Legislative Activity

The Judicial FOIA Expansion Act would extend the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act to the federal judiciary, requiring courts and related judicial entities to provide public access to administrative and operational records. The bill mandates that these disclosures be provided in machine-readable formats and establishes specific transparency requirements for judicial conduct, committee activities, and court administration.

The Stop TNR Act of 2026 establishes a formal legal definition for "transnational repression" to better identify and prosecute foreign-backed efforts to harass, intimidate, or harm individuals within the United States. The bill mandates stricter sentencing enhancements for these offenses, centralizes federal oversight of related investigations, and requires regular reporting to Congress. Additionally, it directs the government to develop strategies to counter AI-enabled repression and reviews existing tools to ensure a robust defense against foreign interference.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that because Congress has not declared war or provided specific authorization for these military actions, the President is legally required to terminate the use of force. The bill includes provisions to ensure the continued defense of U.S. personnel, intelligence operations, and support for partner nations during the withdrawal process.

This bill strengthens the oversight and administration of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership by mandating stricter performance evaluations and financial monitoring. It establishes clear, non-discretionary procedures for placing underperforming centers on probation and requires the rapid selection of new operators if deficiencies are not corrected. These measures ensure greater accountability and fiscal responsibility across the program.

The **Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act** directs the Secretary of Agriculture to identify and report on the specific barriers that certified organic and transitioning farms face when accessing Department of Agriculture programs. This legislation requires the Department to provide Congress with actionable recommendations and administrative plans to improve program accessibility. Additionally, the bill mandates annual progress reports for three years to ensure ongoing efforts to remove these obstacles and support the organic farming community.

The SBA IT Modernization Reporting Act mandates that the Small Business Administration implement specific recommendations from the GAO to address critical risks in its IT systems. The legislation requires the SBA to develop and submit a comprehensive plan for managing IT project risks, costs, and schedules to relevant congressional committees. This act ensures greater oversight and accountability in the agency's technology modernization efforts.

This bill authorizes a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor the American individuals and organizations who actively rescued and aided Jews and other refugees during the Holocaust. The medal recognizes their dangerous and vital efforts that saved tens of thousands of lives from Nazi persecution. Following the award ceremony, the medal will be housed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum for display and research. Bronze duplicate medals will also be made available for purchase.

This resolution honors the veterans of the Khmer National Armed Forces (FANK) for their crucial service alongside U.S. forces in Southeast Asia. It recognizes their sacrifices, including support during the Vietnam War and the evacuation of U.S. personnel from Phnom Penh. The resolution also acknowledges the immense suffering these veterans and their families endured during the subsequent Khmer Rouge genocide. Finally, it celebrates their ongoing contributions to American society following their resettlement.

The American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act aims to strengthen the domestic food supply chain by investing in local and regional infrastructure. It establishes a USDA program to fund middle-of-the-supply-chain activities like processing and storage, prioritizing underserved producers. Additionally, the Act creates a national network of regional food systems hubs to provide technical and financial assistance to farms and food businesses. These measures are intended to enhance food security, create new market opportunities, and improve producer revenue.

The Fresh Produce for Families Act of 2026 allows states to use a portion of their existing federal commodity funds to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables through the Department of Defense Fresh Program for distribution via The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). This provides states with an optional new pathway to increase access to fresh produce for families in need.

This bill, the "Preventing Payouts for Insurrectionists Act," amends federal law to prohibit individuals convicted of specific felonies or misdemeanors related to the January 6th Capitol attack or election interference from receiving monetary claims against the U.S. government. It also mandates the recoupment of any such payments already made to these individuals since January 20, 2025. State Attorneys General are authorized to bring civil actions to enforce this repayment.

The Offshore Leasing Standards and Accountability Act of 2026 establishes rigorous "fitness to operate" standards for offshore oil and gas companies seeking or holding leases on the Outer Continental Shelf. This bill mandates that operators must prove financial stability, strong environmental and safety compliance history, and sufficient funding to cover all future decommissioning liabilities. Furthermore, it requires leaseholders to pre-fund their decommissioning obligations through interest-bearing escrow accounts managed by the Secretary of the Interior. The Act also limits the duration for which oil wells can be temporarily abandoned.

The HALO Act of 2026 establishes comprehensive design, safety, and rigorous testing requirements for the Department of Defense's use of autonomous and semi-autonomous weapon systems that utilize artificial intelligence. It mandates clear human responsibility and ultimate command control over the use of force, while strictly prohibiting the use of covered AI in ways that violate constitutional rights or civil liberties. The bill also institutes advanced review and approval processes before developing and fielding these systems, alongside mandatory reporting to Congress on compliance and use cases.

This bill establishes the "Economic Relief for Specialty Crops Act" to provide financial support to specialty crop producers. It appropriates \$5 billion for fiscal year 2027 to make direct payments to these farmers through existing or similar USDA programs. The distribution of funds will adhere to established federal guidelines for specialty crop assistance.

This bill establishes a new competitive grant program to fund research and development in agricultural automation and mechanization specifically for specialty crops. The goal is to create and improve technologies that reduce manual labor, enhance worker safety, and increase efficiency for growers. Priority will be given to projects that also include training for farmworkers to operate these new technologies.

This act aims to strengthen defenses against agricultural threats by directing more resources toward states highly vulnerable to plant pests and diseases. It establishes a permanent annual funding level of $150 million for key management programs starting in fiscal year 2027. Additionally, the bill increases the spending cap for disaster prevention activities from $5 million to $12 million.

This bill establishes a Specialty Crop Advisory Committee to improve federal crop insurance options for specialty crops. The Committee will advise the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation on policy development, risk management, and educational programs. It also revises the role of the Specialty Crops Coordinator to better serve the needs of specialty crop producers.

This bill establishes a new framework to provide direct emergency assistance payments to specialty crop growers, such as fruit and vegetable producers, harmed by natural disasters. Payments will be calculated based on historical sales and a factor set by the Secretary of Agriculture, taking into account the unique costs of specialty crops. The legislation sets specific payment limits, with higher caps available for producers who derive most of their income from farming.

The Expanding Market Access Act aims to boost U.S. agricultural exports by establishing technical assistance to improve foreign market infrastructure. It also mandates a biennial report detailing foreign barriers to U.S. specialty crop competitiveness. Furthermore, the bill increases and extends funding levels for key agricultural trade promotion programs through fiscal year 2031.

The "No Payouts for Political Insiders Act" restricts who can receive payments from the Anti-Weaponization Fund, specifically prohibiting payments related to the *Trump v. Internal Revenue Service* settlement to high-level political officials and their associates. The bill also mandates public disclosure of payment details, including the recipient and amount, at least 180 days before any such payment is made. These restrictions apply to pending cases and future causes of action arising after January 20, 2025.