Legislative Activity

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 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.

The Unlocking Homeownership Act allows first-time homebuyers to make tax-free withdrawals from their 529 college savings plans to purchase a principal residence. These distributions can be used for qualified acquisition costs for the beneficiary, their spouse, or certain family members. The bill also includes special provisions for transferring or recontributing funds if a planned home purchase is delayed or canceled due to a federally declared disaster.

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 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 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 Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies Act of 2026 (REUSE Act of 2026) directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study and report on the feasibility and best practices for establishing reuse and refill systems for various products. This report will analyze the economic impacts, job creation potential, and necessary support for expanding these sustainable systems across different sectors. The goal is to identify effective methods for implementing convenient and safe reuse infrastructure nationwide.

This bill establishes new administrative requirements that individuals must follow before filing a private lawsuit over alleged ADA violations on a business's public-facing website or mobile app. It mandates that complainants first notify the business owner and allow 180 days for compliance before escalating the issue to the Department of Justice. Lawsuits can only proceed after the Attorney General investigates or after a set period of administrative review has concluded.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Vets Connect Act establishes a secure, opt-in platform for verified veterans to reconnect with former service members based on shared service details. This system prioritizes veteran privacy by restricting the sharing of personal contact information unless explicitly authorized by the user. The platform strictly prohibits the use of veteran data for solicitation, marketing, or commercial purposes.

The Clarity for Compensation Act amends securities law to create an exception to the definition of a "broker." This exception allows a personal services entity owned by a registered representative and their family to receive compensation from the representative's broker firm without being classified as a broker itself. The provision sets specific conditions regarding supervision, recordkeeping, and the entity's activities to qualify for this exemption.

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.