Legislative Activity

The Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated unit within the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute criminal trade activities, such as smuggling, duty evasion, and trade-based money laundering. This legislation aims to bolster enforcement capacity through increased staffing, interagency collaboration, and the development of multi-jurisdictional responses. Additionally, it mandates annual reporting to Congress to ensure transparency and accountability in the government's efforts to protect American industry and labor.

The Cancer Research Trust Fund Act establishes a dedicated federal fund to support critical research into cancer prevention, early screening, and innovative treatments. Financed by a portion of duties collected on imported tobacco products, the fund prioritizes advancements in pediatric and rare cancer research.

The Health Insurance Transparency for Patients Act requires health insurance issuers and Medicare Advantage plans to publicly report detailed data regarding their coverage decisions, including denial rates, appeal outcomes, and review processes. By mandating that this information be presented in a clear, consumer-friendly format, the bill aims to increase accountability and help patients better understand how their coverage requests are handled.

The TEACH Improvement Act of 2026 reforms the TEACH Grant program by updating award amounts, streamlining the service obligation process, and establishing new oversight measures for participating institutions. The bill introduces stricter accountability for schools with high grant-to-loan conversion rates and creates a formal process for borrowers to have erroneously converted loans reinstated as grants. Additionally, it mandates expanded reporting and enhanced servicer accountability to ensure the program effectively supports future educators.

This bill, the Veterans to Advanced Manufacturing Plan Act, directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to create an action plan to help veterans secure employment in the advanced manufacturing sector. The plan must identify barriers for both veterans and employers, highlight veteran skills relevant to the industry, and recommend specific actions to increase veteran participation. The goal is to streamline the path for veterans to enter and succeed in advanced manufacturing jobs.

This bill amends House Rules to prohibit Members, officers, and employees from participating in prediction markets that involve betting on the outcome of specific events. It specifically bans entering into contracts or transactions dependent on whether an event occurs. Furthermore, the House expresses its desire for the executive and judicial branches to adopt similar restrictions.

The ENDS Chinese Vapes Act of 2026 aims to stop the illegal entry of unauthorized electronic nicotine delivery systems into the United States. This bill establishes significant new civil penalties for individuals or entities that fraudulently, negligently, or grossly negligently introduce these smuggled vaping products. Penalties are tiered based on intent and can be substantially increased for repeat offenses or if the shipment attempts to evade customs laws. This legislation works alongside existing enforcement powers to deter the distribution of unapproved foreign vapes.

The PURE Executive Act significantly strengthens ethics rules for former senior executive branch personnel. It extends the post-employment lobbying ban from one or two years to a uniform five years for domestic lobbying. Furthermore, the bill establishes a permanent, lifetime ban on these former officials lobbying on behalf of foreign governments or foreign-controlled entities.

The Access to LARCs Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study and report on the barriers to accessing a range of contraceptive methods at community health centers located in health care deserts. This legislation aims to identify challenges related to reimbursement, provider training, and inventory to help improve reproductive health access for underserved populations.

The Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act establishes a priority review process to make certain oral contraceptives available over-the-counter for adults aged 18 and older. The bill also mandates a comprehensive GAO study to track federal spending on contraceptive-related activities across various government programs over the past 15 years.

The End Special Treatment for Congress at Airports Act of 2026 prohibits the TSA from providing Members of Congress with expedited security screening or preferential access based on their official position. The bill further mandates that Members of Congress be ineligible for Trusted Traveler Programs, such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, ensuring they are subject to the same standard security procedures as the general public.

The After Hours Child Care Act establishes a new Child Care and Development Innovation Fund to improve access to care for parents working nontraditional hours. This fund supports a competitive pilot grant program managed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Grants will help eligible entities expand capacity, contract services, or establish new programs specifically serving families with irregular work schedules. The goal is to help these parents maintain employment and advance their careers.

The DALCI Act establishes the Driftless Area Landscape Conservation Initiative to address environmental challenges in the Midwestern Driftless Area. This initiative directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide assistance for implementing climate-smart agricultural practices focused on soil health, carbon sequestration, and ecological restoration. Key activities include improving ground cover, managing woodlands, restoring prairies, and rehabilitating cold water stream corridors. The program is authorized with $5 million in funding annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

The Pregnant Students' Rights Act mandates that colleges and universities inform students about their rights, available accommodations, and resources supporting pregnant students who choose to carry their babies to term. Institutions must proactively share this information annually via email, handbooks, and on their websites. This ensures students are aware of support options and complaint procedures related to Title IX protections.

The Flexibility for Workers Education Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify which time is excluded from "hours worked" for minimum wage and overtime calculations. Specifically, it excludes time spent changing clothes or washing if covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. The bill also excludes time spent attending voluntary, non-work-related educational or training activities that occur outside of regular hours.

The Gang Activity Reporting Act of 2025 mandates the Attorney General, in coordination with federal agencies and local law enforcement, to submit an annual, detailed report on gang activity to Congress. This report must track gang growth, criminal methods, resource allocation, and enforcement statistics, including drug and firearm seizures. The goal is to provide accurate, up-to-date data to inform effective, evidence-based policy against rising violent crime.

The Supporting Healthy Pregnancy Act requires state child support programs to establish and enforce an obligation for biological fathers to pay at least 50% of a mother's out-of-pocket medical expenses related to pregnancy and delivery, provided the mother requests support. This new mandate specifically excludes expenses associated with abortion, as defined in the bill.

The Midwives for MOMS Act of 2025 establishes new grant programs to strengthen the maternity care workforce by supporting the education and training of midwives and nurse-midwives. These grants will fund student support, the expansion of accredited educational programs, and the recruitment of clinical preceptors. Priority will be given to institutions that commit to training providers who will practice in designated health professional shortage areas, particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged communities.

This bill, the Fertilizer Research Act of 2025, mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture produce a comprehensive report on the U.S. fertilizer industry. The report must analyze market size, pricing trends over 25 years, import data, and supply chain dynamics. It will also evaluate industry concentration, compare emerging versus conventional fertilizers, and assess the need for mandatory public price reporting.

The PRECISE Act aims to promote conservation and efficiency in agriculture by expanding access to conservation loans and rural assistance for adopting precision agriculture practices and technology. It updates definitions and increases potential payments under existing conservation programs like EQIP and CSP to incentivize the use of precision methods. Furthermore, the bill directs emphasis toward using third-party providers for technical assistance related to soil health and precision agriculture planning.