Legislative Activity

The Save Willy Act of 2026 establishes a four-year pilot program to reduce vessel strikes on large whales in the San Francisco Bay region. This program mandates the creation of a dedicated Cetacean Desk within the Vessel Traffic Service to coordinate real-time data sharing and communication with vessel operators. The goal is to enhance compliance with protective measures through improved technology, training, and engagement with maritime and local stakeholders. Annual reports will track the program's effectiveness, including quantifiable reductions in vessel strikes.

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.

This resolution expresses strong support for open water lifeguards, recognizing their critical role as first responders and emergency response providers. It urges federal agencies to formally acknowledge the essential, lifesaving work these individuals perform, often at great personal risk. The bill calls for lifeguards to be treated as emergency responders, including eligibility for priority access to resources during public health emergencies.

This resolution directs the President, under the War Powers Resolution, to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving Iran. The order mandates withdrawal unless forces are necessary for imminent self-defense of the U.S. or its allies. Any continued defensive action must comply with existing War Powers reporting requirements.

The Cost-of-living Emergency Act declares a national emergency to address rising prices for essential household goods and services. The bill establishes a high-level commission and task forces to investigate the causes of inflation, enforce anti-price gouging laws, and coordinate federal efforts to lower costs. Additionally, it mandates that federal agencies prioritize household affordability in their regulatory decisions and utilizes the Defense Production Act to expand the domestic supply of basic necessities.

The Plug Offshore Wells Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to produce an annual public report detailing the status of decommissioning offshore oil and gas infrastructure. This report will track applications, compliance rates, approvals for in-place decommissioning, and enforcement actions taken against non-compliant operators. The goal is to increase transparency regarding the plugging of aging offshore wells, platforms, and pipelines.

The Student Loan Interest Elimination Act aims to significantly reduce student debt burdens by automatically stopping interest accrual on existing federal loans starting in 2026 and setting interest rates for new federal loans to 0%. The bill also establishes a dedicated Trust Fund, funded by loan repayments, to support zero-interest loans and provide supplemental Pell Grants to eligible students. Furthermore, it allows certain borrowers to refinance non-federal loans into interest-free federal consolidation loans, while granting the Secretary of Education expedited authority to implement these sweeping changes.

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 Energy Bills Relief Act is a comprehensive bill designed to lower energy costs for American families, accelerate the deployment of low-cost, clean energy, and modernize the nation's electricity grid. It achieves this by reversing harmful policies against renewables, expanding energy assistance programs, streamlining grid connection processes, and increasing transparency in utility regulation. Ultimately, the legislation aims to create a more reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy system while ensuring communities have a stronger voice in energy development.

The Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to end preventable maternal mortality and close racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. By addressing social determinants of health, expanding nutritional and mental health support, and investing in a diverse, culturally competent workforce, the bill provides a holistic framework for improving care. Through targeted federal grants, enhanced data collection, and innovative technology, the Act aims to ensure that all pregnant and postpartum individuals receive the equitable, high-quality care they deserve.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

The Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 establishes a temporary federal gas tax holiday, suspending the federal excise tax on gasoline until September 30, 2026. To maintain trust fund solvency, the Treasury will transfer general funds to the Highway Trust Fund and the LUST Trust Fund to cover lost revenue. The bill mandates that consumers immediately receive the benefit of this tax cut, with penalties for producers or dealers who fail to pass the savings along.

This resolution directs the President, under the authority of the War Powers Resolution, to immediately remove U.S. Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that military action must cease unless Congress has formally declared war or passed a specific authorization for the use of force. The bill explicitly states that it does not authorize new military action nor does it impede necessary self-defense against an immediate attack.

The BRUSH Fires Act mandates a comprehensive, one-year study by the Forest Service to evaluate the effectiveness of current wildfire mitigation methods in shrubland ecosystems. This study must analyze fuel management, ignition source control, and implementation hurdles to determine best practices. The resulting report will provide Congress with recommendations for improving fire risk reduction and enhancing partnerships to protect communities near wildlands.

The DROUGHT Act of 2026 increases federal financial support—up to 90 percent of total project costs—for critical water infrastructure projects in drought-stricken areas. By prioritizing projects that improve water reliability, affordability, and sustainability, this legislation provides essential resources to communities facing severe water shortages.

This resolution formally honors the life and enduring legacy of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Louis Burns Jackson, Sr. It recognizes his significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, including his work with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his founding of Operation PUSH. The bill specifically urges the President to order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in his memory.

This bill grants the Secretary of Homeland Security temporary authority to transfer specific unobligated funds between department accounts during a lapse in appropriations. These transfers are subject to strict limitations, including prohibitions on funding executive management, immigration enforcement, or border protection operations. Additionally, the legislation explicitly restricts the use of these transferred funds for hiring new personnel.

The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency and security in U.S. elections. It closes loopholes to ban foreign national spending in elections, mandates disclosure for "dark money" political spending, and requires clear funding disclosures on political ads. The bill also centralizes legal challenges to campaign finance laws in Washington, D.C., for faster resolution.

The RELIEF Act establishes a mandatory refund process for certain tariffs collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection starting January 1, 2025, specifically those imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This legislation requires the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to automatically issue refunds to importers within 90 days of enactment. Importers will receive these refunds without needing to file an application or protest.

The Access to Consumer Energy Information Act (E-Access Act) establishes a national framework to significantly improve how consumers access and control their detailed electricity and natural gas usage and billing data. It mandates the development of guidelines for secure, timely, and machine-readable data sharing, promoting the use of open standards like Green Button Connect My Data. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to adopt programs that leverage this enhanced data access to foster energy management innovation and efficiency.