Legislative Activity

The Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act establishes a new federal grant program to help expand child care facilities in rural communities through construction, renovation, and equipment purchases. It also creates a low-interest loan program, administered by the USDA, to help existing rural providers renovate or expand their structures, particularly in designated "child care deserts." The goal of both provisions is to significantly increase the availability of licensed child care slots across rural America.

The Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to ensure that broadband affordability is a key factor in federal infrastructure determinations. By requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to consider cost when defining "unserved" households and territories, the bill aims to improve access to reasonably priced internet in rural communities.

The Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act modernizes internet standards by increasing the minimum speed requirements for projects funded under the Community Connect Grant Program. The bill raises the mandatory download speed to 25 Mbps and the upload speed to 3 Mbps to ensure better connectivity for rural areas. These updated standards will take effect six months after the legislation is enacted.

The Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act aims to improve the efficiency and transparency of federal assistance for rural infrastructure projects. The bill mandates the creation of a centralized online platform for project tracking, establishes new grants for early-stage project planning, and requires the implementation of predictable, standardized timelines for grant applications. Additionally, it directs the USDA to modernize its administrative processes and report to Congress on strategies to further expedite service delivery to rural communities.

The Expanding Access to Distance Learning and Telemedicine Act updates existing rural development programs to better support modern connectivity needs. The bill broadens federal grant eligibility to include cybersecurity support, digital literacy, and workforce development training. These enhancements aim to strengthen rural infrastructure and prepare the local workforce for the demands of the digital economy.

The Higher Education Challenge Grant Modernization Act authorizes $60 million annually from 2026 through 2035 to support agricultural and rural development education. The bill establishes a new grant priority for teaching enhancement projects, specifically those that incorporate paid work-based learning opportunities to train professionals in food, agricultural sciences, and rural economic development.

The Agricultural Conservation Mentorship Act amends the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to provide funding for paid work-based learning opportunities. This initiative supports cooperative programs at higher education institutions and land-grant universities to enhance agricultural teaching and career development.

The Fiscal Harms of Federal Firings Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General on how federal workforce reductions (RIFs) impact state and local government budgets. This study will analyze changes in state spending, tax revenues, and regional economic effects resulting from federal job cuts. The resulting report will provide Congress with findings, identify the most affected areas, and suggest policy options for mitigating these fiscal harms.

This bill, the "Keep ICE Out of Washington County, Maryland Act," prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and ICE from establishing, operating, or expanding any civil immigration detention or holding facility within Washington County, Maryland. It also bars the use of federal funds for such purposes in the county. The legislation allows residents, local government, and members of Congress to sue to enforce this prohibition.

The SERVE Act of 2026 prohibits naming any federal property, land, or asset after a sitting President, preventing the use of federal funds for such purposes. Furthermore, any federal property currently named after the sitting President upon enactment will revert to its previously established federal name.

The Federal Property Integrity Act prohibits naming any federal building, land, or asset after a President currently serving in office. This new rule establishes a clear standard for naming federal property, ensuring such designations are not made while a President is actively serving.

The Kennedy Center Protection Act voids the Board of Trustees' 2025 vote to rename the performing arts center. This legislation mandates the immediate removal of any signage reflecting the altered name and restores the official title to the "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts." Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits the Board from ever taking action to rename the center in the future.

The CFTC Charitable Organization Exemption Act of 2025 amends the Commodity Exchange Act to exempt qualified charitable organizations from the requirement to register as commodity pool operators or commodity trading advisors. This exemption applies when their advisory or pool activities are conducted solely for other qualifying charitable entities. The bill maintains existing exemptions while adding a specific disclosure requirement for these newly exempt charitable organizations.

The Emergency Alert Grant Fairness Act ensures public broadcasting entities have an annual opportunity to apply for FEMA's Next Generation Warning System grants. This legislation mandates that the application period for these critical warning system grants remains open for at least 30 days each year.

The Rural Recovery Act of 2025 establishes a new program within the USDA to provide essential technical assistance to small rural communities recovering from major Presidential-declared disasters. This assistance will help eligible communities with planning, securing federal and state funding, and implementing recovery projects across various infrastructure sectors. The program is funded through annual appropriations and provides support for up to three years following a disaster declaration.

The Food Bank Emergency Support Act of 2025 establishes a \$462.5 million emergency fund to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can continue providing full benefits during funding shortfalls or government shutdowns. These funds are specifically appropriated to prevent benefit reductions when other resources are insufficient. Furthermore, the Act ensures essential SNAP staff can continue working during a lapse in appropriations.

The American Farmers First Act prohibits the use of the Exchange Stabilization Fund to provide any financial support to Argentina. Any existing contracts violating this new rule must be terminated quickly. Finally, the bill establishes a farmer economic relief program, funded by the proceeds from terminating those contracts, to provide one-time assistance to producers who lost export markets in the 2025 marketing year.

The VA Work-Study Improvement Act expands approved work-study locations to include state/local government agencies and nonprofits that benefit veterans. It establishes a clear standard for the minimum hourly wage paid to participants and mandates the use of electronic timesheets. Furthermore, the bill requires the VA to annually publish detailed data regarding the work-study program's activities and participants.

The National Fire Academy RESCUE Act ensures that fire departments are reimbursed for expenses incurred when National Fire Academy training courses are canceled due to a lapse in federal appropriations (a government shutdown). FEMA must reimburse departments for covered costs, such as travel and backfill staffing, within 90 days of receiving an itemized application following the shutdown's end. This reimbursement does not apply if the cancellation was due to reasons other than a lapse in appropriations, such as instructor illness or other emergencies.

The FARM SAFE Act ensures that critical agricultural disaster assistance programs continue to operate without interruption during federal government shutdowns or lapses in appropriations. This legislation mandates that necessary Department of Agriculture employees remain on the job to administer these vital aid programs. By classifying these workers as "excepted employees," the bill prevents layoffs or furloughs that could halt disaster relief efforts for farmers.