Legislative Activity

This bill, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2026, sets the funding levels and operational restrictions for the Department of the Treasury, the Executive Office of the President, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and numerous independent agencies for Fiscal Year 2026. It allocates significant resources for financial security, judicial operations, and D.C. services while imposing strict limitations on agency spending, regulatory actions, and specific policy implementations across the board. Key provisions include restrictions on IRS technology spending, prohibitions on developing a Central Bank Digital Currency, and controls over D.C.'s local spending authority.

The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the nursing workforce by expanding federal grant support for advanced nursing education programs, including nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives. The bill updates funding rules to cover more training costs and allows nursing schools to invest in modern educational tools like simulation and telehealth technology. Furthermore, it authorizes increased appropriations through fiscal year 2030 to support these critical educational and practice expansion efforts.

This resolution officially supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6th through May 12th. It recognizes the critical, front-line contributions nurses make to patient safety, healthcare quality, and public health across the nation. The bill encourages the public to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities to honor the profession.

The PREPARE Act of 2025 establishes a federal commission to study and recommend a regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis, modeling it after existing alcohol regulations. This commission must investigate the social, economic, and criminal justice impacts of past prohibition. Its primary purpose is to ensure the federal government is prepared for the end of cannabis prohibition by developing comprehensive guidelines for safety, research, and industry access.

The STATES 2.0 Act aims to respect state and tribal authority by exempting marijuana activities compliant with local law from federal drug prohibitions. It mandates federal regulation of interstate cannabis commerce while establishing a new federal excise tax to cover oversight costs. Furthermore, the bill directs the FDA to respect tribal self-governance in marijuana regulation and requires a study on the effects of legalization on traffic safety.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act aims to combat sophisticated, cross-border criminal organizations driving massive increases in retail and supply chain theft. This bill updates federal laws regarding stolen goods and money laundering to strengthen enforcement tools against these groups. Furthermore, it establishes a new federal Coordination Center within Homeland Security to share intelligence and coordinate efforts between federal, state, and private sector partners. The legislation recognizes that these theft rings often fund other serious criminal activities, threatening national security and the economy.

The Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2025 establishes an Animal Cruelty Crimes Section within the Department of Justice to enforce federal animal cruelty laws, pursue investigations and prosecutions, and coordinate with other agencies. The section is required to submit an annual report to Congress regarding charges, convictions, and investigations. The bill recognizes the connection between animal cruelty and other crimes and aims to address the lack of dedicated enforcement of animal protection laws.

The "I CAN Act" is comprehensive legislation designed to remove existing practice and billing barriers for various Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)—including Nurse Practitioners, CRNAs, and CNMs—within Medicare and Medicaid. It aims to expand patient access to care by allowing these qualified professionals to supervise, order, and bill for services to the full extent of their state-defined scope of practice. Furthermore, the bill enhances transparency and accountability for Medicare's local coverage decisions affecting APRN services. Overall, this act seeks to integrate APRNs more fully into federal healthcare programs, improving efficiency and service delivery.

The CLASS Act requires public schools that receive federal funding to disclose any foreign funding or contracts to the Secretary of Education. Schools must report any funding or contracts over $10,000, including the source's name, country of origin, and any attached conditions. This aims to increase transparency regarding foreign influence in U.S. education.

The East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act of 2025 mandates a longitudinal study on the health impacts resulting from the February 3, 2023, train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to fund a consortium of higher education institutions to conduct the study and provide progress reports to Congress. The Act authorizes the appropriation of funds through fiscal year 2026 to support the study's execution until September 30, 2030.

The Higher Education Accountability Tax Act modifies the excise tax on investment income of private colleges and universities. It raises the excise tax rate from 1.4 percent to 10 percent and adds an additional tax increase for institutions with net prices that rise faster than the Consumer Price Index. The bill also expands the number of institutions subject to the tax by decreasing the asset threshold from $500,000 to $250,000. These modifications will be effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2024.

The "Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025" aims to protect first responders from secondary exposure to fentanyl and other dangerous substances. It amends existing legislation to provide first responders with the necessary training, resources, and containment devices. This will help to ensure their safety while on duty.

The BEACH Act of 2025 reauthorizes funding for state and local programs that monitor coastal recreation water quality and notify the public of potential contamination. It broadens water quality monitoring to include upstream waters and allows grant funds to identify pollution sources. The act also extends the authorization of appropriations through 2029 and requires the EPA to update guidance on water contamination testing technology.

The "Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025" mandates the creation of Joint Operations Centers along the southern U.S. border to improve coordination between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. These centers will serve as hubs for communication, ground, air, and sea operation coordination, and information sharing to combat criminal activities and enhance border security. The Department of Homeland Security is required to report annually to Congress on the progress, resources, and effectiveness of these centers.

The GLRI Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which aims to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. The act allocates $500 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to support this initiative.