPS Hiring Program to support local law enforcement. It also allocates an additional $45 billion to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for local criminal justice initiatives. The legislation aims to increase federal funding available directly to local police departments for hiring and operations.

The Shutdown Fairness Act automatically appropriates necessary funds to ensure federal employees and essential contractors receive their regular pay during a government shutdown. This legislation mandates timely payment for covered personnel, regardless of whether they were deemed "excepted" or furloughed. The funds are charged against the agency's subsequent regular appropriations once they are enacted.

The No Delay in Representation Act ensures that individuals elected to the House of Representatives through special elections are seated promptly. It mandates that these new members must be given the opportunity to take the oath of office within five legislative days of their election certification. This act aims to prevent delays in representation for newly elected members.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.