Legislative Activity

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

The Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act expands Medicare Part B coverage to include services provided by pharmacists starting January 1, 2026. This coverage is specifically for testing or treatment related to COVID-19, the flu, RSV, strep throat, or during a declared public health emergency. The bill outlines payment structures, generally covering 80% of the cost, and prohibits pharmacists from balance billing Medicare patients for these covered services.

This bill reauthorizes key programs under the Kay Hagan Tick Act to combat vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease through 2030. It extends funding for the national strategy and regional centers focused on these illnesses. Additionally, the legislation continues enhanced support for local health departments to improve disease surveillance and response capabilities.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

The Surface Transportation Research and Development Act of 2026 focuses on advancing transportation innovation and data integrity. It extends funding authorizations for key research programs, including highway technology and university centers, through 2031. The bill also strengthens the structure and authority of transportation statistics programs to ensure data objectivity and coordination across the Department of Transportation. Finally, it mandates studies on emerging headlamp safety and strategies for increasing the use of recycled asphalt pavement.

The IMPACT to Save Moms Act establishes a demonstration project for states to test alternative payment models for maternity care within Medicaid and CHIP programs. This project aims to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for high-risk groups, by considering factors like risk stratification and social determinants of health. The Secretary of HHS must evaluate the project's impact and report recommendations to Congress on potential national expansion.

The Supporting Women COPS Act of 2026 establishes a Department of Justice Task Force to develop recommendations for improving the hiring, retention, and advancement of women in law enforcement. This legislation incentivizes states to adopt these new standards by offering a 5% bonus payment on top of their existing federal law enforcement funding. The goal is to create fairer and more supportive career pathways for female officers nationwide.

The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. It authorizes significant funding for enhanced data collection, surveillance, and research across various CDC programs. Furthermore, the bill mandates public data disclosure, requires public health communication campaigns, and establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for ensuring safe, respectful, and equitable maternity care during crises.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act aims to establish comprehensive standards for the care, health services, and housing of pregnant individuals in federal custody, including those held by the Bureau of Prisons, CBP, ICE, and ORR. The bill mandates extensive data collection on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women and strictly prohibits the use of restraints and restrictive housing during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, with very limited exceptions. Furthermore, it requires federal agencies to provide essential services like family unity programs, specialized medical care, and comprehensive education for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 201 East Grant Avenue in Georgetown, Ohio, as the "Ulysses S. Grant Post Office Building." This new name must be used in all federal documents and records referring to the facility.

This act amends the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to significantly restrict how bankruptcy proceedings handle debts arising from child sexual abuse. It establishes new requirements for victim impact statements, limits the sealing of court records, and imposes strict new standards for releasing third parties from liability in reorganization plans. Crucially, the bill prohibits the discharge of debts resulting from abuse if the debtor was directly responsible or grossly negligent.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 189 East Main Street in Xenia, Ohio, as the "Gilman 'Gil' Whitney Post Office Building." All future federal documents, maps, and official records will be required to reflect this new name.

The HELP Act of 2026 establishes a program within HHS to strengthen nationwide access to 211 services for health and human services information and referrals. This initiative aims to increase 211 capacity, improve coordination with 911 and 988 crisis lines, and raise public awareness. The Act authorizes $250 million annually through 2032 to provide grants to local 211 providers to expand and improve service accessibility across all states.

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated fund to address historical inequities in urban tree canopy coverage, which contributes to higher heat exposure in low-income and minority communities. This legislation creates the Neighborhood Tree Fund to provide financial assistance for increasing and improving community tree health, prioritizing investments in underserved areas. The bill also updates the composition of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to ensure broader representation from relevant community experts.

The Baby Food Safety Act of 2026 establishes strict new limits and testing requirements for toxic contaminants like lead and arsenic in infant and toddler foods. It mandates that manufacturers implement rigorous sampling and testing programs, with results subject to FDA oversight. Additionally, the bill enhances FDA authority for mandatory recalls and modernizes inspection procedures, including allowing remote record requests.

The Water Infrastructure Sustainability and Efficiency (WISE) Act requires states receiving federal water infrastructure grants to dedicate at least 20% of those funds toward projects focused on green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency, or other innovative environmental solutions. This mandate applies as long as sufficient eligible project applications are available.

The Crime Survivor Support and Stability Act of 2026 encourages states to adopt comprehensive rights for crime survivors, ensuring access to trauma recovery, housing stability, and financial relief. The bill establishes a federal grant program to provide flexible, direct cash assistance to survivors through community-based organizations, minimizing bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, it funds state-level surveys to better understand the unmet needs of survivors, particularly those who interact with the justice system.

This bill seeks to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to update the definition of eligible food items for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, it would explicitly add hot rotisserie chicken to the list of items that can be purchased with SNAP benefits. The legislation also includes minor technical formatting updates to the existing law.

The Improving Access to Financial Coaching Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program through the Department of the Treasury to fund nonprofit and community organizations providing financial coaching. This legislation aims to increase access to high-quality financial guidance for low- and moderate-income consumers. The Act also mandates the development of standardized certification practices for financial coaches nationwide.

This bill supports designating a week in April 2026 as "Black Maternal Health Week" to focus national attention on the severe maternal health crisis facing Black women. It highlights the unacceptable and unjust disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black women due to structural racism and inequities. The legislation urges Congress to invest in comprehensive maternal care and pass legislation, like the Momnibus Act, grounded in human rights and reproductive justice.