Legislative Activity

The Parents Over Platforms Act establishes new responsibilities for application distributors (like app stores) and developers to protect minors online. This includes requiring age assurance mechanisms and obligating developers to tailor experiences and restrict personalized advertising for users identified as minors. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is granted authority to enforce the Act, which preempts state and local laws on these matters.

This bill aims to improve child care reliability for military families by expanding the pool of eligible providers and streamlining hiring processes. It establishes a mandatory preclearance system for child care employees and authorizes job-sharing arrangements to increase staffing flexibility. Furthermore, the Act mandates the creation of a comprehensive data system to track child care readiness and requires reports on waitlists and the link between child care availability and military readiness.

The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 mandates that airline passenger security fees be exclusively used to enhance aviation safety and security, ending any diversion of these funds by 2027. The bill increases dedicated funding for the Aviation Security Capital Fund, ensuring a minimum of \$500 million annually starting in Fiscal Year 2026. Additionally, it establishes the new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund to finance the purchase and maintenance of advanced screening equipment at airports. This legislation aims to guarantee consistent and robust financial support for critical TSA security operations and technology upgrades.

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 strengthens the ability of claimants to recover art looted by the Nazis by ensuring cases are decided on their legal merits rather than procedural technicalities. The bill prevents courts from dismissing claims based on the passage of time or other non-merits defenses and clarifies that these actions may proceed regardless of the victim's nationality. These updates aim to remove legal barriers and ensure that justice for victims of Nazi persecution is not frustrated by procedural delays.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

The Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026 extends the authorization for critical sport fish conservation and restoration programs through 2031. This legislation maintains essential funding for state-level projects while updating the allocation formulas for multistate conservation grants and the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.

This resolution commemorates the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election and celebrates its evolution into a robust, resilient democracy. It reaffirms the United States' commitment to Taiwan’s self-defense and the preservation of its democratic institutions amidst regional challenges. The measure underscores the importance of the U.S.-Taiwan partnership in promoting peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The Carlton H. Ingram Veterans’ Benefits Protection Act ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs disregards the beneficial effects of medication or treatment when determining a veteran’s disability rating. By establishing a baseline based on the veteran's condition without such interventions, the bill aims to provide a more accurate assessment of service-connected disabilities. Additionally, it protects a veteran's right to seek compensation for new or aggravated conditions resulting from medical treatment.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Ensuring Veterans’ Final Resting Place Act of 2025 makes technical updates to VA regulations regarding burial benefits. This bill clarifies the process when a veteran's family chooses to provide their own urn or marker instead of receiving one from the VA. The legislation also reorganizes benefit numbering for clarity, applying these changes to veterans who passed away on or after January 5, 2021.

The Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2026 reaffirms the United States' commitment to the security and strategic partnership of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The bill mandates a comprehensive report from the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to analyze emerging regional threats and provide recommendations for strengthening deterrence, cybersecurity, and democratic resilience in the Baltic region.

This resolution honors the historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across all sectors of society, including military service, business, science, and public leadership. It celebrates their resilience and vital role in shaping the nation while calling for continued investment to address the unique challenges they face.

The Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act of 2025 mandates the establishment of federal, interagency task forces to conduct collaborative research on the health conditions affecting descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances. This legislation updates reporting requirements, requiring an initial report within one year detailing research activities and subsequent annual reports summarizing findings. The law specifically requires the creation of a dedicated task force and a public website to share evidence reviews linking specific health conditions to toxic exposure risks for these descendants.

The State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act establishes the Office of International Disability Rights to integrate disability advocacy into U.S. foreign policy and development efforts. The bill mandates improved accessibility for State Department facilities and hiring, requires comprehensive disability-inclusive training for personnel, and creates the Judy Heumann Fellowship to build internal expertise. Additionally, it requires regular congressional reporting to ensure accountability and progress in advancing global disability rights.

The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act of 2025 allows veterans who received a Purple Heart after discharge to transfer up to 36 months of their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to eligible family members. This legislation provides veterans with greater flexibility in supporting their dependents' education while ensuring that these benefits remain protected as non-marital assets.

This resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists." It highlights the vital ecological and economic contributions of rangelands while honoring the generations of ranchers and land managers who sustain them. The measure encourages nationwide efforts to promote education, research, and sustainable management practices for these essential landscapes.

The Reclaim Trade Powers Act repeals Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effectively removing the President's authority to unilaterally impose import restrictions based on balance-of-payments deficits. This legislation aims to restore greater congressional oversight by eliminating this specific executive trade power.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins in 2029 to honor the service and sacrifice of fallen firefighters. Proceeds from the sale of these coins, including surcharges, will be distributed to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support its mission and programs. The program is designed to ensure no net cost to the federal government.

The Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act provides financial relief and tariff exemptions to small businesses impacted by sudden, widespread import duty increases. The bill also empowers the Federal Trade Commission to prevent price gouging by larger entities on goods affected by these tariffs. Additionally, it mandates annual reporting to monitor market pricing and the effectiveness of federal enforcement efforts.

The PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026 mandates comprehensive insurance coverage for HIV prevention services—including medication, lab tests, and clinical monitoring—without cost-sharing or preauthorization requirements across private, federal, and state health programs. The bill also prohibits insurance discrimination against individuals taking HIV prevention medication, establishes national public and provider education campaigns, and creates grant programs to expand access for uninsured and underinsured populations. Additionally, it ensures patient confidentiality for those on family health plans and provides a private right of action to enforce these coverage protections.