Legislative Activity

The Agricultural Management Assistance Act of 2026 expands federal support for agricultural risk management by increasing annual funding and broadening technical and educational assistance for producers and insurers. The bill updates eligible conservation and diversification activities—including soil health, organic certification, and climate-resilient practices—while restructuring payment limits to provide greater long-term financial flexibility.

The Stop ICE Intimidation Act of 2026 restricts funding for ICE’s biometric and surveillance systems until the agency establishes strict policies protecting constitutional rights and data privacy. The bill mandates the deletion of improperly collected surveillance data and prohibits the use of federal funds to interfere with individuals legally recording immigration enforcement operations.

The PAPERS Act of 2026 mandates that the Department of Homeland Security return all personal identification and legal documents to individuals upon their release from immigration custody. The bill strictly limits the government's ability to retain these documents to specific legal exceptions, such as evidence in criminal proceedings or fraudulent items. It further prohibits the retention of documents for administrative convenience or future enforcement purposes.

This bill officially designates 2026 as the "International Year of the Woman Farmer" to recognize and honor the vital contributions of women in U.S. agriculture. It encourages citizens to celebrate the impact of these women on the food system and empowers women to pursue leadership roles in the field.

The Produce Prescriptions for Veterans Act establishes produce prescriptions as a covered medical service within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. This allows eligible, food-insecure veterans with diet-related chronic conditions to receive vouchers or debit cards specifically for purchasing fruits and vegetables. The goal is to improve veterans' health through improved nutrition.

The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act establishes a Department of Agriculture program to provide financial assistance to farmers whose land or water is contaminated by PFAS from off-site sources. This program authorizes grants to eligible governments to fund remediation, testing, producer assistance, and research related to the contamination. The bill also establishes a task force to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on broader PFAS issues within farm programs.

This resolution officially supports the designation of October 16, 2025, and October 16, 2026, as "World Food Day." It highlights the severe and worsening global hunger crisis and reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating food insecurity worldwide. The bill encourages the American public to participate in activities marking this important international observance.

The Food Date Labeling Act of 2025 establishes national standards for food date labels, requiring manufacturers to use specific phrases like "**BEST If Used By**" for quality and "**USE By**" for discard dates, if they choose to include them. This legislation standardizes labeling language across different food products overseen by the USDA and FDA. The Act also ensures that non-compliant labeling is treated as misbranding under existing federal food laws. Manufacturers will have two years from enactment to comply with these new federal labeling requirements.

This bill establishes the Working Waterfront Disaster Mitigation Tax Credit to incentivize businesses to protect their waterfront properties from natural hazards. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 30% of qualified investments in projects that meet specific building code and mitigation standards, up to a $300,000 annual limit. This credit is designed to support businesses reliant on navigable waters, provided they meet certain gross receipts thresholds.

This resolution affirms strong United States support for Montenegro's ongoing efforts to accede to the European Union. Congress recognizes Montenegro's progress as a key NATO ally and partner in combating corruption and promoting regional stability. The bill urges the Administration and allies to actively support Montenegro's accession path without imposing additional specific conditions.

This bill establishes a new Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers within the State Department to investigate serious incidents involving U.S.-supported aid workers abroad. It mandates the suspension of security assistance to foreign countries that unlawfully kill or injure aid workers and refuse to cooperate with investigations. Furthermore, the bill creates an interagency group, led by the Envoy, to conduct detailed inquiries into every death or detention of an aid worker during an active mission.

The Organic Dairy Data Collection Act mandates the USDA to significantly enhance data collection for the organic dairy sector. This law requires the establishment of new surveys to track the costs of organic milk production and the prices farmers receive for their milk and feedstuffs. Ultimately, this ensures organic dairy producers have access to detailed, equivalent economic information currently available to conventional dairy farmers.

The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025 amends existing federal law to significantly enhance collaboration on ocean acidification research and monitoring. This bill mandates increased input from diverse stakeholders, including industry, coastal networks, and Indigenous groups, in guiding federal research priorities. Furthermore, it restructures the Advisory Board to ensure stronger representation from Tribal entities and requires the development of specific coordination policies with affected Tribes. The legislation also directs NOAA to prioritize collaboration with State, local, and Tribal governments when conducting vulnerability assessments.

The ICELAND Act treats Iceland as a treaty country for the purposes of granting E-1 (treaty trader) and E-2 (treaty investor) nonimmigrant visas. This allows Icelandic nationals to apply for these visas, provided Iceland offers reciprocal visa treatment to U.S. citizens. The legislation aims to foster economic and commercial ties between the two nations.

The Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025 aims to bolster small and very small meat and poultry processors by providing enhanced HACCP guidance and resources. The bill also increases federal cost-sharing for state inspection programs and expands opportunities for interstate shipment. Finally, it establishes new grant programs to improve processing resilience and fund workforce training initiatives for the sector.

The Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025 establishes aggressive national goals for the agricultural sector to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, mandating rapid changes in farming practices, research funding, and land management. It significantly reforms federal conservation and insurance programs to prioritize soil health, climate adaptation, and the development of resilient food systems. The bill also boosts support for on-farm renewable energy, strengthens local food infrastructure, and standardizes food labeling to reduce waste. Overall, it directs substantial federal resources toward transforming agriculture to meet ambitious climate targets while supporting farmers through new incentives and research.

The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 establishes "Ocean Innovation Clusters" across the U.S. to foster sustainable growth in the "Blue Economy." This legislation directs the Secretary of Commerce to designate at least seven regional clusters led by non-profits to enhance collaboration between industry, academia, and local governments. The Act authorizes a competitive grant program, up to $10 million per award, to help these clusters operate and create physical collaboration centers. Ultimately, the goal is to drive economic opportunity, workforce development, and climate resilience in ocean-related sectors.

The NO TIME TO Waste Act establishes a new Office of Food Loss and Waste within the USDA to coordinate national efforts, fund data collection, and track progress toward reducing food waste by 50% by 2030. The bill also creates regional coordinators and block grants to improve food recovery infrastructure across the country. Furthermore, it mandates new reporting requirements for federal contractors and launches a national education campaign focused on consumer behavior and food safety dating.

The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve support and benefits for those who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). The bill mandates a review of coverage for technology-related trauma and overhauls the disability claims process to be more sensitive and evidence-flexible. Furthermore, it expands access to VA health care for MST survivors, including those in reserve components, and ensures timely communication of available support services upon filing a claim.

The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 expands access to credit and financial services from Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations. This legislation specifically allows these entities to offer loans to businesses that provide essential services directly supporting the operations of aquatic product producers and harvesters. The bill amends the Farm Credit Act of 1971 to include these vital support industries.