Legislative Activity

The Stop Insider Trading Act restricts Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing individual stocks and requires public notice before selling existing holdings to prevent conflicts of interest. Additionally, the bill establishes a national photo identification requirement for voting in federal elections, including specific provisions for in-person and mail-in ballots.

The Swatting Registry Best Practices Act directs the Attorney General to develop and issue federal guidance to help state and local governments establish voluntary, secure swatting registries. This guidance will provide best practices for protecting privacy and civil liberties while helping public safety agencies improve their response to potential swatting incidents. The Act also authorizes technical assistance to support jurisdictions that choose to implement these voluntary programs.

The "Combating Illicit Xylazine Act" aims to combat the illegal use of xylazine by adding it to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which would allow for increased regulation and tracking of the substance. The bill includes exemptions and delayed effective dates for certain requirements to ease the transition for legitimate users, such as veterinarians and animal handlers. It also directs the Sentencing Commission to review sentencing guidelines for xylazine-related offenses and mandates reports to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use. Finally, it will include xylazine in Arcos tracking.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 directs the FDA to update federal regulations by replacing references to "animal testing" with the broader term "nonclinical tests." This update ensures regulatory consistency with modern testing standards and includes a technical correction to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

This bill amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to expand background check requirements for individuals working with vulnerable populations. It specifically mandates checks for contractors and licensed or certified individuals working with organizations that contract with qualified entities. This broadens the scope beyond direct employees to include a wider range of personnel interacting with vulnerable groups.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and processors from assigning specific merchant category codes to firearms retailers. This legislation aims to protect consumer privacy by preventing the tracking of firearm and ammunition purchases through specialized financial classification. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcing these provisions and reporting annually on compliance.

The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 proposes making daylight saving time the permanent, year-round standard time across the United States. By advancing standard time zones by one hour, the bill eliminates the need for biannual clock changes. Additionally, it provides states that currently observe standard time year-round the option to maintain their existing timekeeping practices.

The FEC Administrative Improvements Act modernizes campaign finance operations by requiring electronic filing for all electioneering communications, ensuring consistent disclosure standards. Additionally, the bill updates payment regulations to allow political committees to make disbursements using modern payment methods beyond traditional paper checks.

The SAFE for Manatees Act directs the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study and identify alternative warm-water habitats for Florida manatees currently reliant on industrial sites slated for decommissioning. This initiative focuses on assessing natural sites and developing plans for artificial refuges to ensure the species' long-term survival. The findings will be compiled into a public report within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

The Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 modernizes the H-2A visa program to better support the agricultural industry by streamlining application processes and establishing a centralized online portal for employers. The bill updates labor certification, housing, and wage requirements while expanding the definition of eligible agricultural work to include a broader range of activities. Additionally, it enhances worker protections—including new heat illness prevention standards—and provides greater administrative efficiency for federal agencies managing the program.

This bill, the Great American Outdoors Act 250, significantly reforms and renames the existing public lands restoration fund to the America’s Legacy Restoration Fund. It secures dedicated funding streams, primarily from energy revenues and new fees on foreign visitors, to address critical deferred maintenance across the National Park Service, Forest Service, and other public land agencies. The legislation establishes strict spending priorities for infrastructure repair while also creating pilot programs for enhancing outdoor recreation and sportsmen's access. Finally, it mandates increased transparency and accountability through standardized metrics and public reporting on all funded projects.

The Voter ID Act mandates that voters provide valid photo identification for both in-person and mail-in federal elections. To ensure accessibility, the bill requires states to provide free access to document-copying equipment and establishes a grant program to reimburse states and tribal governments that offer free photo IDs to individuals unable to afford them.

This bill, the "Stop Lawmakers From Predicting Act," prohibits Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from trading on prediction markets based on government policy, political outcomes, or information gained through congressional service. Violations result in significant financial penalties levied against the responsible Member, which cannot be paid using official or campaign funds. The supervising ethics office is tasked with issuing guidance and enforcing these new restrictions.

The SAVE America Through REAL ID Act establishes a federal grant program to help states eliminate financial barriers for low-income individuals seeking REAL ID-compliant identification. This funding covers application fees and administrative costs to ensure all eligible citizens can obtain the necessary federal identification. States must apply, detail their outreach plans, and report annually on the distribution of these no-cost IDs.

The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act aims to shield manufacturers and sellers of stone slab products from civil lawsuits related to silica dust exposure. This bill prohibits filing new lawsuits, and mandates the dismissal of existing ones, when injuries allegedly result from unsafe cutting or installation practices by third-party fabricators. The intent is to protect commerce by preventing liability for actions outside the manufacturer's control where safety standards already exist for installers.

This act appropriates \$3.5 billion in emergency funding to the USDA to provide block grants to states for agricultural losses caused by the March 2026 freeze. These funds are specifically designated to compensate producers for lost revenue, quality, or production of crops, trees, bushes, and vines in designated disaster counties. The Secretary of Agriculture must report on the implementation of this assistance quarterly.

The Medal of Sacrifice Act establishes a new national medal to honor law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty. This legislation creates a Commission to advise on the medal's design, presentation, and final eligibility decisions, particularly when there are findings of wrongdoing. The medal itself will feature specific symbolic elements and will be awarded to eligible fallen heroes.

This act ensures that the Environmental Protection Agency's approval of Florida's state-run dredge and fill permitting program is considered compliant with the Endangered Species Act. Compliance is achieved by strictly adhering to the terms outlined in a specific U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biological opinion. This provision eliminates the need for further Endangered Species Act consultation regarding the program's approval.