Legislative Activity

The Energy Bills Relief Act is a comprehensive bill designed to lower energy costs for American families, accelerate the deployment of low-cost, clean energy, and modernize the nation's electricity grid. It achieves this by reversing harmful policies against renewables, expanding energy assistance programs, streamlining grid connection processes, and increasing transparency in utility regulation. Ultimately, the legislation aims to create a more reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy system while ensuring communities have a stronger voice in energy development.

The Combating Chinese Communist Party Influence Act requires the Director of National Intelligence to produce a comprehensive assessment of the Chinese Communist Party’s foreign malign influence activities across key global regions. This legislation mandates that the intelligence community analyze the impact of these activities on U.S. national security, alliances, and financial systems. The resulting reports will be submitted to Congress to provide greater transparency and oversight regarding these strategic challenges.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating its governing structure and expanding the scope of its oceanographic research and data-sharing capabilities. It also mandates improved collaboration between regional and federal observing systems to enhance data integration. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $47.5 million in annual funding for these initiatives from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 strengthens U.S. policy by imposing mandatory sanctions on foreign persons and financial institutions that support Iran’s nuclear, ballistic missile, drone, and terrorist activities. The bill specifically targets Iran’s petroleum and petrochemical sectors to cut off funding for these malign programs. Additionally, it expands the State Department’s "Rewards for Justice" program to incentivize the reporting of individuals who evade these sanctions.

The Bioindustrial Scale-Up for Supply Chains and Energy Resiliency Act of 2026 aims to strengthen U.S. biotechnology by establishing a network of open-access, federally supported manufacturing facilities. These centers will help companies bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial-scale production, addressing critical infrastructure shortages. By fostering innovation in bioindustrial manufacturing, the bill seeks to secure domestic supply chains, promote energy resiliency, and accelerate the market readiness of new biobased products.

The Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 establishes a temporary federal gas tax holiday, suspending the federal excise tax on gasoline until September 30, 2026. To maintain trust fund solvency, the Treasury will transfer general funds to the Highway Trust Fund and the LUST Trust Fund to cover lost revenue. The bill mandates that consumers immediately receive the benefit of this tax cut, with penalties for producers or dealers who fail to pass the savings along.

The Higher Education Challenge Grant Modernization Act authorizes $60 million annually from 2026 through 2035 to support agricultural and rural development education. The bill establishes a new grant priority for teaching enhancement projects, specifically those that incorporate paid work-based learning opportunities to train professionals in food, agricultural sciences, and rural economic development.

The AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish standardized frameworks and definitions for biological research data. These measures aim to ensure that federally funded biological datasets are structured and accessible for effective use in artificial intelligence training and biotechnology research. The bill also mandates the creation of public repositories and advisory groups to support federal agencies and researchers in implementing these standards.

The Agricultural Conservation Mentorship Act amends the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to provide funding for paid work-based learning opportunities. This initiative supports cooperative programs at higher education institutions and land-grant universities to enhance agricultural teaching and career development.

The Taiwan Energy Security and Anti-Embargo Act of 2026 aims to strengthen Taiwan’s energy resilience by increasing U.S. energy exports, including liquefied natural gas, and enhancing the security of Taiwan’s critical energy infrastructure. The bill authorizes collaborative efforts to protect against cyber and physical threats, promotes cooperation on nuclear energy technology, and establishes a maritime insurance program for vessels delivering vital goods to Taiwan. These measures are designed to reduce Taiwan's vulnerability to coercion while reinforcing regional stability and U.S.-Taiwan strategic ties.

The America’s Living Library Act establishes a pilot program within the Department of the Interior to collect, sequence, and create a public database of genomic data from plants, animals, fungi, and microbes in national parks. This initiative mandates coordination across federal agencies for sample collection, long-term physical storage, and data integration with existing scientific systems. The bill authorizes specific funding for the project and supporting agencies through fiscal year 2031, with the program terminating ten years after enactment.

This resolution formally honors the life and enduring legacy of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Louis Burns Jackson, Sr. It recognizes his significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, including his work with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his founding of Operation PUSH. The bill specifically urges the President to order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in his memory.

The GAAME Act of 2026 mandates that Title I schools provide students with sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified professionals. By integrating these programs into school-wide and targeted assistance plans, the bill ensures equitable access to a well-rounded education that supports academic achievement.

The Direct File Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, free, government-owned online tax filing system within the IRS, ensuring taxpayers have a simplified and accessible way to file their returns. The bill prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that restrict the government's ability to provide these services and mandates the integration of state tax filing options. Additionally, it streamlines the tax process by setting new filing deadlines for employer information returns to improve efficiency for all taxpayers.

The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency and security in U.S. elections. It closes loopholes to ban foreign national spending in elections, mandates disclosure for "dark money" political spending, and requires clear funding disclosures on political ads. The bill also centralizes legal challenges to campaign finance laws in Washington, D.C., for faster resolution.

The Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to issue a specific right-of-way for an emergency exit along the Blue Ridge Parkway. This requirement becomes mandatory only after the Secretary confirms that necessary environmental reviews and an analysis of alternatives have been completed. The act ensures a designated emergency egress route is established near Milepost 9.6, subject to specific reporting conditions.

The RELIEF Act establishes a mandatory refund process for certain tariffs collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection starting January 1, 2025, specifically those imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This legislation requires the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to automatically issue refunds to importers within 90 days of enactment. Importers will receive these refunds without needing to file an application or protest.

This resolution officially recognizes Black History Month and adopts "A Century of Black History Commemorations" as the theme for 2026. It honors the contributions of Black Americans by establishing categories for "Unsung Souls" and "Righteous Intercessors." Ultimately, the bill affirms that Black history commemorations are essential for a complete national narrative and inspiring future progress toward liberty and justice for all.

The Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026 mandates a transition to secure, chip-enabled EBT cards to better protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from fraud and skimming. The bill requires states to implement modernized digital account management tools, establishes new federal cybersecurity standards for online transactions, and prohibits fees for replacing compromised or malfunctioning cards. Additionally, it provides funding to help retailers upgrade to secure payment terminals and requires regular reporting to Congress on program security and benefit theft trends.

The Small Business Artificial Intelligence Advancement Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop and share resources to help small businesses understand, adopt, and integrate artificial intelligence. These technology-neutral resources will include standards, best practices, and case studies, distributed in coordination with the Small Business Administration. The use of these materials by small businesses will be voluntary.