Legislative Activity

The HOME for Foster Youth Act expands housing assistance eligibility for young adults leaving foster care by increasing the application window from 90 to 180 days and removing prior homelessness requirements. It also ensures that Education and Training Vouchers are not counted as income when calculating housing assistance. Furthermore, the bill mandates improved coordination between HUD and HHS to streamline access to housing and supportive services for this population.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 2026 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes the critical role of renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, in strengthening the U.S. economy and supporting rural communities. The bill highlights how these fuels reduce carbon emissions, lower consumer fuel prices, and decrease reliance on foreign energy sources.

This resolution expresses strong support for law enforcement officers, recognizing their vital role in protecting communities and upholding the rule of law. It acknowledges the daily sacrifices officers make and affirms their essential contributions to public safety. The resolution also opposes policies that undermine law enforcement, such as defunding efforts and sanctuary policies.

The GUARD Act expands the use of federal grant funds to help state, local, and tribal law enforcement investigate elder financial fraud, "pig butchering" scams, and general financial fraud. This legislation allows agencies to hire specialized staff, receive advanced training on emerging technologies, and acquire necessary investigative tools. Furthermore, the Act mandates comprehensive federal reports to Congress detailing the scope of these scams and the effectiveness of current enforcement efforts.

The AI PLAN Act mandates the creation of a unified federal strategy to defend against financial crimes and threats posed by artificial intelligence. Key agencies must annually report to Congress on current defenses, available tools, and necessary resources to combat AI-driven risks like deepfakes and fraud. Following this report, the agencies must provide specific legislative recommendations and best practices for businesses and government entities.

This resolution expresses support for designating April as National Foster Sibling Connections Month to raise awareness about the critical importance of keeping siblings together in foster care. It highlights that sibling bonds are vital for a child's stability and well-being, encouraging agencies to prioritize policies that support sibling placement and lifelong connections. The bill also calls for improved data collection regarding sibling separations.

The Protecting Americans’ Savings Act aims to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate governance by regulating proxy voting. This bill specifically prohibits "robovoting" by requiring independent review before casting proxy votes and restricts institutional investors from outsourcing their voting decisions to unqualified third parties. Ultimately, it clarifies that voting is only required when mandated by a fiduciary duty.

The HOPE with Fertility Services Act mandates that employer-sponsored group health plans providing obstetrical coverage must also include comprehensive coverage for infertility and iatrogenic infertility treatments. The bill establishes clear standards for these benefits, prohibits discriminatory plan practices, and requires rigorous oversight of utilization management tools. These requirements aim to improve patient access to essential reproductive care, with enforcement and reporting provisions effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

The ARSENAL Act of 2026 mandates the creation and maintenance of a comprehensive, real-time database detailing all actions taken under the Defense Production Act. This database will track priority ratings and assistance, categorized by purpose, and must be accessible to all Committee members while adhering to security protocols.

This Act officially designates two Department of Veterans Affairs clinics in Iowa to honor fallen Iowa National Guard heroes. The Des Moines VA clinic will be renamed the Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar VA Clinic. Additionally, the Marshalltown VA clinic will be named the Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard VA Clinic.

This bill expresses support for designating May 2025 as Renewable Fuels Month to highlight the benefits of renewable fuels, such as reducing carbon emissions and supporting rural economies. It also establishes the E15 Rural Domestic Energy Council to develop legislative solutions addressing challenges in the renewable fuels sector. The Council is tasked with investigating key areas like E15 sales and the Renewable Fuel Standard, with recommendations due to Congress by early 2026.

The Clarity for Compensation Act amends securities law to create an exception to the definition of a "broker." This exception allows a personal services entity owned by a registered representative and their family to receive compensation from the representative's broker firm without being classified as a broker itself. The provision sets specific conditions regarding supervision, recordkeeping, and the entity's activities to qualify for this exemption.

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of United States Army Sergeants William Nathaniel Howard and Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who were killed in action in Syria on December 13, 2025. It recognizes their distinguished service in the Iowa Army National Guard and condemns the terrorist assault that took their lives. The resolution extends profound gratitude and sympathy to their families and all those affected by the attack.

This bill temporarily extends the deadline for certain individuals to file medical care claims under the VA's CHAMPVA program. Specifically, it allows those eligible for both CHAMPVA and Medicare Part A an extended period of at least 365 days to file claims after receiving retroactive CHAMPVA approval. This extension is in effect until September 30, 2027.

The Fostering the Future for American Children and Families Act aims to improve career readiness for current and former foster youth. It mandates a comprehensive study on existing job training and apprenticeship programs serving this population. Furthermore, the bill establishes a grant program to expand access to industry-aligned technical training and modernizes how existing education vouchers can be used for short-term, credential-granting opportunities.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 2025 as National Foster Youth Voice Month. The designation aims to encourage dialogue and collaboration focused on solutions developed with young people who have experienced foster care. It highlights the needs and achievements of youth in the system and urges the federal government to officially recognize this awareness month. Ultimately, the bill emphasizes the importance of incorporating lived experience when creating policies that affect foster youth.

The Revitalizing Rural Communities Act of 2025 extends and increases funding for the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program. This legislation boosts the annual allocation for the program from \$10 million to \$12 million. The increased funding is set to continue for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support rural economic growth.

The Prevent Youth Suicide Act mandates that schools serving grades 6 through 12 establish comprehensive, evidence-based suicide prevention and postvention protocols to maintain federal funding. These rules require biennial staff training, clear referral systems for at-risk students, and the adoption of a trauma-informed approach. The Secretary of Education is tasked with creating these regulations, providing resources, and monitoring compliance.

The Protecting Farmers from Natural Disasters Act of 2025 amends existing law to grant the Secretary of Agriculture greater flexibility in restoring disaster-damaged watersheds. This change allows the Secretary to restore areas to a condition better than pre-disaster levels if it ensures long-term watershed health. The bill focuses on proactive, improved recovery efforts following natural disasters.

The Train More Nurses Act mandates a comprehensive review of federal grant programs supporting the nursing workforce. The resulting report must provide Congress with specific recommendations to improve these programs. Key goals include increasing nursing faculty, facilitating experienced nurses' transition to teaching, and creating clearer pathways for LPNs to become RNs.