Legislative Activity

This resolution reaffirms the enduring U.S.-Japan alliance as a cornerstone of peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the nations' deep security, economic, and cultural ties. It commends Japan’s commitment to defense modernization and regional stability while welcoming the official visit of Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae to the United States.

The Local Data for Better Conservation Act requires the Secretary to incorporate state-collected data when making listing or delisting determinations under the Endangered Species Act. This legislation ensures that local scientific information is formally integrated into federal decision-making processes for species protection.

The "Stop Insider Trading Act" prohibits Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing individual stocks and requires advanced public notice for any sale of existing holdings. The bill establishes strict financial penalties for violations, which must be paid personally by the Member of Congress. These measures aim to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest by restricting personal investment activities among federal lawmakers.

The Critical Access for Veterans Care Act expands veterans' access to care by allowing those living within 35 miles of a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) or its affiliated clinic to receive services under the Community Care Program. This new provision eliminates the requirement for pre-authorization or referrals for such care. The bill also establishes specific Medicare-based payment rates for these facilities and mandates a report to Congress on the implementation and veteran experience one year after enactment.

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.

This bill exempts public school districts from paying the $100,000 non-processing fee for H-1B visa petitions. By removing this financial barrier, the legislation ensures that public schools can continue to hire and retain essential foreign-born educators without incurring significant additional costs.

The Child Care Tax Benefit Outreach and Assistance Act establishes a dedicated Business Child Care Liaison within the IRS to promote and expand employer-provided child care benefits. This role will serve as a primary resource for businesses and tax professionals, helping to navigate tax incentives like the section 45F credit and Dependent Care FSAs. Additionally, the Liaison is tasked with coordinating federal outreach efforts and providing annual reports to Congress to identify strategies for increasing access to child care support.

The Digital Commodity Intermediaries Act establishes a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for digital assets by placing oversight of cash and spot markets under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The bill mandates that digital commodity exchanges and brokers register with the CFTC, adhere to strict customer protection and asset-segregation standards, and comply with new conflict-of-interest rules. By clarifying legal definitions and providing an expedited registration process, the legislation aims to increase market stability while protecting individual investors and exempting software developers from intermediary regulations.

The AADAPT Act aims to improve dementia care by expanding grant eligibility to a broader range of public and nonprofit health entities. By explicitly including dementia care in the scope of supported services, the bill seeks to increase provider training and enhance health outcomes for patients.

The Foreign Service Age Integration and Reform (FAIR) Act of 2026 updates the mandatory retirement age for Foreign Service officers. Under this legislation, the retirement age is increased to 67 or the age defined by the Social Security Act, whichever is greater.

The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 significantly updates and extends NOAA's weather and environmental forecasting authorities through 2030. The bill prioritizes public safety by funding research to improve warnings for severe weather like tornadoes and hurricanes, while also modernizing infrastructure through AI integration and commercial data use. Furthermore, it establishes new programs to enhance forecasts for agriculture, water management, wildfires, and harmful algal blooms.

The Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026 increases financial support for veterans pursuing apprenticeships and on-the-job training by boosting monthly housing and educational stipends. The bill also removes specific attendance requirements for veterans entering the construction industry, making it easier for them to utilize their earned benefits while gaining hands-on career experience.

The Joint Medical Facilities Fund Act of 2026 permanently establishes a dedicated fund to streamline the joint operation and financing of medical facilities shared by the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This legislation formalizes funding mechanisms, maintenance protocols, and administrative oversight to ensure efficient resource allocation for combined federal healthcare centers.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week." It recognizes the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders. The resolution also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the chartering of the Alaska State FFA Association.

The Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act strengthens Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by improving the bond guarantee program and establishing new liquidity and capitalization initiatives. The bill also creates a dedicated relending program to expand homeownership opportunities within Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it mandates increased congressional oversight and reporting regarding the effectiveness of these federal financial programs.

This bill amends the Digital Coast Act to enhance the acquisition, integration, and accessibility of program data, explicitly including underground infrastructure information. It ensures all program data and tools are fully and freely available to the public. Furthermore, the legislation extends the authorization for the Digital Coast program through fiscal year 2030.

This resolution officially recognizes the annual Army-Navy football game as "America's Game" due to its deep patriotic tradition and role in inspiring military service. It urges that the game maintain its exclusive television time slot on the second Saturday of December to maximize national attention. The resolution calls on networks and associations to avoid scheduling competing games during this time to honor the service members involved.

The Tsunami Warning, Research, and Education Act of 2026 reauthorizes and significantly updates existing tsunami programs through 2031. This legislation focuses on improving warning system accuracy, expanding research to include non-seismic sources and social science, and enhancing coordination with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. It also mandates critical assessments and reports on preparing for major tsunami threats, particularly from the Cascadia Subduction Zone.

The FUTURES Act of 2026 establishes a joint initiative between the U.S. and Israeli defense departments to accelerate and expand cooperation on defense technology research, development, and industrial integration. This program focuses on rapidly incorporating jointly developed and Israeli-origin technologies into U.S. military systems across critical domains like AI, counter-drone systems, and directed energy. The Act authorizes funding for these efforts and mandates regular reporting to Congress on progress and technology transition.

This resolution strongly condemns the Government of Iran for its violent suppression of peaceful protests and widespread human rights abuses against its citizens. It highlights the regime's use of deadly force, internet blackouts, and severe persecution in response to demonstrations sparked by economic hardship. The resolution commends the courage of the Iranian people and calls for free and fair elections.