Legislative Activity

The Supporting VA Families Act establishes a supplemental parental leave program for Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This legislation provides eligible staff with four additional administrative weeks of unpaid leave following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. This benefit is designed to supplement, rather than replace, existing family and medical leave entitlements.

This resolution commemorates the 100th anniversary of the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA), founded in 1926. It honors the organization’s century of dedication to coastal science, engineering, and policy advocacy. Furthermore, it recognizes the ASBPA’s ongoing commitment to protecting the economic, ecological, and recreational value of America’s shorelines.

The Extending WIC for New Moms Act increases the duration of WIC eligibility for postpartum mothers from six months to 24 months. It also extends the period for receiving enhanced breastfeeding food packages to 24 months. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive report to Congress evaluating the impact of these extensions on maternal and infant health outcomes.

The Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to end preventable maternal mortality and close racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. By addressing social determinants of health, expanding nutritional and mental health support, and investing in a diverse, culturally competent workforce, the bill provides a holistic framework for improving care. Through targeted federal grants, enhanced data collection, and innovative technology, the Act aims to ensure that all pregnant and postpartum individuals receive the equitable, high-quality care they deserve.

The Energy Bills Relief Act is a comprehensive bill designed to lower energy costs for American families, accelerate the deployment of low-cost, clean energy, and modernize the nation's electricity grid. It achieves this by reversing harmful policies against renewables, expanding energy assistance programs, streamlining grid connection processes, and increasing transparency in utility regulation. Ultimately, the legislation aims to create a more reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy system while ensuring communities have a stronger voice in energy development.

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 Medicaid VBPs for Patients (MVP) Act updates federal drug pricing regulations to formally support value-based purchasing arrangements in Medicaid and Medicare. By refining how drug prices are calculated and providing guidance for state-level implementation, the bill aims to improve patient access to innovative therapies while ensuring better health outcomes. Additionally, it creates necessary legal exceptions for these arrangements and mandates a GAO study to evaluate their long-term impact on costs and patient care.

The PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026 mandates comprehensive, cost-free insurance coverage for HIV prevention services (PrEP and PEP) across private health plans, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and veteran health programs. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage or increasing premiums based on the use of HIV prevention medication and establishes robust patient confidentiality protections. Additionally, it authorizes national public health education campaigns and provides grant funding to expand access to prevention services for uninsured and underinsured populations.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act of 2026 aims to modernize and expand the SSI program by significantly increasing income and resource limits, which will be adjusted annually for inflation. The bill eliminates marriage penalties, excludes retirement accounts and certain tribal payments from resource calculations, and simplifies administrative requirements for beneficiaries. Additionally, it extends full SSI program eligibility to Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

The Direct File Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, free, government-owned online tax filing system within the IRS, ensuring taxpayers have a simplified and accessible way to file their returns. The bill prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that restrict the government's ability to provide these services and mandates the integration of state tax filing options. Additionally, it streamlines the tax process by setting new filing deadlines for employer information returns to improve efficiency for all taxpayers.

The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency and security in U.S. elections. It closes loopholes to ban foreign national spending in elections, mandates disclosure for "dark money" political spending, and requires clear funding disclosures on political ads. The bill also centralizes legal challenges to campaign finance laws in Washington, D.C., for faster resolution.

This resolution honors the life, leadership, and enduring legacy of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. It recognizes his pivotal role as a civil rights leader, his groundbreaking political campaigns, and his global advocacy for human rights and equality. The measure encourages all Americans to continue his work by moving forward with hope rather than fear and division.

The FERRIES Act authorizes and provides significant new funding from 2027 through 2031 to modernize, expand, and sustain passenger ferry services across the United States. This legislation strengthens critical infrastructure by increasing support for ferry boat construction, urban transit programs, rural connectivity, and fleet modernization. By establishing permanent grant programs and providing dedicated appropriations, the bill aims to improve the reliability and efficiency of essential maritime transportation.

The SCOPE Act of 2026 mandates the EPA Administrator to develop standardized guidance for industrial operations on calculating and reporting Scope 3 (value chain) emissions. This aims to establish a uniform method for measuring these indirect polluting emissions above set thresholds. The guidance will cover calculation methods, monitoring frequency, and quality control procedures.

This resolution officially recognizes Black History Month and adopts "A Century of Black History Commemorations" as the theme for 2026. It honors the contributions of Black Americans by establishing categories for "Unsung Souls" and "Righteous Intercessors." Ultimately, the bill affirms that Black history commemorations are essential for a complete national narrative and inspiring future progress toward liberty and justice for all.

The Full-Body Restraint Prohibition Act bans the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from purchasing or using any four-point or five-point restraints that completely immobilize a person. The legislation mandates strict reporting requirements to Congress detailing compliance and any prohibited restraint usage. Violations by DHS personnel can result in termination.

The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 aims to support the Iranian people by expanding access to uncensored internet and communication technologies. The bill strengthens U.S. policy against regime repression by mandating investigations into human rights abuses and establishing a new Treasury initiative to combat corruption and money laundering by Iranian officials. Additionally, it enhances congressional oversight of sanctions and promotes independent media to counter state-sponsored censorship.

The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2026 establishes a federal process for issuing Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) that temporarily prohibit individuals deemed a danger from possessing firearms. The bill allows family members or law enforcement to petition federal courts for temporary or long-term orders based on evidence of imminent risk of harm. Furthermore, it creates a federal grant program to incentivize and support states and tribes in implementing their own qualifying ERPO laws. Finally, it mandates that individuals subject to these federal orders surrender their firearms and ensures these orders are recognized across state lines.

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials into U.S. waters from industrial facilities. This requires the EPA to swiftly issue a rule banning these discharges from facilities involved in the manufacturing, use, packaging, or transport of these plastics. The prohibition will be enforced through existing permitting and regulatory systems under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

This bill officially recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year, specifically in 2026, the Year of the Horse. It expresses deep respect for Asian American communities and all who celebrate this important occasion. The resolution concludes by offering wishes for a happy and prosperous new year to all observers.