Legislative Activity

This bill reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act, updating its structure and goals for another seven years. It establishes a diverse 14-member Commission to protect and restore the marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits region. The Commission will focus on science-based projects, collaboration with local and Tribal governments, and advising on ecosystem health without issuing regulations.

This resolution sets the rules for the House to consider four separate bills concerning appropriations for Agriculture and related agencies, withholding child care funds from noncompliant states, strengthening FAFSA identity fraud checks, and reforming the TANF block grant program. It establishes strict debate limits and amendment procedures for each of the four bills to expedite their passage. The rules waive most procedural objections to ensure these specific legislative items can be brought to a vote quickly.

This bill amends the American Battlefield Protection Program to extend and modify key grant programs for battlefield preservation through 2036. It also makes the battlefield interpretation modernization grant program permanent. Furthermore, the legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct or certify studies on nationally significant sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War.

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 significantly enhances benefits for veterans and service members. It increases disability compensation with a new monthly allowance for certain veterans and ties future Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) adjustments to Social Security cost-of-living increases plus an extra percentage. The bill also expands VA home loan eligibility to include National Guard and Reserve members with at least 14 days of qualifying service, though these borrowers will pay a higher loan fee. Finally, it extends the current VA home loan fee structure and modifies definitions of active duty for Guard and Reserve components.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the VA from reporting veterans to the NICS background check system solely because a fiduciary was appointed to manage their benefits. This legislation ensures that a VA finding of mental incompetence or the appointment of a fiduciary alone is not used to treat a veteran as a "mental defective" for gun control purposes. Furthermore, the VA must notify the Attorney General about past transmissions of this information that lacked a proper legal basis.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

This resolution establishes the expedited House procedures for considering several bills, including one to restrict the VA from sharing certain data with the DOJ for background checks. It also sets the rules for debating and voting on legislation that would increase VA disability and indemnity compensation payments. Finally, the resolution addresses the location of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and waives certain procedural rules for specific reports.

The Stopping Indoctrination and Protecting Kids Act requires public schools to obtain parental consent before changing a minor student's gender marker, pronouns, or preferred name, or altering sex-based accommodations. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of federal education funding to teach or advance concepts related to gender ideology. This legislation aims to ensure parental involvement in significant decisions regarding their children's records and school environment.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

Lulu's Law mandates that the FCC classify shark attacks as an event eligible for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). This ensures that alerts regarding shark attacks can be broadcast to the public via emergency messaging systems.

The Community Bank Deposit Access Act of 2025 creates a limited exception to brokered deposit rules for certain "custodial deposits" held at eligible community banks (under $10 billion in assets). This exception allows these banks to treat these specific fiduciary deposits as non-brokered, up to 20% of total liabilities. The bill also imposes an interest rate cap on these deposits if an eligible institution falls below well-capitalized status.

The American Access to Banking Act aims to make it easier to start new banks and credit unions by streamlining the application process and reducing paperwork. It establishes dedicated caseworkers and a mentor-protégé program to guide new applicants through regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the bill mandates that federal agencies develop plans to engage with state regulators and stakeholders to foster the creation of new financial institutions.

The Keeping Deposits Local Act amends federal law to adjust how reciprocal deposits are treated for institutions, potentially encouraging local deposit retention. It modifies the definition of an "agent institution" based on its financial health rating. Furthermore, the bill mandates a study by the FDIC on the performance, usage, and risks associated with reciprocal deposits.

The **21st Century ROAD to Housing Act** is a comprehensive bill designed to significantly increase housing availability, lower construction and financing costs, and modernize federal housing programs. It introduces reforms across zoning, lending, manufactured housing, and tenant protections while limiting the ability of large institutional investors to purchase single-family homes. Ultimately, the Act aims to expand access to affordable homeownership and rental opportunities for Americans across the country.

The **21st Century ROAD to Housing Act** is a comprehensive bill aimed at increasing housing supply, improving affordability, and modernizing federal housing finance and oversight. It introduces numerous pilot programs and voluntary guides to encourage zoning reform, streamlines environmental reviews, updates rules for manufactured housing, and strengthens accountability for federal housing agencies. Ultimately, the Act seeks to reduce regulatory burdens and expand access to homeownership and stable rentals for low- and moderate-income Americans.

This bill makes appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for Fiscal Year 2027. It allocates billions to fund defense facilities, expand and protect veterans' healthcare and benefits, and maintain related national cemeteries and courts. The legislation also establishes specific rules governing spending, prioritizing American materials and protecting certain veterans' rights.

The Monitor Accountability Act establishes new federal rules to increase oversight and transparency for court-appointed monitors overseeing state or local governments. This legislation sets limits on monitor compensation, imposes a five-year term limit for service, and requires public comment before an appointment is finalized. Furthermore, the Act mandates annual public accounting of services and fees for all active monitorships.

The Cashless Bail Reporting Act mandates that states and local governments receiving specific federal grants must report annual data on their use of cashless bail systems. This data includes the number of individuals released, subsequent failures to appear, and new arrests while on pretrial release. Furthermore, the Act requires the Attorney General to annually publish a list of jurisdictions that permit pretrial release without cash bail for certain offenses threatening public safety.

This bill directs the President to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran within 30 days, utilizing the authority granted by the War Powers Resolution. Congress asserts this action is necessary as it has not formally declared war or authorized military force against Iran. The resolution explicitly preserves the ability of the U.S. to defend itself, its allies, and its facilities from imminent attack, and does not interfere with intelligence-gathering activities.

The Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act of 2025 targets fraud in the bail process. This legislation amends federal law to specifically disqualify individuals who commit fraud related to posting bail from participating in certain bail-related activities.