Legislative Activity

The PRESS Act establishes a new federal crime for manufacturing or distributing equipment used to make illegal drugs if that equipment is intended for substances that will be unlawfully imported into the United States. This legislation amends the Controlled Substances Act to create specific prison sentences for these supply chain offenses. The Act also directs the Sentencing Commission to update federal guidelines to reflect these new penalties.

The Home Savings Act allows individuals to withdraw funds from certain retirement plans tax-free to use for a down payment or closing costs on a principal residence. This exclusion applies to distributions made between 2026 and 2030 for the account owner or an eligible relative. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to facilitate first-time home buying using existing retirement savings.

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.

The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to formally include Taiwan in existing certification and reporting requirements. It also mandates a feasibility study for expediting the licensing process for allied nations transferring U.S.-origin military equipment to Taiwan. The legislation is intended to enhance security cooperation while affirming that it does not alter existing U.S. policy as defined by the Taiwan Relations Act.

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 SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 establishes the Strategic Resilience Reserve Corporation to secure U.S. supply chains for critical minerals. This new entity will manage a national stockpile, finance domestic and allied production, and reduce reliance on foreign adversaries. The Act mandates supply chain targets, rigorous oversight, and public transparency for all operations.

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 Duty Status Reform Act aims to modernize and streamline the process for determining and managing duty status for federal employees. This legislation seeks to clarify existing regulations and ensure fair and consistent application of duty status rules across government agencies.

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 establish regulations allowing civil supersonic flight over the United States, provided that no sonic booms reach the ground. The bill also mandates the implementation of strict noise standards for supersonic aircraft during takeoff and landing, ensuring they remain consistent with current subsonic requirements. Additionally, it requires the FAA to create a framework for periodically updating these standards to incorporate future technological advancements.

The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes strict new licensing requirements for exporting advanced integrated circuits to designated countries of concern, including China and Russia. This legislation mandates detailed national security certifications to Congress before any license can be approved for these high-performance technologies. Furthermore, the bill creates an exemption process for trusted U.S. companies while terminating existing licenses for these sensitive exports.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and financial processors from creating or requiring special merchant category codes specifically for firearm retailers. This legislation aims to prevent the singling out of businesses that sell firearms, ammunition, or related components through transaction coding. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcement and reporting annually to Congress on the law's implementation.

The Respect State Housing Laws Act aims to clarify federal housing regulations by amending the CARES Act. Specifically, this legislation removes Section 4024(c) from the CARES Act.

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.