Legislative Activity

The AFTER Act of 2026 mandates that federal research facilities establish formal programs to facilitate the adoption and retirement of animals no longer needed for research. By partnering with qualified nonprofit organizations and sanctuaries, this legislation ensures that suitable animals are transitioned into permanent homes rather than euthanized.

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act mandates the EPA to swiftly prohibit the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials from facilities involved in their manufacturing, use, packaging, or transport. This ban will be incorporated into all relevant Clean Water Act permits and performance standards. The goal is to prevent this form of plastic pollution from entering waterways.

Tyler’s Law directs the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study on the current practices, costs, and benefits of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments. Following this study, the Secretary will issue formal guidance to help hospitals improve their testing protocols for patients experiencing overdoses. This legislation aims to enhance clinical responses to the fentanyl crisis and improve patient health outcomes.

The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety (WIPPES) Act mandates that manufacturers and retailers place clear "Do Not Flush" labels and standardized symbols on non-flushable disposable wipes. The bill prohibits companies from marketing these products as flushable to help protect wastewater infrastructure. Enforcement of these labeling standards will be overseen by the Federal Trade Commission.

The SHIELD Act establishes a competitive grant program to expand the workforce and infrastructure necessary to provide legal representation for individuals facing immigration removal proceedings. By funding training, recruitment, and capacity-building for legal service providers, the Act aims to ensure high-quality, independent legal defense for all individuals regardless of their ability to pay. The program is administered by the Department of Justice’s Office for Access to Justice and includes rigorous reporting and audit requirements to ensure accountability.

This resolution honors the historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across all sectors of society, including military service, business, science, and public leadership. It celebrates their resilience and vital role in shaping the nation while calling for continued investment to address the unique challenges they face.

The Advancing VA’s Emergency Response to (AVERT) Crises Act of 2025 mandates comprehensive reports from the VA Secretary regarding its emergency management structure, roles, and readiness centers. This legislation aims to streamline internal operations, assess current supply inventories, and analyze coordination barriers between the VA and FEMA regarding fuel and resource sharing during crises. Ultimately, the bill seeks to improve the VA's overall preparedness and response capabilities for emergencies.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Transportation Security Administration Pay Act of 2026 ensures that TSA personnel continue to receive their standard pay and benefits during any potential government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. This legislation guarantees uninterrupted compensation for employees until regular appropriations are enacted or through September 30, 2026.

The Geo POWER Act establishes a milestone-based demonstration program to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation geothermal energy technologies. By providing innovative financing for projects in challenging geological regions, the bill aims to reduce financial risks, generate public data, and catalyze private investment in geothermal electricity production.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities within or against Cuba. It asserts Congress’s constitutional authority over war powers, noting that no formal declaration or statutory authorization for such military action currently exists. The bill ensures that any ongoing military engagement in the region must be explicitly authorized by Congress, while maintaining the right to self-defense and lawful counternarcotics operations.

The Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to ensure home care workers receive essential minimum wage and overtime protections. By narrowing existing exemptions, the bill clarifies that these labor standards apply to professional caregivers, distinguishing them from casual, non-professional babysitting services.

The Transportation Security Administration Pay Act of 2026 ensures that TSA personnel continue to receive their pay and benefits during a potential government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. This legislation provides a temporary funding mechanism that remains in effect until regular appropriations are enacted or through September 30, 2026.

This concurrent resolution recognizes March 10, 2026, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor the courage and essential care provided by abortion clinic staff. The measure condemns recent legal and political restrictions on abortion access and affirms a commitment to protecting the safety of providers and the reproductive rights of patients.

The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act amends the Higher Education Act to remove restrictive loan limit rules previously imposed on graduate and professional students. By restoring standard loan limit provisions, this bill aims to increase financial accessibility for students pursuing advanced degrees.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act of 2026 aims to modernize and expand the SSI program by increasing income and resource limits, adjusting benefit amounts, and eliminating outdated penalties. The bill also simplifies eligibility rules, excludes specific assets like retirement accounts from calculations, and extends full SSI program coverage to U.S. territories.

The America’s Living Library Act establishes a pilot program within the Department of the Interior to collect and sequence genetic data from species across National Parks. This initiative will create a secure, public genomic database to support scientific research and conservation efforts while ensuring all samples and data remain under U.S. control. The program prioritizes ecological diversity and provides a framework for long-term biological storage and interagency collaboration.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 2026 as "Music in Our Schools Month." It recognizes the cultural importance and long history of music education in the U.S. The bill highlights the academic and social benefits of music programs while acknowledging disparities in access to quality music instruction. Ultimately, it calls for increased support for teaching and learning music in public schools.

The GAAME Act of 2026 mandates that schools receiving Title I funding provide students with sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified professionals. By amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the bill ensures these programs are integrated into school-wide curricula and targeted assistance plans to support a well-rounded education.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has formally declared war or provided specific authorization. It asserts that the ongoing military action, "Operation Epic Fury," lacks the necessary Congressional approval required by the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution. The bill specifically excludes defensive actions against direct attacks on U.S. personnel or facilities, as well as intelligence sharing and defensive support for allies attacked by Iran.