Legislative Activity

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.

This resolution honors the historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across all sectors of society, including military service, business, science, and public leadership. It celebrates their resilience and vital role in shaping the nation while calling for continued investment to address the unique challenges they face.

This resolution honors the life and enduring legacy of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a pivotal civil rights leader and advocate for global justice. It recognizes his decades of dedicated public service, his historic political achievements, and his lifelong commitment to equality. The measure further extends formal condolences to his family for their loss.

This concurrent resolution recognizes March 10, 2026, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor the courage and essential care provided by abortion clinic staff. The measure condemns recent legal and political restrictions on abortion access and affirms a commitment to protecting the safety of providers and the reproductive rights of patients.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act significantly updates existing law to expand online privacy protections for individuals aged 13 to 16. It broadens the definition of personal information collected online and imposes stricter requirements on operators regarding notice, verifiable consent, and data use for advertising. The bill also mandates studies on application oversight and the privacy risks associated with teens using financial technology products.

The Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the existing conservation program by authorizing $20 million in annual funding from fiscal years 2028 through 2032. This legislation ensures continued financial support for the protection and preservation of vital tropical forest and coral reef ecosystems.

The **Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act of 2026** aims to increase transparency and accountability in U.S. elections by closing loopholes that allow foreign spending and requiring greater disclosure of political donors. The legislation mandates that organizations report significant political expenditures, forces leaders to take personal responsibility for political advertisements, and streamlines the legal process for campaign finance challenges. Ultimately, these reforms seek to provide voters with clearer information about who is funding political campaigns and judicial nominations.

The Housing Tariff Exclusion Act aims to address the national housing affordability crisis by lowering construction costs. It establishes a formal process for U.S. companies to request exemptions from certain import tariffs on critical building materials. By removing these duties, the legislation seeks to increase the supply of new homes and reduce overall housing expenses for Americans.

The Direct File Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, free, and user-friendly online tax filing program operated directly by the IRS. The bill prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that restrict government-provided filing services and mandates the development of a seamless, accessible platform for federal and state tax returns. This initiative aims to simplify the filing process for taxpayers while ensuring the government maintains full control over its own tax preparation software.

The Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act strengthens Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by improving the bond guarantee program and establishing new liquidity and capitalization initiatives. The bill also creates a dedicated relending program to expand homeownership opportunities within Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it mandates increased congressional oversight and reporting regarding the effectiveness of these federal financial programs.

This resolution celebrates Black History Month by recognizing the profound history and enduring contributions of African Americans to the United States. It acknowledges past injustices while honoring the achievements across all fields that have shaped the nation. The resolution encourages continued reflection and unity as we move forward with liberty and justice for all.

The American Homeownership Act aims to increase housing affordability by restricting tax incentives for large-scale corporate investors and prohibiting federal agencies from financing their real estate acquisitions. The bill redirects savings from these tax changes to fund affordable housing construction and provide down payment assistance to first-generation homebuyers. Additionally, it strengthens antitrust oversight to prevent excessive market concentration in the residential real estate sector.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick time, accruing at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked. This protected leave can be used for the employee's or a family member's illness, medical care, or for reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act strictly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for using or requesting this time and mandates clear notice requirements regarding these new rights.

The Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026 prohibits retail food stores from charging grossly excessive prices and bans the use of surveillance technology to set customized prices for individual consumers. The law mandates that all prices must be displayed using clear, non-digital methods like physical labels, and it grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to enforce these provisions. Violators face significant civil penalties, and consumers are granted the right to sue for damages.

This resolution calls for the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people. It mandates federal action to ensure equal access to medical care, safety, employment, housing, and legal recognition. The bill aims to eliminate discrimination across various sectors and strengthen protections against violence and abuse.

The WORK to Save Lives Act aims to combat workplace opioid overdoses by providing non-mandatory guidance to private employers on stocking and training for overdose reversal medication. Additionally, the bill mandates that all federal agencies must acquire and maintain this medication and provide annual employee training on its use. This legislation seeks to ensure preparedness for opioid emergencies across various workplaces.

The AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026 establishes a new prize competition program managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to spur AI research and development addressing major national problems. This program will award significant cash prizes for solutions in critical areas like national security, health, and energy. The Act also mandates the coordination of federal agencies to publish foundational datasets to support these AI challenges.

This concurrent resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson, Arizona, shooting. It honors the six individuals who lost their lives and recognizes the survivors, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution reaffirms the importance of civility in democracy and Congress's dedication to preventing gun violence.

The SAFE Drugs Act of 2026 aims to enhance the safety and oversight of compounded drug products. It restricts pharmacies from frequently copying commercially available drugs and introduces new annual reporting requirements for out-of-state compounding activities. Furthermore, the bill imposes stricter FDA inspection schedules and mandatory registration for large-scale compounding facilities.

The Predatory Lending Elimination Act amends federal law to apply the Military Lending Act's 36% interest rate cap (MAPR) to most consumer credit transactions. This new restriction generally excludes residential mortgages and specific auto loans, while preserving stronger state consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is tasked with issuing implementing rules within one year.