Legislative Activity

The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act strengthens federal law to better protect victims of domestic violence by closing loopholes that allow abusive dating partners and those under temporary restraining orders to access firearms. The bill expands the definition of "intimate partner" and "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence," while prohibiting individuals subject to qualifying protective orders from purchasing or possessing firearms. Additionally, it establishes a federal grant program to assist states and local governments in implementing effective procedures for the removal and safe storage of firearms from individuals under domestic violence protection orders.

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Review Act strengthens oversight of government decisions to terminate TPS designations by reinstating judicial review and requiring that such decisions be supported by a comprehensive administrative record. The bill also subjects TPS terminations to congressional review under the Congressional Review Act, ensuring these decisions are subject to greater accountability. Additionally, it provides legal protections for beneficiaries by automatically staying terminations during the pendency of any legal challenges.

The Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes a nationwide statutory right to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) while prohibiting states from imposing restrictive barriers. The bill further expands family-building support by mandating comprehensive fertility coverage across private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and federal employee health plans. Additionally, it guarantees expanded access to fertility services and preservation for military service members and veterans.

The Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends vital funding for ALS research and clinical trial programs through 2031. This legislation strengthens oversight by enhancing grant review processes, improving safety reporting requirements, and mandating a comprehensive five-year FDA action plan to accelerate the development of treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases.

The Get Foreign Money Out of United States Elections Act strengthens existing laws to prevent foreign influence in American elections. It expands the ban on foreign contributions to include domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control and mandates strict certification requirements for corporate political action committees. These measures ensure that foreign entities cannot influence federal, state, or local elections through direct spending, ballot initiatives, or Super PACs.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act authorizes $6 million in annual federal grants over seven years to support the National Law Enforcement Museum. This funding will enhance public education, community outreach, and critical officer safety and wellness programs. By fostering greater understanding between law enforcement and the public, the bill aims to support the profession and improve safety for officers nationwide.

The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2026 mandates that all state Medicaid programs provide comprehensive dental and oral health coverage for adults beginning January 1, 2027. To support this transition, the bill provides three years of 100% federal funding for these core services and establishes new national quality and equity reporting standards. Additionally, the legislation requires federal outreach programs to improve access to care and mandates a comprehensive report on the state of adult oral health in the United States.

The Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act strengthens dental coverage for children enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). This legislation prohibits states from imposing annual or lifetime dollar limits on dental benefits and mandates that states provide dental-only supplemental coverage. These changes ensure that low-income children have consistent, comprehensive access to necessary dental care.

The "Combating Illicit Xylazine Act" aims to combat the illegal use of xylazine by adding it to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which would allow for increased regulation and tracking of the substance. The bill includes exemptions and delayed effective dates for certain requirements to ease the transition for legitimate users, such as veterinarians and animal handlers. It also directs the Sentencing Commission to review sentencing guidelines for xylazine-related offenses and mandates reports to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use. Finally, it will include xylazine in Arcos tracking.

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.

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It calls attention to the systemic racial and gender-based barriers contributing to this disparity and reaffirms a commitment to achieving true pay equity.

The EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025 extends critical breast health education initiatives through 2031 and bolsters the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. By streamlining grant requirements and increasing funding through 2030, this legislation aims to reduce health disparities, improve access to life-saving screenings, and enhance patient support services. Additionally, it mandates a GAO study to identify and address barriers to equitable cancer care.

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025 establishes a federally coordinated research program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of Down syndrome. The initiative focuses on long-term health studies, expanding clinical trial access, and investigating co-occurring conditions to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome. By fostering collaboration across NIH institutes and consulting with patient advocates, the program aims to accelerate medical breakthroughs and provide biennial progress reports to Congress.

The AADAPT Act expands access to specialized dementia care by authorizing grants for public and nonprofit health centers to integrate these services into their programs. Additionally, the bill extends federal funding authorization through 2031 to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of these critical health outcomes.

The Kay Hagan Tick Act reauthorization extends federal funding and support for vector-borne disease initiatives through 2030. This legislation updates national strategy requirements and enhances the capacity of regional centers and health departments to identify, prevent, and respond to tick-borne and other vector-borne illnesses.

This resolution opposes a proposed rule that would grant political appointees oversight of federal research grants and restrict funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. It argues that these changes would undermine the integrity of the merit-based peer review system and hinder critical research into health disparities. Ultimately, the resolution reaffirms the necessity of inclusive, science-driven research to ensure equitable health outcomes for all Americans.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a public, searchable database of federal agreements with drug manufacturers regarding pricing and special treatment provisions. The bill mandates transparency for these agreements, prohibiting redactions based on political sensitivity or reputational harm. Additionally, it requires the CBO and GAO to conduct a joint analysis on the economic and budgetary impacts of these agreements on the U.S. healthcare system.

The High Court Gift Ban Act establishes strict limits on gifts accepted by federal judicial officers, prohibiting any gift valued over $50 or exceeding $100 in total annual value from a single source. The bill includes specific exemptions for personal hospitality, professional events, and family gifts, while mandating enforcement through the Judicial Conference and potential civil or criminal penalties for violations.

This bill prohibits the National Science Foundation from decommissioning or reducing the scope of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) instruments across its various coastal and oceanic locations. It mandates that the OOI must remain fully operational until the NSF completes a comprehensive review of the program that incorporates input from the scientific and coastal communities.