Legislative Activity

The Lowering Utility Bills Act aims to reduce consumer energy costs by establishing stricter federal and state guidelines for how electric transmission providers and investor-owned utilities calculate their allowed rate of return. The bill mandates using the lowest reasonable return on equity based on market data and explicitly bans passing numerous lobbying, administrative, and political expenses onto customers. Furthermore, it requires utilities to prioritize lower-cost, grid-enhancing technologies when planning new capital expenditures.

The Housing FIRST Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to establish formal standards for tenant screening reports, treating them similarly to employment reports. This bill strictly limits the types of criminal and financial history landlords can use when evaluating rental applicants. Furthermore, it mandates specific disclosure and adverse action notification requirements for landlords using these reports.

This resolution directs the House Oversight Committee Chair to initiate or intervene in a federal lawsuit within 30 days. The legal action must compel Pamela J. Bondi to comply with a committee subpoena for testimony regarding the DOJ's handling of records related to Jeffrey Epstein and sex trafficking law enforcement.

This Act nullifies three specific Department of State rules concerning foreign assistance, effectively treating them as if they never existed. It prohibits any federal agency from implementing or enforcing these rules, or any substantially similar future policies. The legislation aims to prevent the enforcement of rules related to "Protecting Life," "Discriminatory Equity Ideology," and "Gender Ideology" in foreign aid.

The Second Look Act of 2026 establishes a process for individuals serving long federal prison sentences to petition a court for a sentence reduction after serving at least 10 years. Courts must consider factors like rehabilitation and community safety when deciding on a modification. The bill also creates a rebuttable presumption for release for defendants aged 50 and older and mandates annual reporting by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 establishes federal grant programs to fund community reentry centers and statewide assistance hotlines. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services to individuals post-conviction or incarceration to reduce recidivism. The Act prioritizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and mandates rigorous evaluation and reporting on program outcomes.

The Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act amends federal juvenile justice laws to raise the minimum age for prosecution as an adult and limits murder convictions for those under 18 to intentional killings. The bill also mandates comprehensive federal data collection on incarcerated youth and authorizes grants to improve collaboration between state child welfare and juvenile justice systems. These measures aim to prioritize rehabilitation and better address the needs of children in the justice system.

This bill officially designates the week of April 24th through April 30th as "National Reentry Week." It recognizes the challenges of mass incarceration and the high rates of recidivism facing formerly incarcerated individuals. The legislation encourages increased support and investment in programs that promote successful reentry, including access to housing, education, job training, and mental health services. Ultimately, the goal is to foster safer communities by supporting the stability and success of those returning to society.

The Living Wage For All Act establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, ultimately aiming to tie it to two-thirds of the national median hourly wage. It creates differentiated wage schedules, requiring large corporations to reach higher minimums sooner than other employers. Furthermore, the bill phases out subminimum wages for tipped workers and workers with disabilities, and extends federal wage protections to incarcerated workers.

The SEED Act expands the existing tax deduction for educator expenses to include early childhood educators. This legislation allows early childhood educators to claim the same deduction for unreimbursed classroom supplies as K-12 teachers. The bill broadens the definition of an eligible "school" to cover qualifying early childhood education and childcare facilities.

Domenic and Ed's Law amends the Higher Education Act to discharge federal parent loans if the student for whom the loan was taken becomes permanently and totally disabled. This cancellation applies to all outstanding parent loans under these specific disability conditions.

The Funding Early Childhood is the Right IDEA Act aims to restore critical federal funding for early intervention services (Part C) and preschool special education programs (Section 619) under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This legislation recognizes that high-quality early services significantly benefit children with disabilities and their families. The bill authorizes specific increased appropriations for both Part C and Section 619 programs through fiscal year 2031.

The AI Data Center Site Selection Transparency Act of 2026 mandates that developers of large AI-focused data centers must publicly disclose comprehensive project details, including environmental impact analyses, at least 180 days before taking significant action. This bill requires extensive public notification across multiple media channels and limits the use of non-disclosure agreements concerning public resources. Violations of these transparency requirements will be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission as unfair or deceptive practices.

This bill, the Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act, establishes a grant program to help health care facilities protect essential workers during declared emergencies or disasters. Funds can be used to provide eligible, non-remote health care workers with hazardous duty pay, up to $13 per hour, when their work or commute is deemed hazardous. Additionally, grants can cover safety measures like PPE and alternative transit for these essential personnel.

This resolution expresses strong support for library staff across the United States and recognizes the essential, expanding community services they provide. It advocates for commensurate funding, defends the right of all citizens to freely access information, and supports the civil rights and union voice of library workers. Furthermore, the bill condemns threats to library access and staff, such as book bans and funding cuts.

This act formally repeals the outdated joint resolution aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Middle East that was enacted during the Cold War era. It removes this historical measure from the U.S. legal code.

This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and reaffirms Congress's commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on the modern environmental movement and calls for continued action against threats like climate change and pollution. The bill urges immediate steps to reduce emissions, address environmental injustices, and ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

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 Securing the Rights our Veterans Earned Act (SERVE Act) extends eligibility for key Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to former service members who were discharged based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes access to hospital care, mental health services, national cemetery burial, Post-9/11 GI Bill education assistance, and housing loans. The bill also mandates the VA Secretary to conduct outreach regarding these newly available benefits.

The Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to address how climate change risks, like extreme heat and pollution, harm maternal and infant health. The bill establishes grant programs to support local efforts and education, and mandates research and strategies to identify high-risk zones for pregnant individuals and young children. Its goal is to reduce adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality linked to climate change.