Legislative Activity

The Quick Recognition Act (QR Act) mandates that all ICE and CBP enforcement officers wear a visible, scannable QR code on their uniforms. Scanning the code links to a public DHS website displaying the officer's name, badge number, and employment status. This system is designed to enhance accountability by providing a clear mechanism for the public to submit complaints about officer conduct.

The Financial Reporting Threshold Modernization Act increases the dollar thresholds for mandatory currency transaction and suspicious activity reports to reduce administrative burdens on financial institutions. The bill also mandates periodic inflation adjustments for these thresholds and requires the Treasury Department to review and modernize reporting forms to improve efficiency. Additionally, it extends the requirement for the FinCEN Director to provide annual testimony before Congress.

The Equitable Access to School Facilities Act establishes new competitive grants for states to support charter school facilities, prioritizing those in high-need areas. It expands how existing federal charter school grant funds can be used for facility acquisition and compliance, and allows states to reserve funds for revolving loan programs. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that federal funds used for property acquisition do not create a federal interest in the property.

This bill establishes the Historic Infrastructure Management and Jobs Training Act to create a competitive grant program supporting workforce training and apprenticeships in skilled trades for historic preservation. The program, administered by the Secretary of the Interior, will fund projects that teach specialized skills needed to preserve historic properties and cultural resources. Priority will be given to projects serving areas with high unemployment or limited existing preservation expertise.

This bill establishes the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025, prioritizing candidates with significant legal experience for appointments to the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Specifically, it requires the Board Chairman to give priority to individuals with three or more years of professional legal experience related to laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

The Protecting Local Zoos Act of 2026 amends the Lacey Act to create new exemptions and a registration pathway for certain entities possessing previously prohibited wildlife species. This legislation specifically exempts Class B licensed exhibitors and allows current owners to register existing animals under strict conditions, such as ceasing all public contact and breeding. Furthermore, the bill removes the snow leopard and clouded leopard from the list of prohibited wildlife species.

This bill establishes a statutory definition for an "essential health system" based on the volume of care provided to low-income and Medicaid patients. It requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to designate qualifying hospitals for a five-year period. Furthermore, the bill mandates MACPAC to create an annual index ranking all relevant hospitals based on these financial criteria and to review payment policies supporting these essential systems.

The Shutdown Fairness Act automatically appropriates necessary funds to ensure federal employees and essential contractors receive their regular pay during a government shutdown. This legislation mandates timely payment for covered personnel, regardless of whether they were deemed "excepted" or furloughed. The funds are charged against the agency's subsequent regular appropriations once they are enacted.

The Ensuring Consistency in Nutrition Labels Act establishes stricter standards for food labeling accuracy. It deems a food product "misbranded" if its actual nutrient content exceeds the labeled value by more than 5 percent for certain required nutrients. This legislation mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update relevant regulations within 60 days of enactment.

The Healthcare Reinvestment Act rescinds specific prior appropriations and redirects those funds to extend the availability of certain tax credits under the Internal Revenue Code. This legislation ensures continued financial support for healthcare affordability measures. Furthermore, it mandates annual public reporting and independent audits to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of these reinvested funds.

This resolution initiates impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors. The articles of impeachment charge her with willfully refusing to comply with Congressional oversight laws and violating the Impoundment Control Act by improperly withholding funds. Further articles allege she directed widespread misconduct by ICE agents that violated federal law and constitutional rights, and misused taxpayer funds for personal gain through improper contracting.

This resolution expresses strong support for the Iranian people protesting for freedom, democracy, and basic human rights against the repressive Islamic Republic. It condemns the regime's brutal crackdown on demonstrators and demands an end to violence and the release of political prisoners. Furthermore, it urges the U.S. government to work with allies to deter further lethal violence against protesters.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

The **No Funds for NATO Invasion Act** prohibits the use of any federal funds for an invasion of any territory belonging to a member nation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Furthermore, the bill bars U.S. officials from taking any action to execute such an invasion.

This resolution expresses strong opposition to elective declawing (onychectomy) of cats, deeming the procedure inhumane due to the lifelong pain and adverse behavioral effects it causes. It defines declawing broadly to include any procedure that disables a cat's claws and affirms that it should only be performed when medically necessary for the cat's health. The bill urges states to prohibit the practice on animal welfare and public health grounds, noting that humane alternatives exist.

The Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026 prohibits federal officials and employees from trading in prediction market contracts while possessing material, nonpublic government information. This ban specifically targets transactions related to government policy, actions, or political outcomes. The goal is to prevent insider trading within these emerging financial markets by those with privileged access to government knowledge.

This Act amends the Miccosukee Reserved Area Act to officially expand the Miccosukee Reserved Area by incorporating the Osceola Camp area within Everglades National Park. It mandates that the Secretary, in consultation with the Miccosukee Tribe, must take action within two years to protect structures in the newly added area from flooding.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.

This bill officially designates the week of September 15 through September 21, 2024, as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the significant achievements and goals of these vital institutions across the nation. The resolution encourages public observance with appropriate activities to demonstrate support for Hispanic-Serving Institutions during Hispanic Heritage Month.