Legislative Activity

This bill reauthorizes and extends funding for the crucial telehealth network and telehealth resource centers grant programs through fiscal year 2030. It secures \$42,050,000 annually for these programs to continue supporting and expanding telehealth infrastructure nationwide.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The Unleashing Low-Cost Rural AI Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Secretary of Energy to assess the impact of growing AI and data center infrastructure on the nation's energy supply. This study must specifically examine energy needs, alternative power sources, and consumer costs, with a special focus on frontier and remote areas. The goal is to identify supply gaps and explore ways to expedite necessary infrastructure permitting.

The UNLOCK Act amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to expand how federal housing funds can be used. This legislation now allows local entities to directly use these funds for the construction of new housing specifically for low- and moderate-income residents. The bill removes the requirement for these entities to partner with a nonprofit organization to carry out the new construction projects.

The Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act significantly expands federal authority to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones posing threats to critical infrastructure and national airspace. The bill establishes new coordination requirements between the Department of Homeland Security, the FAA, and the Department of Justice for deploying counter-drone technology, including restrictions on foreign-made equipment. It also creates pilot programs allowing state and local law enforcement to use drone mitigation technology at specific sites and events. Finally, the legislation mandates new safety reporting requirements for drone manufacturers and sets an expiration date of October 1, 2030, for most of the new authorities granted.

This bill establishes a new grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to help specialty crop producers become more competitive. These grants will assist eligible entities in purchasing advanced mechanized or automated equipment and providing necessary training for its use. Recipients must provide matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost. The covered technology ranges widely, including harvesting tools, sorting machinery, traceability systems, and advanced IoT and robotic equipment.

The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025 establishes a program for the Secretary of Agriculture to award grants to eligible organizations. These grants will fund domestic market development programs, including advertising and promotion activities, for domestically produced specialty crops. Recipients must submit a marketing plan and provide non-Federal matching funds of at least 25%. The Act authorizes $75 million annually for this purpose starting in fiscal year 2026.

The Specialty Crop Domestic Market Promotion and Development Program Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to boost the domestic market for U.S.-grown specialty crops. The Secretary of Agriculture will award funds to eligible organizations to execute approved marketing and development projects. Recipients must provide non-Federal matching funds and adhere to strict spending guidelines monitored through annual reviews and audits.

The Farm Credit Adjustment Act grants the Farm Credit Administration the option to extend mandatory examination cycles for low-risk Farm Credit System institutions from the current frequency to once every 24 months. This change provides regulatory flexibility for institutions deemed stable by the FCA. This new examination option will take effect starting October 1, 2026.

The Local Farmers Feeding our Communities Act establishes a new program to support local food producers and strengthen regional food security. This initiative requires the Secretary of Agriculture to fund agreements that ensure nutritious, locally sourced food is purchased and distributed widely, prioritizing small and beginning farmers. Funds must be used to buy minimally processed local products and provide technical assistance to producers. The program is backed by mandatory funding starting in Fiscal Year 2026.

The VISIBLE Act mandates that federal immigration enforcement officers, such as those from CBP and ICE, must clearly display their agency name and either their last name or badge number during all public-facing civil immigration enforcement activities. This requirement ensures officers are easily identifiable to the public from a distance, promoting transparency and public trust. The law also establishes disciplinary procedures for non-compliance and requires annual reporting to Congress on enforcement activities and violations.

The WAGER Act of 2025 simplifies the statutory language regarding the deduction of gambling losses for federal tax purposes. This amendment clarifies the existing rule that limits the deduction of gambling losses to the amount of gambling winnings. This change will take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The SAVES Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, up to $\$2,000,000$ each, will fund the training and provision of service dogs for veterans with qualifying conditions like PTSD or TBI. The bill also extends the expiration date for certain limits on veterans' pension payments until February 2033.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's recently submitted rule on the "Barred Owl Management Strategy." By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this action nullifies the proposed management strategy, preventing it from taking legal effect. Essentially, Congress is rejecting the USFWS's plan for managing Barred Owls.

The Agricultural and Rural Road Improvement Program Act establishes a new federal program dedicated to repairing and improving critical local and rural roads essential for agriculture. This program aims to enhance access to farms and agricultural facilities, reduce weight-restricted bridges, and increase the safety and resilience of rural transportation networks. Federal funding for these projects will cover up to 90 percent of the total cost.

The Supporting Upgraded Property Projects and Lending for Yards (SUPPLY) Act establishes a new federal insurance program, managed by HUD, to specifically back second mortgages used for financing the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). This legislation also directs the FHFA to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase and securitize these newly insured ADU construction loans, subject to risk oversight. The goal is to increase the availability of financing for property owners looking to add secondary housing units.

This bill directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a federal insurance program for second mortgages used to finance the construction of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). The program will insure loans up to a specified limit based on property value and potential rental income. Furthermore, it requires the FHFA Director to permit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase and securitize these newly insured ADU construction loans, subject to market risk oversight.

This bill, the Great Lakes Fishery Research Reauthorization Act, extends the authorization for federal funding dedicated to monitoring, assessing, and researching the Great Lakes Basin. It pushes the current funding expiration date from 2025 to the end of fiscal year 2030. This ensures continued support for vital Great Lakes protection and study programs for an additional five years.

The Farmers First Act of 2025 significantly strengthens support for agricultural producers by enhancing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. This legislation increases annual funding for the network and mandates the inclusion of dedicated crisis lines within supported programs. Furthermore, it formalizes partnerships between grant recipients and various healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive access to mental health and substance use treatment for farmers and ranchers.