Legislative Activity

The No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 establishes mandatory identity fraud screening for all federal student aid applications starting in late 2026. If an application is flagged for potential fraud, colleges are prohibited from disbursing aid until they verify the student's identity using strict methods. This legislation also creates a higher scrutiny category for institutional program reviews if a school shows a pattern of paying aid on flagged applications without proper verification.

The **Take Care of America’s Veterans Act** is a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen benefits and modernize services across compensation, education, health care, and VA operations. It eliminates benefit offsets for disabled retirees, expands educational flexibility, sets new standards for timely health care access, and invests in VA technology and infrastructure. Overall, the legislation aims to provide faster, fairer, and more comprehensive support for veterans and their families.

The GUARD Act of 2026 mandates that national security agencies evaluate humanoid and quadruped robotics communications equipment from foreign entities of concern for national security risks. If a risk is found, the FCC will place the equipment on a covered list, restricting its use. This legislation aims to safeguard U.S. national security against potentially adversarial robotic technology.

The "Deport Alien Gang Members Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make alien gang members inadmissible and deportable, defining "criminal gang" as groups of 5 or more involved in criminal activities. It mandates detention for gang-affiliated aliens, makes them ineligible for asylum or temporary protected status, and requires an annual report to Congress. The Act also specifies that gang members are not eligible for parole or other relief under immigration laws, with the amendments being effective immediately upon enactment.

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 Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the VA from reporting veterans to the NICS background check system solely because a fiduciary was appointed to manage their benefits. This legislation ensures that a VA finding of mental incompetence or the appointment of a fiduciary alone is not used to treat a veteran as a "mental defective" for gun control purposes. Furthermore, the VA must notify the Attorney General about past transmissions of this information that lacked a proper legal basis.

The SCALE Biology Act establishes a comprehensive biometrology laboratory program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This program directs NIST to conduct research and develop technical standards for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biotechnology. The goal is to enhance innovation, improve data reliability, and support the safe and secure development of biological technologies. The Act also authorizes specific funding levels for this new NIST research duty through fiscal year 2030.

The Zero Tolerance for Fraudsters Act of 2026 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for federal fraud offenses based on the dollar amount involved. This legislation sets specific minimum terms, ranging from one to five years, for fraud involving amounts over one million dollars. The act aims to significantly increase penalties for major financial crimes, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and government fraud.

The Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends vital funding and research support for ALS therapies through 2031. This legislation enhances grant oversight, clarifies clinical trial definitions, and mandates updated FDA action plans to improve the development of treatments for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the FDA to update federal regulations within one year, replacing references to "animal testing" with the broader term "nonclinical testing" in drug development rules. This change aligns FDA regulations with recent legislative updates, allowing for the use of modern, non-animal testing methods in drug approval processes. The interim final rule implementing these changes will take effect immediately upon publication.

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 bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 340 East 1st Street in Tustin, California, as the "Ursula Ellen Kennedy Post Office Building." The legislation ensures that all official government records and documents will use this new name for the specified location.

This resolution designates May 2026 as National Wildfire Preparedness Month to raise awareness about the increasing threat of wildfires across the nation. It encourages educational initiatives and community programming to promote lifesaving and fire mitigation practices. The goal is to support federal, state, and local efforts to prepare communities for wildfire risks through prevention and preparedness measures.

The CAL Repayment Act mandates that states immediately use specific federal funds received to repay any outstanding unemployment insurance (UI) advances within five business days. This requirement takes precedence over all other uses for those funds. States that fail to comply face a penalty equal to the amount improperly spent.

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.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 3817 Marysville Boulevard in Sacramento, California, as the "Grantland Johnson Post Office." This action ensures the building is officially recognized by its new name in all records and documentation.

The **UNLEADED Act** mandates the FAA to establish a comprehensive education program informing the general aviation community about newly authorized unleaded aviation gasoline. This program requires the FAA to publish detailed compatibility, availability, and safety information on a public, continuously updated tracking mechanism. The goal is to ensure pilots, mechanics, and operators are fully educated on the transition to unleaded fuels through training and accessible resources until the program concludes in 2036.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act aims to significantly expand and update the U.S. national strategy for quantum information science, engineering, and technology. This bill focuses on strengthening research, developing a robust domestic workforce, securing the supply chain, and enhancing international cooperation in quantum technologies. It achieves this by updating program definitions, expanding agency responsibilities across the federal government, and establishing new centers and coordination hubs.

The American Leadership in AI Act aims to secure U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence by strengthening safety standards, boosting federal research infrastructure, and modernizing government use of AI. The bill also focuses on protecting workers and small businesses from AI disruption while expanding education and penalizing harmful AI-enabled misuse like deepfakes. Overall, it establishes a comprehensive framework to foster innovation while mitigating risks associated with advanced AI.

The SECURE Data Act establishes comprehensive consumer privacy rights, including the rights to access, correct, and delete personal data. It imposes strict requirements on companies regarding data minimization, security, and transparency, particularly concerning sensitive data and targeted advertising. The Act also mandates registration for data brokers and creates a framework for enforcement by the FTC and state attorneys general, while preempting conflicting state laws.