Legislative Activity

The Kenya Merritt Renewing our PACT Act of 2026 establishes a legal presumption that certain diseases are proximately caused by employment for federal workers exposed to toxic burn pits during overseas military operations. This means qualifying federal employees who served in designated locations will automatically have covered illnesses considered work-related for disability or death claims. The bill mandates that the list of covered diseases aligns with the Department of Veterans Affairs' list.

The "Save the World Cup Act" restricts the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice from conducting civil immigration enforcement within one mile of 2026 FIFA World Cup matches and fan festivals. This limitation ensures that federal resources are not used for such enforcement, except in specific emergency situations involving immediate threats to public safety, national security, or the integrity of criminal investigations.

This bill mandates the Department of Homeland Security to develop and submit a comprehensive strategy for modernizing the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). The strategy must outline improvements to the criteria, procedures, and public accessibility of NTAS bulletins and alerts. It also requires significant engagement with stakeholders, including law enforcement and the private sector, during the modernization process.

The PLATE Act mandates that vehicles used by ICE and CBP for civil immigration enforcement must clearly display visible license plates on the exterior at all times. This requirement applies regardless of any other existing law.

The CLEANUP Act establishes a framework for the coordinated removal and remediation of contaminated sediment in water resources projects. It provides liability protection to the Secretary of the Army for these cleanup activities when conducted under an EPA-approved joint plan developed with non-Federal interests. This legislation ensures cleanups prioritize human health and the environment while maintaining the government's authority to recover costs from responsible parties.

The SAFE TRACKS Act requires states to update their highway-rail grade crossing safety plans to specifically address and reduce pedestrian fatalities and suicides along railroad tracks. These updated plans must detail collaboration strategies with railroads, mental health agencies, and law enforcement. States are mandated to submit these comprehensive safety reports to the Federal Railroad Administration every five years.

The Crime Gun Tracing Modernization Act of 2025 mandates the ATF's National Tracing Center to create and maintain electronic, searchable databases of all firearm transaction records. These databases will be searchable by transaction details and firearm characteristics, but explicitly prohibit searching by personally identifiable information. The system is designed to support bona fide law enforcement investigations and intelligence gathering.

The PERU Act of 2025 aims to grant Peruvian nationals eligibility for E-1 (treaty trader) and E-2 (treaty investor) nonimmigrant visas. This change aligns Peru with other treaty countries by establishing reciprocal treatment for traders and investors. The provision takes effect only if the Peruvian government offers the same visa status to U.S. citizens.

The Water Crisis Prevention Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive review by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) of federal disaster funding available for water infrastructure failures. This review must assess FEMA resources for states, businesses, and individuals, both during and outside of declared emergencies. Ultimately, the GAO will report back to Congress with recommendations for interagency cooperation and future funding to proactively repair high-risk water systems.

The LEO Fair Retirement Act of 2025 addresses compensation issues for federal law enforcement officers (LEOs) by allowing them to receive full retirement credit for previously capped overtime premium pay, provided they make a required lump-sum payment. The Act also expands eligibility for "availability pay" to several new categories of federal law enforcement personnel. Finally, it provides a non-refundable federal tax credit for officers receiving certain lump-sum payments related to their retirement annuity calculations.

The DHS Basic Training Accreditation Improvement Act of 2025 establishes new annual reporting requirements for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the accreditation status of its basic training programs. This legislation mandates that DHS detail accreditation progress, deficiencies, and remediation plans for Congress until all programs are officially accredited. Furthermore, the Act directs DHS to research and develop technologies to improve access to Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) instruction for state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement, especially in remote areas.