Legislative Activity

The Save Our Shrimpers Act prohibits the U.S. from providing federal funds to international financial institutions that use that money to finance foreign shrimp farming, processing, or export operations. Furthermore, the bill mandates an annual report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to Congress detailing whether U.S. representatives at these institutions are following instructions to oppose assistance for commodities already in global surplus. This legislation aims to protect domestic shrimpers by restricting U.S. financial support for foreign competition.

The Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2026 strengthens national rail safety by mandating stricter operational standards for hazardous materials, requiring two-person crews, and upgrading defect detection technology. Additionally, the legislation bolsters emergency preparedness by increasing funding for first responder training and establishing a rapid financial assistance program for communities impacted by hazardous material incidents.

The Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act aims to enhance the safety and efficiency of the FAA's aircraft certification process. It mandates increased transparency, establishes standard expected timelines for key certification milestones, and updates guidance on delegating certification work to industry. Ultimately, the bill seeks to solidify U.S. global leadership in aviation innovation by streamlining regulatory procedures.

The PROTECT Act of 2026 prohibits U.S. universities and their affiliated personnel from transferring intellectual property rights in covered research to governments of designated "prohibited nations," such as China and Russia. This legislation aims to safeguard American innovation developed at universities from external competitive threats. Violations carry significant civil penalties, which are determined and enforced in consultation with the Secretary of State.

The National Bridge Funding Reform Act establishes a new dedicated National Bridge Program to fund the replacement, rehabilitation, and preservation of bridges on Federal-aid highways. This new program replaces and eliminates the existing Carbon Reduction Program and the PROTECT program. Funding for the new program will be apportioned to states based on a formula prioritizing total bridge deck area and the amount of bridge area in poor condition.

The No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026 restricts the air transportation of adult roosters to enhance aviation safety and combat illegal activities like cockfighting. The bill prohibits air carriers from knowingly transporting adult roosters as cargo, with an exemption for shipments related to certified commercial farms for legitimate agricultural purposes. Enforcement authority rests with the Secretary of Transportation, and violations are subject to civil penalties.

The Public Charge Clarification Act of 2026 establishes a strict, codified definition for when an immigrant is deemed a "public charge," making them inadmissible to the U.S. This law specifically lists numerous federal, state, and local benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, that count toward this determination if received for more than 12 months within any 36-month period. The Act mandates that officers consider all statutory factors holistically but allows for public charge bonds as a condition of entry in certain cases. These new standards will apply to all pending and future immigration applications after the effective date.

The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act directs the FAA to establish regulations allowing civil supersonic flight over the United States, provided that no sonic booms reach the ground. The bill also mandates the implementation of strict noise standards for supersonic aircraft during takeoff and landing, ensuring they remain consistent with current subsonic requirements. Additionally, it requires the FAA to create a framework for periodically updating these standards to incorporate future technological advancements.

The Consolidated Interim Storage Facility Restriction Act of 2025 prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from issuing new licenses for private interim storage of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste. This legislation voids any existing licenses for such facilities, mandating that storage only occur at the site of generation or at a federally owned facility. Congress asserts that private storage poses significant public health risks.

This bill, the Medal of Honor Act, recognizes the exceptional service of Medal of Honor recipients by significantly increasing their special monthly pension. It adjusts the pension rate to align with compensation for veterans without dependents, ensuring a more fitting recognition of their gallantry. Additionally, the Act extends the date related to certain limitations on pension payments.

The REMOVE Act mandates the rapid expulsion of migrant offenders who violate or evade U.S. law. This legislation requires the Attorney General to expedite removal proceedings for individuals convicted of deportable crimes. Furthermore, it sets a strict deadline, requiring all immigration court hearings for these cases to be completed within 15 days of initiation.

The Passenger Rail Liability Adjustment Act of 2025 modifies the effective date for scheduled adjustments to the liability cap for passenger rail services. Specifically, any liability cap change set to occur during calendar year 2026 will be delayed. The new cap amount will only take effect 90 days after the required public notice of the adjustment is officially issued.

The Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2025 raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots in certain commercial operations, generally known as Part 121 flights, from 65 to 67. This change allows experienced pilots to continue flying in covered operations until they reach the new age limit. The bill also includes provisions protecting pilots and carriers who acted under previous regulations and requires the FAA to report on potentially raising the age further.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's recently submitted rule on the "Barred Owl Management Strategy." By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this action nullifies the proposed management strategy, preventing it from taking legal effect. Essentially, Congress is rejecting the USFWS's plan for managing Barred Owls.

The Deescalation Drone Pilot Program Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program managed by the FAA for law enforcement to test drones equipped only with non-lethal tools during active shooter events. This initiative aims to assess the safety, training, and effectiveness of using these specialized drones to keep officers at a safer distance. Following the testing phase, the FAA must create a formal rulemaking process to allow agencies nationwide to seek approval for using these domestically manufactured, non-lethal drones.

The Justice for Angel Families Act establishes new federal grants to compensate families of homicide victims killed by certain unlawfully present aliens or drug traffickers, covering medical, funeral, and emotional distress-related wage costs. Additionally, the bill creates a new Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office within DHS to provide proactive support, resources, and updates to victims of crimes committed by removable aliens. This office will operate a dedicated hotline and report annually to Congress on its impact and victim demographics.

The Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act updates federal laws concerning kidnapping and sexual abuse of minors. It clarifies kidnapping definitions, bars consent as a defense for offenses against victims under 16 unless reasonable belief of age is proven, and creates a new federal offense for non-consensual touching of minors for sexual gratification. The bill also makes technical amendments to sentencing guidelines and cross-references related to abusive sexual contact.

The AFRIKANER Act designates specific persecuted Caucasian residents of South Africa, along with their immediate family, as Priority 2 refugees for resettlement in the United States. This legislation streamlines their application process and ensures they are not disqualified from other immigration paths due to their status under this Act. Furthermore, refugees granted status under this bill will not count against standard annual refugee caps. The State and Homeland Security Departments are required to regularly report to Congress on the implementation and progress of this program.

The Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act generally subjects Amtrak to federal open meeting and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules. However, the bill carves out significant exceptions, allowing Amtrak to hold closed meetings regarding contract talks, labor negotiations, personnel matters, and confidential business secrets to protect its competitive standing. Additionally, Amtrak can keep information private if its release would compromise safety.

The Trucker Bathroom Access Act ensures that commercial truck drivers are allowed to use restrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up goods. This legislation also mandates that operators of marine terminals provide adequate and safe restroom facilities for drayage truck drivers working on port property. The goal is to guarantee basic sanitation access for professional drivers during their work hours.