Legislative Activity

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and nullify a specific rule recently issued by the Department of Education concerning the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If enacted, this resolution would prevent the published rule from taking effect or being enforced.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

The Restoring College Access and Affordability Act aims to reverse recent changes to federal student aid programs by repealing provisions related to loan limits, repayment options, and Pell Grant eligibility. This legislation restores prior law regarding student loan forgiveness, deferment, and how other grants affect Pell Awards. Additionally, it modifies the excise tax on private college endowment income and adjusts rules concerning ineligibility based on low earning outcomes.

The Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026 comprehensively updates federal housing laws for Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Alaska Natives. This bill aims to increase tribal flexibility in using technical assistance and procurement funds while streamlining environmental review requirements for housing projects. It also establishes new rental assistance programs for homeless veterans and creates pilot programs to address homelessness in tribal and Native Hawaiian communities. Finally, the Act reauthorizes key funding mechanisms and establishes a formal Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee within HUD.

The Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act establishes new training requirements to ensure school principals and leaders are better equipped to oversee prekindergarten programs. By integrating early childhood development and instructional leadership into preparation programs, the bill aims to improve the quality of support provided to teachers and students from birth through age eight.

The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act of 2025 enhances disaster recovery support for agricultural producers and forest landowners by expanding eligible emergency measures and wildfire coverage. The bill improves financial accessibility by introducing advance payment options for restoration projects and extends the application deadline for disaster assistance from 60 to 180 days.

This resolution designates April 6 through April 10, 2026, as "National Assistant Principals Week." It honors the vital contributions assistant principals make to student success and encourages nationwide observance to recognize their essential role in school leadership.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

This resolution honors the historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across all sectors of society, including military service, business, science, and public leadership. It celebrates their resilience and vital role in shaping the nation while calling for continued investment to address the unique challenges they face.

This resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists." It highlights the vital ecological and economic contributions of rangelands while honoring the generations of ranchers and land managers who sustain them. The measure encourages nationwide efforts to promote education, research, and sustainable management practices for these essential landscapes.

The Transportation Security Administration Pay Act of 2026 ensures that TSA personnel continue to receive their standard pay and benefits during any potential government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. This legislation guarantees uninterrupted compensation for employees until regular appropriations are enacted or through September 30, 2026.

The Stop Presidential Emoluments Act imposes a 100% tax on any damages received by high-ranking federal officials—including the President, Vice President, and Members of Congress—from civil lawsuits filed against the United States. This legislation applies to damages awarded or settled during the official's term and for one year thereafter. By taxing these payouts at the full amount, the bill aims to prevent government officials and their close relatives from profiting through litigation against the federal government.

The Transportation Security Administration Pay Act of 2026 ensures that TSA personnel continue to receive their pay and benefits during a potential government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. This legislation provides a temporary funding mechanism that remains in effect until regular appropriations are enacted or through September 30, 2026.

The AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish standardized frameworks for ensuring that federally funded biological research data is optimized for artificial intelligence applications. By creating clear definitions and data management policies, the bill aims to improve the quality and accessibility of research datasets while supporting advancements in biotechnology.

The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act amends the Higher Education Act to remove restrictive loan limit rules previously imposed on graduate and professional students. By restoring standard loan limit provisions, this bill aims to increase financial accessibility for students pursuing advanced degrees.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act of 2026 aims to modernize and expand the SSI program by increasing income and resource limits, adjusting benefit amounts, and eliminating outdated penalties. The bill also simplifies eligibility rules, excludes specific assets like retirement accounts from calculations, and extends full SSI program coverage to U.S. territories.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 2026 as "Music in Our Schools Month." It recognizes the cultural importance and long history of music education in the U.S. The bill highlights the academic and social benefits of music programs while acknowledging disparities in access to quality music instruction. Ultimately, it calls for increased support for teaching and learning music in public schools.

The America’s Living Library Act establishes a pilot program within the Department of the Interior to collect and sequence genetic data from species across National Parks. This initiative will create a secure, public genomic database to support scientific research and conservation efforts while ensuring all samples and data remain under U.S. control. The program prioritizes ecological diversity and provides a framework for long-term biological storage and interagency collaboration.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act significantly updates existing law to expand online privacy protections for individuals aged 13 to 16. It broadens the definition of personal information collected online and imposes stricter requirements on operators regarding notice, verifiable consent, and data use for advertising. The bill also mandates studies on application oversight and the privacy risks associated with teens using financial technology products.

The GAAME Act of 2026 mandates that schools receiving Title I funding provide students with sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified professionals. By amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the bill ensures these programs are integrated into school-wide curricula and targeted assistance plans to support a well-rounded education.