Legislative Activity

The Protect and Serve Act of 2026 establishes a new federal crime for killing or attempting to kill law enforcement officers when the act is motivated by their status as an officer. This legislation provides federal jurisdiction over such offenses under specific circumstances and outlines strict penalties, including potential life imprisonment. Federal prosecution under this act requires certification by the Attorney General to ensure the case meets specific public interest or state-requested criteria.

The National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act grants the Secretary of the Interior the authority to extend certain existing National Park System leases without adhering to standard regulatory procedures. This exception applies only if the original lease is at least five years old, the lessee is in compliance, and the extension is deemed beneficial for park management. The Secretary must update the relevant regulations within 90 days to reflect this new authority.

This bill expands leasing authority for federally recognized Indian Tribes by amending existing law to allow for leases of up to 99 years on land held in trust for them. It standardizes these leasing requirements to align with those currently in place for the Chehalis Reservation.

The ALERT Act of 2026 establishes a five-year program to enhance the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) with real-time infectious disease surveillance in nursing homes nationwide. This initiative aims to rapidly detect and notify authorities about emerging public health threats within these facilities. The bill also directs the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to support the adoption of this advanced surveillance technology.

This resolution commends the "Donut Dollies" for their patriotic service and steadfast support of U.S. servicemembers, particularly during the Vietnam War. It honors these American Red Cross volunteers for providing vital recreation and emotional support in combat zones. The bill recognizes their extraordinary contributions to troop morale and preserves the legacy of their courage and sacrifice.

This bill establishes the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule to be created by the Architect of the Capitol and filled with items jointly selected by the four congressional leadership offices. The capsule must be sealed and buried in the Capitol Visitor Center by July 4, 2026. It is mandated to remain sealed until July 4, 2276, when it will be presented to the 244th Congress.

This resolution authorizes the use of the Philip A. Hart Senate Office Building atrium for a "Bipawtisan Doggi Gras Pawrade" on February 25, 2026. Additionally, it establishes National Dog Week as the last full week of September, starting in 2024.

This act establishes civil liability for "sanctuary jurisdictions" whose policies lead to harm caused by an alien, allowing victims to sue for damages which can be offset from federal funding. It also protects state and local officers who comply with federal immigration detainers from liability by treating them as federal agents during detention. Finally, the bill enhances federal penalties for assaults and murders committed against law enforcement officers.

This Act establishes federal support for the National Law Enforcement Museum and Memorial to enhance public understanding and appreciation of law enforcement. It authorizes a seven-year grant program to fund the Museum's community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness initiatives. The bill aims to foster better relationships between law enforcement and the public while honoring fallen officers.

The PROTECT for Rare Act aims to improve patient access to life-saving treatments by expanding Medicare and Medicaid coverage for drugs used to manage rare diseases. Additionally, the bill establishes an expedited appeals process for private insurance denials, ensuring that patients with rare conditions can more easily access medically supported therapies.

The Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act of 2025 aims to simplify how Medicare beneficiaries authorize family caregivers to access their health information via the 1-800-MEDICARE line. This bill mandates comprehensive outreach and education to inform beneficiaries, caregivers, and providers about this authorization option. It also requires the development of best practices to protect beneficiaries from fraud related to accessing personal health information.

The Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act authorizes the relocation of a memorial honoring nine Air Force crew members lost in a 1982 crash to the Stratton Ridge rest area in North Carolina. This relocation requires agreement from the current private landowner and approval from the Secretary of Agriculture. All costs associated with the relocation, installation, and maintenance must be covered by the requesting party, not the federal government.

This bill mandates a feasibility study to determine if the Benton MacKaye Trail should be designated as a National Scenic Trail. The study will assess the 287-mile scenic, nonmotorized route spanning Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The Secretary of Agriculture must complete and submit this report to Congress within one year of enactment.

This resolution condemns the treatment of economist Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu and other political prisoners by the Government of Azerbaijan. It urges the immediate and unconditional release of all wrongfully detained individuals. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes that respecting human rights and academic freedom is essential for the success of ongoing peace efforts between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

This resolution officially recognizes suicide as a serious and preventable public health crisis impacting the nation, highlighting its significant role as a leading cause of death, especially among young people. It expresses strong support for designating September as National Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness. Furthermore, the resolution advocates for prioritizing suicide prevention efforts and improving access to high-quality mental health and substance use disorder services.

The RESULTS Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve the accuracy of Medicare payment rates for common clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contract with an independent, certified entity to collect payment data from a massive, nationwide private insurance claims database. This shift ensures payment rates are based on comprehensive, validated external data rather than relying solely on self-reported information. If this external data is unavailable, default inflation-adjusted rates will apply until accurate data collection resumes.

The TRACE Act mandates updates to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) to specifically track cases occurring on federal land or in U.S. territorial waters. This legislation requires the Attorney General to add a distinct data field to record these specific locations for missing persons reports. Furthermore, the Act requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the number of missing persons cases linked to these federal jurisdictions.

The SAVES Act of 2025 establishes a five-year pilot program within the VA to award competitive grants to nonprofits providing service dogs to eligible veterans with disabilities like PTSD or mobility issues. These grants, capped at $2 million per recipient, will cover the cost of training the dog and veteran, and the VA will also provide veterinary insurance for each service dog. The goal is to ensure veterans receive necessary support dogs without incurring any personal fees.

The Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025 updates federal law by removing the requirement that manufactured homes must sit on a permanent chassis to qualify under federal safety standards. This Act mandates that all states must certify to HUD within one year that they treat these homes equally across financing, taxation, and sales regulations. States failing to certify risk having the sale of non-chassis manufactured homes prohibited within their borders. The law also requires annual compliance updates and federal coordination to ensure consistent treatment of these housing types.

The Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025 legalizes the use of specific pulsating or flashing brake light systems on motor vehicles to potentially reduce rear-end collisions. This system allows the high-mounted stop lamp to flash rapidly a few times upon braking before remaining steady. The Secretary of Transportation is tasked with establishing the necessary performance standards and updating Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 within 180 days of enactment.