Legislative Activity

This bill establishes the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act to significantly advance geothermal energy technologies, including enhanced, closed-loop, and supercritical systems. It mandates expanded research, the creation of public subsurface data repositories, and the drilling of deep exploration boreholes to better characterize U.S. geothermal resources. The legislation also authorizes new grant programs to accelerate the commercial readiness of these next-generation systems.

This bill aims to combat domestic violence affecting pregnant and postpartum individuals by funding programs for screening, counseling, and support services. It also mandates a study on how various forms of violence impact maternal health risks, including suicide and homicide. Furthermore, the legislation establishes grants for innovative, culturally relevant approaches to improve maternal and child health outcomes for survivors. Finally, it requires the HHS Secretary to issue guidance on developing protocols for routine screening and establishing partnerships between healthcare providers and support organizations.

This bill allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant licensees of certain hydropower projects, licensed before March 13, 2020, an extension of up to six additional years to begin construction. This extension is available upon request and demonstration of good cause. The legislation also addresses projects whose original deadlines expired recently, allowing for reinstatement of the license before the extension period begins.

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 DOULA for VA Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program to provide comprehensive doula support services to pregnant and postpartum veterans. By integrating these services into the VA’s Whole Health model, the program aims to improve maternal and mental health outcomes for the growing population of women veterans. The initiative will be implemented across diverse geographic regions to ensure equitable access to specialized maternity care.

The Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act increases and restructures FDA user fees for tobacco manufacturers to ensure all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, contribute to regulatory costs. The bill also mandates enhanced reporting on how these funds are utilized, specifically requiring the FDA to demonstrate how fee revenue supports public education campaigns aimed at preventing youth vaping.

The Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2026 establishes a phased payment schedule for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to provide faster financial support to those with a terminal diagnosis. By allowing eligible individuals to receive benefits during the standard waiting period, the bill aims to provide critical relief to those facing terminal illness. Additionally, the legislation mandates comprehensive reporting by the Social Security Administration and the GAO to ensure program integrity and evaluate its effectiveness.

The Preventing Youth Homelessness Demonstration Act of 2026 establishes federal grant programs to help communities identify, support, and provide services to youth and young adults aged 12 to 26 who are at risk of homelessness. By funding both local prevention strategies and capacity-building assessments, the Act aims to improve cross-system collaboration and deliver trauma-informed interventions. These initiatives prioritize the inclusion of youth with lived experience to ensure effective, data-driven solutions for preventing homelessness.

The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now Act of 2026 aims to lower insulin costs by capping out-of-pocket expenses for insured patients and mandating transparency in pharmacy benefit manager rebates. The legislation also seeks to increase market competition by accelerating the approval of generic and biosimilar drugs. Additionally, it establishes a pilot program and national resource center to improve insulin affordability and access for uninsured individuals.

The Rural America Health Corps Act establishes a demonstration program to incentivize healthcare professionals to work in rural areas facing provider shortages. By offering up to $200,000 in student loan repayment in exchange for a five-year full-time service commitment, the bill aims to improve medical access in underserved communities.

The SECURE Grid Act strengthens national energy infrastructure by requiring states to incorporate local distribution systems into their energy security plans. The bill mandates that these plans address physical and cybersecurity threats, improves federal oversight, and expands the eligible uses of federal assistance for grid upgrades. Additionally, it tasks the GAO with evaluating the effectiveness of these state plans to ensure long-term grid resilience.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. efforts to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and associated human rights abuses. The bill mandates the creation of a public list of vessels and owners engaged in illicit fishing, imposes visa sanctions on identified offenders, and enhances international enforcement and data-sharing capabilities. Additionally, it authorizes funding for fisheries management and research to ensure the sustainability of global fish stocks.

The Ending Scam Credit Repair Act (ESCRA) strengthens consumer protections by imposing stricter regulations on credit repair organizations, including prohibitions against deceptive practices and "dispute jamming." The bill mandates that these organizations provide proof of results before collecting payment, requires state licensing, and increases transparency through enhanced disclosure and recordkeeping requirements. Additionally, it expands consumer rights by allowing for statutory damages in cases of noncompliance.

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 RESPECT Act of 2025 updates the authority for reconsidering decisions regarding interment or memorialization in national cemeteries, allowing reviews for decisions made on or after June 18, 1973. It also standardizes and clarifies the legal language used when referencing the definition of a tier III sex offender in relation to these decisions. Finally, the Act removes an outdated provision from a previous law concerning national cemeteries.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The EMPOWER for Health Act reauthorizes and increases funding for critical health professions workforce programs from 2026 through 2030. This legislation supports the education and training of diverse medical professionals, including those in geriatrics, primary care, nursing, and pediatric subspecialties. Additionally, the bill updates service requirements and grant structures to better address workforce shortages and improve healthcare access for underserved populations.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins in 2029 to honor the service and sacrifice of fallen firefighters. Proceeds from the sale of these coins, including surcharges, will be distributed to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its mission and programs. The program is designed to ensure no net cost to the federal government.

This bill amends the Digital Coast Act to enhance the acquisition, integration, and accessibility of program data, explicitly including underground infrastructure information. It ensures all program data and tools are fully and freely available to the public. Furthermore, the legislation extends the authorization for the Digital Coast program through fiscal year 2030.

The Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act strengthens Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by improving the bond guarantee program and establishing new liquidity and capitalization initiatives. The bill also creates a dedicated relending program to expand homeownership opportunities within Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it mandates increased congressional oversight and reporting regarding the effectiveness of these federal financial programs.