Legislative Activity

The "Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act" amends Title 36 of the United States Code to define "female" and "male" based on reproductive systems. It stipulates that individuals whose sex is male are prohibited from participating in amateur athletic competitions designated for females.

The Special Operator Protection Act of 2026 establishes a new federal crime for knowingly making restricted personal information about special operations personnel or their families publicly available with the intent to threaten or incite violence. This law aims to safeguard covered persons—including special operations forces members and designated DoD personnel—from threats stemming from the unauthorized release of sensitive personal data. Violations carry significant penalties, including up to five years in prison, or life imprisonment if the act results in death or serious bodily injury.

This Act prohibits the download or use of specific Chinese-developed applications on devices owned or controlled by the Federal Government due to national security risks. Agencies must remove any listed "covered applications" within 60 days of their designation. Limited exceptions are allowed only if deemed necessary for specific research or intelligence functions, provided strict cybersecurity safeguards are in place. The Office of Management and Budget will regularly update the official list of prohibited applications.

The Ensuring Consistency in Nutrition Labels Act establishes stricter standards for food labeling accuracy. It deems a food product "misbranded" if its actual nutrient content exceeds the labeled value by more than 5 percent for certain required nutrients. This legislation mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update relevant regulations within 60 days of enactment.

The Stop Insider Trading Act restricts Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing new securities issued by publicly traded companies. It requires advance public disclosure for any sale of existing covered investments, with a mandatory 7-to-14-day notice period before the transaction. Violations result in significant financial penalties, including disgorgement of any net gains, payable by the Member personally.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 targets the increasing threat posed by organized theft groups impacting retail and the national supply chain. This bill strengthens federal law by expanding money laundering statutes and lowering thresholds for property crimes related to theft. Crucially, it establishes a new federal coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations to align efforts across all levels of law enforcement and the private sector to combat these cross-jurisdictional crimes.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

This bill officially designates January 9, 2026, as "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers nationwide. It also establishes National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th) to commemorate officers who have died in the line of duty. The legislation encourages the President to issue annual proclamations recognizing these days and calls for flags to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.

The Reporting Accountability and Abuse Prevention Act of 2026 mandates that all recipients of federal Title X family planning funds must strictly comply with state and local laws regarding the reporting of various forms of abuse, including child abuse and sexual assault. This compliance requires grantees to implement specific policies, conduct annual training, and establish protocols for patient safety and intervention. Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in penalties, including the repayment of federal funds and a multi-year ban on receiving future Title X assistance for repeat violations.

The Cashless Bail Reporting Act mandates the Attorney General to publish and regularly update a public list of all state and local jurisdictions that allow defendants to be released before trial without posting cash bail. This ensures transparency by identifying governments utilizing personal recognizance or unsecured bond systems. The initial list must be published within 30 days, followed by quarterly updates.

The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act directs the FAA to update regulations within one year to permit civil supersonic flight over the United States. This allowance is strictly conditional: supersonic flight is only permitted if the aircraft operates in a manner that guarantees no sonic boom reaches the ground anywhere in the U.S. airspace.

The "Respect State Housing Laws Act" repeals a provision in the CARES Act that restricted states' abilities to enforce their own eviction moratoriums. This change clarifies that state laws regarding evictions should be respected and not overridden by federal measures. By removing the subsection, the bill aims to restore states' authority over housing regulations and eviction processes within their jurisdictions.

The "Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act" prevents payment card networks from assigning a unique merchant category code to firearm retailers. The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the Act, investigating complaints, and reporting to Congress. This law overrides state and local laws regarding merchant category codes for firearm retailers and does not establish a private right of action.

The MERICA Act of 2025 seeks to update the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands by extending its leasing authority to cover hardrock minerals. This bill specifically defines hardrock minerals to include base metals, precious metals, and gemstones, while excluding resources like coal, oil, and gas. This change expands the federal leasing framework for certain hardrock mineral deposits on acquired lands.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The Biological Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2025 aims to safeguard sensitive U.S. biotechnology by controlling the export of synthetic DNA and RNA sequences. This bill establishes a license requirement for transferring these digital sequences to foreign entities of concern, particularly those linked to adversaries like the People's Republic of China. Congress finds this action necessary to prevent intellectual property theft that supports foreign military modernization and strategic technology development.

The DISPOSAL Act mandates the sale or long-term lease of six specific, underutilized federal buildings in Washington, D.C., granting the Administrator of General Services broad discretion over the transactions. This process is largely exempt from standard environmental and historic preservation reviews, with a strict prohibition on foreign ownership. Net proceeds from these disposals will fund relocation costs before being deposited into the Treasury to reduce the deficit.

The Forced Abortion Prevention and Accountability Act establishes a new federal crime prohibiting the knowing and intentional administration of abortion-inducing drugs to a pregnant woman without her informed consent. This legislation creates severe criminal penalties, including up to 25 years in prison, for those who violate this prohibition or attempt to do so. Furthermore, it grants victims the right to file a civil lawsuit to recover damages for physical and psychological injuries resulting from forced abortions.

This bill expands the definition of an "energy community" to qualify for increased tax credit rates for renewable electricity production and clean electricity investment. Specifically, it broadens eligibility to include non-metropolitan statistical areas. This change aims to encourage clean energy development in a wider range of geographic locations.

The Energy Choice Act prevents state and local governments from enacting bans or restrictions on the type or source of energy services consumers can access. This legislation protects consumer choice across various energy sources, including natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and electricity, provided the energy is sold across state lines. Essentially, it limits local interference with energy delivery options.