Legislative Activity

The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act ensures that compensation received by individuals exonerated from wrongful federal convictions is not subject to federal income tax. Additionally, the bill amends tax law to exclude damages received on account of sexual acts or contact from gross income, making them non-taxable. This change also eases the burden of proof for taxpayers claiming this exclusion.

The Accountable Produce is Medicine Act of 2026 requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a new bundled payment model for treating chronic diseases using food and related services. This model will fund selected programs that provide comprehensive "Accountable Produce is Medicine" services, including tailored nutrition, care coordination, and monitoring, to eligible high-risk individuals. The goal is to improve health outcomes and demonstrate cost savings within Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.

The Protecting American Streaming and Innovation Act mandates an investigation into Canada’s Online Streaming Act to determine if its content requirements and taxes unfairly discriminate against U.S. digital service providers. The bill requires the U.S. Trade Representative to report on these trade barriers and authorizes potential retaliatory actions if Canada fails to remedy policies that violate the USMCA. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a framework to address similar protectionist digital trade practices adopted by other nations in the future.

The Stop Unemployment Fraud Act aims to enhance the integrity of the unemployment insurance system by mandating stricter identity verification and data-matching procedures for state agencies. The bill prohibits the use of self-attestation for eligibility, establishes rigorous work-search requirements, and provides states with new tools and funding incentives to detect and prevent improper payments. Additionally, it grants the Secretary of Labor oversight authority to monitor compliance and enforce corrective actions to ensure program accountability.

The Debt-to-GDP Transparency and Stabilization Act mandates that both the President’s annual budget submission and the Congressional budget resolution include clear data on public debt and deficit ratios relative to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This legislation aims to increase fiscal transparency by ensuring these key economic indicators are consistently reported in federal budget documents.

The Reporting Accountability and Abuse Prevention Act of 2026 mandates that all recipients of federal Title X family planning funds must strictly comply with state and local laws regarding the reporting of various forms of abuse, including child abuse and sexual assault. This compliance requires grantees to implement specific policies, conduct annual training, and establish protocols for patient safety and intervention. Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in penalties, including the repayment of federal funds and a multi-year ban on receiving future Title X assistance for repeat violations.

The Debt Solution and Accountability Act requires the Secretary of the Treasury to provide Congress with detailed reports on the national debt and the President's debt-reduction plans before the debt limit is increased. This legislation also mandates that the Treasury Department provide specific national debt data to key Congressional committees upon request. Ultimately, the bill aims to increase transparency and accountability surrounding federal debt management.

The Social Security Child Protection Act of 2025 mandates the Commissioner of Social Security to issue a new Social Security number to a child under age 14 if their original number's confidentiality was compromised due to the loss or theft of their Social Security card during transmission. This requirement applies when the original number was obtained for program eligibility or federal law disclosure purposes. The parent or guardian must submit evidence of the compromise under penalty of perjury.

The Claiming Age Clarity Act mandates that the Social Security Administration update its official terminology to provide clearer language regarding benefit claiming ages. This legislation replaces terms like "early eligibility age" and "full retirement age" with "minimum monthly benefit age" and "standard monthly benefit age," respectively. These changes must be implemented within 12 months of enactment or by January 1, 2027, whichever is later.

This act establishes the rules for foreign colleges and universities offering distance education programs to be eligible for federal student aid. Eligibility is limited to programs where distance education makes up no more than 12.5% of the coursework. Furthermore, these programs must be overseen by an external entity and require students receiving federal aid to be physically present in the foreign institution's home country during instruction.

This bill extends and significantly enhances the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers hiring from targeted groups, increasing the credit amount and adjusting it for inflation through 2031. It also removes the age limit for SNAP recipients claiming the credit and adds qualified military spouses as an eligible group. Furthermore, the legislation mandates an inter-agency initiative to promote the hiring of targeted workers in key industries like manufacturing and healthcare.

The VA Billing Accountability Act establishes new deadlines and procedures for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to notify veterans about copayments for medical care and services. If the VA fails to notify a veteran within specified timeframes (180 days for VA care or 18 months for non-VA care), the bill restricts the VA's ability to collect that payment. The Act also grants the VA Secretary temporary authority to waive copayments resulting from VA billing errors.

The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act establishes a new temporary visa category, H-2C, designed to allow registered employers in areas with low unemployment to hire foreign workers for specific, registered positions. This bill creates a comprehensive framework defining eligibility, setting numerical caps, and outlining strict requirements for both employers and workers to address labor shortages. It also includes provisions for worker protections, portability, and a mandatory study on the program's economic and social impact.

The USA Workforce Investment Act establishes a new federal tax credit for individuals who donate cash to approved workforce development or apprenticeship training programs. This credit is capped at \$1,700 annually and cannot be claimed alongside a standard charitable deduction for the same contribution. Any unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years.

The Safe Transit Accountability Act clarifies that the "accountable executive" holds the final decision-making authority regarding the implementation of safety recommendations made by a transit agency's Safety Committee. This designated executive also serves as the tie-breaker in committee disputes over safety fixes. Furthermore, the bill legally defines this executive as the individual ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with both the agency's Safety Plan and its Asset Management Plan.

The Medicare Patient Choice Act expands the freedom of choice for Medicare beneficiaries by explicitly including therapists and qualified audiologists alongside physicians and practitioners in Medicare regulations. This amendment ensures patients can select these specific providers for their care under existing Medicare choice provisions. The bill formally defines the included therapist types (physical, occupational, and speech-language pathologists) for clarity.

This bill seeks to immediately nullify the Department of Labor's recently published final rule updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts regulation. If enacted, the measure would ensure that the new wage rule, published on August 24, 2023, has no force or legal effect. Essentially, this legislation cancels the Department of Labor's latest changes to the prevailing wage requirements for federally funded construction projects.

The Student Loan Tax Elimination Act abolishes origination fees charged on federal direct student loans. This change removes the upfront fees borrowers typically pay when taking out these federal loans. The elimination takes effect for new loans disbursed on or after July 1st following the law's enactment.

The Hospital Adoption Education Act of 2025 aims to improve adoption awareness and support within healthcare settings. This legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute educational resources for hospital staff regarding sensitive adoption issues. Furthermore, the Act establishes grants to fund professional development and training for care providers on patient-centered care for expectant mothers and adoptive families. The goal is to ensure objective, unbiased information is accessible where expectant parents most trust to find it.

The Medicare Enrollment Protection Act of 2025 establishes a special enrollment period for individuals transitioning from COBRA continuation coverage to Medicare Part B. This allows those currently on COBRA when they become Medicare-eligible to sign up without incurring late enrollment penalties. The Act also clarifies how COBRA plans must treat individuals eligible for, but not yet enrolled in, Medicare Part B.