Legislative Activity

The China AI Power Report Act mandates the Secretary of Commerce to deliver an annual, detailed report to Congress for three years assessing China's advanced artificial intelligence capabilities and supply chains. This legislation emphasizes the need for dynamic U.S. export controls to counter China's evolving technological advancements and protect national security. The comprehensive report must cover everything from advanced AI chips and fabrication facilities to AI models, funding, and the effectiveness of current U.S. restrictions.

This bill requires the Secretary of State to provide Congress with at least 15 days' advance notice before obligating more than $37,500 for art, design, or cultural heritage projects at U.S. diplomatic facilities. The notification must detail the purpose, cost, and location of the purchase to ensure greater oversight of these expenditures.

The Data Driven Diplomacy Act mandates that the Bureau of Global Public Affairs utilize public opinion research to better understand international cultural contexts and audience attitudes. By leveraging this data, the initiative aims to strategically inform and optimize the reach of U.S.-funded media outlets worldwide.

The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes strict new licensing requirements for exporting advanced integrated circuits to designated countries of concern, including China and Russia. This legislation mandates detailed national security certifications to Congress before any license can be approved for these high-performance technologies. Furthermore, the bill creates an exemption process for trusted U.S. companies while terminating existing licenses for these sensitive exports.

The Veterans Scam And Fraud Evasion Act of 2025, or VSAFE Act, establishes a dedicated Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer within the Department of Veterans Affairs. This officer will centralize the VA's efforts to prevent, report, and respond to fraud and scams targeting veterans. The role includes developing guidance, promoting reporting resources, and coordinating with other federal agencies to better protect veterans and their families.

The Veteran Housing Promise Act aims to strengthen support for homeless veterans by eliminating fixed funding caps for key assistance programs, authorizing "such sums as may be necessary" for future appropriations. Additionally, the bill makes several vital programs permanent by removing their existing expiration dates. This legislation ensures sustained and reliable resources for comprehensive services, reintegration, and housing assistance for veterans experiencing homelessness.

The Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act ensures that service-connected disability compensation received by veterans is excluded when calculating income for eligibility in certain federal housing programs. This change aims to increase access to affordable housing for disabled veterans. The bill also mandates a report to Congress reviewing how HUD currently treats this compensation across its programs.

The Streamlining Small Business Contracts Act of 2026 increases the dollar threshold for sole source contracts available to certain small business concerns. This legislation raises the limit from \$7 million to \$10 million for contracts awarded under the 8(a), HUBZone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, and Women-Owned Small Business programs. The goal is to simplify and expand opportunities for these specific small businesses.

The Shutdown Fairness Act automatically appropriates necessary funds to ensure federal employees and essential contractors receive their regular pay during a government shutdown. This legislation mandates timely payment for covered personnel, regardless of whether they were deemed "excepted" or furloughed. The funds are charged against the agency's subsequent regular appropriations once they are enacted.

The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to formally include Taiwan in existing certification and reporting requirements. It also mandates a feasibility study for expediting the licensing process for allied nations transferring U.S.-origin military equipment to Taiwan. The legislation is intended to enhance security cooperation while affirming that it does not alter existing U.S. policy as defined by the Taiwan Relations Act.

The Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act (RAYS Act) mandates that local school districts provide critical mental health and suicide prevention contact information on secondary student identification cards. This includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Crisis Text Line. For districts not issuing physical IDs, this information must be prominently displayed on their websites and regularly used digital platforms.

The Sikh American Anti-Discrimination Act of 2026 establishes a Department of Justice Task Force dedicated to combating anti-Sikh hate and discrimination. This Task Force is charged with formally defining anti-Sikh hate, developing educational programs for law enforcement and schools, and collaborating with the Sikh community. The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress on hate crimes, legal actions, and ongoing threats against Sikhs.

The Genomic Answers for Children’s Health Act of 2026 mandates that state Medicaid programs cover whole genome and whole exome sequencing for children with specific medical conditions, effective January 1, 2027. This sequencing is to be covered as a first-tier diagnostic test for genetic disorders, rare diseases, or conditions of unknown origin. The bill also directs the HHS Secretary to promote awareness and address implementation challenges for this new mandatory benefit.

The Small Business Child Care Investment Act expands access to federal small business loans for qualified nonprofit child care providers. This legislation amends the Small Business Act to make these providers eligible for SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs. The goal is to provide crucial capital investment opportunities for eligible nonprofit organizations offering essential child care services.

The Securing Enhanced Programs, Systems, and Initiatives for Sepsis Act (SEPSIS Act) establishes a new federal sepsis program within the CDC to combat the high rates of sepsis-related illness and death. This program will focus on leading education campaigns, improving data collection, and developing outcome measures for sepsis. The bill also authorizes funding to support these critical efforts and may establish a voluntary recognition program for hospitals with effective sepsis protocols.

The Build Housing, Unlock Benefits and Services Act (Build HUBS Act) aims to address the national housing crisis by improving federal financing programs for transit-oriented development. It extends and reforms the TIFIA and RRIF programs to streamline lending, introduce alternative creditworthiness assessments, and offer favorable interest rates for attainable housing projects near transit. The bill also establishes delegated origination programs to speed up the approval process while preserving all existing state and local zoning laws.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.

This bill establishes the **Energy Burden Tax Credit Act** to provide financial relief to individuals facing high home energy costs. The credit covers 75% of a taxpayer's annual fuel or electricity expenses that exceed 3% of their modified adjusted gross income, up to a maximum of \$1,500. This temporary credit is available for tax years beginning after 2024 and before 2028, and is limited to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes of \$75,000 or less.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

The Community Passport Services Access Act authorizes eligible public libraries to serve as official passport acceptance facilities. This allows these libraries to collect and retain the associated execution fee for processing passport applications. The bill ensures that libraries already performing this function can continue to do so.