Legislative Activity

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 "No Bailout for Crypto Act" prohibits federal agencies from providing financial assistance or emergency liquidity to digital asset intermediaries and related service providers to prevent their bankruptcy. The bill ensures that taxpayer funds and emergency facilities, such as the Exchange Stabilization Fund, cannot be used to bail out the cryptocurrency industry. It explicitly restricts these entities from accessing federal support while maintaining the Federal Reserve's existing authority to lend to traditional depository institutions.

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 Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act imposes a new excise tax on large oil producers and importers when crude oil prices exceed 2025 baseline levels. Revenue generated from this tax is deposited into a dedicated fund used to provide quarterly gasoline price rebates to eligible individual taxpayers.

The Equal Tax Act proposes significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code, effective after 2026, to limit preferential tax rates on dividends and capital gains for incomes exceeding $1 million. The bill introduces a "deemed realization" rule that triggers capital gains taxes on assets transferred via gift or at death, while providing specific exclusions and installment payment options for family farms and businesses. Additionally, the legislation places new caps on tax-deferred like-kind real estate exchanges and modifies deductions for qualified business income.

This resolution honors the life and enduring legacy of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a pivotal civil rights leader and advocate for global justice. It recognizes his decades of dedicated public service, his historic political achievements, and his lifelong commitment to equality. The measure further extends formal condolences to his family for their loss.

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act aims to provide tax relief to low- and middle-income individuals by establishing an alternative maximum tax rate based on cost-of-living exemptions. To offset these reductions, the bill introduces a progressive tax surcharge on high-income earners. These changes are slated to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities within or against Cuba. It asserts Congress’s constitutional authority over war powers, noting that no formal declaration or statutory authorization for such military action currently exists. The bill ensures that any ongoing military engagement in the region must be explicitly authorized by Congress, while maintaining the right to self-defense and lawful counternarcotics operations.

The Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to ensure home care workers receive essential minimum wage and overtime protections. By narrowing existing exemptions, the bill clarifies that these labor standards apply to professional caregivers, distinguishing them from casual, non-professional babysitting services.

The Justice for Hind Rajab Act mandates a comprehensive investigation into the January 29, 2024, killing of Hind Rajab, her family, and their responding paramedics in Gaza. The bill requires the Secretary of State and the Attorney General to report on the use of U.S.-provided weapons in the attack and to pursue potential war crimes prosecutions. Additionally, it establishes a formal U.S. policy to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable for war crimes committed during the ongoing conflict.

The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act aims to increase competition in the meat industry by breaking up large, multi-category, and foreign-controlled meatpacking conglomerates. The legislation directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce divestitures, limit market concentration, and prevent unfair pricing practices. Additionally, it establishes support programs to help farmers' cooperatives and small businesses acquire meatpacking assets, ultimately seeking to lower consumer prices and empower independent producers.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act of 2026 aims to modernize and expand the SSI program by increasing income and resource limits, adjusting benefit amounts, and eliminating outdated penalties. The bill also simplifies eligibility rules, excludes specific assets like retirement accounts from calculations, and extends full SSI program coverage to U.S. territories.

The **Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act of 2026** aims to increase transparency and accountability in U.S. elections by closing loopholes that allow foreign spending and requiring greater disclosure of political donors. The legislation mandates that organizations report significant political expenditures, forces leaders to take personal responsibility for political advertisements, and streamlines the legal process for campaign finance challenges. Ultimately, these reforms seek to provide voters with clearer information about who is funding political campaigns and judicial nominations.

The Smarter Sentencing Act of 2026 reduces mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain federal drug offenses and creates a specific sentencing category for low-level drug couriers. The bill applies these reforms to both future and past cases, directs the Sentencing Commission to update its guidelines, and mandates new reporting requirements to increase transparency regarding federal criminal offenses and corrections spending.

The Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act provides a framework for Puerto Rico to transition from its current block grant system to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This legislation ensures equitable access to nutrition assistance by adjusting food plan costs to reflect local economic conditions and establishing a structured, multi-year transition process.

The African American History Act of 2026 establishes a grant program managed by the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support the development and distribution of educational resources regarding African American life, history, and culture. By providing funding for curricula, professional development, and digital programming, the Act aims to enhance historical education in schools through a social justice and anti-bias lens. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reporting to Congress to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of these educational funds.

This resolution officially designates the week of February 23 through February 27, 2026, as National Public Schools Week. The purpose is to recognize and celebrate the importance of public education in the United States during that specific timeframe.

The TAP Promotion Act mandates the inclusion of a standardized, one-hour presentation on veterans' benefits within the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) preseparation counseling. This legislation ensures service members receive expert guidance on navigating VA benefits with the support of recognized veterans service organizations. Additionally, it establishes annual reporting requirements to track participation and ensure the program's ongoing effectiveness.

This resolution officially designates February 2026 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month to celebrate and support CTE programs nationwide. It recognizes CTE's vital role in preparing a skilled workforce for high-demand careers and boosting American economic competitiveness. The resolution encourages promotion of CTE as a respected educational pathway for students.

The Direct File Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, free, and user-friendly online tax filing program operated directly by the IRS. The bill prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that restrict government-provided filing services and mandates the development of a seamless, accessible platform for federal and state tax returns. This initiative aims to simplify the filing process for taxpayers while ensuring the government maintains full control over its own tax preparation software.