Legislative Activity

The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act raises the federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Effective July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans will increase to \$50,000, and the aggregate limit will rise to \$200,000. This aims to provide greater financial support for advanced degree candidates.

The Assessing Safety Tools for Parents and Minors Act directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to review and report on current industry efforts to enhance online safety for minors. This comprehensive review must assess the effectiveness of existing safety tools, educational initiatives, and privacy measures. The FTC is required to submit findings and recommendations for improvement to Congress within three years of enactment.

The Expanding Cybersecurity Workforce Act of 2025 establishes a new CISA program to actively promote cybersecurity careers to disadvantaged communities across the nation. This initiative specifically targets outreach to older individuals, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, and those from nontraditional educational backgrounds. The goal is to diversify and strengthen the U.S. cyber workforce through tailored education and training assistance. The Act authorizes $20 million annually through fiscal year 2031 to support these efforts.

The Kids Internet Safety Partnership Act establishes a temporary partnership within the Department of Commerce to study online risks and benefits for minors. This group will coordinate with experts and stakeholders to develop best practices for online platforms. The Partnership is tasked with publishing public reports and a playbook to guide providers in implementing safety measures, including age verification and parental tools.

The "Standard FEES Act" aims to create a uniform fee schedule for processing applications to place communications facilities on federal properties. Fees will be based on direct processing costs and must be competitively neutral, with exceptions considered for public benefit and broadband expansion. The General Services Administration will establish the fee schedule, and executive agencies will adopt aligned regulations. Fees collected can only be used for processing these applications.

The Parental Workforce Training Act establishes a $10 million childcare grant program to support parents participating in job training. Local workforce development boards will receive competitive grants to help eligible individuals cover childcare costs while they engage in employment and training activities. This initiative aims to remove childcare barriers for parents seeking to enhance their job skills.

The Broadband and Telecommunications RAIL Act establishes new rules for deploying telecommunications and broadband facilities within public rights-of-way that cross railroad corridors, as well as directly within railroad rights-of-way. It outlines specific notification and application procedures, decision timelines for railroad carriers, and compensation requirements for application processing. The Act grants the Federal Communications Commission sole jurisdiction to resolve disputes between providers and railroads regarding facility placement and mandates rulemaking to ensure safety and efficiency.

The "Facilitating DIGITAL Applications Act" requires the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to report on the establishment of online portals by the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture for processing Form 299, which pertains to communications use authorization on public lands. The report must identify any barriers to creating these portals. The relevant Secretary must notify the Assistant Secretary within 3 business days after establishing an online portal.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

The Affordable Insulin Now Act establishes new cost-sharing limits for certain insulin products in health plans starting in 2026. For selected insulin, patients will pay no more than the lesser of \$35 or 25% of the negotiated price for a 30-day supply. These patient payments must count toward the annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. The requirements apply across various federal health plan laws, though they generally do not apply to out-of-network pharmacies.

The Fostering the Future for American Children and Families Act aims to improve career readiness for current and former foster youth. It mandates a comprehensive study on existing job training and apprenticeship programs serving this population. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grant program to expand access to industry-aligned technical training and modernizes how existing education vouchers can be used for short-term, credential-granting opportunities.

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act prohibits discrimination based on religion, sex, or marital status in federally funded child welfare services. This aims to increase the number of stable, family-like placements for children, especially for LGBTQ youth who are overrepresented in foster care. The bill mandates federal guidance, training, and data collection to improve safety and well-being outcomes for all children involved in the system.

The Small Business RELIEF Act exempts qualified small businesses from duties imposed under Executive Order 14257. It also mandates that the President refund any such duties already paid by small businesses within 90 days of enactment. This legislation aims to provide economic fairness and relief to small importers.

The Chip EQUIP Act aims to protect U.S. semiconductor investments by prohibiting the use of equipment manufactured or refurbished by foreign entities of concern in projects receiving federal financial assistance. This restriction applies to the procurement, installation, or use of such "ineligible semiconductor manufacturing equipment" for a period of ten years. The bill also outlines specific conditions under which the Secretary may grant a waiver to this prohibition.

The Revitalize Our Neighborhoods Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program through HUD to fund projects that eliminate blight and revitalize low-income communities. Eligible entities can apply for funds to demolish blighted structures, renovate abandoned properties, and construct or preserve affordable housing. Grantees must submit a five-year plan and contribute matching funds for eligible activities.

The Lowering Drug Costs for American Families Act aims to significantly reduce prescription drug expenses for consumers. It expands the federal drug price negotiation program to cover more drugs and extends negotiated prices to most private health insurance plans. Furthermore, the bill applies inflation rebates to the commercial market and establishes new annual out-of-pocket spending caps for prescription drugs under private insurance starting in 2027. It also sets specific, lower cost-sharing requirements for covered insulin products.

The Find It Early Act mandates that certain individuals at increased risk for breast cancer receive additional, recommended screenings with no out-of-pocket costs. This coverage requirement applies across private health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. These provisions are set to take effect starting January 1, 2026.

The Global Respect Act aims to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI individuals worldwide. It mandates the President to identify and report foreign persons responsible for human rights violations against LGBTQI people, leading to their inadmissibility to the United States. Furthermore, the Act requires enhanced tracking and reporting of violence and discrimination targeting individuals based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics in the annual human rights reports.

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a prior reconciliation act. This action effectively revives the original laws that were previously amended by the repealed provisions. The bill seeks to revert existing agricultural and food-related statutes to their pre-amendment status.

The No Payola Act repeals existing Senate notification requirements concerning legal processes related to the disclosure of Senate data. Furthermore, it mandates that any Senator who received funds through a private right of action under the repealed law must return those awarded funds to the Treasury.