Legislative Activity

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated fund to address historical inequities in urban tree canopy coverage, which contributes to higher heat exposure in low-income and minority communities. This legislation creates the Neighborhood Tree Fund to provide financial assistance for increasing and improving community tree health, prioritizing investments in underserved areas. The bill also updates the composition of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to ensure broader representation from relevant community experts.

The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 establishes a new program to grant Social Security credit to individuals providing substantial unpaid care for dependent relatives. This credit is calculated based on "deemed wages" for qualifying months where at least 80 hours are spent caregiving for a child under 12 or a chronically dependent individual. The goal is to improve the economic outlook and retirement security for these unpaid caregivers.

This resolution officially designates April as Community College Month to celebrate the vital role of over 1,000 community colleges nationwide. It recognizes these institutions for providing accessible higher education, workforce training, and significant contributions to the U.S. economy. The bill highlights their affordability, local presence, and impact on student success across the country.

This resolution expresses strong support for library staff across the United States and recognizes the essential, expanding community services they provide. It advocates for commensurate funding, defends the right of all citizens to freely access information, and supports the civil rights and union voice of library workers. Furthermore, the bill condemns threats to library access and staff, such as book bans and funding cuts.

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 Baby Food Safety Act of 2026 establishes strict new limits and testing requirements for toxic contaminants like lead and arsenic in infant and toddler foods. It mandates that manufacturers implement rigorous sampling and testing programs, with results subject to FDA oversight. Additionally, the bill enhances FDA authority for mandatory recalls and modernizes inspection procedures, including allowing remote record requests.

The Water Infrastructure Sustainability and Efficiency (WISE) Act requires states receiving federal water infrastructure grants to dedicate at least 20% of those funds toward projects focused on green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency, or other innovative environmental solutions. This mandate applies as long as sufficient eligible project applications are available.

This bill establishes the Federal and State Food Safety Information Sharing Act of 2026 to enhance public health protection. It allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to share critical, non-public food safety data with state, local, Tribal, and Territorial authorities. The legislation also extends the maximum duration of certain food safety grants from three to five years.

The Civics Learning Act of 2026 aims to combat political polarization and strengthen democracy by improving civics education nationwide. This bill amends existing law to expand a federal grant program, prioritizing funding for innovative, hands-on civics learning in high-need schools. Funds will support activities covering the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the history of the civil rights movement. The legislation authorizes $70 million for fiscal year 2027 to support these essential educational efforts.

The Energy Consumer Protection Act of 2026 strengthens federal oversight of energy markets by enhancing penalties for market manipulation. This act grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to prohibit individuals or entities who violate energy trading rules from participating in the buying or selling of electricity or natural gas. Furthermore, it criminalizes the willful submission of false information to federal or private price reporting agencies concerning natural gas transactions.

The Crime Survivor Support and Stability Act of 2026 encourages states to adopt comprehensive rights for crime survivors, ensuring access to trauma recovery, housing stability, and financial relief. The bill establishes a federal grant program to provide flexible, direct cash assistance to survivors through community-based organizations, minimizing bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, it funds state-level surveys to better understand the unmet needs of survivors, particularly those who interact with the justice system.

The Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to address how climate change risks, like extreme heat and pollution, harm maternal and infant health. The bill establishes grant programs to support local efforts and education, and mandates research and strategies to identify high-risk zones for pregnant individuals and young children. Its goal is to reduce adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality linked to climate change.

The Stop Deadly Denials Act of 2026 aims to restrict the use of prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage plans starting in 2027. It also prohibits the implementation of certain new prior authorization testing models under traditional Medicare, especially those relying on automated decision-making without physician review. This legislation seeks to limit administrative hurdles for beneficiaries accessing necessary medical care.

This resolution affirms that stable housing is a fundamental human right essential for all families, regardless of immigration status. It strongly condemns a proposed rule that would force families with mixed immigration status to separate or lose vital housing assistance. The bill calls for protecting families in federal housing programs and demands increased investment to address the national housing crisis.

The Improving Access to Financial Coaching Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program through the Department of the Treasury to fund nonprofit and community organizations providing financial coaching. This legislation aims to increase access to high-quality financial guidance for low- and moderate-income consumers. The Act also mandates the development of standardized certification practices for financial coaches nationwide.

The YouthBuild for the Future Act reauthorizes and updates the YouthBuild program through 2030, providing education, job training, and leadership development for low-income young people, with a focus on green building skills. The bill increases funding authorization and expands allowable services, such as food assistance and help applying for benefits. It also establishes a new grant program to create employer partnerships that connect participants directly to local job opportunities.

This bill amends federal highway law to establish a guaranteed minimum set-aside amount for state highway apportionments. Specifically, it requires that at least 0.5 percent of the total apportionment be reserved for these guaranteed amounts. This ensures a baseline level of funding for states under the existing highway apportionment formula.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that President Trump and Special Envoy Witkoff violated the Foreign Emoluments Clause by accepting undisclosed payments linked to a secret deal with an entity substantially funded by the UAE. It demands they immediately turn over all such payments to the Treasury and divest from any business interests connected to foreign governments. The bill cites specific financial transactions and subsequent U.S. policy actions favoring the UAE as evidence of a grave conflict of interest.

The Transit Workforce Development Act establishes a competitive grant program through the Department of Transportation to address critical workforce shortages in public transit maintenance. This funding supports training, recruitment, and retention efforts for essential transit workers like mechanics and technicians. The bill also expands existing funding flexibility, allowing transit agencies to use more federal bus and facility funds specifically for broader workforce development training.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House that the Department of Justice must comply with the Domestic Emoluments Clause. It specifically calls for the DOJ to refuse to administratively settle the billions of dollars in legal claims filed against the United States by President Donald Trump. The bill asserts that allowing the President to settle his own personal claims against the government constitutes an unconstitutional conflict of interest.