Legislative Activity

The America Grows Act of 2026 establishes mandatory, inflation-adjusted funding for four key agricultural research agencies through 2036 and beyond. This legislation ensures consistent financial support by protecting these appropriations from automatic spending cuts (sequestration). Furthermore, the bill exempts its budgetary effects from standard PAYGO scorecards.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish a committee to review and recommend updates to policies regarding the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions. The bill mandates regulatory updates to encourage aviation personnel to seek mental health care without fear of penalty. Furthermore, it allocates funding to enhance the FAA's capacity to process reviews and launches a public campaign to reduce mental health stigma within the industry.

The Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026 extends the authorization for critical sport fish conservation and restoration programs through 2031. This legislation maintains essential funding for state-level projects while updating the allocation formulas for multistate conservation grants and the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.

The NASA UAS Detection Act grants NASA the authority to detect, identify, monitor, and track drones posing a credible threat to its facilities or assets. This power allows NASA personnel to intercept communications controlling such drones, provided they coordinate closely with the FAA and adhere to strict privacy protections. The law mandates risk assessments for all NASA sites and requires regular reporting to Congress on the use of these detection capabilities, which will terminate in 2031.

This resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the vital contributions of women across the agricultural industry. It celebrates the essential roles women play as producers, educators, and leaders, while encouraging the nation to support and empower the next generation of female agricultural professionals.

The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026 establishes a zero-percent interest loan program to help eligible rural hospitals construct, renovate, or replace their facilities. By providing essential financial support and technical assistance, this act aims to ensure long-term healthcare access and economic stability for isolated rural communities.

This resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists." It highlights the vital ecological and economic contributions of rangelands while honoring the generations of ranchers and land managers who sustain them. The measure encourages nationwide efforts to promote education, research, and sustainable management practices for these essential landscapes.

The AADAPT Act aims to improve dementia care by expanding grant eligibility to a broader range of public and nonprofit health entities. By explicitly including dementia care in the scope of supported services, the bill seeks to increase provider training and enhance health outcomes for patients.

The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 significantly updates and extends NOAA's weather and environmental forecasting authorities through 2030. The bill prioritizes public safety by funding research to improve warnings for severe weather like tornadoes and hurricanes, while also modernizing infrastructure through AI integration and commercial data use. Furthermore, it establishes new programs to enhance forecasts for agriculture, water management, wildfires, and harmful algal blooms.

The NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes the agency's funding for fiscal year 2025 and solidifies the strategic direction for human spaceflight, emphasizing the "Moon to Mars" program and the transition to commercial Low-Earth Orbit destinations. The bill directs significant investment into science missions, technology development, and aeronautics research, while also restructuring STEM education programs. Finally, it establishes new policy guidelines regarding commercial partnerships, cost oversight, and international collaboration.

The EDA Short Form Application Act streamlines the grant process for small rural communities by requiring the Economic Development Administration to create a simplified application form. This legislation mandates stakeholder input to reduce administrative burdens and increases transparency by providing public access to guidance, evaluation criteria, and sample applications.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week." It recognizes the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders. The resolution also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the chartering of the Alaska State FFA Association.

The Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act prohibits federal agencies from providing funding or support for the creation or maintenance of state-level firearm ownership databases. This legislation ensures that federal resources cannot be used to track lawful gun owners or their property, with narrow exceptions for databases tracking lost or stolen firearms.

The ROTOR Act focuses on enhancing aviation safety and transparency, primarily by reforming exceptions that allow aircraft to disable their ADS-B Out tracking systems. It mandates that the FAA require most aircraft to install and use ADS-B In technology for improved situational awareness. Furthermore, the bill establishes new coordination offices and requires comprehensive safety reviews of airspace operations, particularly around major airports, involving both civil and military aviation.

This resolution marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It condemns Russia's ongoing aggression, including attacks on civilians and the forced abduction of children. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the critical need for robust, sustained U.S. and transatlantic security guarantees to ensure Ukraine's long-term defense and stability.

The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the FAA's aircraft certification process. It mandates the FAA to publish plans, establish standard expected timelines for certification milestones, and set clear criteria for issue papers. Furthermore, the bill updates guidance on delegating certification work and affirms Congress's support for U.S. leadership in aviation innovation.

The SAT Streamlining Act aims to bolster U.S. leadership in the space industry by establishing strict deadlines for the FCC to process satellite and earth station license applications. This legislation introduces a "deemed granted" provision if the FCC misses these new processing timelines for licenses and renewals. Furthermore, it clarifies Congressional intent regarding space policy and preempts state and local regulation of licensee rates.

This bill aims to modernize the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) aircraft type certification process to better support new technologies. It mandates increased transparency, establishes standard timelines for key certification steps, and updates criteria for technical issue papers. Furthermore, the legislation requires updated guidance on the FAA's delegation of certification authority to industry stakeholders.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. Additionally, the bill mandates that voters present a valid photo ID to cast a ballot in person or by mail. These measures aim to ensure that only eligible U.S. citizens participate in federal elections.

The Water Project Navigators Act establishes a Department of the Interior program to provide grants for hiring "navigators." These navigators will assist communities and organizations in developing and applying for funding for multi-benefit water projects. The program prioritizes support for rural, Tribal, and disadvantaged communities to increase their capacity for securing water project funding.