Legislative Activity

The TSP Modernization Act facilitates the electronic transfer of funds from Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) accounts to qualified retirement plans. This change will take effect one year after the bill is enacted, allowing participants to move their savings more efficiently. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board is responsible for implementing this new electronic transfer process.

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 Act formalizes and strengthens the trilateral partnership between the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. It expresses Congressional support for continuing the strategic alignment established at the Camp David summit. Crucially, it mandates the establishment of a formal US-Japan-ROK Inter-Parliamentary Dialogue to deepen legislative engagement between the three nations.

This resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of U.S.-Philippine relations, recognizing the enduring partnership and the vital contributions of Filipino Americans to the United States. It reaffirms the mutual defense commitment between the two nations and honors the service of Filipino and Filipino-American service members. The bill encourages Americans to celebrate this historic relationship through appropriate programs and activities.

The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 significantly enhances benefits for veterans and service members. It increases disability compensation with a new monthly allowance for certain veterans and ties future Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) adjustments to Social Security cost-of-living increases plus an extra percentage. The bill also expands VA home loan eligibility to include National Guard and Reserve members with at least 14 days of qualifying service, though these borrowers will pay a higher loan fee. Finally, it extends the current VA home loan fee structure and modifies definitions of active duty for Guard and Reserve components.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

The Recognizing Community Organizations for Veteran Engagement and Recovery (RECOVER) Act establishes a three-year Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to non-profit organizations. These grants fund the provision of culturally competent, evidence-based mental health care specifically for veterans. Recipients cannot charge veterans for this care and must encourage them to enroll in the VA system for ongoing services. The VA must report on the program's outcomes, including veteran engagement and care quality, after the pilot concludes.

The U.S. Vets of the FAS Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs furnish essential health services to veterans residing in the Freely Associated States. This requires the VA Secretary to quickly establish agreements to provide telehealth services and mail-order pharmaceuticals to these veterans. The bill sets a one-year timeline for implementing these services and requires regular reporting on progress and costs.

This Act establishes the Blast Overpressure Research and Mitigation Task Force within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Task Force will improve healthcare, align research, and establish baselines for service members and veterans affected by blast overpressure exposure. It is charged with prioritizing research on related conditions and submitting annual reports with recommendations for evaluating service-connected neurological injuries.

This bill aims to bolster U.S. shipbuilding capacity and reduce reliance on China by expanding port infrastructure financing and requiring detailed reports on Chinese state-owned shipbuilding enterprises. It establishes a comprehensive strategy to coordinate with allies on maritime security, supply chain resilience, and workforce training. The legislation also creates new diplomatic roles and international frameworks to counter unfair foreign shipbuilding practices.

This bill officially designates May 2026 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It calls for nationwide recognition and celebration of the significant contributions, achievements, and history of these communities to the United States. The measure emphasizes that these communities enhance the nation's diversity and strength.

The Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025 affirms the critical importance of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to U.S. national security amidst Russian aggression. This bill mandates that the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense deliver a comprehensive report to Congress detailing emerging military, cyber, and political threats to the Baltic states. The report must also recommend specific actions to enhance U.S. and NATO defense cooperation and bolster Baltic resilience.

The Export Controls Enforcement Act addresses the critical shortage of overseas personnel responsible for verifying that controlled U.S. exports are used as intended. This bill establishes a new, five-year Export Control Officer Program to significantly increase the number of officers stationed abroad. These officers will conduct essential end-use checks, advise foreign partners, and help prevent the diversion of sensitive American technology.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 (FISH Act of 2025) establishes a public "black list" of foreign vessels involved in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing or forced labor, banning them from U.S. ports and commerce. The bill mandates increased interagency cooperation to combat IUU fishing, including developing strategies to optimize data sharing and prevent seafood caught illegally or with forced labor from entering U.S. markets. Furthermore, it authorizes the Treasury Secretary to impose sanctions on entities engaged in these illicit activities and encourages international agreements to strengthen global enforcement.

This act establishes the Territorial Small Business Development Act of 2026 to create a new Small Business Administration (SBA) assistance program specifically for businesses owned and controlled by residents of Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The program will mirror the support provided under the existing 8(a) program, but without imposing net worth requirements for applicants. To qualify, owners must demonstrate a 10-year residency in one of these territories, and the business must be principally located there.

This resolution condemns the People's Republic of China's coercive military and economic actions against Japan following statements regarding Taiwan. It reaffirms the strong U.S.-Japan alliance and commitment to regional stability. Furthermore, the bill calls on the PRC to cease its pressure tactics and urges the U.S. to work with allies to counter such coercion in the Indo-Pacific.

The Rejecting the Erasure of Afghan Women and Girls Act mandates that the Secretary of State submit a formal report detailing the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls since August 2021. This report must assess whether these actions constitute crimes against humanity, torture, or gross human rights violations.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating its governing structure and expanding the scope of its oceanographic research and data-sharing capabilities. It also mandates improved collaboration between regional and federal observing systems to enhance data integration. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $47.5 million in annual funding for these initiatives from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.