Legislative Activity

The VISITOR Act aims to reduce visa wait times by providing the Department of State with greater flexibility to utilize and transfer existing consular fee collections. The bill also establishes a goal for the Department to interview 80 percent of nonimmigrant visa applicants within three weeks of their application.

The Turkey Human Rights Promotion Act of 2026 seeks to address the erosion of democracy, judicial independence, and fundamental freedoms in Turkey. The bill mandates annual reporting on human rights conditions, provides support for civil society and independent media, and conditions U.S. security assistance on measurable improvements regarding political prisoners and the rule of law. Additionally, it establishes a framework for potential sanctions against officials responsible for human rights abuses and transnational repression.

The PRESERVE Act ensures the protection of publicly commissioned artwork located on federal property slated for sale, transfer, or demolition. It mandates that the General Services Administration establish a specialized Preservation Committee to develop and implement plans to safeguard these cultural assets. Ultimately, the bill requires that such artwork remains preserved and accessible to the public, even after the property changes hands.

This bill formally disapproves of a proposed foreign military sale to Turkey involving defense articles and services related to F110 engine integration for TFX aircraft. By blocking this transaction, the legislation prevents the transfer of technical data and support equipment outlined in Transmittal No. 24051.

This bill, the "Air Carrier Access Amendments Act of 2026," strengthens protections against disability discrimination in air travel. It establishes new civil penalties for specific violations like damaging assistive devices or causing passenger harm. Crucially, it grants individuals with disabilities a private right of action to sue air carriers for violations, allowing them to seek damages and attorney's fees.

This act establishes the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Pilot Program within the State Department to create a surge workforce for supporting U.S. diplomatic operations during crises. The program will recruit retired Foreign Service members to provide temporary assistance during emergencies like conflicts or disasters. After three years, the Secretary of State will submit a final evaluation recommending whether to establish a permanent corps.

This bill, the "No Taxpayer Bailouts for Insurrectionists Act of 2026," places strict limitations on the federal government's ability to make large settlement payments to certain high-ranking officials and individuals connected to the January 6th events. It specifically prohibits any federal funds from being used in the *Trump v. Internal Revenue Service* settlement. Furthermore, any settlement over $50,000 with a "covered person" requires a detailed report to Congress 90 days in advance.

This bill designates and expands the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada to protect its significant resources. It withdraws federal land within the area from new mineral entry while authorizing specific rights-of-way for the Southern Nevada Water Authority's buried water pipeline infrastructure along the boundary. The legislation also requires the development of a comprehensive management plan for the newly defined conservation area.

This Act mandates a comprehensive study to examine the link between animal cruelty and future violence against humans. It also establishes a federal grant program to support eligible entities in detecting, intervening in, and preventing animal cruelty and related interpersonal violence. The overall goal is to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce future violent acts.

The PATH to the Foreign Service Act establishes a streamlined pathway for former USAID employees to join the State Department's Foreign Service. This legislation waives the Foreign Service Entrance Exam for eligible former USAID Foreign Service members and grants hiring preference points for all former USAID staff. It also ensures prior USAID service is recognized for seniority, retirement, and other career milestones.

This bill amends the House of Representatives' rules to prohibit Members, officers, and employees from participating in certain prediction markets involving excluded commodities. The legislation aims to prevent conflicts of interest by banning trades tied to the outcome of specific events. It also expresses the sense of the House that the executive and judicial branches should adopt similar restrictions.

This bill establishes the Commission on Americans Living Abroad to study the impact of federal laws and policies on U.S. citizens residing overseas. The Commission will investigate issues such as taxation, access to benefits, and voting rights. It is required to submit detailed findings and recommendations to Congress and the President within one year, followed by an update one year later.

This resolution commends the Holy See for its enduring diplomatic relationship with Taiwan and affirms Congress's strong support for its preservation. It highlights Taiwan's exemplary record on religious freedom compared to the People's Republic of China. The bill encourages further high-level engagement between the Vatican and Taiwan to strengthen their partnership.

The Higher Education Marijuana Research Act of 2026 aims to significantly expand federally sanctioned marijuana research at colleges and universities. It prioritizes research licenses for institutions of higher education and allows them to legally obtain marijuana from state or tribal sources for approved studies. Furthermore, the bill establishes grant programs through the NIH and USDA to fund medical and agricultural marijuana research, while protecting student and researcher participation from federal penalties.

The Modal Parity in Permitting Act updates federal law to provide transit and passenger rail agencies with clearer authority to acquire necessary real property interests for projects using federal funds. This legislation allows for the acquisition of property interests before environmental reviews are complete, provided no physical development occurs until those reviews are finalized. The bill aims to streamline the initial property acquisition phase for critical transportation infrastructure.

The Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026 establishes a new, separate personnel system within the Department of State to maintain a pool of trained civilian experts ready for immediate deployment. This Corps will be gradually built up to 1,000 members and can be called to active service during national emergencies or to augment diplomatic efforts abroad. The legislation details comprehensive rules for appointments, compensation, benefits, retirement, and service obligations, closely aligning the Corps' structure and protections with those of the Foreign Service and uniformed services.

The ACPAC Modernization Act updates the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee by formally including ticket agents as committee members. It also removes existing restrictions, allowing the committee to review and evaluate the practices of ticket agents to better protect air travelers.

The State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act establishes a formal framework to integrate disability rights into U.S. foreign policy and development efforts. The bill creates an Office of International Disability Rights, led by an Ambassador-at-Large, to coordinate global engagement and ensure U.S. diplomatic facilities and hiring practices are fully accessible. Additionally, it mandates comprehensive staff training and launches the Judy Heumann Fellowship program to build long-term expertise in disability advocacy within the Department of State.

The Thermal Runaway Reduction Act of 2026 aims to enhance the safety of transporting lithium-ion batteries. It mandates updated transportation testing standards and requires batteries shipped commercially to maintain a state of charge no higher than 30%. Furthermore, the Act establishes grant programs to fund research into thermal runaway suppression technologies and to equip fire departments with necessary suppression and response tools.

The FLARE Act enhances firefighter safety by expanding federal grant eligibility to include the procurement of specialized tools for suppressing lithium-ion battery fires. The bill establishes formal definitions for lithium-ion batteries and thermal runaway, ensuring fire departments have the necessary resources to address these increasingly common and dangerous incidents.