Legislative Activity

The Sustainable and Flood Resilient Engineering for Rural Areas (SAFE Rural) Act establishes a dedicated federal program to provide targeted flood mitigation funding and technical support to rural, Tribal, and territorial communities. By streamlining application processes and prioritizing nature-based solutions, the bill aims to close the gap in pre-disaster investment for areas often underserved by existing federal programs. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to reduce long-term disaster risks and costs by empowering local governments to proactively strengthen their infrastructure against flooding.

The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act modernizes federal geothermal energy programs by expanding research into advanced technologies like closed-loop and supercritical systems. The bill authorizes $150 million annually through 2031 to improve data collection, establish a center of excellence, and accelerate the commercial deployment of next-generation geothermal energy. Additionally, it mandates updated resource assessments and interagency cooperation to better map and utilize the nation's subsurface heat potential.

The General Aviation Protection (GAP) Act strengthens national security by implementing rigorous oversight of foreign investments in the U.S. general aviation sector. The bill mandates stricter CFIUS reviews for aviation-related transactions, establishes supply chain integrity audits, and restricts federal financial assistance to entities controlled by foreign adversaries. By tightening controls on dual-use technologies and foreign ownership, the Act aims to protect critical aerospace infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities from exploitation.

This bill seeks to codify Executive Order 14412, "Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks," into law. By doing so, it grants the executive order the full binding authority of an act of Congress. This action ensures the national security measures outlined in the order remain in effect through legislative mandate.

This bill, the Foreign Medical Program Integrity and Improvement Act, updates the Department of Veterans Affairs' Foreign Medical Program. It strengthens oversight by setting new payment rate standards, prohibiting payments for deceased individuals, and enhancing fraud detection and prevention measures. The legislation also allows the VA to contract with third parties for claims administration.

The American Drone Manufacturing Dominance Act of 2026 aims to secure U.S. drone supply chains by requiring law enforcement agencies to phase out drones from covered foreign countries to remain eligible for federal grants. The bill establishes a buyback program for existing foreign-sourced drones and funds new grants for agencies to purchase secure, non-foreign drones. Furthermore, it authorizes significant funding to boost domestic U.S. manufacturing facilities capable of producing defense-adaptable unmanned aircraft systems.

The COMPASS Act aims to ensure educational continuity for military-connected students during frequent relocations. It amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prevent conflicting state homeschooling requirements from penalizing military families moving due to a permanent change of station. Under this Act, military dependents educated at home will be considered compliant with the new state's homeschooling laws if they meet the requirements of either the departing or arriving state. This supports servicemember readiness by reducing administrative burdens associated with frequent moves.

The Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2026 modernizes federal law to limit state taxation of businesses engaged in interstate commerce. It expands protections beyond tangible goods to cover digital products and services, and establishes a strict physical presence standard for imposing state net income or other business activity taxes. This legislation aims to provide clear, uniform rules for when a state can assert taxing authority over out-of-state companies.

This resolution affirms the Senate's commitment to vital military alliances, such as those with the UK and Australia, whose forces have fought alongside the U.S. It expresses concern that politically motivated, retrospective war crimes allegations against allied special operations forces risk undermining essential trust and interoperability. The bill urges the Executive Branch to ensure that such investigations remain impartial and free from political interference to protect the integrity of these partnerships.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify investment credit rules specifically for nuclear energy facilities. It grants nuclear power facilities the same investment credit treatment currently available to energy storage technologies, removing prior limitations on public utility property. Additionally, the legislation removes the limitation on transferring progress expenditures for these eligible nuclear credits.

This bill establishes the "Special Operations Forces Concealed Carry Act," granting current and former highly-trained special operations personnel the authority to carry concealed firearms nationwide. This authority mirrors that currently afforded to qualified retired law enforcement officers under federal law. The legislation mandates the creation of a new identification card program by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to verify eligibility. This concealed carry privilege is permanent for qualified individuals who maintain honorable status and are otherwise eligible to possess a firearm.

This resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc. (SAAMI). It honors the organization’s century-long commitment to establishing technical and safety standards that ensure the reliable interoperability of firearms and ammunition. Furthermore, it recognizes SAAMI’s ongoing contributions to public safety, industry innovation, and responsible firearm practices.

The Expatriate Terrorists Act of 2026 significantly expands the government's ability to revoke citizenship and deport individuals tied to terrorism. This bill establishes new grounds for denaturalization based on terrorist organization membership or subsequent terrorist acts after naturalization. Furthermore, it mandates expedited removal proceedings for denaturalized terrorists and broadens the circumstances under which U.S. nationals can lose their citizenship due to terrorist support.

The Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026 aims to strengthen Taiwan’s energy resilience by increasing U.S. energy exports, including liquefied natural gas, and enhancing the security of Taiwan’s critical energy infrastructure. The bill authorizes collaborative efforts to protect against cyber and physical threats, promotes cooperation on nuclear energy technology, and establishes a maritime insurance program for vessels delivering vital goods to Taiwan. These measures are designed to reduce Taiwan's vulnerability to coercion while reinforcing regional stability and U.S.-Taiwan strategic ties.

The Families First Housing Act of 2026 establishes an 180-day "first look" period for certain homebuyers and organizations to purchase government-owned single-family properties before they can be sold to institutional investors. This mandates that federal housing entities offer eligible properties at fair market value exclusively to qualified primary residents, nonprofits, or local governments during this initial period. The Act also requires public listing, reporting on sales, and imposes penalties for non-compliance.

The COPS Anti-Organized Crime and Cartel Enforcement Act of 2025 establishes dedicated federal funding to help state and local law enforcement combat organized crime and cartels. This legislation authorizes $50 million annually to provide grants for creating specialized units, purchasing necessary equipment like drones and tactical gear, and training officers. Grant applications will be prioritized for areas with documented high levels of cartel or transnational criminal activity.

The SECURE STEM Act prohibits the issuance of certain visas and bars employment at national laboratories for nationals from specified countries, including China and Russia. Waivers to these bans may be granted if deemed in the U.S. national interest. The bill also mandates regular reporting to Congress detailing any waivers issued under this Act.

The No Free Pass for Felons Act of 2025 ties federal justice and policing grants to state and local pretrial release policies. To receive full funding, jurisdictions must certify they require a "dangerousness hearing" before releasing certain violent defendants on unsecured bonds. The bill also mandates increased data collection on pretrial release decisions and subsequent rearrests for violent offenders. Failure to comply with these public safety certifications may result in a reduction of Byrne Justice Assistance Grant funding by up to 15 percent.

The SAFE Drivers Act mandates that all applicants for a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or learner's permit must pass a standardized English proficiency test approved by the FMCSA. This requirement applies immediately upon the bill's enactment for all new and renewing applicants. States are responsible for administering the test, and failure to comply with these new federal oversight rules may result in the withholding of federal highway funding.

The Freedom from Automated Speed Enforcement Act of 2025 aims to discourage states from using automated speed enforcement systems, such as speed cameras, by threatening to withhold 10% of their federal highway funds starting in late 2026 if they do not certify their absence. These systems are generally banned unless they are strictly limited to use within active school zones or construction zones. The bill grants the Secretary of Transportation authority to implement necessary regulations to enforce these provisions.