Legislative Activity

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to speed up the process of securing a first collective bargaining agreement after a union is certified. It establishes a mandatory timeline, including mediation and binding arbitration, if an agreement is not reached within 90 days of bargaining. This process is designed to prevent lengthy delays that currently weaken the union's position. The bill also requires a GAO report on current time-to-contract averages.

The **BUILD America 250 Act** is a comprehensive, multi-title bill authorizing federal surface transportation programs through 2031. It focuses on rebuilding highways and bridges, modernizing public transit, enhancing rail safety, and improving freight movement nationwide. Key provisions include new fees for electric vehicles, significant investments in accessibility for older transit stations, and stricter safety standards for commercial motor carriers.

This Act creates an alternative pathway for certain rural hospitals serving military families and veterans to qualify as Critical Access Hospitals, granting them enhanced Medicare payments and regulatory flexibility. This designation is available to facilities that meet specific service criteria related to TRICARE and VA beneficiaries, even if they don't meet standard location requirements. Furthermore, qualifying hospitals can establish distinct psychiatric or rehabilitation units without standard bed-count restrictions.

This bill seeks to disapprove the Department of Education's final rule regarding the "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program." By utilizing the Congressional Review Act, this legislation prevents the new regulations from taking legal effect. Consequently, the Department of Education cannot implement the changes outlined in that specific rule.

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 Act prohibits the use of federal funds for specific settlement payments, including those related to the *Trump, et al. v. IRS, et al.* case. It places new restrictions on the Judgment Fund, barring payments to high-ranking officials, their relatives, and certain entities for specific types of claims. The bill also establishes strict reporting and notification requirements for large government compromise settlements.

The **Protecting Our Democracy Act** imposes sweeping reforms across the executive branch to strengthen accountability and restore checks and balances. It restricts presidential pardon power, closes loopholes to ensure no President is above the law, and enforces constitutional emoluments clauses to prevent self-enrichment. Furthermore, the Act enhances congressional oversight by strengthening subpoena enforcement, increasing transparency around White House visitors and tax returns, and protecting federal whistleblowers from retaliation.

The MISSION Rx Act aims to lower prescription drug costs for servicemembers, veterans, and federal procurement programs. It caps the cost-sharing amounts paid by TRICARE beneficiaries and veterans for certain drugs at the level paid by Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Furthermore, the bill limits the price federal agencies pay for these same negotiated drugs under existing procurement agreements.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 4 through May 8, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Week. It recognizes the vital role of public school teachers and highlights their key priorities, including support for existing federal protections and funding. Furthermore, the bill encourages leaders to engage directly with teachers to ensure their expertise informs education policy.

This Act nullifies three specific Department of State rules concerning foreign assistance, effectively treating them as if they never existed. It prohibits any federal agency from implementing or enforcing these rules, or any substantially similar future policies. The legislation aims to prevent the enforcement of rules related to "Protecting Life," "Discriminatory Equity Ideology," and "Gender Ideology" in foreign aid.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives in strong support of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) vital role in global nuclear security. It recognizes the ongoing threat posed by illicit nuclear material and encourages the U.S. and other member states to ensure the IAEA has reliable and sufficient resources, including through the Nuclear Security Fund, to fulfill its mission.

The Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025 affirms the critical importance of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to U.S. national security amidst Russian aggression. This bill mandates that the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense deliver a comprehensive report to Congress detailing emerging military, cyber, and political threats to the Baltic states. The report must also recommend specific actions to enhance U.S. and NATO defense cooperation and bolster Baltic resilience.

The Securing the Rights our Veterans Earned Act (SERVE Act) extends eligibility for key Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to former service members who were discharged based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes access to hospital care, mental health services, national cemetery burial, Post-9/11 GI Bill education assistance, and housing loans. The bill also mandates the VA Secretary to conduct outreach regarding these newly available benefits.

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 Educational Equity Challenge Grant Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to help eligible entities address students' academic, social-emotional, and health needs, particularly those exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funds will be awarded for evidence-based strategies and innovative, educator-initiated proposals focused on high-need students. The bill prioritizes funding for rural and low-income areas while requiring robust reporting on outcomes and impact.

The Books Save Lives Act mandates that federally funded schools and public libraries maintain diverse book collections and employ trained library staff. It establishes a civil rights enforcement mechanism to address the discriminatory impact of book bans and requires a federal report on the effects of such campaigns on underrepresented communities.

This bill mandates gender-neutral assignment standards across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, effective September 30, 2026. It requires that all occupational performance standards be based on scientifically rigorous, job-specific criteria rather than gender. Additionally, the legislation establishes new annual reporting requirements for Congress and mandates a formal review of ground combat unit effectiveness.

This resolution formally recognizes the persistent gender wage gap in the United States and its significant negative impact on women, families, and the national economy. It highlights the systemic factors contributing to pay disparities across various demographics and occupations. Ultimately, the resolution reaffirms Congress's commitment to achieving equal pay for equal work.

The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 streamlines federal housing programs to better support tribal communities. The bill simplifies environmental review processes, expands homeownership and rental assistance opportunities, and reauthorizes critical funding through 2032. Additionally, it enhances tribal authority over housing management, improves access to loan guarantees, and establishes new support programs for homeless or at-risk Native American veterans.

The GUARDRAILS Act repeals the December 11, 2025, Executive Order regarding national AI policy. This legislation prohibits the use of federal funds to implement or enforce the mandates set forth in that order.