Legislative Activity

The Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026 streamlines the acquisition of critical fighter jets by granting the Secretary of Defense multiyear procurement authority for the F-35 and F-15EX aircraft. This bill also establishes new minimum inventory requirements for the Air Force fighter fleet, aiming for at least 1,800 total fighters by 2026. Furthermore, it authorizes an expansion of the F-15EX fleet to replace aging F-15E aircraft.

This Act mandates a comprehensive report on Russia's systematic persecution of religious groups in occupied Ukrainian territories, detailing abuses against non-aligned faiths. Following each report, the President must certify findings and impose sanctions on responsible individuals and entities. The legislation aims to hold accountable those involved in suppressing religious freedom and destroying houses of worship during the invasion.

The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 mandates that airline passenger security fees be exclusively used to enhance aviation safety and security, ending any diversion of these funds by 2027. The bill increases dedicated funding for the Aviation Security Capital Fund, ensuring a minimum of \$500 million annually starting in Fiscal Year 2026. Additionally, it establishes the new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund to finance the purchase and maintenance of advanced screening equipment at airports. This legislation aims to guarantee consistent and robust financial support for critical TSA security operations and technology upgrades.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 aims to significantly expand and strengthen the U.S. national commitment to quantum information science, engineering, and technology. This bill reauthorizes and updates the existing initiative by bolstering workforce development, enhancing interagency coordination, and securing the quantum supply chain against foreign threats. It also establishes new programs for quantum testbeds, NIST research centers, and requires a review of regulatory barriers to accelerate domestic quantum innovation.

The Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026 extends the authorization for critical sport fish conservation and restoration programs through 2031. This legislation maintains essential funding for state-level projects while updating the allocation formulas for multistate conservation grants and the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.

The Support our Firefighters Act establishes new paid rest and recuperation leave policies for federal wildland firefighters following deployments. It also permanently waives overtime pay caps for these employees and allows for necessary fund transfers between agencies to ensure continued salary payments. This legislation aims to improve support and compensation for federal wildland firefighting personnel.

The VA Appraisal Modernization Act aims to improve the efficiency of the VA home loan process by establishing a standardized, annually adjusted base appraisal fee. The bill mandates higher compensation and mileage reimbursement for appraisers working in high-demand or remote areas to address current staffing shortages. Additionally, it requires the VA to study and report on the impact of these changes to ensure program effectiveness and oversight.

This resolution honors the memory, service, and ultimate sacrifice of six Air Force service members who lost their lives in a 2026 KC-135 Stratotanker accident during Operation Epic Fury. It expresses the Senate’s deepest condolences to the families of the fallen and recognizes their bravery in service to the United States.

The Local Data for Better Conservation Act requires the Secretary to incorporate state-collected data when making listing or delisting determinations under the Endangered Species Act. This legislation ensures that local scientific information is formally integrated into federal decision-making processes for species protection.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act aims to eliminate delays in certifying the deaths of veterans who pass away from natural causes. This bill mandates that VA physicians or nurse practitioners must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours, or a local official can step in. The legislation also requires the VA Secretary to annually report on compliance with this new timely certification standard.

The FLAP Reauthorization Act extends funding for the Federal Lands Access Program for five fiscal years, from 2027 through 2031. This legislation ensures continued financial support from the Highway Trust Fund to improve transportation infrastructure providing access to federal lands.

The Critical Access for Veterans Care Act expands veterans' access to care by allowing those living within 35 miles of a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) or its affiliated clinic to receive services under the Community Care Program. This new provision eliminates the requirement for pre-authorization or referrals for such care. The bill also establishes specific Medicare-based payment rates for these facilities and mandates a report to Congress on the implementation and veteran experience one year after enactment.

The Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026 expands federal conservation programs to better support wildlife migration corridors and habitat connectivity for native big game species. The bill increases financial incentives for landowners, integrates modern tools like virtual fencing into conservation standards, and prioritizes research to improve range health and habitat restoration.

The America’s Living Library Act establishes a pilot program within the Department of the Interior to collect and sequence genetic data from species across National Parks. This initiative will create a secure, public genomic database to support scientific research and conservation efforts while ensuring all samples and data remain under U.S. control. The program prioritizes ecological diversity and provides a framework for long-term biological storage and interagency collaboration.

The Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act releases three specific Wilderness Study Areas in Montana—Middle Fork Judith, Hoodoo Mountain, and Wales Creek—from further wilderness consideration. This action aligns land management with existing, recently updated resource management plans developed through collaborative processes. The bill allows for improved management of these lands, supporting sportsmen opportunities, public access, and conservation projects.

The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 significantly updates and extends NOAA's weather and environmental forecasting authorities through 2030. The bill prioritizes public safety by funding research to improve warnings for severe weather like tornadoes and hurricanes, while also modernizing infrastructure through AI integration and commercial data use. Furthermore, it establishes new programs to enhance forecasts for agriculture, water management, wildfires, and harmful algal blooms.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against living organ donors regarding life, disability, or long-term care coverage. The bill also amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly classify organ donation surgery as a serious health condition, ensuring job-protected leave for donors. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services update public educational materials to reflect these new protections and the realities of organ donation.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week." It recognizes the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders. The resolution also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the chartering of the Alaska State FFA Association.

The Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act strengthens Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by improving the bond guarantee program and establishing new liquidity and capitalization initiatives. The bill also creates a dedicated relending program to expand homeownership opportunities within Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it mandates increased congressional oversight and reporting regarding the effectiveness of these federal financial programs.