Legislative Activity

This bill officially designates May 2026 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It calls for nationwide recognition and celebration of the significant contributions, achievements, and history of these communities to the United States. The measure emphasizes that these communities enhance the nation's diversity and strength.

This bill establishes the Office of Territorial Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to better support small businesses in U.S. territories. The Office will focus on improving access to SBA programs related to capital, contracting, disaster assistance, and entrepreneurial development. It requires regular reporting to Congress on the office's activities and the assistance provided to businesses in Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

This resolution officially designates April as Community College Month to celebrate the vital role of over 1,000 community colleges nationwide. It recognizes these institutions for providing accessible higher education, workforce training, and significant contributions to the U.S. economy. The bill highlights their affordability, local presence, and impact on student success across the country.

The Post-Disaster Protection Act establishes a temporary 180-day federal moratorium on most debt collection and negative credit reporting activities for individuals in presidentially declared disaster areas. This automatic protection prevents creditors from taking actions like foreclosures, repossessions, or wage garnishments following a major disaster. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for appealing FEMA disaster assistance decisions from 60 to 90 days.

This bill officially designates April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month to combat the rising number of tragic crashes caused by distracted driving. It highlights the severe dangers of visual, manual, and cognitive distractions, such as texting while driving. The resolution supports ongoing public education and enforcement efforts aimed at encouraging drivers to put away their phones and focus solely on the road.

This act establishes the Territorial Small Business Development Act of 2026 to create a new Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance program specifically for businesses owned and controlled by residents of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The program will mirror the support provided under the existing 8(a) program, but without imposing net worth requirements for applicants. To qualify, owners must demonstrate a 10-year residency in one of these territories, and the business must be principally located there.

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 Supporting VA Families Act establishes a supplemental parental leave program for Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This legislation provides eligible staff with four additional administrative weeks of unpaid leave following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. This benefit is designed to supplement, rather than replace, existing family and medical leave entitlements.

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.