Legislative Activity

The United States Trade and Development Agency Modernization Act of 2026 aims to update the USTDA to better advance U.S. commercial and security interests abroad. This legislation expands the agency's authority to fund early-stage project preparation in high-income countries, up to 15% of its annual budget, specifically targeting strategic energy and infrastructure sectors. Additionally, the bill enhances USTDA's personnel flexibility by increasing the number of appointed staff and allowing for the use of personal services contractors.

This resolution supports designating April 2026 as "National Native Plant Month." It recognizes the critical role native plants play in supporting healthy ecosystems, wildlife, and environmental resilience across the United States. The designation aims to highlight the importance of these vital natural resources.

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 (Supporting Early-childhood Educators Deductions Act) expands the existing federal educator expense deduction to include early childhood educators. This legislation allows childcare providers and preschool teachers to claim tax deductions for out-of-pocket classroom expenses, mirroring the benefit currently available to K-12 teachers. The change is set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act aims to provide permanent and expanded tax relief for individuals suffering losses in federally declared major disasters. It makes qualified disaster-related personal casualty losses fully deductible, even for those taking the standard deduction. Additionally, the bill creates a new tax exclusion for compensation received for losses resulting from certain major wildfires. These provisions apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, or after December 31, 2025, for wildfire relief.

The Clean Energy Workforce Act establishes grant programs to bolster career and technical education for jobs in clean energy and related fields. These grants will support the development of specialized curricula and the modernization of educational facilities to align with renewable energy practices. The goal is to prepare students for in-demand careers in climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sectors.

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 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 Baltic Security Assessment Act of 2025 affirms the critical importance of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to U.S. national security amidst Russian aggression. This bill mandates that the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense deliver a comprehensive report to Congress detailing emerging military, cyber, and political threats to the Baltic states. The report must also recommend specific actions to enhance U.S. and NATO defense cooperation and bolster Baltic resilience.

The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and updates critical federal support programs for rural healthcare providers through fiscal year 2030. This legislation reauthorizes key Medicare payment adjustments for small and low-volume rural hospitals, ensuring their continued operation. Furthermore, it refines grant programs supporting rural health services and networks, emphasizing that funds must directly benefit and involve rural underserved populations.

The Civics Learning Act of 2026 aims to combat political polarization and strengthen democracy by improving civics education nationwide. This bill amends existing law to expand a federal grant program, prioritizing funding for innovative, hands-on civics learning in high-need schools. Funds will support activities covering the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the history of the civil rights movement. The legislation authorizes $70 million for fiscal year 2027 to support these essential educational efforts.

This bill officially designates April 18, 2026, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day." It recognizes the vital contributions of linemen in maintaining critical energy infrastructure and serving as essential first responders during emergencies. The resolution expresses strong support for these brave men and women who work under dangerous conditions to keep communities safe and powered.

This resolution expresses strong support for open water lifeguards, recognizing their critical role as first responders and emergency response providers. It urges federal agencies to formally acknowledge the essential, lifesaving work these individuals perform, often at great personal risk. The bill calls for lifeguards to be treated as emergency responders, including eligibility for priority access to resources during public health emergencies.

This resolution directs the President, under the War Powers Resolution, to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving Iran. The order mandates withdrawal unless forces are necessary for imminent self-defense of the U.S. or its allies. Any continued defensive action must comply with existing War Powers reporting requirements.

The Accountable Produce is Medicine Act of 2026 requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a new bundled payment model for treating chronic diseases using food and related services. This model will fund selected programs that provide comprehensive "Accountable Produce is Medicine" services, including tailored nutrition, care coordination, and monitoring, to eligible high-risk individuals. The goal is to improve health outcomes and demonstrate cost savings within Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.

The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026 establishes grants for local educational agencies and partners to transform school outdoor spaces into "revitalized schoolyards." These park-like environments must strengthen ecology, provide hands-on learning, and promote health, while remaining open for shared public use outside of school hours. The program prioritizes funding for schools serving high percentages of low-income students and directs the Department of Education to create a clearinghouse for best practices in outdoor learning spaces.

This bill mandates gender-neutral assignment standards across all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, effective September 30, 2026. It requires that all occupational performance standards be based on scientifically rigorous, job-specific criteria rather than gender. Additionally, the legislation establishes new annual reporting requirements for Congress and mandates a formal review of ground combat unit effectiveness.

This resolution designates April as "National Language Access Month" to highlight the critical importance of providing language services for individuals with limited English proficiency. It encourages federal, state, and local entities to promote awareness of language rights and ensure equitable access to essential public programs and services for all Americans.

This resolution formally recognizes International Transgender Day of Visibility to celebrate the achievements and bravery of the transgender community. It highlights the ongoing challenges of discrimination and legislative threats faced by transgender individuals while honoring their significant historical and contemporary contributions to society. The bill encourages all Americans to observe the day and reaffirms a commitment to the fight for equal dignity and respect.