Legislative Activity

The Coastal Drone Surveillance and Interdiction Assessment Act mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to evaluate the feasibility of using drones for enhanced border security and to disrupt maritime and low-altitude drug smuggling along U.S. coastlines. This assessment, due within 180 days, will identify major trafficking corridors and remote communities, and analyze the effectiveness, risks, and potential of drone deployment.

The "Puerto Rico Energy Generation Crisis Task Force Act" establishes a federal task force to address Puerto Rico's energy generation challenges. The task force will include members from federal agencies, the Puerto Rican government, and the energy sector. It aims to identify and expedite solutions to energy generation problems, improve coordination between involved entities, and provide regular reports to Congress and the President.

The TRICARE Equality Act aims to improve healthcare access for TRICARE beneficiaries in Puerto Rico by making TRICARE Prime available, expanding travel benefits, and promoting health information sharing. It requires the Secretary of Defense to report on the progress of these improvements.

This bill aims to raise awareness and improve access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment, particularly within underserved Hispanic communities where incidence and mortality rates are disproportionately high. It supports National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and encourages the CDC and NIH to research factors contributing to racial disparities and elevated risk in young adults. The bill also recognizes the impact on patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates.

The "Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act" amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to bolster oversight of intelligence activities within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It ensures that intelligence information sharing respects privacy and civil liberties by requiring coordination with privacy and civil rights officers. The act also mandates specific training for intelligence personnel on privacy rights and civil liberties, particularly for those involved in disseminating or reviewing information.

This bill grants Diego Montoya Bedoya eligibility for permanent resident status in the U.S., waiving certain standard immigration restrictions and requiring him to apply within two years. It also mandates a reduction in the number of immigrant visas available to people from his country of origin and prevents his family members from receiving immigration benefits based on their relationship to him. The budgetary effects of this law will be determined by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee.

The "Child Tax Credit Relief for Puerto Rican Families Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to ensure equitable treatment for Puerto Rican residents regarding the refundable portion of the child tax credit, starting after 2024. It modifies the calculation of Social Security taxes used to determine the refundable amount of the credit, enhancing the potential benefit for eligible families.

The Puerto Rico Low-Income Housing Support Act seeks to improve housing access for low-income families in Puerto Rico. It amends the definition of "extremely low-income families" to align Puerto Rico with the poverty guidelines of the contiguous U.S. and requires a report on efforts to connect low-income families in Puerto Rico with housing assistance and affordable housing. The report will also assess disaster recovery efforts related to low-income housing and provide recommendations for program improvements.