Legislative Activity

The American Access to Banking Act aims to make it easier to start new banks and credit unions by streamlining the application process and reducing paperwork. It establishes dedicated caseworkers and a mentor-protégé program to guide new applicants through regulatory requirements. Furthermore, the bill mandates that federal agencies develop plans to engage with state regulators and stakeholders to foster the creation of new financial institutions.

The GUIDANCE Act of 2026 aims to restore numerous consumer financial protection rules and guidance documents previously withdrawn or rescinded by the CFPB. This legislation reinstates 23 specific provisions covering areas like credit reporting, debt collection, lending discrimination, and data security. By reinstating these original rules, the Act seeks to strengthen consumer protections across various financial practices.

This bill seeks to disapprove the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) rule that withdrew previous guidance concerning insufficient data protection or security for sensitive consumer information. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this legislation aims to nullify the CFPB's action, effectively reinstating the original consumer data protection guidance.

This bill expresses Congressional disapproval of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) rule that withdrew a previous regulation concerning the Fair Credit Reporting Act's preemption of state laws. By disapproving the CFPB's action, Congress effectively nullifies the withdrawal. Consequently, the original rule regarding state law preemption remains in effect.

The DPA Transparency Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of the Defense Production Act by prohibiting financial assistance to entities with significant ties to high-ranking government officials and their families. The bill also increases monetary penalties for violations and mandates the implementation of a comprehensive fraud risk management program. Additionally, it requires enhanced annual reporting to Congress to ensure greater accountability and transparency in federal transactions.

The "Closing the Enhanced Prudential Standards Loophole Act" ensures that large banks operating without a parent holding company are held to the same rigorous regulatory and prudential standards as traditional bank holding companies. By amending the Financial Stability Act of 2010, this legislation eliminates regulatory gaps to ensure consistent oversight for financial institutions of similar size.

This act establishes significant new accountability measures for executives of failed banks. It mandates the clawback of compensation received by senior leaders within two years of a bank's failure, regardless of personal fault. Furthermore, the bill introduces criminal penalties for concealing assets and bans non-compliant executives from serving at insured banks for ten years.

The Incentivizing Safe and Sound Banking Act strengthens accountability for executives at large financial institutions by restricting their ability to sell company stock during periods of regulatory distress. The bill grants federal regulators the authority to prohibit stock sales following cease-and-desist orders and mandates an automatic ban for senior executives at large banks that fail to resolve critical safety and soundness issues.

This resolution supports the goals of National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by recognizing the disproportionate impact of HIV on women and girls globally and domestically. It calls for sustained investment in prevention, care, and treatment efforts to reduce new infections and health inequities. The bill specifically encourages accessible, youth-friendly services, education on prevention tools like PrEP, and addressing underlying issues such as violence and discrimination.

This resolution honors the life, leadership, and enduring legacy of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. It recognizes his pivotal role as a civil rights leader, his groundbreaking political campaigns, and his global advocacy for human rights and equality. The measure encourages all Americans to continue his work by moving forward with hope rather than fear and division.

This Act mandates the U.S. Secretary of State to ensure and report on sufficient food assistance for all civilians in Gaza. It requires certification within 30 days that policies are in place to guarantee children receive three nutritious meals daily and other civilians receive two. The Secretary must also submit detailed oversight procedures and publicly report on food distribution efforts, including prompt notification to Congress of any aid interference.

This resolution supports the goals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by recognizing the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black Americans. It encourages testing, commends organizations providing culturally competent care, and supports the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce disparities. The bill also calls for prioritizing funding for minority-led agencies and addressing systemic barriers to care.

This bill prohibits the use of hydrofluoric acid (hydrogen fluoride) in all petroleum refineries, citing its extreme danger to surrounding communities. It immediately bans its use in any new refinery and mandates that existing refineries phase out its use within five years. The legislation aims to prevent mass casualty events by requiring the adoption of safer, commercially available alternative technologies.

This resolution recognizes the 90th anniversary of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), honoring its historic legacy founded by Mary McLeod Bethune. It celebrates NCNW's continued dedication to advocating for racial justice, gender equality, and community empowerment across the nation. The bill commends the organization's ongoing work in strengthening families, expanding opportunity, and promoting health equity.

The Fair Competition for Small Business Act of 2025 empowers state attorneys general to file lawsuits on behalf of their residents against companies violating federal antitrust laws. This legislation strengthens consumer protections by allowing states to seek damages for anti-competitive practices under the Sherman Act.

This act mandates that recipients of certain federal housing and community development funds must create and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable online database of all undeveloped land they own. This requirement takes effect starting October 1, 2026.

The Housing Crisis Response Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill making major federal investments across four key areas to address the national housing crisis. It allocates over $78 billion to create, preserve, and repair affordable housing, expand rental assistance, and improve housing accessibility and efficiency. The Act also introduces significant new programs to boost first-time and first-generation homeownership through downpayment assistance and new mortgage products. Finally, it provides funding to strengthen HUD administration and build the capacity of local housing organizations.

This bill, the International Financial Access Improvements Act, enhances reporting requirements on how countries combat narcotics-related money laundering in the President's annual report. It mandates that the Treasury Secretary consult on and produce a separate volume of the report detailing money laundering issues for specific Congressional committees. Furthermore, the Secretary of the Treasury must report on steps being taken to ensure more consistent Bank Secrecy Act examinations across relevant agencies.

This bill establishes the **FHA Small-Dollar Mortgages Act**, creating a pilot program to increase access to mortgages of $\$100,000$ or less. The program allows the Secretary of HUD to offer incentives, adjust terms, and provide borrower assistance to encourage lenders to offer these smaller loans. The Commissioner must report annually to Congress on the program's results, risks, and impact on the market until the program concludes after four years.

The Urban and Rural Diabetes Initiative Act establishes a new grant program to improve diabetes treatment access in medically underserved urban and rural areas. This funding supports eligible health providers in offering comprehensive diabetes care, including routine treatment, education, and specialized services like eye and foot care. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award these grants, ensuring equitable distribution across both urban and rural communities.