Legislative Activity

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act of 2026 expands and extends the federal program that provides compensation and medical benefits to individuals harmed by radiation exposure from atmospheric nuclear testing and Manhattan Project waste. This legislation broadens eligibility criteria, increases compensation amounts, and establishes a new process for designating additional classes of eligible individuals. Furthermore, it extends the program’s authorization through 2043 and mandates new health studies and expanded screening services for affected populations and their descendants.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 imposes sweeping economic and financial sanctions on Russia to isolate its economy and disrupt its defense and energy sectors. The bill further mandates the extension of existing sanctions against Iran through 2031 to maintain ongoing diplomatic and economic pressure. Together, these measures aim to penalize foreign aggression and restrict access to U.S. capital and markets.

The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act provides tax relief to individuals affected by federally declared disasters occurring between 2019 and 2027. The bill allows taxpayers to deduct qualified disaster-related casualty losses even if they do not itemize and excludes certain wildfire relief payments from gross income. These measures aim to reduce the financial burden on disaster victims by simplifying the deduction process and preventing the taxation of recovery compensation.

The National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Extension Act extends the federal authorization for the establishment of a National Emergency Medical Services Memorial. This legislation resets the seven-year deadline for the project, ensuring that proponents have the necessary time to complete the memorial's development.

The Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response Act establishes a competitive grant program to fund emergency projects on National Forest System lands affected by beetle outbreaks. Administered by the Forest Service, the program supports state, local, and tribal partners in efforts to restore forest health, reduce wildfire risks, and protect critical infrastructure and water supplies.

The Mountain Pine Beetle Coordination Act authorizes the U.S. Forest Service to enter into cooperative agreements with state, local, and tribal governments to combat pine beetle infestations. This legislation facilitates coordinated monitoring, treatment, and mitigation efforts to reduce wildfire risks and manage the impact of beetle-killed timber. Additionally, it provides for technical assistance from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to support these collaborative management strategies.

The Get Foreign Money Out of United States Elections Act strengthens existing laws to prevent foreign influence in American elections. It expands the ban on foreign contributions to include domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control and mandates strict certification requirements for corporate political action committees. These measures ensure that foreign entities cannot influence federal, state, or local elections through direct spending, ballot initiatives, or Super PACs.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act authorizes $6 million in annual grants over seven years to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. These funds will support the National Law Enforcement Museum’s public education, community outreach, and officer safety and wellness programs. As a condition of the grant, the museum must provide free admission to law enforcement officers and their families, as well as dedicated free hours for the general public.

This resolution honors the lives and ultimate sacrifice of wildland firefighters Emily Barker, Nick Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, and Nicholas Dale, who lost their lives in the line of duty during the 2026 wildfire season. It expresses deep gratitude to all wildland firefighters, aviation crews, and support personnel for their courage and continued commitment to protecting American communities. Furthermore, it recognizes the ongoing need to support these frontline responders and invites the nation to honor their service and sacrifice.

The Glenwood Hot Springs Protection Act prohibits the expansion of the Mid-Continent Limestone Quarry in Garfield County, Colorado. By restricting new mineral operations and sales contracts on specific Bureau of Land Management lands, the bill aims to protect the area surrounding the historic hot springs.

Tyler's Law mandates a comprehensive study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the frequency, cost, and impact of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments during overdose cases. Following the study, the Secretary must issue guidance on whether routine fentanyl testing should become standard practice for overdose patients. This guidance will also address staff training regarding existing drug test panels and the long-term health implications of such testing.

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It calls attention to the systemic racial and gender-based barriers contributing to this disparity and reaffirms a commitment to achieving true pay equity.

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025 establishes a federally coordinated research program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of Down syndrome. The initiative focuses on long-term health studies, expanding clinical trial access, and investigating co-occurring conditions to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome. By fostering collaboration across NIH institutes and consulting with patient advocates, the program aims to accelerate medical breakthroughs and provide biennial progress reports to Congress.

The AADAPT Act expands access to specialized dementia care by authorizing grants for public and nonprofit health centers to integrate these services into their programs. Additionally, the bill extends federal funding authorization through 2031 to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of these critical health outcomes.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 directs the FDA to update federal regulations by replacing references to "animal testing" with the broader term "nonclinical tests." This update ensures regulatory consistency with modern testing standards and includes a technical correction to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The Stop CHEATERS Act provides significant multi-year funding to the IRS to modernize its technology, improve taxpayer services, and strengthen tax enforcement. The bill specifically mandates that the agency prioritize auditing high-income individuals and large corporations to close the tax gap. Additionally, it requires regular reporting to Congress to ensure accountability and progress in these enforcement efforts.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The High Court Gift Ban Act establishes strict limits on gifts accepted by federal judicial officers, prohibiting any gift valued over $50 or exceeding $100 in total annual value from a single source. The bill includes specific exemptions for personal hospitality, professional events, and family gifts, while mandating enforcement through the Judicial Conference and potential civil or criminal penalties for violations.

The GRACE for Military Survivors Act extends the window for military survivors to contribute death benefits to a Roth IRA or Coverdell education savings account from one year to three years. This change applies to benefits received on or after the date of enactment, and retroactively covers benefits received since October 7, 2001. This provides survivors with more time to utilize these tax-advantaged savings options.

The SHARE Act of 2025 establishes new federal requirements for the FBI to share criminal history record information with states participating in professional licensing interstate compacts. This information sharing is strictly for the purpose of conducting background checks on applicants seeking to practice a profession in another compact state. States receiving this data are severely restricted on how they can use or further disseminate the detailed criminal history, generally only being permitted to report a binary "satisfactory" or "unsatisfactory" determination back to the compact's Commission.