Legislative Activity

This bill, the "Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act," amends existing law to mandate six specific fee-free days annually for entry to federal recreational lands and waters. These free admission days are set to coincide with significant holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veterans Day. The goal is to promote national pride and encourage public volunteerism by increasing access to these public lands.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to speed up the process of securing a first collective bargaining agreement after a union is certified. It establishes a mandatory timeline, including mediation and binding arbitration, if an agreement is not reached within 90 days of bargaining. This process is designed to prevent lengthy delays that currently weaken the union's position. The bill also requires a GAO report on current time-to-contract averages.

The VA Emergency Transportation Act expands VA reimbursement for veterans' emergency care by explicitly including emergency ambulance and air ambulance transportation as a covered service. This legislation renames the relevant section from "Emergency treatment" to "Emergency services" to reflect the broader scope. Crucially, it removes the previous restriction that limited reimbursement only to services provided outside of VA facilities.

The Disaster Ready Infrastructure Act of 2026 mandates that transportation planning organizations and states assess the vulnerability of their infrastructure to local natural disasters. This legislation requires identifying the most at-risk transportation facilities and prioritizing projects to ensure critical routes remain operational before, during, and after a disaster.

The Public Lands Integrity Act amends the Byrd Rule to classify any provision resulting in the sale, disposal, or transfer of federal lands as "extraneous." This change allows senators to challenge and potentially remove such land transfer provisions from budget reconciliation bills. The act aims to protect federal lands from being sold or transferred through the reconciliation process.

The Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act updates tax-exempt bond rules to support economic growth. It expands financing options and increases dollar limits for qualified small issue bonds used in manufacturing and production, including intangible property. Additionally, the bill significantly raises the financing limit for first-time farmers purchasing farmland and equipment. These provisions are subject to future inflation adjustments.

The Affordable Housing and Area Median Income Fairness Act of 2026 authorizes $15 billion annually for ten years to support affordable housing infrastructure specifically in high-cost areas. The bill also mandates the Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a comprehensive assessment of how Area Median Income (AMI) is calculated and used in federal housing programs. This assessment aims to find ways to optimize AMI calculations to make housing more affordable for low-income families in urban areas.

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.

The Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2025 establishes a new EPA pilot grant program to improve recycling access, focusing specifically on underserved communities. These competitive grants will fund infrastructure projects, such as building transfer stations or expanding curbside service, using a "hub-and-spoke" model. Priority is given to projects located far from existing materials recovery facilities, with grants ranging from $\$500,000$ to $\$15$ million.

The Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act expands Medicare Part B coverage to include services provided by pharmacists starting January 1, 2026. This coverage is specifically for testing or treatment related to COVID-19, the flu, RSV, strep throat, or during a declared public health emergency. The bill outlines payment structures, generally covering 80% of the cost, and prohibits pharmacists from balance billing Medicare patients for these covered services.

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.

This Act prohibits the use of federal funds for specific settlement payments, including those related to the *Trump, et al. v. IRS, et al.* case. It places new restrictions on the Judgment Fund, barring payments to high-ranking officials, their relatives, and certain entities for specific types of claims. The bill also establishes strict reporting and notification requirements for large government compromise settlements.

The Fisher House Availability Act of 2026 expands access to temporary lodging at VA facilities, known as Fisher Houses, for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families who must travel significant distances for medical care. This legislation codifies the definition of a Fisher House and ensures lodging is provided on a space-available basis. Additionally, the bill extends the deadline for certain pension payment limitations.

This Act establishes the **Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park** to commemorate the life and philanthropic legacy of Julius Rosenwald, particularly his partnership with Booker T. Washington to build over 5,000 schools for African American children in the segregated South. The bill designates specific sites for the park, including the former Sears complex in Chicago, and directs the National Park Service to establish a national network connecting remaining Rosenwald Schools across the country. This effort aims to preserve and interpret the profound impact these schools had on education and civil rights history.

The SLUSH FUND Act of 2026 imposes a 100% tax on certain settlement payments received by former Presidents, their families, and related entities from funds originating from civil actions against the United States. This new tax is treated separately from standard income tax and cannot be deducted. The Act also mandates strict reporting requirements for those making these payments, with penalties for non-compliance.

The Aquatic Invasive Species Control and Prevention Act of 2026 strengthens federal efforts to combat invasive species by establishing new grant programs for technology development and rapid response. The bill enhances coordination across federal and regional agencies through the expansion of the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. It also mandates studies and plans for improving watercraft inspection, monitoring high-risk waterways, and updating management strategies. Finally, it allows existing mitigation grants to support the installation of advanced ballast water management systems.

This resolution expresses support for designating the last full week of May as "Wildfire Preparedness Week." The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the growing threat of wildfires and promote essential educational programs on fire safety and community preparedness. It encourages preventative measures, such as evacuation planning and responsible land management, to reduce human-caused fires.

This Act establishes the January 6th Law Enforcement Heroes Compensation Fund to provide financial compensation for injuries and deaths sustained by law enforcement officers defending the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The program will be administered by a Special Master appointed by the Attorney General, who will review claims for economic and noneconomic losses. The bill also mandates an additional, guaranteed payment for all eligible officers, funded in part by certain government settlement amounts related to the attack. Determinations made by the Special Master regarding compensation are final and not subject to judicial review.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 aims to combat sophisticated, cross-jurisdictional organized retail and supply chain theft. It achieves this by strengthening federal laws regarding money laundering and stolen property offenses, including lowering monetary thresholds for prosecution. Furthermore, the bill establishes a dedicated Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal, state, and local enforcement efforts against these criminal organizations.

The Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act provides temporary protected status and work authorization specifically to Iranian nationals lawfully present in the U.S. whose immigration applications were stalled by a USCIS adjudication pause beginning in late 2025. This designation shields eligible individuals from accruing unlawful presence and protects them from removal while their underlying applications remain unprocessed. The Act mandates swift processing of these temporary status applications and requires regular reporting on the resolution of the paused cases.