Legislative Activity

The National Guard for National Service Act of 2026 establishes a pilot program to integrate National Guard and Reserve members into federal national service initiatives. This program aims to strengthen national security and community resilience by focusing on critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and disaster preparedness. Additionally, the bill mandates a feasibility study to create a nationwide employment and training pipeline that provides stable career pathways for service members and their families.

The Safe Spaces for All Act expands the DHS Nonprofit Security Grant Program to provide organizations with greater flexibility in securing their facilities. The bill allows grant funds to be used for hiring onsite security personnel and off-duty police officers, while also covering costs associated with the grant application and administration process.

The Local Input Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to engage in a transparent, collaborative process with the public, tribal nations, and state and local officials before offering federal land for oil and gas leasing. This legislation mandates that the government publicly disclose leasing proposals, analyze potential environmental and land-use impacts, and formally consider stakeholder feedback. Ultimately, the Act empowers the Secretary to decline leasing parcels based on the input gathered during this consultation process.

The Timely Electronic Health Record Transfers for Transitioning Servicemembers Act of 2026 mandates that the Department of Defense improve the delivery process for electronic health records during the transition from military to civilian life. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense to report on current wait times and establish clear, enforceable standards to ensure veterans receive their records in a timely manner.

This bill directs the Defense Health Agency to report on the feasibility of establishing a pilot fellowship program in behavioral neurology. The proposed program aims to provide specialized training for physicians to better treat traumatic brain injuries and associated behavioral impacts in members of the Armed Forces and veterans.

The C.A.R.E. for Mental Health Professionals Act establishes a federal grant program to support interstate compacts that allow mental health professionals to practice across state lines. By facilitating the mutual recognition of licenses, this legislation aims to expand the mental health workforce and improve access to care nationwide.

The Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide states with guidance on utilizing Medicaid and CHIP to strengthen the mental health and substance use disorder workforce. This initiative focuses on improving the education, training, recruitment, and retention of providers, with a specific emphasis on expanding access to care in rural and underserved communities.

The Reducing Military Health Care Wait Times Act mandates increased transparency regarding the performance of military medical facilities. It requires the Department of Defense to publicly report specific appointment wait times and referral processing metrics to ensure service members and their families receive timely care.

The 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2026 mandates a formal inquiry by the FCC and a comprehensive study by the GAO to evaluate the feasibility of transmitting precise geolocation data during calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This legislation aims to improve emergency response times by identifying the technical, privacy, and funding requirements necessary to provide dispatchable location information to crisis centers.

The Disaster Relief Integrity and Independence Act aims to ensure fair and timely federal disaster assistance. It explicitly prohibits basing disaster relief decisions on the political affiliation of a state or locality. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the President must respond to major disaster requests within 45 days, or the request is automatically approved.

The Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General to examine federal authorities that impact wildfire mitigation efforts across land ownership boundaries. This study will assess how existing programs help or hinder collaboration between federal agencies and state, local, and tribal governments. The goal is to identify necessary changes to existing laws to improve cross-boundary wildfire risk reduction and forest health. The final report will include recommendations focused on simplifying these essential mitigation activities.

The Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe Act (KIDS Act) significantly restricts the Department of Homeland Security's ability to detain children, individuals with cognitive disabilities, and their primary caregivers. It also establishes broad "sensitive locations," such as schools and medical facilities, where immigration enforcement actions are generally prohibited. Exceptions to these restrictions only apply when enforcement is conducted under a valid criminal arrest or search warrant.

The **Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act** significantly increases transparency and accountability within immigration enforcement and detention. It mandates unrestricted Congressional access to all detention facilities and requires public reporting of officer misconduct, including excessive force. Furthermore, the bill establishes stringent standards for detainee rights, medical care, transportation, and limits the use of administrative warrants for home entry.

The Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act aims to increase accountability and professionalism within immigration enforcement agencies. This bill establishes stricter hiring and screening standards for officers, mandates clear uniform and identification regulations, and requires the use of body-worn cameras during public interactions. Furthermore, it mandates specialized training covering de-escalation, civil rights, and proper identification procedures.

The Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act establishes a mandatory, quadrennial review process to assess national wildfire challenges and strategic progress. This review requires federal agencies to collaborate across jurisdictional lines to address evolving risks to communities and natural resources over the next 20 years. The resulting report will inform Congress on necessary legislative or administrative changes to improve wildfire management.

The Public Lands Workforce Stability Act prohibits the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service from implementing involuntary layoffs or reductions in force for most career employees through September 30, 2030. This measure prevents the use of federal funds for such actions unless specific congressional committee approval is obtained. Separations are only permitted for cause, such as misconduct or poor performance.

The Agricultural Access to Addiction and Mental Health Care Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to study the accessibility of mental health and addiction services for farmers and ranchers facing industry-related stressors. This legislation aims to identify barriers to care and develop effective, culturally competent strategies to better support the well-being of agricultural communities.

The Forest Resources Accountability Act aims to protect critical winter wildlife habitat on federal lands by addressing Forest Service staffing and management priorities. Notably, the bill prohibits the construction of a proposed year-round road in Colorado’s White River National Forest and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to pursue the acquisition of the associated private land for conservation.

The Federal Retirement Safety Act amends federal retirement law to protect victims of domestic violence when accessing lump-sum retirement benefits. This legislation allows eligible employees to waive or bypass the standard spousal notification and consent requirements for lump-sum withdrawals if providing notice or seeking consent poses a safety risk. Victims can prove eligibility through self-certification regarding recent domestic violence crimes committed by the spouse or former spouse.

This bill, the "Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act," amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to formally include Indian Tribes in key federal conservation programs. It allows the Secretary of Agriculture to designate priority resource concerns and offer increased payments for conservation practices on tribal lands. Furthermore, it expands opportunities for tribal governments to enter into partnership agreements for critical conservation areas.