Legislative Activity

The Foster Youth Postsecondary Education Access and Success Act aims to significantly boost support for foster youth pursuing higher education. It increases the maximum annual education and training voucher amount from $\$5,000$ to $\$12,000$. The bill also mandates that states actively inform eligible youth about these benefits and requires the creation of a simplified, standardized application process. Furthermore, it introduces flexibility for states to allow youth a grace period for program participation even when not fully enrolled in a qualifying program.

The Fuel and Strengthen the American Refinery Act of 2026 (Fuel STAR Act) reforms the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by limiting non-advanced renewable fuel volumes and establishing new criteria for small refinery exemptions. The bill also permits the year-round sale of E15 gasoline by adjusting volatility standards. These changes aim to modify biofuel blending requirements and support domestic refining operations.

This bill amends federal law to reclassify clergy and religious workers as employees for Social Security and Medicare tax purposes, requiring churches to withhold these taxes. It also repeals the existing religious exemption that allows clergy to opt out of Social Security coverage. Furthermore, the Act establishes a process for currently exempt clergy to revoke their exemption and mandates the IRS to report on informing these workers of their new options.

The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act aims to strengthen protections and streamline processes for IRS whistleblowers. Key provisions include establishing a *de novo* review standard for award disputes in Tax Court and allowing whistleblowers to maintain anonymity during court proceedings. The bill also mandates interest payments on awards that are significantly delayed by the IRS.

This act expands opportunities for unemployed individuals to start their own businesses while receiving benefits. It modifies state self-employment assistance programs by removing previous eligibility hurdles and requiring participation in approved entrepreneurial training or business plan development. The legislation also increases the maximum number of participants allowed in these state programs.

This bill, the "Stop Stealing our Chips Act," establishes a new whistleblower incentive and protection program within the Department of Commerce. It rewards individuals who provide original information leading to successful enforcement actions against violations of U.S. export control laws, particularly concerning advanced AI chips. The legislation also prohibits employers from retaliating against whistleblowers who report these violations.

The Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act aims to protect U.S. national security by restricting adversary access to advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The bill mandates diplomatic efforts to align export controls with allied nations and establishes a framework to impose strict U.S. regulations if those partners fail to implement sufficient safeguards. By targeting specific entities and facilities in countries of concern, the legislation seeks to close gaps in the current export control regime and maintain America’s technological advantage.

The "Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act" repeals the Corporate Transparency Act, eliminating the requirement for companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It also makes necessary technical adjustments to Title 31 of the United States Code, specifically sections related to financial recordkeeping and reporting of currency and foreign transactions, to reflect the repeal.

This bill seeks to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to update the definition of eligible food items for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, it would explicitly add hot rotisserie chicken to the list of items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits. The legislation also includes minor technical formatting updates to the existing law.

This resolution expresses strong support for the Working Families Tax Cuts, a law enacted to provide significant tax relief to working families. It highlights key provisions that prevent broad tax increases, deliver substantial refunds, and lower the tax burden for lower and middle-income earners. The bill affirms the benefits of policies designed to help families keep more of their earnings.

The Congressional Quilt Show Resolution of 2026 establishes an annual showcase to celebrate the artistry and cultural contributions of American quilters. Through a lottery system, winning quilts from eligible constituents will be displayed outside their respective congressional offices in the House of Representatives. This initiative aims to foster community engagement and honor the tradition of craftsmanship as a national asset.

The Chip Security Act mandates the installation of security mechanisms on advanced integrated circuit products before they are exported from the United States. These requirements aim to verify chip location, prevent diversion, and protect U.S. technological leadership. The Secretary of Commerce must also study and implement additional security features to enhance export control enforcement and national security.

The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility (EBITDA) Act repeals recent modifications to the calculation of adjusted taxable income regarding business interest limitations. By removing these specific constraints, the bill aims to restore previous tax treatment standards for businesses starting in the 2026 tax year.

The Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026 prevents the IRS from considering an organization's beliefs on marriage, sexuality, or gender identity when determining its tax-exempt status. Additionally, the bill prohibits federal agencies from discriminating against religious employers who receive federal financial assistance and make hiring decisions based on their religious standards.

The Protecting America’s Small Oil and Gas Producers and Rural Jobs Act aims to support domestic energy production by modifying tax depletion rules for marginal oil and gas wells. The bill increases the daily production threshold for qualifying properties and adjusts the depletion deduction formula to provide greater financial relief when oil prices are low. Additionally, it removes the taxable income limitation for these deductions to help sustain operations and protect rural jobs.

The Protecting American Streaming and Innovation Act mandates an investigation into Canada’s Online Streaming Act to determine if its content requirements and taxes unfairly discriminate against U.S. digital service providers. The bill requires the U.S. Trade Representative to report on these trade barriers and authorizes potential retaliatory actions if Canada fails to remedy policies that violate the USMCA. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a framework to address similar protectionist digital trade practices adopted by other nations in the future.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

The Small Business Dependent Care FSA Opportunity Act creates a new tax credit to help small businesses offset the startup and administrative costs of establishing a dependent care flexible spending arrangement (FSA) for their employees. Eligible small employers with 100 or fewer employees can claim this credit for up to three years to help cover plan implementation and employee education expenses. This initiative aims to make dependent care benefits more accessible to the workforce by reducing the financial burden on small business owners.

The Stop Unemployment Fraud Act aims to enhance the integrity of the unemployment insurance system by mandating stricter identity verification and data-matching procedures for state agencies. The bill prohibits the use of self-attestation for eligibility, establishes rigorous work-search requirements, and provides states with new tools and funding incentives to detect and prevent improper payments. Additionally, it grants the Secretary of Labor oversight authority to monitor compliance and enforce corrective actions to ensure program accountability.