Legislative Activity

The AI for Main Street Act directs Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to assist small businesses in evaluating and implementing artificial intelligence in their operations. This support includes providing guidance, training on best practices, and outreach regarding AI use for planning, security, and compliance. The bill also formally defines artificial intelligence within the Small Business Act.

The Full Cost of War Act mandates that all future authorizations for the use of military force or declarations of war must include dedicated funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs. This provision ensures that resources are specifically allocated to cover medical care, disability compensation, and other earned benefits for veterans affected by the authorized military action.

The Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act establishes mandatory minimum health and safety standards for privatized military housing to combat hazardous conditions like mold. It institutes rigorous independent inspection protocols, requires standardized reporting on housing quality, and holds contractors financially accountable for remediation and tenant relocation costs. This legislation aims to improve habitability, protect service members' health, and enhance military readiness.

The Main Street Parity Act modifies the criteria for Small Business Investment Act loans used for acquiring, building, or expanding business facilities. Specifically, it removes certain restrictive clauses related to facility loan eligibility under Section 502(3)(C). This aims to streamline or broaden the requirements for small businesses seeking capital for physical expansion.

This bill, the PUBLIC SAFETY Act, redirects $2 billion from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to significantly boost the COPS Hiring Program to support local law enforcement. It also allocates an additional $45 billion to the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program for local criminal justice initiatives. The legislation aims to increase federal funding available directly to local police departments for hiring and operations.

The Agriculture and National Security Act of 2026 formally recognizes food and agriculture as critical to national security. This bill establishes a Senior Advisor for National Security within the USDA to prioritize national security concerns alongside homeland security. It also mandates regular reporting to Congress on identified vulnerabilities, such as foreign influence and data control, and authorizes personnel exchanges with key defense and intelligence agencies.

The No Delay in Representation Act ensures that individuals elected to the House of Representatives through special elections are seated promptly. It mandates that these new members must be given the opportunity to take the oath of office within five legislative days of their election certification. This act aims to prevent delays in representation for newly elected members.

The New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency Act aims to expand access to self-employment assistance programs for unemployed individuals. This legislation removes barriers to entry, modifies required participation activities, and increases the cap on program enrollment nationwide. The goal is to encourage entrepreneurship by allowing more people to start businesses while receiving unemployment benefits.

This resolution initiates impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors. The articles of impeachment charge her with willfully refusing to comply with Congressional oversight laws and violating the Impoundment Control Act by improperly withholding funds. Further articles allege she directed widespread misconduct by ICE agents that violated federal law and constitutional rights, and misused taxpayer funds for personal gain through improper contracting.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 targets the increasing threat posed by organized theft groups impacting retail and the national supply chain. This bill strengthens federal law by expanding money laundering statutes and lowering thresholds for property crimes related to theft. Crucially, it establishes a new federal coordination center within Homeland Security Investigations to align efforts across all levels of law enforcement and the private sector to combat these cross-jurisdictional crimes.

This bill prohibits the use of any federal funds to support, finance, or insure Venezuela's oil and petroleum infrastructure. It ensures taxpayer money is not used to aid the development or expansion of the Venezuelan oil sector. Furthermore, the Secretary of State must submit an annual report to Congress detailing compliance with this prohibition.

This bill establishes the **Energy Burden Tax Credit Act** to provide financial relief to individuals facing high home energy costs. The credit covers 75% of a taxpayer's annual fuel or electricity expenses that exceed 3% of their modified adjusted gross income, up to a maximum of \$1,500. This temporary credit is available for tax years beginning after 2024 and before 2028, and is limited to taxpayers with modified adjusted gross incomes of \$75,000 or less.

This bill aims to secure critical mineral and energy supply chains by establishing international partnerships and diplomatic frameworks to reduce reliance on strategic competitors. It authorizes new programs for joint investment with allies and creates dedicated offices within the State and Energy Departments to coordinate these efforts. Furthermore, the legislation establishes fellowship programs to build a skilled American workforce in the international mining sector.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special pay system to increase the base pay for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers by 35 percent. This legislation also provides a similar 35 percent wage increase for certain hourly BOP employees involved in inmate custody. The new pay authority is set to expire after five years, unless the Department of Justice Inspector General reports measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive overtime.

The Remote Access Security Act amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to establish new controls on the remote access of sensitive U.S. items by foreign persons. This legislation grants the Secretary of Commerce authority to regulate such access when it poses a serious risk to national security. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Secretary consult with key congressional committees before issuing new regulations on remote access controls.

This bill amends the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to temporarily exclude certain False Claims Act recoveries from being deposited into the Crime Victims Fund through fiscal year 2029. It also mandates a comprehensive audit by the Department of Justice Inspector General on the Fund's sustainability and the impact of recent legislative changes. The resulting report will provide recommendations for improving the Fund's effectiveness and oversight.

The Critical Mineral Mining Education Act of 2026 establishes programs within the Department of State to address critical mineral workforce shortages through international exchange. It creates fellowship opportunities for U.S. students to study mining abroad and for foreign scholars to teach and collaborate at U.S. institutions. These initiatives aim to strengthen the domestic mining industry by developing a skilled workforce and fostering global cooperation. Funding will be provided through excess foreign currencies and specific appropriations authorized through fiscal year 2035.

This resolution expresses strong opposition to elective declawing (onychectomy) of cats, deeming the procedure inhumane due to the lifelong pain and adverse behavioral effects it causes. It defines declawing broadly to include any procedure that disables a cat's claws and affirms that it should only be performed when medically necessary for the cat's health. The bill urges states to prohibit the practice on animal welfare and public health grounds, noting that humane alternatives exist.

The Public Integrity in Financial Prediction Markets Act of 2026 prohibits federal officials and employees from trading in prediction market contracts while possessing material, nonpublic government information. This ban specifically targets transactions related to government policy, actions, or political outcomes. The goal is to prevent insider trading within these emerging financial markets by those with privileged access to government knowledge.

This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson shooting, honoring the six lives lost and the thirteen injured. It specifically commends the courage and ongoing advocacy of gun violence survivor and former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution also recognizes the resilience of the community and reaffirms a commitment to ending political violence.