Legislative Activity

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 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 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 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 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 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 Stop Insider Trading Act restricts Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing new securities issued by publicly traded companies. It requires advance public disclosure for any sale of existing covered investments, with a mandatory 7-to-14-day notice period before the transaction. Violations result in significant financial penalties, including disgorgement of any net gains, payable by the Member personally.

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.

This Act mandates a comprehensive risk assessment by the State Department regarding the use of generative AI by foreign adversaries against U.S. national security interests. It requires the development of a diplomatic strategy to engage allies and counter malicious AI use. Furthermore, the bill establishes a requirement for regular, public assessments of specific malicious AI incidents and emerging trends involving foreign adversaries.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 targets the increasing threat posed by organized theft groups impacting retail and the national supply chain. This bill strengthens federal law by expanding money laundering statutes and lowering thresholds for property crimes related to theft. Crucially, it establishes a new federal coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations to align efforts across all levels of law enforcement and the private sector to combat these cross-jurisdictional crimes.

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 aims to secure critical mineral and energy supply chains by establishing international partnerships and diplomatic frameworks to reduce reliance on strategic competitors. It authorizes new programs for joint investment with allies and creates dedicated offices within the State and Energy Departments to coordinate these efforts. Furthermore, the legislation establishes fellowship programs to build a skilled American workforce in the international mining sector.

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 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.

The Better Care for PFAS Patients Act of 2026 mandates that the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) develop and regularly update clinical guidance for healthcare providers regarding the health effects of PFAS exposure. This legislation ensures that medical recommendations are based on the latest scientific research and incorporates direct input from affected communities. By establishing a formal process for assessment and dissemination, the bill aims to improve the quality of care for individuals exposed to PFAS.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 mandates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to list all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom as hazardous air pollutants. This action requires the EPA to identify and list the specific source categories that emit these newly designated hazardous substances under the Clean Air Act.

The PLAY Act of 2026 aims to promote youth physical activity through significant tax incentives and new federal funding. It expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to include youth sports expenses and increases contribution limits for dependent care FSAs. Additionally, the bill allows certain health savings accounts to be used for youth physical activity costs and establishes a HHS grant program to make recreational sports more affordable.

The SHINE Act of 2026 establishes a voluntary federal program to help local governments streamline and simplify permitting for residential clean energy systems like solar panels and EV chargers. The program, managed by the Secretary of Energy, will develop an exemplary online platform and standardized inspection protocols to speed up installations. It also authorizes funding and incentives to encourage local government adoption of these simplified processes.

The Rural Investment for Producers and the Environment (RIPE) Act of 2026 establishes a demonstration program within the USDA to pay agricultural producers for implementing environmentally beneficial practices in selected watersheds. This program will offer direct, performance-based contracts ranging from three to five years to improve water quality, soil health, and climate resiliency. Payments will be calculated based on costs, foregone income, and environmental benefits, with increased rates for limited resource and socially disadvantaged farmers.