Legislative Activity

The HOWIE Act mandates that railroad companies report any train-related accidents that result in fires or other specified damages. Under this legislation, railroads are required to notify the Federal Railroad Administration whenever they have a reasonable suspicion that their operations caused such incidents.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

The Economic Recovery for Nuclear-Affected Communities Act establishes federal assistance programs to aid communities dealing with the economic fallout from decommissioned nuclear power plants and the presence of stranded nuclear waste. It creates competitive and noncompetitive grants through the Economic Development Administration to fund infrastructure, workforce development, and offset lost tax revenue. The bill also introduces tax incentives for first-time homebuyers in affected areas and establishes a prize competition for innovative site reuse solutions.

The Public Housing Rent Reduction for First Responders Act amends the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 to lower rental costs for full-time police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians living in public housing. Under this bill, eligible public safety personnel will have their rent calculated based on a reduced percentage of their income to improve housing affordability for these essential workers.

The Annual Public Housing Inspections Accountability Act mandates a comprehensive study to evaluate the current backlog of public housing inspections. This report, to be submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Comptroller General, will determine the necessary staffing levels required to ensure all mandatory inspections are completed annually.

The Advance Global Health Act streamlines reporting by requiring the State Department's Bureau of Global Health Security and Diplomacy to consolidate most of its required reports to Congress into a single, annual, machine-searchable document. This consolidation aims to improve efficiency while preserving specific quarterly and pre-spending reports. The Act ensures that all existing congressional notification requirements remain in effect.

The Transparency in Foreign Assistance Act establishes a one-year pilot program to increase congressional oversight of certain foreign assistance. This program requires key State Department officials to notify Congress with detailed information whenever specific programs in Africa or counterterrorism efforts require additional funding. The goal is to ensure transparency regarding the use and scope of these funds.

The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 aims to support the Iranian people by expanding access to uncensored internet and communication technologies. The bill strengthens U.S. policy against regime repression by mandating investigations into human rights abuses and establishing a new Treasury initiative to combat corruption and money laundering by Iranian officials. Additionally, it enhances congressional oversight of sanctions and promotes independent media to counter state-sponsored censorship.

This Act mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study to determine the number of residential and public housing units located within one mile of any National Priorities List (Superfund) site. The GAO must then report these findings to Congress within six months of enactment.

The Affordable Housing Barriers Transparency Act requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to annually identify significant regulatory barriers hindering affordable housing development. This report must also include a detailed analysis and proposed solutions for reducing or eliminating those identified obstacles.

The Improving Housing Access Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General to identify ways to remove barriers and enhance housing options for elderly and disabled persons. This study will specifically examine the potential benefits of providing capital advances for existing federal supportive housing programs for these populations.

This resolution expresses support for designating September 19, 2026, as "Black Autism Acceptance and Awareness Day." It highlights significant racial inequities faced by Black autistic individuals in diagnosis, healthcare, education, and law enforcement interactions. The bill encourages Americans to use this day to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and advocate for justice and equitable access to resources for the Black autistic community.

This resolution expresses support for designating 2026 as the "National Year of the Volunteer" to celebrate and recommit to community service. It recognizes the vital role volunteers play in strengthening communities despite recent declines in volunteer rates. The designation encourages nationwide efforts to highlight service opportunities in honor of the nation's 250th anniversary.

The TANF Hygiene Access Act establishes a demonstration program to test innovative ways to help low-income households access essential hygiene materials like soap, diapers, and feminine hygiene products. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award competitive grants to states and tribes to implement these initiatives. Recipients must report on their performance, and the Secretary will ultimately assess the program's feasibility for nationwide expansion.

This bill amends the National Quantum Initiative Act to mandate a biennial report on the progress of the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science. The report must detail the implementation status of the national quantum workforce strategic plan. It will also cover any challenges encountered and necessary updates to the plan.

The GRAS Oversight and Transparency Act establishes a review board to re-examine the safety of food ingredients previously declared "Generally Recognized as Safe" (GRAS) by manufacturers before the year 2000. This board will prioritize and review these older designations, recommending the revocation of any substance found to be unsafe. The legislation also mandates reporting requirements and imposes penalties on manufacturers who fail to provide necessary compliance information.

The CHAT Act establishes rules for "companion AI chatbots" designed for emotional interaction, primarily focusing on protecting minors. It prohibits these chatbots from engaging in sexually explicit communication with users under 18 and mandates immediate crisis resource notifications if suicidal ideation is discussed. The bill requires age verification for all users and imposes strict parental consent and monitoring requirements for accounts verified as belonging to minors, with enforcement granted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

The FAIR MAP Act establishes strict, non-partisan criteria for drawing congressional districts, prioritizing compactness and prohibiting partisan gerrymandering. It also amends federal law to exclude undocumented immigrants from the population counts used for congressional apportionment starting after the 2030 Census. Furthermore, the bill imposes new federal requirements on federal elections, including photo ID for in-person voting and prohibiting ranked-choice voting.

The Accountability for NYCHA Act of 2026 mandates an investigation into the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) due to persistent failures to provide safe and decent housing. The HUD Inspector General must review NYCHA's compliance with existing agreements, the performance of the court-appointed Monitor, and overall housing conditions. This investigation will culminate in a report to Congress detailing findings and recommending actions to compel NYCHA to resolve its long-standing deficiencies.

This bill, the "Improving Public Housing Agency Accountability Act," establishes new annual reporting requirements for public housing agencies under federal monitoring. It also mandates that the HUD Inspector General conduct reviews and provide analyses to Congress upon request regarding the agency's compliance, oversight, and condition. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability for troubled public housing agencies.