Legislative Activity

The Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act aims to modernize quality reporting for Medicare Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) by expanding data collection options and providing flexibility for participants facing technical limitations. The bill also establishes a pilot program to test digital quality measure reporting and provides dedicated funding to support these administrative improvements.

The RETURN Act aims to improve the IRS's handling of tax refund claims by establishing a mandatory 12-month review period. If the IRS disallows a claim, it must provide a detailed explanation and appeal instructions to the taxpayer. If the IRS misses this deadline, the interest rate on the overpayment increases by one percentage point, capped at $500 per claim.

The SKILL Act establishes a new federal tax credit for employers who support qualifying educational and workforce training programs. This credit incentivizes businesses to partner with public colleges to develop curricula, offer apprenticeships, or provide internships for programs designed to be completed in two years or less. States will competitively allocate these credits to employers, subject to a national cap of $500 million annually through 2031.

This bill, the Great American Outdoors Act 250, significantly reforms and renames the existing public lands restoration fund to the America’s Legacy Restoration Fund. It secures dedicated funding streams, primarily from energy revenues and new fees on foreign visitors, to address critical deferred maintenance across the National Park Service, Forest Service, and other public land agencies. The legislation establishes strict spending priorities for infrastructure repair while also creating pilot programs for enhancing outdoor recreation and sportsmen's access. Finally, it mandates increased transparency and accountability through standardized metrics and public reporting on all funded projects.

The Countering Russian Trafficking Act targets the systematic abduction and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by Russian state and non-state actors. This bill directs the President to impose sanctions on individuals and entities involved in these severe human trafficking crimes, including those facilitating the children's deportation, indoctrination, and illegal placement. Congress declares this activity one of the most severe ongoing human trafficking crimes of the 21st century requiring an aggressive response.

The SABER Act of 2026 renames the legislation and expands the uses of the Ukraine Support Fund. This change allows the fund to be used by the Government of Ukraine to purchase defense articles and services necessary for responding to and recovering from Russian aggression.

The LIFT the BAR Act repeals decades-old restrictions that barred many lawfully present noncitizens from accessing essential federal public benefits. This legislation restores eligibility for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and housing assistance for qualified noncitizens. The bill also updates terminology, replacing "alien" with "noncitizen" throughout relevant statutes.

The Budgeting for a Better America Act fundamentally reforms the federal budget process by shifting to a two-year (biennial) cycle to promote stability and long-term planning. It also establishes a bipartisan commission tasked with developing a deficit-reduction plan that Congress must consider under fast-track procedures. Finally, the bill mandates greater transparency through required long-term financial reports and expanded participation in budget oversight.

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the right of individuals eligible for long-term services and supports (LTSS) to live in the most integrated community setting possible. It prohibits discrimination by public entities and insurers against those who qualify for institutional placement but desire community-based services. The Act mandates comprehensive planning, self-evaluation, and enforcement mechanisms to speed up the transition of individuals out of institutions and ensure maximum control over their supports.

The Prior Authorization Accountability Act mandates that group health plans and insurance issuers publicly report detailed data on their prior authorization approval and denial rates, including appeal outcomes and processing times. This transparency requirement aims to give consumers and regulators a clearer view of how prior authorization decisions are made. Furthermore, the bill enhances plan comparisons on health insurance Exchanges by requiring the inclusion of historical prescription drug cost and coverage data for previously offered plans.

The Better Care, Better Cost Act mandates that states must use performance data when automatically enrolling individuals into Medicaid managed care plans, replacing simple equitable distribution. States are required to develop a system to score managed care entities based on cost, outcomes, and satisfaction measures. This aims to ensure individuals are placed into higher-performing plans by default, with results reported annually starting in 2028.

The "Protecting Americas Herds Act" establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture. This program is designed to help cooperative extension services prepare for and respond to New World screwworm outbreaks. Funds will support training, livestock inspections, producer education, and technical assistance to prevent and manage infestations. Priority will be given to areas facing a heightened risk of introduction or spread.

This bill, the "Protect Local Funding Act," prohibits the finalization, implementation, or enforcement of the proposed "Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance" published on May 29, 2026, or any substantially similar rule. It prevents federal agencies from enacting this specific regulation concerning federal financial assistance.

The "Don’t Settle for Corruption Act" requires the Attorney General to submit any proposed lawsuit settlements involving current or former Presidents to Congress for review. Under this bill, such settlements cannot be finalized or paid unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval within 60 days. This measure aims to increase transparency and oversight regarding legal agreements between the executive branch and former or sitting Presidents.

This Act mandates a comprehensive report detailing how the use of child soldiers in Africa impacts U.S. national security interests. The report must assess the links between child soldiering and regional instability, terrorism, and supply chain threats. Furthermore, it requires an evaluation of current prevention efforts and the feasibility of establishing an Africa-based center to share best practices and support counter-recruitment initiatives.

This bill strengthens U.S. access to critical minerals by authorizing international partnerships and agreements to build secure, transparent supply chains with allies. It establishes Energy Security Compacts to diversify energy and mineral sources while protecting American jobs and the environment. Finally, the legislation creates new leadership roles and exchange programs at the State Department to build a skilled domestic mining workforce and counter foreign leverage over essential resources.

This resolution expresses support for the James Lick Observatory as it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2026. It recognizes the observatory's historic and ongoing contributions to science, including groundbreaking astronomical discoveries. The bill commends the University of California for safeguarding this national scientific treasure and encourages continued support for its research and educational programs.

This resolution strongly opposes foreign digital services taxes (DSTs) that unfairly target and discriminate against U.S. companies by taxing gross revenue rather than income. It supports U.S. government action, including trade tools like Section 301 investigations, to counter these discriminatory measures. The bill calls on other nations to repeal existing DSTs and work toward fair, consensus-based international tax solutions through the OECD.

The Abraham Accords Expansion Act of 2026 formally expands the mission of the Presidential Envoy for the Abraham Accords to include Central Asia and the Caucasus. This legislation directs the Envoy to promote normalization and integration efforts in these strategically important regions, aligning with U.S. national security and economic interests. The Act utilizes existing authorities and funding to carry out these expanded duties.

The **SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026** strengthens protections for veterans by reinstating and expanding penalties against unaccredited representatives who charge unauthorized fees for VA benefit claims assistance. The bill mandates increased transparency by requiring the VA to maintain searchable lists of accredited representatives and improve public warnings about predatory practices on all VA websites. Furthermore, it requires new data collection on paid assistance and establishes a high-availability accreditation system for recognized agents and attorneys.