Legislative Activity

The DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated research program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance the study of Down syndrome across the lifespan. This initiative focuses on improving the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome by coordinating research on co-occurring conditions like Alzheimer’s and autoimmune disorders. The bill also mandates regular Congressional reporting to ensure transparency and progress in developing new clinical therapies.

This bill establishes the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, aiming to formally recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by requiring the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a distinct occupational category for them in the federal classification system. The legislation also authorizes significant federal grants to states to establish or expand paid family and medical leave programs. If a separate DSP classification is not created, a report explaining the decision must be submitted to Congress.

The Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act aims to improve patient care and nurse well-being by limiting mandatory overtime for nurses in covered health care facilities. The bill establishes strict work-hour caps, provides whistleblower protections against retaliation, and mandates clear scheduling policies. Additionally, it directs federal studies to further evaluate safe working hour standards and ensure federal medical facilities align with these new safety requirements.

The Momnibus Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to end preventable maternal mortality and close racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. By investing in social determinants of health, expanding nutritional support, diversifying the perinatal workforce, and improving data collection, the bill seeks to provide holistic, equitable care for all pregnant and postpartum individuals. It also addresses critical gaps in maternal health for veterans, incarcerated individuals, and those impacted by climate change and public health emergencies.

The Insider Trading Prohibition Act amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to explicitly prohibit the trading of securities based on material, nonpublic information obtained through wrongful means. It establishes clear legal standards for both the misuse of such information and the wrongful communication of it to others. The bill ensures that individuals can be held accountable for trading or sharing information they know—or recklessly disregard—was obtained through theft, bribery, or breach of fiduciary duty.

The Protecting Pentagon Press Access Act aims to restore independent reporting at the Department of Defense by reversing recent restrictions on credentialed journalists. The bill mandates the return of unescorted access to traditional press workspaces within the Pentagon and establishes a secure, non-political process for issuing press credentials. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Defense to consult with Congress before implementing any future changes to press access policies.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that because Congress has not declared war or provided specific authorization for military force, the current deployment violates the War Powers Resolution. The bill mandates a withdrawal of forces while still allowing for defensive actions to protect U.S. personnel, intelligence operations, and support for partner nations.

The Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 directs NOAA to integrate environmental DNA (eDNA) technology into federal fish stock assessments and ecosystem monitoring to improve data accuracy and efficiency. The bill also establishes a multi-agency National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network to standardize eDNA practices, foster technological innovation, and strengthen the U.S. workforce. Together, these measures aim to modernize fisheries management while enhancing national competitiveness in aquatic monitoring services.

The Fairness for Farm Workers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to ensure agricultural workers receive overtime pay and removes long-standing exemptions that have historically excluded them from these protections. The bill establishes a phased-in schedule for overtime eligibility based on employer size, ultimately standardizing labor rights for farm workers by 2033.

The TABOO Act aims to increase transparency and accountability by closing ethics loopholes for individuals serving in sensitive diplomatic or national security roles. It mandates that all officials performing these functions—regardless of their compensation or volunteer status—adhere to strict financial disclosure, conflict-of-interest, and reporting requirements. The bill also establishes clear enforcement mechanisms and criminal penalties to ensure compliance across all federal departments and agencies.

This resolution designates August 22 through August 30, 2026, as "National Park Week" to honor the National Park Service’s history and ongoing contributions. It recognizes the vital role these parks play in recreation, education, and the economy while encouraging the public to celebrate and support the preservation of our national treasures.

The VITAL Act aims to address the critical shortage of affordable, accessible housing for people with disabilities and older adults. By significantly increasing low-income housing tax credits and establishing new allocation requirements for states, the bill incentivizes the construction of inclusive, transit-accessible homes. These measures are designed to help individuals remain independent and integrated within their communities.

The **Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act of 2026** ensures transparency and accountability by preventing the Department of Defense from using administrative reclassifications to obscure the human cost of war or deny service members their earned benefits. The bill mandates that casualty records remain accurate and permanent, regardless of changes to an operation's name or status. Additionally, it requires the restoration of records and benefits for personnel affected by recent reclassifications related to Operation Epic Fury.

The Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act aims to lower costs for families and educators by capping customs duties on essential school supplies and educational materials. By preventing these tariffs from exceeding their January 2025 rates, the bill seeks to mitigate the financial burden of rising prices on classrooms and local governments.

The Strengthening Coast Guard Communities Act of 2026 authorizes the Commandant of the Coast Guard to enter into intergovernmental support agreements to improve operational efficiency. This legislation streamlines administrative processes while ensuring congressional oversight by requiring notification to relevant committees whenever this authority is exercised.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

The Double the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to increase the mandatory overtime pay rate from time-and-a-half to double time. This legislation ensures that employees are compensated at twice their regular hourly rate for all overtime hours worked. The new pay requirement will take effect 180 days following the bill's enactment.

The **DRIVE Across America Act of 2026** establishes the "Cleaner TRAILS" initiative to expand zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and fleet adoption across National Forest and National Park System lands. The bill provides $200 million in annual funding to support sustainable transportation, including charging stations, electric shuttles, and workforce development for federal land agencies. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Transportation prioritize traveler-focused electrification at airports and popular tourist destinations while permanently extending HOV lane access for clean vehicles.

The Clean Transportation Jobs and Development Act of 2026 aims to strengthen U.S. energy independence by expanding domestic battery manufacturing and critical mineral processing. The bill establishes a new Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation to oversee supply chain resilience and authorizes significant funding for research into advanced vehicle technologies, cybersecurity, and energy-efficient mobility systems. By supporting workforce development and public-private partnerships, this legislation seeks to accelerate the transition to sustainable transportation while fostering long-term economic growth.

The RECOVER PII Act strengthens protections for federal employees and contractors affected by data breaches by mandating permanent, lifetime identity theft insurance coverage of at least $5,000,000. Additionally, the bill authorizes federal agencies to reimburse personnel for the costs of privacy-enhancing services to better secure their personal information.