Legislative Activity

The Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to ensure that broadband affordability is a key factor in federal infrastructure determinations. By requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to consider cost when defining "unserved" households and territories, the bill aims to improve access to reasonably priced internet in rural communities.

This resolution formally recognizes the persistent gender wage gap in the United States and its significant negative impact on women, families, and the national economy. It highlights the systemic factors contributing to pay disparities across various demographics and occupations. Ultimately, the resolution reaffirms Congress's commitment to achieving equal pay for equal work.

The HOPE with Fertility Services Act mandates that employer-sponsored group health plans providing obstetrical coverage must also include comprehensive coverage for infertility and iatrogenic infertility treatments. The bill establishes clear standards for these benefits, prohibits discriminatory plan practices, and requires rigorous oversight of utilization management tools. These requirements aim to improve patient access to essential reproductive care, with enforcement and reporting provisions effective for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

The Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026 mandates weekly price and quantity reporting for fertilizer manufacturers and wholesalers to increase market transparency for farmers. The bill also establishes a public dashboard to track these reports alongside new weekly retail price surveys conducted by the USDA. These measures aim to provide clearer market data while protecting confidential business information and maintaining existing antitrust oversight.

The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026 aims to improve patient access to care by increasing Medicare reimbursement rates for specific mental health services. Starting January 1, 2027, the payment rate for these services will rise from 75 percent to 85 percent of the physician fee schedule.

The Food and Nutrition Delivery Safety Act of 2026 mandates new federal safety, cybersecurity, and labor standards for SNAP-authorized retailers offering online ordering and delivery services. The bill requires stores to ensure secure digital transactions, maintain food safety during transport, and provide fair wages for delivery personnel. Retailers must demonstrate compliance with these standards to maintain their eligibility to accept SNAP benefits.

The Supporting VA Families Act establishes a supplemental parental leave program for Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This legislation provides eligible staff with four additional administrative weeks of unpaid leave following the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. This benefit is designed to supplement, rather than replace, existing family and medical leave entitlements.

The Advanced Wastewater Treatment Assistance Act of 2026 authorizes $1 billion in EPA grants to support advanced wastewater treatment projects, with a significant focus on serving disadvantaged communities. The bill also mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to evaluate the effectiveness of these technologies in capturing emerging contaminants, including PFAS and nanomaterials.

The Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to end preventable maternal mortality and close racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. By addressing social determinants of health, expanding nutritional and mental health support, and investing in a diverse, culturally competent workforce, the bill provides a holistic framework for improving care. Through targeted federal grants, enhanced data collection, and innovative technology, the Act aims to ensure that all pregnant and postpartum individuals receive the equitable, high-quality care they deserve.

The H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act exempts healthcare workers from a $100,000 entry fee requirement currently imposed on certain H-1B nonimmigrant visa petitions. This legislation aims to remove financial barriers for medical professionals, ensuring they are not subject to fees exceeding standard immigration costs.

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.

The Bioindustrial Scale-Up for Supply Chains and Energy Resiliency Act of 2026 aims to strengthen U.S. biotechnology by establishing a network of open-access, federally supported manufacturing facilities. These centers will help companies bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial-scale production, addressing critical infrastructure shortages. By fostering innovation in bioindustrial manufacturing, the bill seeks to secure domestic supply chains, promote energy resiliency, and accelerate the market readiness of new biobased products.

The Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026 improves patient care by officially recognizing doctors of podiatric medicine as physicians within the Medicaid program. Additionally, the bill streamlines Medicare documentation requirements to ensure patients with diabetes have better access to essential therapeutic footwear.

The Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 establishes a temporary federal gas tax holiday, suspending the federal excise tax on gasoline until September 30, 2026. To maintain trust fund solvency, the Treasury will transfer general funds to the Highway Trust Fund and the LUST Trust Fund to cover lost revenue. The bill mandates that consumers immediately receive the benefit of this tax cut, with penalties for producers or dealers who fail to pass the savings along.

The Care Over Profits Act of 2026 mandates that health insurers in the individual and small group markets spend at least 85% of premium revenue on direct patient care and quality improvements. Additionally, the bill establishes strict civil and criminal penalties for insurance agents and brokers who provide false or fraudulent information on health insurance exchange applications.

This resolution formally honors the life and enduring legacy of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Louis Burns Jackson, Sr. It recognizes his significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, including his work with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his founding of Operation PUSH. The bill specifically urges the President to order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in his memory.

The Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2026 amends the Fair Housing Act to establish survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or severe forms of trafficking as a protected class. This makes it illegal to discriminate against these individuals in housing transactions, including rentals, sales, and financing. The bill aims to ensure survivors can secure and maintain safe housing free from further victimization.

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026 mandates a transition to secure, chip-enabled EBT cards to better protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from fraud and skimming. The bill requires states to implement modernized digital account management tools, establishes new federal cybersecurity standards for online transactions, and prohibits fees for replacing compromised or malfunctioning cards. Additionally, it provides funding to help retailers upgrade to secure payment terminals and requires regular reporting to Congress on program security and benefit theft trends.

The ASCEND Act establishes a permanent NASA program to purchase and distribute commercial Earth observation data for scientific, operational, and educational needs. This initiative aims to supplement existing government data by acquiring cost-effective commercial imagery, prioritizing U.S. vendors. The bill ensures purchased data can be widely published for scientific purposes and requires regular reporting on program agreements and data usage.

The Rural Development Modernization Act standardizes the definition of a "rural community" across key USDA programs, setting a uniform population threshold of 25,000 inhabitants. This legislation also mandates the exclusion of incarcerated and military base populations when calculating eligibility for these programs. Furthermore, it expands eligibility for federal rural development and water supply programs to include U.S. territories and clarifies definitions for various housing and energy initiatives. The bill also establishes an annual process for reassessing and potentially adjusting the rural population threshold.