Legislative Activity

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply annual inflation adjustments to the income thresholds used to determine the taxation of Social Security benefits. By indexing these thresholds to the cost of living starting in 2027, the legislation aims to prevent taxpayers from being pushed into higher tax brackets on their benefits due to inflation.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require annual inflation adjustments for the income thresholds that trigger the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax. Starting in 2027, these thresholds for high-income earners will be indexed to cost-of-living increases to prevent "bracket creep." This change ensures that the tax burden remains consistent with its original intent as inflation rises over time.

The Monitor Accountability Act establishes new federal regulations for the appointment and oversight of monitors tasked with supervising state and local government conduct. The bill introduces strict limits on monitor fees, tenure, and potential conflicts of interest, while mandating increased transparency through public comment periods and annual financial reporting. Additionally, it requires the rotation of judges for long-term monitorships to ensure ongoing judicial impartiality.

This bill amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to significantly increase civil penalties for violations. It raises the maximum per-violation fine to $1.2 million and doubles the alternative penalty based on transaction value to four times the amount. These updates aim to strengthen enforcement and deter non-compliance with export regulations.

This bill, the "Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act," raises the minimum amount of money required for certain cases to be heard in federal court from $\$75,000$ to $\$150,000$. It mandates automatic adjustments to this threshold every ten years based on inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index. The legislation also clarifies when federal courts may charge plaintiffs with costs if they fail to meet the minimum amount in controversy.

The Open Courts Act of 2026 mandates the creation of a modern, centralized electronic system for federal court records, accessible to the public via a separate interface. This system must feature modern development principles, robust search capabilities, and free public access, while establishing new funding mechanisms to cover its operation. The bill also sets standards for digital accessibility, cybersecurity, and long-term online availability of court documents.

The PATCH Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit consumer reporting agencies from including adverse medical debt information in consumer credit reports. This legislation specifically defines medical debt and prevents creditors from using this information when making credit decisions. The goal is to protect Americans from credit harm resulting from medical expenses.

This resolution mandates that the pay for all Senators be withheld during any federal government shutdown. The Secretary of the Senate must hold these compensation payments until the shutdown concludes, at which point the funds will be released. This measure will take effect following the November 2026 general election.

The Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2026 aims to lower insulin costs for Americans. For those with private health insurance, the bill caps out-of-pocket costs for certain essential insulin products at the lower of \$35 or 25% of the negotiated price, starting in 2027. Additionally, it establishes a federal program to ensure uninsured individuals can obtain a 30-day supply of insulin for no more than \$35.

The VICTIM Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to help law enforcement agencies improve their clearance rates for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes. Grants will fund technology upgrades, personnel training, and victim support services aimed at solving these serious offenses. The Attorney General will oversee the program, ensuring funds are distributed to both urban and rural agencies. Recipients must report annually on how the funds were used to enhance investigative methods and clearance statistics.

This bill amends federal law regarding beneficial ownership information reporting. It narrows the reporting requirement to apply only to foreign entities registered to do business in the U.S. The legislation specifically exempts U.S. persons from reporting their ownership information and mandates the deletion of existing U.S. person data from FinCEN records.

This Act mandates a comprehensive report on Russia's systematic persecution of religious groups in occupied Ukrainian territories, detailing abuses against non-aligned faiths. Following each report, the President must certify findings and impose sanctions on responsible individuals and entities. The legislation aims to hold accountable those involved in suppressing religious freedom and destroying houses of worship during the invasion.

This bill prohibits the Export-Import Bank from providing financing to any individual or entity that has seriously delinquent federal tax debt. The Bank must verify this status using federal databases and consultation with the IRS. The President retains the authority to waive this prohibition in cases of urgent and compelling U.S. interests, provided a report is submitted to Congress.

The Diego Garcia Treaty Oversight Act mandates that the President provide Congress with at least 180 days' notice and a detailed national security report before modifying or terminating the 1966 agreement regarding the British Indian Ocean Territory. Furthermore, the bill requires the Senate’s formal advice and consent for any changes to the agreement and prohibits the use of federal funds for such modifications without this approval.

The National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Reauthorization Act updates and reauthorizes the consortium’s mission to provide critical training to state, local, tribal, and territorial public safety agencies. The bill expands the consortium's membership, modernizes its training focus, and authorizes $587 million in funding over five years. Additionally, it establishes protections to ensure consistent and equitable funding distribution among member organizations.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Reform Act of 2026 restructures the MSRB to improve oversight of the municipal securities market. The bill mandates a new board composition, updates rulemaking authority to enhance investor protection, and establishes standardized data practices. Additionally, it grants the SEC greater authority to appoint board members and oversee the board's operational and financial standards.

This bill, the "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act," aims to reduce fraudulent payments by improving information sharing between the Social Security Administration and the federal Do Not Pay working system. It mandates cooperation to use death data to prevent and recover improper benefit payments. The legislation also establishes standards for recording deaths and requires notification if an individual is incorrectly flagged as deceased.

The Poverty Statistics Enhancement Act mandates the Census Bureau to develop and implement a new methodology for measuring poverty and income inequality, supplementing existing measures. This new approach will calculate individual income by adding earned income and government benefits while subtracting taxes paid, based on a specific Congressional Budget Office framework. The bill requires federal and state agencies to provide necessary data for this calculation and mandates comprehensive reporting to Congress on the implementation and resulting statistics.

The Close the Shadow Banking Loophole Act aims to increase federal oversight of industrial banks and their parent companies, often referred to as industrial loan companies. This legislation amends the Bank Holding Company Act to establish new supervisory authority for the FDIC over these institutions, particularly those that have recently gained federal deposit insurance. The bill also imposes stricter conditions on changes in control for industrial banks.

This resolution formally commends Centenary College of Louisiana as it celebrates its bicentennial anniversary. It recognizes the college as the oldest institution of higher learning in Louisiana and honors its significant history and ongoing contributions to education and the Northwest Louisiana community.