Legislative Activity

The No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 establishes mandatory identity fraud screening for all federal student aid applications starting in late 2026. If an application is flagged for potential fraud, colleges are prohibited from disbursing aid until they verify the student's identity using strict methods. This legislation also creates a higher scrutiny category for institutional program reviews if a school shows a pattern of paying aid on flagged applications without proper verification.

The "Protecting American Industry and Labor from International Trade Crimes Act of 2025" aims to combat trade-related crimes by establishing a specialized task force within the Department of Justice, enhancing the investigation and prosecution of illegal activities related to imports and exports. It mandates the Attorney General to develop partnerships, provide training, and submit annual reports to Congress on the progress and financial needs in addressing these crimes. The act allocates \$20 million for fiscal year 2026 to support these efforts, with a focus on bolstering the Criminal Division's capacity to prosecute trade-related offenses.

The Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act requires public schools to obtain parental consent before changing a minor student's gender marker, pronouns, or preferred name, or altering sex-based accommodations. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of federal education funding to teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology. This legislation aims to ensure parental involvement in significant decisions regarding their children's records and school environment.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 17, 2026, as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day." The goal is to raise public awareness about NEC, a devastating intestinal disease that severely impacts premature infants and their families. By increasing awareness, the resolution seeks to support efforts to reduce the incidence and improve outcomes for those affected by NEC.

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.

The Nursing is a Professional Degree Act officially designates nursing as a professional degree under federal law. This bill amends the Higher Education Act to provide a clear statutory definition for "professional degree," explicitly including nursing alongside other established professions like medicine and law. This change ensures consistency in recognizing the advanced academic requirements necessary to practice nursing.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 3817 Marysville Boulevard in Sacramento, California, as the "Grantland Johnson Post Office." This action ensures the building is officially recognized by its new name in all records and documentation.

This resolution designates March 29 through April 11, 2026, as "National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week." It honors the significant contributions of arts education to student development and recognizes the positive impact of Young Audiences Arts for Learning programs on communities nationwide. The bill encourages Americans to celebrate the week by promoting the essential role that the arts play in a complete education.

The HOPE with Fertility Services Act mandates that employer-sponsored group health plans providing obstetrical coverage must also include comprehensive coverage for infertility and iatrogenic infertility treatments. The bill establishes clear standards for these benefits, prohibits discriminatory plan practices, and requires rigorous oversight of utilization management tools. These requirements aim to improve patient access to essential reproductive care, with enforcement and reporting provisions effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

The Science of Reading Act of 2026 mandates that federally funded literacy programs align with evidence-based reading instruction while explicitly prohibiting the use of the three-cueing model. By prioritizing grants for states and local agencies that adopt these science-based practices, the legislation aims to improve literacy outcomes from early childhood through grade 12.

The Save Our Sequoias Act establishes a comprehensive, multi-agency framework to protect and restore giant sequoia groves from the escalating threats of wildfire, insects, and drought. The legislation creates a collaborative coalition to assess grove health, streamlines emergency protection projects, and authorizes dedicated funding and strike teams to accelerate reforestation and forest management efforts. By fostering partnerships between federal, state, and Tribal entities, the Act aims to ensure the long-term resilience and survival of these iconic trees.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

The Home School Graduation Recognition Act ensures that students who complete their secondary education in a home school setting are officially recognized as high school graduates for federal student aid purposes. By amending the Higher Education Act of 1965, this bill removes barriers to financial assistance for home-schooled students, provided their education meets state requirements.

The HIRE DEA Act grants the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) special direct hire authority from 2027 through 2034. This allows the Attorney General to quickly appoint qualified candidates to critical roles, such as Special Agents and intelligence analysts, bypassing standard competitive hiring rules. This authority is intended to enhance the DEA's ability to combat evolving drug trafficking threats.

The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026 establishes a commission to investigate the history and ongoing impacts of U.S. Indian boarding school policies. This legislation mandates the gathering of survivor testimony and the search for student burial sites across the country. It also creates advisory committees to ensure Native communities guide the process and clarifies existing laws to facilitate the repatriation and respectful reburial of cultural items. Ultimately, the Act aims to provide a formal record, promote healing, and recommend necessary policy changes to Congress.

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act establishes a process for victims of human trafficking to seek the expungement of federal arrests and the vacatur of certain federal criminal convictions resulting from their victimization. It also creates a new duress defense in federal criminal trials for individuals who committed offenses while being trafficked. Furthermore, the bill allows courts to reduce the sentences of current prisoners who committed offenses as a direct result of trafficking.

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act establishes new competitive grants for states to support charter school facilities, prioritizing those in high-need areas. It expands how existing federal charter school grant funds can be used for facility acquisition and compliance, and allows states to reserve funds for revolving loan programs. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that federal funds used for property acquisition do not create a federal interest in the property.

The Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026 establishes a Department of Justice Task Force dedicated to combating anti-Sikh hate and discrimination. This Task Force is charged with formally defining anti-Sikh hate, developing educational programs for law enforcement and schools, and collaborating with the Sikh community. The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress on hate crimes, legal actions, and ongoing threats against Sikhs.

The Stop Insider Trading Act restricts Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing new securities issued by publicly traded companies. It requires advance public disclosure for any sale of existing covered investments, with a mandatory 7-to-14-day notice period before the transaction. Violations result in significant financial penalties, including disgorgement of any net gains, payable by the Member personally.