Legislative Activity

The PROTECT Taiwan Act establishes a U.S. policy to exclude representatives of the People's Republic of China from major international financial organizations if the President reports a threat to Taiwan. This action is triggered under the authority of the Taiwan Relations Act and requires coordination among key financial regulatory bodies. The policy can be waived by the President if deemed in the national interest.

The BRAVE Burma Act aims to increase accountability for the military regime in Burma through enhanced sanctions reporting. It requires the President to assess Burmese state-owned enterprises and entities involved in the jet fuel sector for potential sanctions. Furthermore, the Act directs the U.S. to oppose increases to Burma's shareholding in the International Monetary Fund while the State Administration Council is in power.

This bill, the Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2025, establishes new procedural hurdles for the FSOC before it can designate a nonbank financial company for stricter Federal Reserve supervision. The Council must first make an initial determination, in consultation with the company and its regulator, that other actions are insufficient to address the risk. This ensures that designation is a measure of last resort against threats to U.S. financial stability.

The PETSAFE Act of 2026 allows states, local, and tribal governments to use federal emergency preparedness grants to support companion animals during disasters. This funding can cover essential supplies, veterinary care, and emergency sheltering equipment. Furthermore, the bill increases the federal cost share for these specific animal preparedness activities to 90 percent.

The HARM Act 2.0 addresses the continued threat posed by successor entities to the Wagner Group, which Congress finds are now integrated into the Russian Ministry of Defense. This bill mandates the Secretary of State to report on these successor groups, including the Africa Corps, and individuals who direct them. Ultimately, the legislation establishes a process for the executive branch to designate these entities as terrorist organizations and apply appropriate U.S. sanctions.

The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026 reauthorizes the WISEWOMAN program through fiscal year 2031, securing significant funding for women's health initiatives. This legislation allows for supplemental grants to expand preventive health services, such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, to low-income women. These services will be integrated with existing breast and cervical cancer screening programs.

The Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act establishes a national employer notification service to alert employers when a school bus driver's commercial driving status changes due to violations or suspensions. This law mandates that states implement this service to monitor drivers with school bus endorsements. The goal is to enhance student safety by ensuring employers are immediately aware of critical changes in their school transportation employees' driving records.

The SECURES Act of 2026 mandates the Secretary of Transportation to establish new federal standards for school bus seat belts within 180 days of enactment. This rulemaking must consider the superior safety benefits of lap-shoulder belt systems and innovative detection technologies. The goal is to ensure all new school buses meet enhanced safety requirements for student protection.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility in Martville, New York, located at 15422 NY 104. The building will now be known as the "Sergeant Staret J. Engleston Memorial Post Office Building." This designation must be used in all future official federal references to the facility.

The Incentivize Savings Act mandates how federal agencies must handle unspent appropriations by dedicating the majority to debt reduction and allowing a portion for employee retention bonuses. This legislation also restricts future budget requests to only account for inflation unless the agency fully spends its prior allocation. Ultimately, the bill aims to encourage fiscal responsibility by linking unspent funds to debt reduction and limiting budget growth.

The Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act establishes a program to counter Iranian government censorship by providing technologies and support to help citizens access the open internet. It directs the Secretary of State to coordinate efforts, update strategies to ensure sanctions don't block access tools, and safeguard satellite coverage over Iran. The bill authorizes significant funding to support these initiatives, including cybersecurity training for Iranian civil society.

The Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 expands federal efforts to protect migratory whales and other large cetaceans. This legislation mandates the creation of high-accuracy distribution maps for whale habitats and funds research into understudied species. It also establishes a competitive grant program to develop and deploy technologies that reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users, such as vessel strikes.

The **Fighting for Reliable Energy and Ending Doubt for Open Markets Act (FREEDOM Act)** aims to accelerate federal permitting for energy and mineral projects by establishing strict timelines, creating a compensation program for project delays, and streamlining review processes. It also includes specific provisions to improve geothermal leasing and reduce federal permitting requirements for certain oil and gas activities on non-federal land. The overall goal is to reduce regulatory uncertainty that deters investment in critical U.S. energy infrastructure.

The Medal of Sacrifice Act establishes a new Presidential award, the Medal of Sacrifice, to honor law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty. The bill mandates the creation of a Commission to advise on the medal's design, presentation, and eligibility criteria. This Commission will also make final determinations regarding eligibility in cases involving alleged wrongdoing by the fallen officer or responder.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of January 25 through January 31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week." It emphasizes the importance of parental choice in selecting diverse K-12 educational options that best suit their children's needs. The bill also recognizes the contributions of students, parents, teachers, and school leaders across all educational environments.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the 52nd annual National Catholic Schools Week, taking place from January 25 to January 31, 2026. It honors the significant contributions of Catholic schools nationwide, highlighting their commitment to academic excellence, diverse student populations, and values-based education. The bill supports the goals of this week, which is cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The Maintaining Access to Recreational Industry and Necessary Adjustments Act (MARINA Act) reforms how the Army Corps of Engineers calculates rent and administrative fees for marina concessionaires. It standardizes administrative fees across all districts and limits the calculation of marina rent by excluding certain high-value sales receipts. This legislation aims to provide stability and necessary adjustments for recreational industry access to Corps facilities.

The Safe Intersections for Buses and Pedestrians Act mandates the creation of new federal safety standards to ensure bus drivers have a minimally obstructed forward-facing view. This requires the Secretary of Transportation to establish these standards within one year of enactment. Motorcoaches may meet this requirement through direct visibility or approved camera technology that enhances the driver's field of vision.

The Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to collect and publish comprehensive, up-to-date information on fishing restrictions in federally managed fisheries on a public website. This legislation also mandates the standardization of geospatial data related to ocean activities and marine protected areas. The goal is to improve accessibility and interoperability of critical ocean use information for the public, while explicitly preserving existing regulatory authority and Tribal rights.

The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2026 establishes the Blue Campaign Certification Program within the Department of Homeland Security. This program recognizes employers in high-risk industries that provide their employees with training to recognize and respond to human trafficking. Eligible employers will receive a public certificate of completion and be recognized in the Federal Register. The Act also mandates increased coordination for the DHS Blue Campaign with private sector, academic, and industry experts.