Legislative Activity

The Foreign Service Workforce Retention Act amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to extend vital recall and reappointment rights to career members who separate from the Service, not just those who retire. This change allows former career members to be reappointed within five years of separation, with the Department required to act on requests within 180 days. The bill also mandates annual reporting to Congress on the use of these reappointment authorities.

This bill clarifies that direct deposit is a permissible method for making contributions to qualified ABLE programs. It explicitly prevents any existing law from being interpreted as a barrier to using direct deposit for these essential savings accounts.

The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 establishes and significantly expands a federal program to support full-service community schools. This initiative provides substantial funding through competitive grants to integrate academic, health, and social services for students. The bill defines key roles and structures, such as community school coordinators and leadership teams, to ensure comprehensive, whole-child support across eligible high-need schools.

The ABLE MATCH Act establishes a federal program to match contributions made by individuals to their own ABLE accounts, offering a 100% match up to \$2,000, subject to an income-based phaseout. This new benefit aims to increase savings for people with disabilities, starting in tax years after 2026. The bill also mandates demographic reporting for ABLE account beneficiaries and authorizes grants to states to promote the use of these accounts and the new matching contribution.

The Millionaires Surtax Act establishes an additional 10% tax on high-income individuals. This surcharge applies to modified adjusted gross income exceeding \$1 million for most filers, or \$2 million for married couples filing jointly, beginning in tax years after December 31, 2026. The calculation specifically excludes investment interest deductions and includes special rules for nonresident aliens and U.S. citizens living abroad.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It mandates that military involvement must cease unless Congress provides a formal declaration of war or specific authorization for the use of force. The bill preserves the President's authority to defend against direct attacks and provide humanitarian and defensive support to U.S. personnel and allies.

This joint resolution expresses congressional disapproval of a proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates. If enacted, the bill would formally prohibit the transfer of specific defense articles, including precision-guided munitions, guidance sets, and associated technical and logistics support services.

The Strengthen Social Security by Taxing Dynastic Wealth Act proposes increasing estate and gift tax revenues by returning exemptions and rates to 2009 levels starting in 2027. These additional funds would be directed into a newly consolidated Social Security Trust Fund to bolster the program's long-term financial stability.

The National Transit Frontline Workforce Training Act establishes a national Transit Workforce Center to support the recruitment, training, and retention of skilled frontline transit employees. Through a grant-funded nonprofit, the center will provide technical assistance, develop standardized training programs, and analyze workforce data to improve the safety and reliability of public transportation systems nationwide.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies a specific rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding "Improper Overdraft Opt-In Practices." By using the Congressional Review Act, this action prevents the CFPB's Circular 2024-05 from having any legal effect or enforceability.

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act aims to provide tax relief to low- and middle-income individuals by establishing an alternative maximum tax rate based on cost-of-living exemptions. To offset these reductions, the bill introduces a progressive tax surcharge on high-income earners. These changes are slated to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The BRAVE Burma Act strengthens U.S. pressure on the Burmese military regime by extending existing sanctions, mandating new assessments of state-owned enterprises and the jet fuel sector, and limiting Burma’s IMF shareholding. The bill also establishes a formal U.S. Special Envoy for Burma to lead diplomatic efforts, coordinate international sanctions, and support the restoration of a civilian-led democratic government.

The YALI Act of 2025 formally establishes and strengthens the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) program, overseen by the Secretary of State. This legislation aims to invest in sub-Saharan Africa's next generation of leaders by enhancing their skills in business, civic engagement, and public administration. The bill mandates an increase in Mandela Washington Fellows and the establishment of regional leadership centers across Africa to expand training and networking opportunities. The program will be implemented through public-private partnerships and requires regular reporting to Congress on its progress and impact on U.S.-Africa relations.

This bill establishes the Taiwan Allies Fund to counter diplomatic and economic pressure from the People's Republic of China against nations supporting Taiwan. It authorizes $40 million annually from 2026 through 2028 to support eligible countries that maintain or strengthen ties with Taiwan. Funds will be used for initiatives promoting alternatives to Chinese influence in areas like health, development, and supply chains. The Secretary of State will coordinate the program, which also encourages Taiwan to provide commensurate assistance.

This resolution celebrates the 40th anniversary of the International Coastal Cleanup in September 2025, recognizing its massive global impact since 1986. It highlights the millions of pounds of trash volunteers have removed and the resulting scientific data on ocean pollution. The resolution encourages public participation and emphasizes the critical need to reduce plastic pollution at its source.

The Power for the People Act of 2026 mandates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the impact of data centers on the electric grid and establish special interconnection queues for them. This legislation aims to ensure data centers bear the costs of their grid demands, preventing residential and business customers from subsidizing their growth. The bill also encourages states to adopt specific electricity rate classes for data centers to protect ratepayers from rising energy costs and infrastructure burdens.

The Moving Transit Forward Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to improve public transportation in urbanized areas. These grants can fund operating costs and planning to enhance service quality, frequency, and geographic availability. Additionally, funds are available for capital projects and operating expenses dedicated to increasing system safety and security. Funding is distributed to urban areas based on a ratio of their reported operating expenses.

This act, the Protect Greenbury Point Conservation Area Act of 2025, amends previous legislation to explicitly prohibit the construction of a golf course at the Greenbury Point Conservation Area at Naval Support Activity Annapolis, Maryland. It prevents the Secretary of the Navy from using funds for golf course development or restricting public access to the area. The only exception allows for necessary restrictions related to environmental restoration.

The Commitment to Aid Workers Act establishes a Special Envoy for Humanitarian Aid Workers within the State Department to advocate for aid worker security and investigate incidents involving aid workers on U.S.-supported missions. The bill also amends existing law to prohibit certain U.S. security assistance to countries that unlawfully kill or fatally injure humanitarian aid workers. Furthermore, it mandates the creation of an independent inquiry group to assess the death or detention of aid workers and requires regular reporting to Congress on security challenges and coordination efforts.

This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recognizes its transformative impact on ensuring a free, appropriate public education for children with disabilities. It honors the millions who have benefited from IDEA and reaffirms commitment to its principles. *Note: The provided text also includes details about a separate "Housing for All" program, which is not addressed in this summary as the primary focus of the resolution appears to be IDEA.*