Legislative Activity

The Advancing Water Research and Collaboration (AWRC) Act of 2025 updates the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to formally integrate the artificial intelligence industry into national water research efforts. The bill authorizes $16 million annually from 2026 through 2029 to support regional and interstate water research initiatives. Additionally, it restructures funding allocations to prioritize collaborative projects that address complex, multi-state water challenges.

The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends funding for the U.S. Geological Survey’s mapping initiative through 2031. This legislation modernizes the program by incorporating advanced sensing technologies and integrating 3D hydrography data to better characterize critical mineral, geothermal, and natural hydrogen resources.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 12109 New Kent Highway in New Kent, Virginia. Upon enactment, the facility will be known as the Patricia Paige Post Office. This designation will apply to all federal records and official references to the location.

The Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act prevents federal agencies from banning the use of lead ammunition and tackle on federal lands and waters open to hunting and fishing. Exceptions to this rule are only permitted if specific, site-based field data proves lead is causing a wildlife population decline and the action is approved by or consistent with state wildlife policies.

The CANS Act of 2026 mandates an ongoing federal study to track aluminum disposal in landfills and monitor international scrap exports. This legislation requires regular reports to Congress that assess domestic recycling improvements, supply chain security, and policy recommendations to reduce reliance on foreign aluminum sources.

The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to formally include Taiwan in existing certification and reporting requirements. It also mandates a feasibility study for expediting the licensing process for allied nations transferring U.S.-origin military equipment to Taiwan. The legislation is intended to enhance security cooperation while affirming that it does not alter existing U.S. policy as defined by the Taiwan Relations Act.

The SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 establishes the Strategic Resilience Reserve Corporation to secure U.S. supply chains for critical minerals. This new entity will manage a national stockpile, finance domestic and allied production, and reduce reliance on foreign adversaries. The Act mandates supply chain targets, rigorous oversight, and public transparency for all operations.

This bill authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a special event on December 16, 2025. The event is specifically designated for the unveiling of the statue honoring Barbara Rose Johns. All necessary preparations for the unveiling must adhere to the conditions set by the Architect of the Capitol.

This resolution formally commemorates the invaluable service of the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States during the Revolutionary War and recognizes the bicentennial of his farewell tour. It celebrates his military bravery, crucial diplomatic efforts that secured French support, and lifelong commitment to liberty. The bill serves as a formal expression of national gratitude for his foundational role in securing American independence.

The Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act requires the FCC to create and maintain a public list of entities holding FCC authorizations or licenses that have ownership or control by entities linked to designated foreign adversaries. This process begins with an initial list based on existing reporting requirements and expands through new rulemaking to capture a broader range of potentially influenced companies. The goal is to increase transparency regarding foreign influence over critical communications infrastructure licensed by the U.S. government.

The Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration Act, or Finding ORE Act, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior, through the USGS, to enter into Memoranda of Understanding with foreign partners. These agreements focus on cooperatively mapping critical mineral and rare earth element reserves in partner countries. The goal is to secure supply chains by prioritizing development opportunities for U.S. and allied companies, while ensuring data security.

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 establishes a new initiative to fund farmers in the watershed for water and soil quality improvements, while also extending and streamlining the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP). The bill introduces a "turnkey" pilot program to simplify conservation practices for landowners and grants the NRCS direct-hire authority for technical experts. Finally, it transfers primary regulatory oversight for inspecting domestic, wild-caught invasive catfish from the USDA to the FDA.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The SHARKED Act of 2025 establishes a Shark Task Force to address conflicts between sharks and fishing operations, known as shark depredation. This group will coordinate research and develop strategies, including non-lethal deterrents, to minimize harmful interactions. The bill also authorizes dedicated funding for new research projects focused on understanding and mitigating shark depredation issues.

The Veterans Choice Accountability Act mandates a comprehensive evaluation of Department of Veterans Affairs medical programs to ensure specialized care centers are maintained at a high standard. Additionally, the bill requires the VA Secretary to submit a formal report to Congress assessing the implementation of the VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act.

The BRAVE Act mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs establish a specialized mental health outreach system for veterans who have experienced traumatic or highly stressful events. By allowing veterans to opt in for targeted resources, the program aims to improve access to mental health care in coordination with Department of Defense transition services. The VA is required to implement this system within two years of the bill's enactment.

The Veterans Collaboration Act establishes a two-year pilot program to connect veterans service organizations with law school pro bono clinics to expand access to legal assistance. Operating in states with the largest veteran populations, the program aims to streamline support for disability claims and other legal needs. The Department of Veterans Affairs will promote these partnerships through social media and provide regular progress reports to Congress.

The Veterans Affairs Transfer of Information and Sharing of Disability Examination Procedures With DOD Doctors Act streamlines the transition from military service to veteran status by integrating comprehensive disability examinations directly into the Department of Defense separation process. This legislation mandates that these examinations be conducted by VA-certified providers, with results that are binding for VA disability ratings. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a joint recordkeeping system to ensure seamless data sharing between the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study on the effectiveness of electronic automated referral systems for organ donation. This study will evaluate how these systems can streamline the identification of potential donors, improve efficiency, and increase donation volumes. Ultimately, the report will provide recommendations and a roadmap for the nationwide adoption of these automated technologies.

The Adoption Information Act requires family planning services receiving federal funds to provide individuals seeking medical or abortion services with a pamphlet containing a comprehensive list of adoption centers in the region, including contact information and addresses, and ensure they have the opportunity to read it. The Secretary will prepare and distribute these pamphlets annually using existing Title V funds.