Legislative Activity

The Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026 aims to significantly enhance patient care and transparency within Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. This legislation mandates faster coverage decisions, including real-time authorizations for routine services, and tightens rules against retroactive claim denials. Furthermore, it establishes a new compliance and accountability program for MA organizations, imposing payment reductions for noncompliance and integrating compliance into the MA Star Ratings system. Finally, the bill aligns MA medical necessity criteria more closely with traditional Medicare standards.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing government waste, preventing fraud, and increasing financial transparency across federal programs. It targets improper payments in areas like child care and Medicare, permanently bars pandemic relief fraudsters from future SBA aid, and cancels unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the deficit. Additionally, the Act strengthens oversight of welfare programs, enhances fraud enforcement timelines, and expands whistleblower protections for federal contractors.

This bill prohibits federal family planning funds under Title X from being provided to any entity that performs, promotes, or refers for abortion. Entities receiving funds must certify they will not perform abortions or give funds to organizations that do, with limited exceptions for rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing grant recipients and any abortions performed under the exceptions.

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 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act clarifies that states may use federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy centers. It ensures that organizations providing resources and services to expectant mothers, fathers, and families cannot be discriminated against in the allocation of these grants.

The Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of federal regulations by requiring agencies to conduct rigorous impact analyses and maximize net benefits for all "major rules." The bill expands stakeholder consultation requirements to include the private sector and ensures that independent regulatory agencies are held to these same transparency standards. Additionally, it empowers the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to enforce compliance and provides a pathway for judicial review of major rules.

The Cost Openness and Spending Transparency (COST) Act of 2026 mandates that recipients of federal funds clearly disclose the specific dollar amounts and percentages of federal versus non-governmental funding used for their projects. The bill establishes rigorous compliance oversight by the Office of Management and Budget, including annual audits and a public mechanism for reporting non-compliant communications.

The Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2026 allows married couples filing jointly to claim the student loan interest deduction separately for each spouse. This change effectively doubles the maximum annual deduction for eligible couples from $2,500 to $5,000. The act is set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2026 establishes a program allowing federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase their retired service firearms directly from their agencies. Under this legislation, eligible officers may acquire these surplus weapons at their designated salvage value.

This resolution commemorates the 175th anniversary of the YMCA, honoring its long-standing commitment to building healthy spirits, minds, and bodies for all. It recognizes the organization’s historical contributions to American society and commends the staff and volunteers who continue to foster community connection and well-being across the nation.

The Safeguarding Women from Chemical Abortion Act mandates the withdrawal of FDA approval for the abortion drug mifepristone. Additionally, the bill establishes a federal legal right for individuals to sue manufacturers for physical or mental health injuries resulting from the use of the drug.

The AADAPT Act aims to improve dementia care by expanding grant eligibility to a broader range of public and nonprofit health entities. By explicitly including dementia care in the scope of supported services, the bill seeks to increase provider training and enhance health outcomes for patients.

This resolution officially designates **March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day."** The day aims to recognize the essential role of speech and debate in developing vital 21st-century skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. It encourages the entire nation to celebrate and promote the lifelong impact of this education.

The IRA Charitable Rollover Facilitation and Enhancement Act of 2026 removes existing restrictions that prevent individuals from making tax-free charitable distributions from their IRAs to donor-advised funds. This legislation simplifies the charitable giving process, allowing donors greater flexibility in how they support philanthropic causes through their retirement accounts.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week." It recognizes the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders. The resolution also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the chartering of the Alaska State FFA Association.

This resolution officially designates February 2026 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month to celebrate and support CTE programs nationwide. It recognizes CTE's vital role in preparing a skilled workforce for high-demand careers and boosting American economic competitiveness. The resolution encourages promotion of CTE as a respected educational pathway for students.

The Dalilah Law restricts the issuance of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and holders of specific work visas. It mandates English proficiency for all applicants and requires states to recertify current CDL holders to maintain federal transportation funding. Failure to comply with these eligibility and testing requirements will result in the withholding of federal funds for non-compliant states.

This resolution expresses strong support for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams competing in the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. It applauds the athletes for their dedication and sportsmanship while recognizing the historical significance of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to hosting safe and successful Games in Los Angeles (2028) and Utah (2034).

The Pay Less at the Pump Act of 2026 terminates the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing tax effective January 1, 2026. This bill also accelerates the repayment schedule for prior advances made from the Superfund to the General Fund. The overall goal is to remove this specific tax burden.

The One Nation, One Visa Policy Act prohibits the admission of any national of the People's Republic of China, including those from Hong Kong and Macau, unless they possess a valid visa. This legislation specifically bars the use of Department of Homeland Security funds to allow Chinese nationals to participate in any existing or future visa waiver programs.