Legislative Activity

This bill amends the Emergency Food Assistance Act of 1983 to grant certain eligible states the option to receive their allocated federal funds as cash instead of commodities. States choosing this option can then directly purchase food commodities from the private commercial marketplace. This provides flexibility in how states procure food assistance resources.

The NEST Act establishes the Next-Generation Equity Savings Tool, creating a new tax-advantaged First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account. This account allows individuals to save for a down payment and closing costs with tax-deductible contributions and tax-free growth. Withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified home ownership expenses for a primary residence.

The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2026 establishes a commission to investigate the history and ongoing impacts of U.S. Indian boarding school policies. This legislation mandates the gathering of survivor testimony and the search for student burial sites across the country. It also creates advisory committees to ensure Native communities guide the process and clarifies existing laws to facilitate the repatriation and respectful reburial of cultural items. Ultimately, the Act aims to provide a formal record, promote healing, and recommend necessary policy changes to Congress.

The Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 expands federal efforts to protect migratory whales and other large cetaceans. This legislation mandates the creation of high-accuracy distribution maps for whale habitats and funds research into understudied species. It also establishes a competitive grant program to develop and deploy technologies that reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users, such as vessel strikes.

This resolution commemorates the 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama by designating July 6, 2025, as a "Day of Compassion." It strongly reaffirms U.S. support for the human rights, religious freedom, and cultural preservation of the Tibetan people. Furthermore, the resolution asserts that the selection of the next Dalai Lama is solely the right of the Tibetan Buddhist community, rejecting any interference by the People's Republic of China.

The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes strict new licensing requirements for exporting advanced integrated circuits to designated countries of concern, including China and Russia. This legislation mandates detailed national security certifications to Congress before any license can be approved for these high-performance technologies. Furthermore, the bill creates an exemption process for trusted U.S. companies while terminating existing licenses for these sensitive exports.

The Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act establishes mandatory minimum health and safety standards for privatized military housing to combat hazardous conditions like mold. It institutes rigorous independent inspection protocols, requires standardized reporting on housing quality, and holds contractors financially accountable for remediation and tenant relocation costs. This legislation aims to improve habitability, protect service members' health, and enhance military readiness.

The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to formally include Taiwan in existing certification and reporting requirements. It also mandates a feasibility study for expediting the licensing process for allied nations transferring U.S.-origin military equipment to Taiwan. The legislation is intended to enhance security cooperation while affirming that it does not alter existing U.S. policy as defined by the Taiwan Relations Act.

The Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention Act (RAYS Act) mandates that local school districts provide critical mental health and suicide prevention contact information on secondary student identification cards. This includes the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and the Crisis Text Line. For districts not issuing physical IDs, this information must be prominently displayed on their websites and regularly used digital platforms.

The Fast Track To and Through College Act establishes a competitive grant program to help states accelerate student progress toward postsecondary degrees. This funding supports partnerships that align high school and college systems to expand access to dual enrollment and early graduation scholarships. The bill also allows high school students in these pathways to access Federal Pell Grants to cover associated costs.

Sara’s Law and the Preventing Unfair Sentencing Act of 2026 creates special sentencing considerations for young offenders who committed crimes while being victims of prior trafficking, abuse, or assault. This legislation grants courts the authority to sentence these "youthful victim offenders" below mandatory minimums and suspend portions of their sentences to account for past trauma. The law specifically targets individuals under 18 whose offense was committed against a recent abuser.

This bill establishes the **Energy Burden Tax Credit Act** to provide financial relief to individuals facing high home energy costs. The credit covers 75% of a taxpayer's annual fuel or electricity expenses that exceed 3% of their modified adjusted gross income, up to a maximum of \$1,500. This temporary credit is available for tax years beginning after 2024 and before 2028, and is limited to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes of \$75,000 or less.

The Fiscal State of the Nation Act mandates an annual joint hearing where the Comptroller General presents the findings of the federal government's financial audit to the Budget Committees. This presentation must objectively analyze the nation's financial position and sustainability measures based on the Treasury Secretary's report. The hearing ensures public review of the government's fiscal health, open to all members of Congress.

This bill amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the transmission facilitation program. It extends the program's authorization period, shifting the funding window from 2022–2026 to 2026–2031.

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 Families First Housing Act of 2026 establishes an 180-day "first look" period for certain homebuyers and organizations to purchase government-owned single-family properties before they can be sold to institutional investors. This mandates that federal housing entities offer eligible properties at fair market value exclusively to qualified primary residents, nonprofits, or local governments during this initial period. The Act also requires public listing, reporting on sales, and imposes penalties for non-compliance.

The Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act of 2025 makes several key changes to veterans' burial benefits. It permanently authorizes benefits like headstones and interment in national cemeteries for spouses and children who predecease active-duty service members. The bill also establishes new rules for the VA to pay for transporting the remains of certain deceased veterans and allows for the provision of group burial markers. Finally, it expands eligibility for burial in private cemeteries that accept VA allowances to include veterans who meet service requirements but lack sufficient active duty time for national cemetery burial.

The Military CARE Act establishes a digital system for military beneficiaries to easily file and track complaints regarding access to care at military medical facilities. It mandates the creation of an annual report analyzing these complaints to identify trends and inform improvements. This aims to enhance transparency and accountability in military healthcare access.

This act, the Critical Minerals Independence Act, aims to bolster domestic supply chains by expanding the advanced manufacturing production credit. Specifically, it includes "black mass"—a key material derived from processing spent lithium-ion batteries—as an eligible component for this credit starting in 2025. This measure encourages the recycling and domestic processing of critical battery materials.

The Transnational Fentanyl Prevention Act mandates the Director of the CIA to produce a comprehensive intelligence assessment of the Sinaloa and Jalisco cartels. This report must detail their structure, smuggling operations, chemical sourcing, and methods for undermining counternarcotics efforts. The assessment will be delivered to key congressional committees within 90 days of enactment.