Legislative Activity

The Chafee Opportunities for New Networks and Existing Connection Trust Act (CONNECT Act) updates the Chafee Foster Care Program to prioritize helping older youth in foster care build and maintain supportive, lifelong relationships. The bill mandates the development of federal guidance for states and tribes on best practices for facilitating peer support, mentoring, and connection-building activities. This aims to reduce isolation and better support youth in achieving their permanency goals.

This resolution officially designates May 3 through May 9, 2026, as "Children's Mental Health Awareness Week." It aims to raise national awareness about the mental health challenges facing young people and the critical need for early detection, treatment, and prevention. The bill supports efforts to reduce stigma and improve access to essential mental health resources for all children.

The Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026 mandates the Secretary of Education to prioritize program reviews for institutions that disburse federal financial aid to students whose applications show a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. This ensures heightened scrutiny of schools where potential fraud is detected, unless the institution can prove it followed strict identity verification procedures before disbursing the aid. The identification serves as a flag for oversight activities and is not a standalone determination of non-compliance.

The Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the feasibility of using satellite technology in broadband projects managed by the Appalachian Regional Commission. This study will specifically examine the effectiveness, economic impact, and cost-efficiency of satellite broadband for business use in the region. The goal is to determine if satellite solutions can effectively promote economic development across Appalachia.

The No Fentanyl on Social Media Act requires the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and report on how minors access and purchase fentanyl through social media platforms. This report, developed with key agencies, will detail the risks, marketing tactics used by sellers, and platform design impacts. Ultimately, the legislation seeks recommendations for Congress on how to prevent minors from obtaining dangerous drugs online.

Sammy’s Law requires large social media platforms to provide parents and guardians with free tools to monitor and manage their children's accounts, including private messages, content, and privacy settings. The legislation mandates that platforms offer secure API access to authorized third-party safety software to help facilitate this oversight. Additionally, the bill establishes federal enforcement through the FTC to ensure these safety standards are upheld consistently across the country.

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act to establish a federal requirement for voters to provide valid photo identification when casting ballots in person or by mail. It outlines specific acceptable forms of ID and provides limited exceptions for religious objections, lack of access, or specific voter categories. Additionally, the legislation mandates that states provide public access to free copying services to assist voters in meeting these identification requirements.

The Critical Minerals Investment Tax Modernization Act of 2026 incentivizes domestic production by increasing the percentage depletion rate for rare earth elements and scandium to 22 percent. This tax adjustment aims to strengthen the supply chain for essential minerals critical to modern technology and national security.

The Healthy Competition for Better Care Act prohibits anticompetitive contract terms between health plans and providers that limit patient access to high-quality, lower-cost care. By banning restrictive clauses that prevent patient steering or mandate bundled affiliate services, the bill aims to increase transparency and competition in the healthcare market.

The Railway Safety Act of 2026 enhances national rail safety by mandating stricter operational standards, advanced defect detection technology, and more frequent equipment inspections for freight trains. Additionally, the legislation strengthens emergency preparedness by establishing new funding streams, improved training, and a reimbursement program to support local communities in responding to hazardous material incidents.

This bill promotes the domestic recycling of spent petroleum catalysts to recover critical minerals like vanadium, reducing reliance on foreign sources. It directs the EPA to issue an immediate rule exempting facilities that recover these valuable metals from certain hazardous waste regulations under the Solid Waste Disposal Act. The goal is to encourage safe, domestic materials recovery without imposing duplicative regulatory burdens.

The Clawing back Lapsed Obligations from State Emergency programs (CLOSE) Act terminates three major pandemic unemployment assistance programs established under the CARES Act. This legislation rescinds all remaining unspent federal funds designated for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). The bill effectively ends federal payments for these emergency unemployment benefits 30 days after enactment.

This act extends and refines the temporary authority allowing contract health care professionals to perform medical disability examinations for the VA, ensuring rural veterans continue to receive timely access to benefits. It expands the pool of eligible professionals and extends the program's sunset date to September 30, 2031. The VA is also required to report on the usage, quality, and cost of these contract exams.

The Upward Mobility Act of 2026 authorizes a five-year pilot program allowing up to five states to consolidate funding from major federal antipoverty programs into a single "Upward Mobility Grant." This allows states to streamline benefits, reduce work disincentives ("benefit cliffs"), and test innovative approaches to increase employment and earnings for low-income residents. Approved states must adhere to strict evaluation requirements focused on improving participant outcomes and reducing dependence on assistance.

The Accountability for Better Care Act of 2025 extends and modifies the premium tax credit for Marketplace health insurance through 2027, adjusting income limits and calculation percentages. It also establishes permanent funding for cost-sharing reductions under the ACA, effective in 2027. Furthermore, the bill restricts eligibility for both premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions to U.S. citizens, replacing previous lawful presence requirements. Finally, it prohibits premium tax credits for plans that cover elective abortions.

The Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act of 2025 mandates that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) clean water technical assistance programs. This review will detail the scope, effectiveness, and coordination of current assistance efforts, especially for economically distressed communities. Following the GAO report, the EPA Administrator must submit annual plans to Congress outlining actions taken to address the GAO's findings and recommendations.

This resolution calls for a child-centered and compassionate overhaul of the U.S. adoption and foster care system. It emphasizes the need for stability, proper support for caregivers, and ethical oversight across all levels of child welfare. Crucially, the bill mandates sustained resources and support for young people aging out of foster care to ensure their successful transition to independent adulthood.

The WATER Act of 2025 establishes a program allowing states to voluntarily assume federal permitting responsibilities for certain transportation projects under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This assignment requires a written agreement with the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, mandating that states adhere to existing federal environmental review standards. The law outlines application, oversight, and termination procedures for state participation in this permitting process.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget, excluding debt payments, within ten years of ratification. Congress can authorize temporary emergency spending above this limit with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. The amendment becomes valid upon ratification by three-fourths of the states within seven years.

The Hospital Adoption Education Act of 2025 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute nationwide educational resources to improve understanding of adoption sensitivities among healthcare providers. This bill establishes programs to educate hospital and birthing center staff on best practices for interacting with prospective birth mothers and adoptive families. The Secretary must consult with an expert committee and provide grants for non-directive adoption education to improve care for families pursuing adoption.