Legislative Activity

The SAFE Banking Act of 2026 aims to provide federal protections for financial institutions serving state-sanctioned marijuana and hemp-related businesses. It prohibits federal regulators from penalizing banks solely for providing financial services to these state-compliant operations. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that proceeds from these state-legal businesses are not automatically considered unlawful proceeds under federal money laundering statutes. It also addresses mortgage underwriting and requires studies on diversity and inclusion within these sectors.

The PEARL Act establishes a three-year pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to acquire and train dogs from local animal shelters. These shelter dogs will serve as support dogs, enhancing CBP's existing Support Canine Program.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 aims to combat sophisticated, cross-jurisdictional organized retail and supply chain theft. It achieves this by strengthening federal laws regarding money laundering and stolen property offenses, including lowering monetary thresholds for prosecution. Furthermore, the bill establishes a dedicated Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal, state, and local enforcement efforts against these criminal organizations.

This resolution officially designates May 6 through May 12, 2025, as "National Nurses Week." It recognizes the essential role nurses play in patient care, health advocacy, and improving healthcare quality across the nation. The bill encourages the public to observe this week with appropriate recognition for the contributions of nurses.

The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2027 provides funding for the Treasury Department, the Executive Office of the President, the Judiciary, and the District of Columbia for fiscal year 2027. It sets strict operational rules and spending limitations across these entities, including significant restrictions on the IRS and various independent agencies. The bill also imposes broad government-wide prohibitions on funding for DEI programs, electric vehicle purchases, and certain regulatory actions.

This resolution officially recognizes the 125th anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps, established on February 2, 1901. It expresses profound gratitude for the unwavering service, skill, and sacrifice of all past and present Army nurses. The bill honors their vital contributions to the health and well-being of the United States Armed Forces.

The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act aims to ensure federal port infrastructure funding is distributed fairly across the nation. This legislation amends the Port Infrastructure Development Program to mandate equitable geographic distribution when awarding grants for port projects, including those benefiting small ports.

The Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems Act (CLASS Act) establishes new disclosure requirements for public elementary and secondary schools receiving federal funding. As a condition of this aid, schools must report any foreign funding or contracts exceeding \$10,000 within 30 days. This reporting mandates identifying the foreign source, country of origin, and the terms of the funding or contract.

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 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 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 increases the excise tax on the investment income of private colleges and universities while lowering the asset threshold to include more institutions. Additionally, the bill introduces a penalty tax for schools that increase their net price for students at a rate faster than inflation. These measures aim to hold private institutions more accountable for their financial practices and tuition costs.

The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2025 authorizes the use of federal grant funds to better equip and train emergency personnel. This legislation enables first responders to purchase specialized containment devices and receive training to prevent accidental secondary exposure to fentanyl and other lethal substances.

The BEACH Act of 2025 strengthens coastal water safety by expanding monitoring requirements to include upstream waters and public beach access points. The bill provides $30 million in annual funding through 2029 to support these efforts and allows states to use grants to identify specific sources of contamination. Additionally, it mandates that the EPA incorporate the latest testing technologies into its guidance for state and local water quality programs.

The Advanced Border Coordination Act of 2025 mandates the creation of Joint Operations Centers along the southern border to unify federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement efforts. These hubs will centralize communication, coordinate multi-agency field operations, and improve information sharing to better combat human trafficking, drug smuggling, and other criminal activities. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide annual reports to Congress to ensure ongoing operational effectiveness and interagency cooperation.