Legislative Activity

The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 mandates significant safety upgrades across both civilian and military aviation to prevent midair collisions. It requires the FAA to implement advanced collision avoidance systems and new air traffic controller training, while also compelling the Department of Defense to equip most military helicopters with transponders for increased visibility. The bill establishes new transparency measures, including public tracking of safety rule implementation and enhanced reporting on near-miss incidents, particularly around major airports like Reagan National.

The Regulatory Review Improvement Act of 2026 enhances federal oversight by requiring agencies to conduct more rigorous, transparent reviews of existing rules. This legislation mandates public comment periods, detailed economic analyses, and stricter reporting on compliance costs and paperwork burdens. Additionally, it limits the ability of agencies to delay these periodic reviews, ensuring greater accountability in the regulatory process.

This resolution supports the United Nations' designation of 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists." It recognizes the vital economic, social, and ecological contributions of American rangelands and the dedicated land managers who steward them. Furthermore, it encourages national efforts to promote education, research, and sustainable management practices for these essential landscapes.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

The H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act exempts healthcare workers from a $100,000 entry fee requirement currently imposed on certain H-1B nonimmigrant visa petitions. This legislation aims to remove financial barriers for medical professionals, ensuring they are not subject to fees exceeding standard immigration costs.

The HONOR Gold Star Families Act increases the military death gratuity payment for survivors of deceased service members from $100,000 to $200,000. Additionally, the bill establishes an annual cost-of-living adjustment to ensure the benefit keeps pace with inflation starting in 2027.

The Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act requires public colleges and universities receiving federal funding to offer in-state tuition rates to eligible U.S. nationals residing in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This legislation aims to increase educational affordability and accessibility for students from these U.S. territories.

The CAR SEAT Act establishes a national education campaign to inform the public about the dangers of counterfeit and noncompliant child restraint systems. It authorizes $1.5 million in federal funding to promote safety awareness and empowers states to use highway safety grants to educate parents on identifying and avoiding unsafe car seats and booster seats.

This bill amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to grant certain eligible states the option to receive their allocated federal funds as cash instead of commodities. States choosing this option can then directly purchase food commodities from the private commercial marketplace. This provides flexibility in how states procure food assistance resources.

The Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 expands federal efforts to protect migratory whales and other large cetaceans. This legislation mandates the creation of high-accuracy distribution maps for whale habitats and funds research into understudied species. It also establishes a competitive grant program to develop and deploy technologies that reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users, such as vessel strikes.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands critical federal programs to improve services and prevention for victims of domestic and dating violence through 2031. It significantly increases funding and broadens support, especially for Tribal communities and underserved populations, by allowing for culturally specific and digital services. Additionally, the bill enhances efforts to prevent teen dating violence through increased funding for broader educational programs.

The Territorial SBA Loan Guaranty Adjustment Act of 2026 increases the Small Business Administration's loan guarantee percentage for businesses operating in covered territories. This act establishes a 90 percent government guarantee for eligible 7(a) program loans made to these businesses. Certain specific provisions and pilot programs within the 7(a) program are excluded from this higher guarantee level.

This bill officially designates a specific section of Interstate Route 680 in Omaha, Nebraska, as the "Hal Daub Freeway." The designation covers the portion from mile post 0 to the Missouri River. All federal records and documents will be updated to reflect this new official name.

The Equality in the Halls of Congress Act allows the five U.S. territories and commonwealths—American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—to each contribute one statue to the National Statuary Hall Collection. This legislation ensures these jurisdictions are represented alongside the 50 states in the collection. The Architect of the Capitol is tasked with implementing the necessary steps to acquire and place these statues.

This bill reauthorizes the White House Conference on Small Business, updating its structure, timing, and purposes to better address current small business challenges. It modifies delegate selection, increases participant fees, and establishes a new funding mechanism relying on non-Federal gifts and bequests. The Act also mandates the creation of an electronic communication system for ongoing delegate collaboration and recommendation tracking.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

This bill mandates the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a single, uniform system for credentialing and privileging medical providers. The departments must first report on their existing systems and then jointly select one system to be implemented by January 1, 2028. This integration aims to streamline the process for medical providers serving both agencies.

The Territories Health Equity Act of 2025 fundamentally restructures federal healthcare funding for U.S. territories by eliminating Medicaid funding caps and establishing new hospital support. It also reforms Medicare payment formulas in territories, particularly Puerto Rico, and creates pathways for residents to access affordable health insurance coverage. Overall, the bill aims to increase financial stability for territorial healthcare systems and improve access and affordability for residents.

The Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act of 2025 aims to limit the financial burden of federal regulations on small businesses by requiring the SBA to track and cap its own rulemaking costs. It also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing the regulatory costs imposed on small businesses by all other federal agencies. Additionally, this bill establishes a one-time $1,000 payment for eligible U.S. citizens and qualified aliens, funded by a transfer from the Treasury's general fund.

The American Decade of Sports Act establishes a "Mega-Decade Sports Diplomacy Strategy" to leverage major international sporting events hosted in the U.S. between 2024 and 2034 to enhance America's global standing. This requires the State Department to create comprehensive 5-year plans detailing diplomatic goals, partnerships, and visa facilitation efforts. Furthermore, the Act mandates the creation of a dedicated Office of Sports Diplomacy to coordinate and execute these strategy objectives across government and private sectors. The Secretary of State must provide annual progress reports to Congress on the implementation of these goals until the end of 2034.