Legislative Activity

This bill establishes the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, aiming to formally recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by requiring the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a distinct occupational category for them in the federal classification system. The legislation also authorizes significant federal grants to states to establish or expand paid family and medical leave programs. If a separate DSP classification is not created, a report explaining the decision must be submitted to Congress.

The Northern Border Security Enhancement and Review Act mandates regular, updated threat analyses and strategic planning to strengthen security along the U.S.-Canada border. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish new performance measures for air and marine operations and provide periodic classified briefings to Congress. The bill is designed to be implemented using existing departmental budgets without additional federal funding.

The Stop Superbugs Act establishes a competitive grant program to support a clinical research network dedicated to combating antibiotic resistance. This initiative focuses on accelerating clinical trials, improving community outreach, and integrating diagnostic and pharmaceutical innovations to better address the threat of superbugs.

The Improving CARE for Youth Act removes barriers to integrated healthcare by ensuring that state Medicaid programs cannot deny payment for mental health and primary care services simply because they are provided on the same day. This legislation facilitates more efficient, coordinated care by allowing providers to be reimbursed for both service types during a single patient visit.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on designating the Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire as a National Heritage Area. The study will assess the suitability and feasibility of this designation, considering the site's unique historical significance to the Shaker movement. The Secretary must consult with relevant state, local, and historical organizations during this process.

The Preventing Tax Fraud and Identity Theft Act accelerates the electronic filing deadline for various information returns—including those for interest, dividends, and gambling winnings—to January 31 of the year following the tax year. By moving these deadlines forward, the bill aims to improve tax administration and reduce opportunities for fraud. These requirements will take effect for returns covering the 2028 calendar year and beyond.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes in rural areas by providing grants for emergency obstetric training, essential medical equipment, and staffing at facilities without dedicated obstetric units. The legislation also establishes a telehealth pilot program to connect rural providers with maternal health specialists for urgent consultations. Additionally, it mandates a comprehensive study on rural maternity ward closures to better inform future regional care strategies.

The Federal Cybersecurity Workforce Expansion Act aims to address the national shortage of cybersecurity professionals by establishing two pilot programs focused on training and apprenticeships within the Department of Homeland Security. These initiatives prioritize the recruitment of veterans, military spouses, and underrepresented communities to build a sustainable pipeline for federal cyber roles. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for federal agencies to complete critical cybersecurity workforce assessments through 2028.

The Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act amends the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) to better support children raised by relatives, both within and outside the foster care system. The bill prioritizes kinship placements, expands advisory board representation, and enhances community-based resources to ensure these families receive the specialized training and services they need.

The Medication Affordability and Patent Integrity Act increases transparency in the pharmaceutical industry by requiring drug and biologic manufacturers to certify consistency between information submitted to the FDA and the USPTO. By mandating the disclosure of all patent-related data to both agencies, the bill aims to prevent the misuse of patent systems. Additionally, it establishes new enforcement mechanisms and creates a legal defense against patent infringement for companies that fail to meet these disclosure requirements.

The ReportScams.gov Act establishes a government-wide priority goal to reduce scams and mandates the creation of a comprehensive Federal Scams Action Plan by an interagency committee. This legislation requires the launch of a centralized public website, **ReportScams.gov**, for scam reporting, education, and victim assistance. Furthermore, the Act ensures accountability through quarterly progress updates and annual reports detailing scam trends, losses, and enforcement actions.

The Tax Relief for Innocent Spouses Act grants courts, including the Tax Court, the authority to conduct a *de novo* review when considering requests for innocent spouse relief. This means judges can fully reexamine the facts and law, rather than being restricted to the initial administrative record. This change applies to all relevant petitions filed or pending after the Act's enactment.

The Multigenerational Care and Support Act updates existing law to expand demonstration, support, and research projects focused on multigenerational activities. This legislation broadens the scope of eligible mentoring opportunities and facilities where these programs can take place, ensuring support for activities that benefit both younger and older individuals. It also modifies reporting requirements for evaluations of these federally supported projects.

The Gateway to Careers Act of 2026 establishes a new federal grant program to fund career pathway partnerships across the country. These competitive grants, administered by the Department of Labor, will support collaborations between workforce agencies, educators, and employers to develop and implement programs in high-demand sectors. Funds must support both program development, such as integrated education and training, and essential student support services like childcare and transportation. The goal is to improve employment outcomes and measurable skill gains for participants by addressing barriers to education and work.

The Relief for Families of the Fallen Act provides significant income tax relief for the families of public safety officers who die from injuries sustained in the line of duty. This bill exempts income taxes for the year of death and prior years back to when the injury occurred. Eligibility will be determined by the Treasury Secretary based on existing federal death benefit criteria.

This resolution supports designating the week of April 27 through May 1, 2026, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week." It recognizes the vital role of over one million school-based professionals, such as counselors, social workers, and therapists, in removing barriers to learning for all students. The bill encourages awareness of how these experts improve student outcomes, mental health, and school climate.

The Medication Competition Act establishes a clear pathway for the FDA to approve biosimilar and interchangeable versions of biologic drugs. It sets rigorous standards for safety and efficacy, requiring biosimilars to be highly similar to the reference product. The bill also institutes a one-year exclusivity period for the first approved interchangeable product and outlines procedures for resolving related patent disputes.

The Protecting Stolen Encrypted Data Act of 2026 authorizes the U.S. government to identify, recover, manipulate, or destroy sensitive personal and classified data that has been unlawfully obtained by foreign entities. This legislation directs the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence to develop strategic frameworks for addressing these security threats to protect the economic and national interests of the United States.

The Child Care Tax Benefit Outreach and Assistance Act establishes a dedicated Business Child Care Liaison within the IRS to promote and expand employer-provided child care benefits. This role will serve as a primary resource for businesses and tax professionals, helping to navigate tax incentives like the section 45F credit and Dependent Care FSAs. Additionally, the Liaison is tasked with coordinating federal outreach efforts and providing annual reports to Congress to identify strategies for increasing access to child care support.

The Housing and Economic Development Act mandates increased collaboration between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to streamline jointly funded projects. By requiring a formal memorandum of understanding and a comprehensive interagency report, the bill aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve the efficiency of housing and economic development initiatives.