Legislative Activity

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2026 establishes the Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit to incentivize the use of U.S.-grown cotton in products sold domestically. This new business tax credit is calculated based on the volume of U.S. cotton used, the market price, and where the product was processed. The bill mandates digital tracing to verify the supply chain and offers significantly increased credit multipliers for products containing U.S.-made cotton yarn or fabric.

The Safeguarding Benefits for Americans Act of 2026 establishes U.S. citizenship or nationality as a mandatory requirement for receiving most federal public assistance benefits. This law mandates that applicants must attest to their citizenship status and provide documentation for verification against Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security records. These new citizenship verification rules will supersede existing eligibility laws unless those laws are more restrictive. Eligibility determinations under this new standard will begin one year after enactment.

The VERIFY CDL Act mandates that states use the E-Verify program to confirm the employment authorization of all applicants seeking to obtain or renew a commercial driver's license (CDL). This ensures that only individuals legally authorized to work in the U.S. are issued CDLs.

The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act aims to ensure states can use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy centers. This legislation specifically defines pregnancy centers as organizations that promote the life of the mother and unborn child while offering various resources and services to expecting and new parents.

The UBER Act sets new minimum standards for drivers working under federal contracts with ride-share and mobility companies. These requirements mandate that drivers must be at least 21, possess specific driving qualifications, and demonstrate English proficiency, with an exception for deaf or hearing-impaired drivers using American Sign Language. Companies failing to certify driver compliance face a five-year ban from federal contracts.

The Air Permitting Improvements to Protect National Security Act of 2025 aims to streamline air permitting for critical manufacturing and mineral facilities. It allows the President to issue national security waivers for emission offset requirements for these vital facilities. Additionally, it provides states with flexibility to approve alternative offset measures or impose emissions fees for qualifying advanced manufacturing and critical mineral projects.

This bill aims to streamline the New Source Review (NSR) permitting process for industrial facilities under the Clean Air Act by setting strict deadlines and consolidating permit requirements. It revises the definition of a "modification" to focus on actual hourly emission rate increases and excludes certain efficiency, safety, or reliability projects from triggering new reviews. Furthermore, the legislation narrows the definition of "construction" to primarily mean the physical building of emissions units, limiting when preconstruction review requirements apply.

The SCAM Act establishes new grounds for the government to revoke the citizenship of naturalized individuals. It allows for denaturalization if a person commits fraud against the government, joins a terrorist organization, or commits an aggravated felony within ten years of naturalization. These actions are deemed proof that the individual lacked good moral character at the time they became a citizen. Revocation of citizenship under this Act is retroactive to the original date of naturalization.

The Jumpstart Savings Act establishes a new tax-advantaged savings program, the Jumpstart Program, designed to cover expenses for vocational training and professional development. Funds can be used tax-free for apprenticeships, community college programs, professional certifications, and necessary business startup costs. This new program mirrors existing rules for 529 college savings plans and allows rollovers from those accounts.

This resolution commends President Trump and U.S. forces for the successful "Operation Absolute Resolve," which apprehended fugitive Nicolás Maduro and dismantled the command structure of the Cartel de los Soles. It recognizes the operation as a critical step against state-sponsored narcoterrorism that fuels the U.S. drug crisis. Furthermore, the bill reaffirms the Monroe Doctrine and supports a democratic transition in Venezuela.

The Student Visa Integrity Act of 2026 establishes new fees and stricter requirements for academic institutions to enhance the integrity and security of the student visa program. The bill mandates accreditation for schools enrolling foreign students, increases criminal penalties for immigration document fraud, and imposes new reporting and disclosure rules, including those related to foreign government influence. Furthermore, it modernizes the SEVIS tracking system and sets specific limitations on online study and admission periods for certain visa holders.

The Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment (CSAFE) Act establishes a new federal crime for intentionally compelling a minor to engage in harmful acts, including self-harm, animal crushing, or abusive nonsexual or sexually explicit conduct. This law applies when using mail, interstate commerce, or within U.S. jurisdiction, defining "compel" to include threats, fraud, or manipulation. Penalties range up to 10 years imprisonment, increasing significantly if serious bodily injury or death results.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

This bill officially designates January 9, 2026, as "National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day" to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers nationwide. It also establishes National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15th) to commemorate officers who have died in the line of duty. The legislation encourages the President to issue annual proclamations recognizing these days and calls for flags to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day.

The Public Charge Clarification Act of 2026 establishes a strict, codified definition for when an immigrant is deemed a "public charge," making them inadmissible to the U.S. This law specifically lists numerous federal, state, and local benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, that count toward this determination if received for more than 12 months within any 36-month period. The Act mandates that officers consider all statutory factors holistically but allows for public charge bonds as a condition of entry in certain cases. These new standards will apply to all pending and future immigration applications after the effective date.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that European digital regulations unfairly burden American speech and innovation. It specifically disapproves of laws like the EU's Digital Services Act and the UK's Online Safety Act, arguing they censor protected political discourse. The resolution calls on a future administration to use diplomatic and economic tools to protect First Amendment rights and American companies from these foreign mandates.

The Blue Envelope Awareness Act amends federal law to allow states and local governments to use Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funds for "blue envelope programs." These programs assist individuals with speech, hearing, or developmental disabilities by providing them with a blue envelope to present disability documentation during traffic stops. The funding also supports necessary training for law enforcement officers on interacting effectively with these individuals.

The Protect Children’s Innocence Act establishes federal criminal penalties for performing genital or bodily mutilation or chemical castration on individuals under 18 years old. This law applies when the act involves interstate commerce or occurs in U.S. territories. It explicitly prohibits procedures intended to change a minor's body to correspond with a different sex, with narrow exceptions for specific medical necessities.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and financial processors from creating or requiring special merchant category codes specifically for firearm retailers. This legislation aims to prevent the singling out of businesses that sell firearms, ammunition, or related components through transaction coding. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcement and reporting annually to Congress on the law's implementation.

The Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act of 2025 amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to prevent deceptive environmental marketing on consumer packaging. It establishes strict standards for "recyclable," "compostable," and "reusable" claims, requiring third-party certification and clear consumer disclosures. The bill aims to increase transparency by ensuring that environmental claims are backed by scientific evidence and actual infrastructure availability.