Legislative Activity

The AI for Mainstreet Act aims to support small businesses by integrating artificial intelligence assistance into the Small Business Development Center program. This initiative will provide guidance, training, and resources to help small businesses evaluate and effectively use AI in their operations. The bill defines AI for the purposes of the Small Business Act but does not authorize any new federal funding for these expanded services.

The Upward Mobility Act of 2026 authorizes a five-year pilot program allowing up to five states to consolidate funding from major federal antipoverty programs into a single "Upward Mobility Grant." This allows states to streamline benefits, reduce work disincentives ("benefit cliffs"), and test innovative approaches to increase employment and earnings for low-income residents. Approved states must adhere to strict evaluation requirements focused on improving participant outcomes and reducing dependence on assistance.

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding programs for counties containing federal lands through fiscal year 2026. This legislation ensures the continuation of secure payments and resource advisory committee authorities established under the original 2000 Act. It also streamlines payment elections for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 by carrying over the previous year's choice. Finally, the bill includes technical corrections to improve the administration of these rural support programs.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to complete the trail as an unbroken, continuous route within 10 years. The bill establishes a joint federal team to coordinate this effort, develop a comprehensive completion plan, and foster partnerships with volunteer and nonprofit organizations. It emphasizes the use of easements from willing sellers while clarifying that no new eminent domain authority is granted.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the tax-exempt status of organizations designated as "terrorist supporting organizations." It defines such organizations as those providing material support to designated terrorist groups within the last three years. The legislation establishes a process for designation, including prior notice and an opportunity for the organization to cease support and avoid losing tax-exempt status.

This bill reauthorizes and amends key grant programs under the American Battlefield Protection Program, extending funding through 2035 and increasing federal cost-sharing for interpretation and restoration projects. It also mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct comprehensive studies on nationally significant sites related to the French and Indian War and the Mexican-American War. The legislation aims to enhance the preservation and interpretation of these historic battlefields through updated grant structures and new site assessments.

The American Franchise Act aims to clarify the legal relationship between franchisors and franchisees by defining when a franchisor can be considered a joint employer of a franchisee's staff. This legislation specifies that joint employer status only applies if the franchisor exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential terms of employment, such as wages, hours, and discipline. The Act provides detailed examples of what actions do and do not constitute this level of direct control over the franchisee's employees. This clarification is intended to stabilize the franchising business model against inconsistent legal interpretations.

This act streamlines federal oversight by automatically deeming State Veterans Homes certified by the VA as meeting Medicare and Medicaid nursing facility requirements. This automatic qualification is contingent upon the VA sharing inspection data and aligning its standards with federal requirements. The bill also mandates that VA inspection data for these homes be publicly reported to ensure transparency and accountability.

The American Voices in Federal Lands Act revises public involvement procedures for rulemaking on federal lands managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service. This bill mandates that only comments from U.S. citizens be considered for new Bureau of Land Management regulations. Additionally, it requires the use of CAPTCHA technology to prevent automated submissions during the public comment period for these lands.

This act reauthorizes and updates the Wildlife Road Crossing Program, ensuring continued federal funding through 2031. It removes the "pilot" designation and makes key changes to support tribal participation, including 100% federal cost-sharing for tribal grants. The legislation also allocates funds for technical assistance to tribes and covers administrative costs for program management.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 establishes a resident's right to designate at least one "essential caregiver" who must be granted in-person access to the resident in healthcare facilities, even during periods of restricted visitation. This right is designed to prevent the isolation and decline seen during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring family support remains available. Facilities can only deny access under strict, time-limited conditions if the caregiver violates agreed-upon safety protocols.

This resolution designates December 6th of each year as "National Miners Day." The day will honor the contributions and sacrifices of miners across the United States. It also commemorates the tragic Monongah mining disaster of 1907, which spurred significant improvements in miner safety.

This Act amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to update the financial management and implementation structure for the Tribe's water settlement. It restructures the Crow Settlement Fund into new dedicated accounts, including the MRI Projects Account, to fund specific water infrastructure and land acquisition priorities. The legislation clarifies that the Tribe retains ownership of projects built with these funds, while also specifying the Secretary of the Interior's role in managing the new accounts.

The Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act amends the Administrative Procedure Act to restrict participation in federal agency public comment periods. This legislation specifically prohibits foreign adversaries, their nationals, and related entities from submitting comments on proposed rules. The goal is to ensure that the rulemaking process is exclusively open to U.S. citizens and domestic entities.

This Act formally establishes permanent federal responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and funding of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. It explicitly prohibits transferring any financial or operational duties for the channel, which aids native fish like the pallid sturgeon, to the local Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District. The legislation also authorizes dedicated federal funding for the channel's upkeep and ensures local irrigation operations remain unaffected.

The Back the Blue Act of 2025 establishes new federal crimes and harsher penalties for killing or assaulting law enforcement officers and other public safety officials. The bill also creates specific aggravating factors for the federal death penalty in such cases and places new restrictions on federal habeas corpus relief for related state convictions. Finally, it expands federal protections allowing active and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in various federal locations.

This bill, the "Protect Innocent Victims of Taxation After Fire Extension Act," excludes federal income tax on qualified relief payments received by individuals for losses, expenses, or damages resulting from federally declared wildfires occurring after December 31, 2014. This exclusion applies only to amounts not already covered by insurance or other sources. The tax benefit is effective for payments received after December 31, 2025.

This bill reestablishes the National Coal Council as a federal advisory committee under the Department of Energy. The Council will provide recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on matters related to coal. Its operations will adhere to the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The Chip EQUIP Act aims to protect U.S. semiconductor manufacturing by restricting the use of federal funding for certain foreign-made equipment. Specifically, it prohibits using federal semiconductor assistance funds to procure or install "ineligible semiconductor manufacturing equipment" made by entities of concern for a period of ten years. The Secretary of Commerce retains limited waiver authority under specific national security or supply chain conditions.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 enhances the FDA's authority to require pediatric investigations for new molecularly targeted cancer drugs. It also extends the priority review voucher program designed to incentivize the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases until September 2030. Furthermore, the bill mandates studies to assess the effectiveness of these new drug investigation requirements and the existing voucher program.