Legislative Activity

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and nullify a specific rule recently issued by the Department of Education concerning the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If enacted, this resolution would prevent the published rule from taking effect or being enforced.

The Child Predators Accountability Act strengthens federal laws against the sexual exploitation of minors by closing critical legal loopholes. It expands the definition of prohibited conduct to include the intentional depiction of minors in sexually explicit material, regardless of whether the child physically participated in the act. This legislation ensures that those who coerce or exploit children through digital depictions are held fully accountable under federal law.

The Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026 extends the authorization for critical sport fish conservation and restoration programs through 2031. This legislation maintains essential funding for state-level projects while updating the allocation formulas for multistate conservation grants and the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026 aims to improve the availability of mental health care by increasing Medicare reimbursement rates for specific services. Effective January 1, 2027, the bill raises the payment rate from 75% to 85% of the physician fee schedule. This adjustment is designed to better support providers and expand access to essential mental health treatment for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Child Suicide Prevention Act establishes federal grant programs to support youth suicide prevention initiatives for individuals under 26. This legislation funds evidence-based prevention strategies, training for healthcare providers and educators, and the integration of suicide prevention curricula into medical and health education. Additionally, the Act mandates the creation of a public resource website and promotes lethal means safety, including the secure storage of firearms.

Tyler’s Law directs the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study on the current practices, costs, and benefits of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments. Following this study, the Secretary will issue formal guidance to help hospitals improve their testing protocols for patients experiencing overdoses. This legislation aims to enhance clinical responses to the fentanyl crisis and improve patient health outcomes.

The Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026 mandates that fertilizer manufacturers and wholesalers report weekly price and quantity data to the USDA to increase market transparency. The bill also establishes a retail price survey program and creates a public dashboard to provide farmers and the industry with accessible, aggregated market information. These measures aim to improve price discovery while protecting confidential business data.

This resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the vital contributions of women across the agricultural industry. It celebrates the essential roles women play as producers, educators, and leaders, while encouraging the nation to support and empower the next generation of female agricultural professionals.

The Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2026 reaffirms the United States' commitment to the security and strategic partnership of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The bill mandates a comprehensive report from the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to analyze emerging regional threats and provide recommendations for strengthening deterrence, cybersecurity, and democratic resilience in the Baltic region.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

This resolution honors the historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across all sectors of society, including military service, business, science, and public leadership. It celebrates their resilience and vital role in shaping the nation while calling for continued investment to address the unique challenges they face.

The Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026 improves patient care by officially recognizing doctors of podiatric medicine as physicians within the Medicaid program. Additionally, the bill streamlines Medicare documentation requirements to ensure patients with diabetes have more efficient access to essential therapeutic footwear.

The ACTION for National Service Act elevates the Corporation for National and Community Service to an executive department known as the AmeriCorps Administration, led by a Director. The bill aims to significantly expand national service participation to one million people annually by 2036, while increasing living allowances and tying educational awards to the cost of college. Additionally, it establishes a National Service Foundation to manage private donations and provides tax exemptions for service-related educational awards and living stipends.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities within or against Cuba. It asserts Congress’s constitutional authority over war powers, noting that no formal declaration or statutory authorization for such military action currently exists. The bill ensures that any ongoing military engagement in the region must be explicitly authorized by Congress, while maintaining the right to self-defense and lawful counternarcotics operations.

The Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act (RAYS Act) requires school districts receiving federal funds to provide students with easy access to mental health and suicide prevention resources. Under this legislation, contact information for crisis lifelines must be included on student identification cards or prominently displayed on school websites and digital portals. Additionally, the bill mandates federal outreach campaigns to ensure students, parents, and staff are well-informed about available mental health support.

The Reclaim Trade Powers Act repeals Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effectively removing the President's authority to unilaterally impose import restrictions based on balance-of-payments deficits. This legislation aims to restore greater congressional oversight by eliminating this specific executive trade power.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins in 2029 to honor the service and sacrifice of fallen firefighters. Proceeds from the sale of these coins, including surcharges, will be distributed to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its mission and programs. The program is designed to ensure no net cost to the federal government.

The Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act provides financial relief and tariff exemptions to small businesses impacted by sudden, widespread import duty increases. The bill also empowers the Federal Trade Commission to prevent price gouging by larger entities on goods affected by these tariffs. Additionally, it mandates annual reporting to monitor market pricing and the effectiveness of federal enforcement efforts.

The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act amends the Higher Education Act to remove restrictive loan limit rules previously imposed on graduate and professional students. By restoring standard loan limit provisions, this bill aims to increase financial accessibility for students pursuing advanced degrees.