Legislative Activity

The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act increases government transparency by requiring federal agencies to publicly report on projects that are significantly over budget or behind schedule. Under this legislation, the Office of Management and Budget must compile annual data on these high-cost, delayed projects and publish the findings for Congress and the public.

The Prices on the Wall Act of 2026 mandates that hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, laboratories, and imaging providers must prominently post their discounted cash prices on their walls. This requirement applies to all services identified by CMS as "shoppable services." The goal is to increase price transparency for consumers scheduling care in advance.

The Conversational AI Services Act establishes essential safety and transparency standards for AI services interacting with minors, including mandatory disclosures, parental control tools, and protections against harmful content. The bill also prohibits deceptive practices, such as AI masquerading as human or providing unauthorized mental health advice, and mandates protocols for suicide and self-harm prevention. Enforcement of these requirements is granted to the Federal Trade Commission to ensure compliance and consumer protection.

The "Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026" establishes a comprehensive national program to eliminate the hepatitis C virus in the United States by 2032. The bill mandates the creation of a federal strategy, an advisory committee, and a subscription-based drug procurement model to provide curative treatments at no cost to priority populations, including those in correctional facilities, Indian health programs, and Medicaid. Additionally, it authorizes significant funding for public health grants, diagnostic testing, and the elimination of out-of-pocket costs for hepatitis C treatments under Medicare.

The Battery Recycling for America’s Competitive Economy (BRACE) Act streamlines federal regulations to improve the management and recycling of lithium-ion batteries. By updating handling requirements for storage facilities and modernizing outdated environmental statutes, the bill aims to create a more efficient and consistent framework for battery end-of-life processing.

The Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act establishes a grant and technical assistance program to help smaller electric utilities strengthen their defenses against cyber threats. Administered by the Department of Energy, the program provides $250 million in funding through 2031 to help eligible utilities deploy advanced security technologies and improve information sharing. It prioritizes support for entities with limited resources and those managing critical infrastructure while ensuring that shared cybersecurity data remains protected from public disclosure.

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to share data on veterans enrolled in both VA and Medicare programs. This coordination aims to prevent duplicate payments and services when administering the Veterans Community Care Program. Additionally, the VA must identify specialized Medicare Advantage plans that offer specific benefits beneficial to veteran health.

This resolution supports designating February 1st as "Blue Star Mothers Day." This day recognizes the service and sacrifices of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc., an organization dedicated to supporting U.S. Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families. The bill encourages Americans to observe this day and support the organization's vital work.

The Timely Agreements Act aims to streamline the process for State veterans homes to acquire necessary resources from the Department of Veterans Affairs. It mandates that the VA must approve or reject proposals for pharmaceuticals and medical equipment within 60 days, with automatic approval if the deadline is missed. Furthermore, the bill prevents State homes from being cited for inspection deficiencies solely because they provided care to an eligible veteran without a formal sharing agreement in place.

The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025 establishes a new EPA pilot grant program to improve recycling access, focusing specifically on underserved communities. These competitive grants will fund infrastructure projects, such as building transfer stations or expanding curbside service, using a "hub-and-spoke" model. Priority is given to projects located far from existing materials recovery facilities, with grants ranging from $\$500,000$ to $\$15$ million.

The Fisher House Availability Act of 2026 expands access to temporary lodging at VA facilities, known as Fisher Houses, for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families who must travel significant distances for medical care. This legislation codifies the definition of a Fisher House and ensures lodging is provided on a space-available basis. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for certain pension payment limitations.

This bill establishes the **Medicare Physician Data-driven Performance Payment System (DPPS)**, replacing the existing MIPS program starting in 2027. It sets new, fixed payment adjustment factors for performance levels beginning in 2028, emphasizing timely feedback for eligible professionals. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that any net savings collected from penalties be reinvested as lump-sum incentives for under-resourced small practices.

This act aims to lower expenses for American farmers by immediately eliminating tariffs on phosphate imports from Morocco. It also revokes existing countervailing duty orders on phosphate fertilizers originating from Morocco. The legislation mandates the refunding of previously collected duties to importers.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 1019 Avenue H in Fort Madison, Iowa. The facility will henceforth be known as the Martin L. Graber Post Office. This designation will apply to all official federal references to the building.

The Precision Brain Health Research Act of 2026 expands the Precision Medicine for Veterans Initiative to prioritize research on repetitive low-level blast exposure and dementia. The bill mandates a data-sharing partnership between the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense, requires large-scale clinical studies, and tasks the National Academies with validating brain health biomarkers. Additionally, it establishes rigorous biennial reporting requirements and authorizes $5 million in annual funding through 2030 to improve veteran brain health outcomes.

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish location-specific payment rates for services provided under the Community Care Program. It requires providers to use unique National Provider Identifiers for different service sites, such as outpatient departments and physician offices, to ensure accurate billing and reimbursement. These measures aim to standardize and clarify payment structures based on where a veteran actually receives care.

The Permanent Tax Relief for Seniors Act makes the existing federal tax deduction for seniors a permanent provision of the Internal Revenue Code. This legislation removes the current sunset date, ensuring seniors continue to benefit from this tax relief in all future taxable years.

The Affordable Housing Guarantee Act modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan guaranty program. This legislation establishes new maximum guaranty amounts based on a veteran's service-connected disability status. Specifically, veterans with service-connected disabilities will receive a higher maximum guaranty percentage than other veterans.

The Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026 formally codifies the fundamental rights of veterans to receive respectful, transparent, and timely access to VA health care and benefits. This legislation mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs integrate these rights into all policies, training, and communications to ensure consistent accountability. By establishing these clear standards, the Act reinforces the nation’s commitment to supporting those who have served.

The WALZ Act mandates that the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services investigate specific HHS programs when payments to providers and suppliers surge by 10% or more within a six-month period. This legislation aims to ensure oversight and accountability for significant increases in federal health program spending.