Legislative Activity

The Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive federal review to improve lung cancer prevention, screening, and treatment specifically for women. This review will identify knowledge gaps in research, particularly concerning environmental and genomic factors, and assess strategies to increase screening rates. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must report findings and recommendations for program improvements to Congress within two years.

This bill, the Postal Delivery Accountability Act, mandates that the U.S. Postal Service implement specific recommendations from the Inspector General's report on undelivered and partially delivered routes. The goal is to improve the identification and notification processes for these delivery issues. The Postal Service must complete these required implementations within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026 aims to make it easier for local farmers to sell directly to consumers through federal nutrition programs. This bill mandates the creation of a streamlined, single application process for farmers seeking authorization under SNAP, WIC, and other key nutrition initiatives. Furthermore, it requires the USDA to support the use of modern, mobile payment technology at farmers' markets.

The HELP Separated Children Act establishes comprehensive procedures to protect the rights and ensure the well-being of children when their parents are apprehended during immigration enforcement actions. It mandates that DHS officials identify detained parents, provide them with immediate access to make childcare arrangements, and facilitate ongoing communication and legal participation in child welfare and custody proceedings. The bill also requires mandatory training for personnel and extensive data collection to track the outcomes for these families.

The Community Connect Grant Program Act of 2026 updates and extends the existing grant program to expand high-speed internet access in rural areas. This bill significantly increases the minimum required internet speeds for funded projects to 100/20 Mbps. It also revises eligibility criteria to target areas with the most significant service gaps and extends the program's authorization through 2031.

The Data to Save Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce disparities by enhancing data collection, research, and public awareness. The bill authorizes grants to support the maternal health workforce, strengthen state and tribal maternal mortality review committees, and fund research at minority-serving institutions. Additionally, it mandates a comprehensive review of existing maternal health data and quality measures to develop actionable strategies for saving lives.

The Livestock Consolidation Research Act of 2026 mandates that the Economic Research Service publish regular reports analyzing industry consolidation across the beef, dairy, pork, and poultry sectors. These reports will evaluate how changes in the size and location of farms and processing facilities impact producers, market accessibility, and consumers. By utilizing comprehensive agricultural data, this legislation aims to provide greater transparency into the financial and structural trends shaping the modern livestock industry.

The Addressing Teacher Shortages Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program to help local educational agencies recruit, prepare, and retain certified teachers in high-need subjects and schools. The act supports evidence-based initiatives such as "Grow Your Own" programs, teacher residencies, and induction mentoring to strengthen the educator workforce. By prioritizing rural districts and diverse populations, the legislation aims to close the national teacher diversity gap and improve long-term retention in the profession.

The PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026 mandates comprehensive insurance coverage for HIV prevention services—including medication, lab tests, and clinical monitoring—without cost-sharing or preauthorization requirements across private, federal, and state health programs. The bill also prohibits insurance discrimination against individuals taking HIV prevention medication, establishes national public and provider education campaigns, and creates grant programs to expand access for uninsured and underinsured populations. Additionally, it ensures patient confidentiality for those on family health plans and provides a private right of action to enforce these coverage protections.

The Investments in Rural Transit Act establishes a new competitive grant program to enhance public transportation infrastructure and services in rural and Tribal communities. The bill also streamlines procurement processes, increases federal funding shares for rural and Tribal transit projects, and creates a dedicated Associate Administrator position to support Tribal transit needs. Additionally, it mandates interagency reports to improve access to clean transit infrastructure in rural areas.

The Addressing Climate Financial Risk Act of 2026 establishes new committees within the Financial Stability Oversight Council to coordinate and assess climate-related financial risks to the U.S. financial system. It mandates federal banking agencies to update supervisory guidance to address these risks for large institutions. Furthermore, the bill requires the Federal Insurance Office to report on climate risk in the insurance sector and collect detailed, zip-code level data on homeowners insurance underwriting.

This resolution designates November 2025 as National Lung Cancer Awareness Month to highlight the seriousness of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. It supports efforts to increase awareness, education, and research regarding early detection and treatment. The bill specifically promotes screening for high-risk individuals and addresses barriers to diagnosis and care.

The Leech Lake Reservation Restoration Amendments Act of 2025 updates existing law to facilitate the transfer of additional federal land within the Chippewa National Forest to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe for trust status. This bill expands the definition of transferable federal land and allows for acre-for-acre land substitutions agreed upon by the Secretary of Agriculture and the Tribe. Crucially, the Act reaffirms that the hunting, fishing, and recreation rights of non-Tribal members will remain unchanged by these transfers.

This bill formally accepts the request from the Lower Sioux Indian Community in Minnesota to revoke its existing charter of incorporation. The legislation officially dissolves the charter originally issued in 1937 under the Indian Reorganization Act.

This resolution officially designates October 2025 as National Principals Month. It recognizes the vital, multifaceted roles principals play in leading schools, supporting teachers, and ensuring high-quality education for every student. The designation honors the dedication and vision of principals nationwide.

This resolution expresses strong support for high-quality after-school, before-school, and summer learning programs. It recognizes these programs are vital for developing essential skills in children and supporting working families. The resolution specifically endorses the national celebration, Lights On Afterschool, scheduled for October 23, 2025.

The Housing for All Veterans Act of 2025 establishes a new Low-income Veteran Rental Assistance Program to provide housing vouchers for qualified veteran families. This legislation amends existing housing law to create a dedicated entitlement to rental assistance, with eligibility criteria that gradually expand to include all low-income veteran families by Fiscal Year 2030. The Act also mandates information sharing regarding veteran services and prohibits discrimination against voucher holders. Finally, it provides necessary permanent appropriations and service fees to public housing agencies for administering this new benefit.

This bill amends the Act of June 22, 1948, specifically concerning property appraisals. It mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture determine property value based on the **highest fair appraised value**, incorporating historical appraisal data. This change updates the previous standard for property valuation.

The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 ensures federal agencies compensate contractors for employee costs incurred due to government funding lapses or shutdowns. This act mandates contract price adjustments to cover reasonable expenses for furloughed or impacted contractor employees, up to a specified weekly limit. The law also provides necessary appropriations to cover these adjustments and requires public reporting on the compensation provided.

The No Shame at School Act of 2025 mandates that schools must retroactively certify eligible students for free or reduced-price meals and prohibits any form of shaming or stigmatization based on unpaid meal debt. This bill prevents schools from singling out students who owe money for lunch or breakfast, ensuring they receive their meals without embarrassment. Furthermore, it restricts how schools can attempt to collect these outstanding fees from families.