Legislative Activity

The Respect Tribal IDs Act of 2026 mandates new training for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration enforcement personnel regarding interactions with tribal members and the acceptance of Native American tribal documents. This training, developed in consultation with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and tribal representatives, requires officers to understand how to identify tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. Completion of this specialized training is a prerequisite for performing immigration enforcement duties.

The Digital Opportunity Foundation Act of 2026 establishes an independent, nonprofit Foundation to promote digital inclusion and literacy across the nation. This Foundation will supplement federal efforts by leveraging private and philanthropic funding to increase broadband adoption and digital skills, especially among underserved populations. Governed by a diverse Board of Directors, the Foundation is authorized to conduct studies, award grants, and establish for-profit subsidiaries to stimulate economic development.

The Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2026 overhauls federal student loan programs to eliminate debt for educators serving in high-need schools and early childhood education settings. After five years of qualifying service, educators can receive 100% forgiveness on remaining federal student loans. The bill also provides monthly loan assistance while educators are actively serving, treating these payments as qualifying service toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This legislation aims to stabilize the educator workforce by significantly reducing the financial burden of student debt.

The Outage Refund Protection Act mandates that cable, satellite, internet, and telephone providers automatically credit customers for service outages lasting four hours or more, as well as upon service termination. This bill also requires the FCC and FTC to establish new rules improving customer service, transparency, and handling of missed appointments for large providers. Furthermore, it requires broadband providers to report service outages to the FCC following disaster declarations.

The Respect Tribal IDs Act of 2026 mandates the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop and enforce comprehensive training for immigration officers on interacting with Native American tribal members. This training requires officers to recognize and accept valid Native American tribal identification documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. All relevant DHS personnel must complete this mandatory training annually to perform immigration enforcement duties.

The Advancing Water Reuse Act establishes a new 30% investment tax credit for taxpayers who invest in qualifying water reuse projects. This credit incentivizes the installation or expansion of systems that recycle water for industrial, manufacturing, data center, food processing, or municipal use. The provision applies to projects placed in service within 10 years of enactment, provided construction begins after that date.

The WATCH Personnel Act of 2026 aims to increase compensation for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel. It mandates a minimum annual salary of $40,000 for Transportation Security Officers starting in fiscal year 2026, with future inflation adjustments. The bill also provides continuing appropriations to ensure TSA personnel receive pay and grants a one-time $10,000 bonus to officers employed as of February 14, 2026.

The PRICE Act mandates that third-party delivery platforms clearly and separately disclose the exact dollar amount of any delivery fee to customers before they complete an order. This legislation requires platforms to display item prices and ongoing totals prominently throughout the ordering process. Enforcement of these new pricing and transparency rules will be handled by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general.

The Federal Prosecutorial Accountability Act establishes a private right of action allowing individuals to sue federal prosecutors for misconduct, including violations of constitutional rights or procedural rules. Successful plaintiffs can recover compensatory and punitive damages, with the U.S. government held jointly liable. The bill also mandates a one-year prohibition from government representation for any attorney sanctioned under Rule 11.

This bill establishes the FBI Hiring Review Act, mandating a comprehensive audit of recent FBI hiring practices and background checks. It requires cross-referencing new employees against state-level misconduct files to ensure all relevant information was considered. Furthermore, the legislation requires certification of all agent training and a subsequent report from the Government Accountability Office on these findings.

The Victims of Immigration Conduct Enforcement Act (VOICE Act) establishes a new civil remedy allowing individuals to sue the U.S. government for constitutional or federal rights violations committed by federal law enforcement officers during immigration enforcement actions. If a violation is proven, the responsible federal agency must pay the claimant $2,000,000 in punitive damages. This provision bypasses standard administrative claim requirements, ensuring victims have a direct path to legal redress.

This joint resolution seeks to overturn a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection decision to withdraw guidance regarding "Unfair Returned Deposited Item Fee Assessment Practices." By disapproving this withdrawal, the resolution aims to restore the regulatory oversight of these specific fee practices.

The Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Protection Act of 2026 establishes a $50 million grant program to provide financial stabilization payments to essential food and agricultural workers affected by disasters. Administered by the Secretary of Agriculture, the program distributes funds through labor unions and membership organizations to support workers during times of crisis.

The LOCATE Act mandates that U.S. immigration authorities provide timely, transparent updates to the Online Detainee Locator System regarding the status and location of individuals in custody. The bill establishes strict reporting deadlines for transfers, releases, and other custody events, while requiring the Department of Homeland Security to conduct annual compliance audits. Additionally, it ensures that family members and legal representatives are notified of significant changes in a detainee's status.

The DHS Hiring Review Act mandates a comprehensive audit and review of hiring practices within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to verify background checks, cross-reference state and local misconduct records for new hires, and certify that all agents have completed required training. Additionally, it tasks the Government Accountability Office with overseeing these processes to ensure accountability and improve future recruitment and retention.

The Homeland Security Improvement Act aims to enhance oversight, accountability, and professional standards within the Department of Homeland Security’s border and immigration agencies. The bill establishes an independent Border Oversight Commission and a new Office of the Ombudsman to address public concerns, investigate complaints, and improve transparency. Additionally, it mandates comprehensive training for personnel, requires rigorous data collection on enforcement activities, and prohibits the separation of families at the border except under specific child-welfare circumstances.

This bill establishes a program between the Department of Energy and NOAA to advance weather modeling through the development of new computing technologies. The goal is to accelerate the transition of advanced computing techniques, like AI and high-performance computing, into operational use to improve predictions of high-impact weather events. The legislation mandates collaboration, coordination to prevent duplication, and regular reporting to Congress on progress.

The Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026 prohibits retail food stores from charging grossly excessive prices and bans the use of surveillance technology to set customized prices for individual consumers. The law mandates that all prices must be displayed using clear, non-digital methods like physical labels, and it grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to enforce these provisions. Violators face significant civil penalties, and consumers are granted the right to sue for damages.

The CLEAN SMART Act of 2026 establishes a Network of National Laboratories to accelerate the cleanup of radioactive and hazardous defense waste managed by the Department of Energy. This Network will develop new technologies, review cleanup plans, and lower overall lifecycle costs for environmental remediation. The Act also mandates improved coordination across federal agencies and establishes protocols for better program management and technology deployment within the cleanup mission.

The Fair Repair Act requires Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to make necessary documentation, parts, and tools available to owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms. This legislation prohibits OEMs from using practices like parts pairing to restrict independent repair or steer consumers toward authorized services. Enforcement is granted to the Federal Trade Commission, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts, while excluding motor vehicles and medical devices from these requirements.