Legislative Activity

The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility (EBITDA) Act repeals recent modifications to the calculation of adjusted taxable income regarding business interest deduction limits. By removing these specific constraints from the Internal Revenue Code, the bill aims to restore previous standards for how businesses determine their deductible interest expenses. This change is set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act expands the authority of State Medicaid Fraud Control Units to investigate and prosecute fraud committed by Medicaid applicants and beneficiaries, in addition to healthcare providers. This legislation mandates that state Medicaid plans refer all cases of suspected beneficiary fraud to these units for enforcement. These changes are designed to increase accountability and integrity within the Medicaid program.

The Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act mandates that any increase or suspension of the federal debt limit must be accompanied by an equal or greater amount of federal spending reductions over the next decade. The bill requires the Treasury Secretary to issue formal warnings as the debt limit approaches and establishes strict congressional procedural rules to ensure these spending cuts are enacted. By prohibiting the use of interest savings or timing shifts to meet these targets, the legislation aims to enforce long-term fiscal discipline.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated grant program and emergency response fund to support the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. This legislation provides critical federal funding through 2030 to enhance conservation efforts and ensure authorized facilities have the resources necessary to care for these protected species.

This resolution expresses the Senate's commitment to stabilizing the national debt by reducing the federal budget deficit to 3 percent or less of the gross domestic product (GDP) by fiscal year 2030. It calls for Congress and the President to implement fiscal policies and enforcement mechanisms that prioritize long-term deficit reduction and move toward a balanced budget.

The Local Data for Better Conservation Act requires the Secretary to incorporate state-collected data when making listing or delisting determinations under the Endangered Species Act. This legislation ensures that local scientific information is formally integrated into federal decision-making processes for species protection.

The "Stop Insider Trading Act" prohibits Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing individual stocks and requires advanced public notice for any sale of existing holdings. The bill establishes strict financial penalties for violations, which must be paid personally by the Member of Congress. These measures aim to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest by restricting personal investment activities among federal lawmakers.

The Cost Openness and Spending Transparency (COST) Act of 2026 mandates that recipients of federal funds clearly disclose the specific dollar amounts and percentages of federal versus non-governmental funding used for their projects. The bill establishes rigorous compliance oversight by the Office of Management and Budget, including annual audits and a public mechanism for reporting non-compliant communications.

The PEARL Act establishes a three-year pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to adopt dogs from local animal shelters. These rescued dogs will be trained to serve as support animals within the agency's existing Support Canine Program.

The Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act establishes a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for digital assets by placing oversight of cash and spot markets under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The bill mandates that digital commodity exchanges and brokers register with the CFTC, adhere to strict customer protection and asset-segregation standards, and comply with new conflict-of-interest rules. By clarifying legal definitions and providing an expedited registration process, the legislation aims to increase market stability while protecting individual investors and exempting software developers from intermediary regulations.

The Sanctions Targeting Aggressors of Neighboring Democracies with Taiwan Act of 2026 establishes a framework for immediate, severe economic sanctions against China should it engage in hostile actions against Taiwan. The legislation mandates broad financial restrictions, investment bans, and significant tariffs on Chinese entities and their supporters to deter military or cyber aggression. It also provides the U.S. government with tools to penalize foreign actors while maintaining limited flexibility for national security interests.

The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026 mandates that the Secretary of State annually report on any military or intelligence cooperation between the Polisario Front and Iranian-affiliated terrorist organizations. If such cooperation is confirmed, the President is required to formally designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization and impose associated sanctions.

The National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated Senior Investor Taskforce within the SEC to identify challenges, improve regulations, and protect investors over the age of 65 from financial exploitation. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive GAO study to analyze the economic impact, frequency, and risk factors associated with the financial exploitation of senior citizens. This initiative aims to enhance oversight and coordination to better safeguard the financial well-being of older Americans.

The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish at least five specialized centers dedicated to the research and administration of innovative drug therapies for veterans. These centers will focus on treating conditions such as PTSD, depression, and chronic pain through advanced clinical approaches. The bill provides $30 million annually to support these facilities in conducting research, training, and data collection to improve veteran mental health outcomes.

The Stop Unemployment Fraud Act strengthens the integrity of the unemployment insurance system by mandating stricter identity verification and data-matching procedures to prevent improper payments. The bill prohibits reliance on self-attestation for eligibility, establishes rigorous federal work-search requirements, and provides states with new tools and funding to modernize fraud detection. These measures aim to ensure benefits are distributed accurately while holding states accountable for program compliance.

The Foreign Service Age Integration and Reform (FAIR) Act of 2026 updates the mandatory retirement age for Foreign Service officers. Under this legislation, the retirement age is increased to 67 or the age defined by the Social Security Act, whichever is greater.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act significantly updates existing law to expand online privacy protections for individuals aged 13 to 16. It broadens the definition of personal information collected online and imposes stricter requirements on operators regarding notice, verifiable consent, and data use for advertising. The bill also mandates studies on application oversight and the privacy risks associated with teens using financial technology products.

The Housing and Economic Development Act mandates increased collaboration between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) to streamline jointly funded projects. By requiring a formal memorandum of understanding and a comprehensive interagency report, the bill aims to reduce administrative burdens and improve the efficiency of housing and economic development initiatives.

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026 mandates a transition to secure, chip-enabled EBT cards to better protect SNAP recipients from fraud and benefit theft. The bill requires states to modernize their digital account management tools, improves online transaction security, and establishes a grant program to help small retailers upgrade their payment terminals. Additionally, it streamlines the card replacement process and prohibits states from charging fees for replacing cards compromised by fraud or technical malfunctions.

The TAP Promotion Act mandates the inclusion of a standardized, one-hour presentation on veterans' benefits within the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) preseparation counseling. This legislation ensures service members receive expert guidance on navigating VA benefits with the support of recognized veterans service organizations. Additionally, it establishes annual reporting requirements to track participation and ensure the program's ongoing effectiveness.