Legislative Activity

This bill allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant license holders an extension of up to six additional years to begin construction on certain hydropower projects licensed before March 13, 2020. It also authorizes FERC to reinstate licenses that expired after December 31, 2023, under specific conditions. The goal is to provide more time for approved hydropower projects to commence construction.

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.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 targets the increasing threat posed by organized theft groups impacting retail and the national supply chain. This bill strengthens federal law by expanding money laundering statutes and lowering thresholds for property crimes related to theft. Crucially, it establishes a new federal coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations to align efforts across all levels of law enforcement and the private sector to combat these cross-jurisdictional crimes.

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.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six victims who lost their lives and the thirteen injured. It recognizes the courage of survivors, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, and acknowledges her national advocacy against gun violence. The bill reaffirms a commitment to civility, condemning political violence while celebrating the resilience of the Tucson community.

This resolution condemns antisemitism in all its forms, particularly its proliferation on artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. It urges technology companies to implement robust, transparent safeguards to prevent AI systems from generating or amplifying antisemitic content. The bill encourages the development of standards, research, and public awareness initiatives to combat this threat while ensuring all actions remain consistent with constitutional protections.

This resolution strongly condemns the antisemitic shooting attack during a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia. It expresses solidarity with the victims, their families, and the Jewish community worldwide. Furthermore, the bill reaffirms the U.S. commitment to combating all forms of religious hatred and violence.

The Protect America's Workforce Act nullifies a specific Executive Order issued in March 2025 concerning exclusions from federal labor-management relations programs. This legislation ensures that any existing collective bargaining agreements between federal agencies and employee unions remain fully in effect until their stated expiration dates. The Act also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement the overturned Executive Order.

The PREVENT HPV Cancers Act of 2025 aims to combat the significant health threat posed by human papillomavirus (HPV) and related cancers. This legislation establishes a national public awareness campaign, managed by the CDC, to increase HPV vaccination rates and combat misinformation. Additionally, it increases funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to improve screening access. The overall goal is to leverage vaccination and early detection to reduce the incidence of HPV-associated cancers.

The Loan Equity for Advanced Professionals Act raises the federal student loan limits for graduate and professional students. Effective July 1, 2026, the annual borrowing limit for Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans will increase to \$50,000, and the aggregate limit will rise to \$200,000. This aims to provide greater financial support for advanced degree candidates.

The Specialty Crop & Wine Producer Tariff Relief Act establishes a direct payment program administered by the USDA to compensate specialty crop growers and wine producers for specific financial losses, such as those related to increased tariffs or reduced exports. The bill also authorizes the Secretary to purchase surplus crops for distribution through federal nutrition assistance programs. This assistance is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with required reporting to Congress on payments and purchases.

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act formally recognizes the installation of high-efficiency mechanical insulation as a key energy and water efficiency measure for federal buildings. This legislation mandates that mechanical insulation must meet or exceed ASHRAE Standard 90.1 requirements to qualify for these efficiency designations. Consequently, future energy and water evaluations for federal facilities must specifically identify potential savings opportunities related to mechanical insulation upgrades.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

The Safe Social Media Act mandates that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, conduct a comprehensive study on the social media usage habits and associated mental health effects among individuals under 17. This study must detail the personal information collected by platforms, how algorithms use that data, and the impact of targeted advertising. The FTC is required to submit a final report to Congress, including any recommended policy changes, within three years of the Act's enactment.

The Affordable Insulin Now Act establishes new cost-sharing limits for certain insulin products in health plans starting in 2026. For selected insulin, patients will pay no more than the lesser of \$35 or 25% of the negotiated price for a 30-day supply. These patient payments must count toward the annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. The requirements apply across various federal health plan laws, though they generally do not apply to out-of-network pharmacies.

The Food Bank Emergency Support Act of 2025 establishes a \$462.5 million emergency fund to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can continue providing full benefits during funding shortfalls or government shutdowns. These funds are specifically appropriated to prevent benefit reductions when other resources are insufficient. Furthermore, the Act ensures essential SNAP staff can continue working during a lapse in appropriations.

The MIRACLE Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive study and report by the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the prevalence and outcomes associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). This study will specifically examine data among Medicaid beneficiaries and the availability of services in pediatric transitional care facilities. The findings and recommendations must be reported to Congress and made publicly available within three years of enactment.

This bill, the Strengthening Medicare for Patients and Providers Act, updates how Medicare physician payments are adjusted annually starting in 2026. It mandates that the annual update to the Medicare physician fee schedule conversion factor will be directly tied to the estimated percentage increase in the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). This change ensures physician payment updates reflect economic changes measured by the MEI for 2026 and beyond.

The Newborns Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act establishes a program to purchase and distribute essential supply kits to mothers recovering from childbirth and their newborn infants. These kits will contain necessary supplies, educational materials on maternal health resources, and information on federal support programs. The legislation reserves federal funds from 2026 through 2030 to award grants to nonprofit entities for the nationwide distribution of these kits, prioritizing areas of greatest need.

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a prior reconciliation act. This action effectively revives the original laws that were previously amended by the repealed provisions. The bill seeks to revert existing agricultural and food-related statutes to their pre-amendment status.