Legislative Activity

The Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act establishes federal requirements for companies providing artificial intelligence chatbots to U.S. users. It mandates age verification for all users and prohibits minors from accessing specialized "AI Companions." Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for developing chatbots that solicit minors into sexually explicit conduct or promote violence, and requires covered entities to ensure chatbots clearly disclose they are not human.

The Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act amends federal law regarding the use of motor vehicles in certain crimes. This bill lowers the required mental state for conviction from proving "intent to cause death or serious bodily harm" to simply proving the act was done "knowingly." It also clarifies that enhanced penalties for death apply when the vehicle was taken with the intent to cause serious harm, and death subsequently occurs.

This bill proposes a short-term extension of specific surveillance authorities under Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). It moves the expiration date for these authorities from April 30, 2026, to June 12, 2026.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2026 significantly strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by establishing rigorous new standards for dog dealers. This bill mandates substantial improvements to housing, nutrition, exercise, socialization, and veterinary care for dogs. Furthermore, it introduces strict regulations on breeding practices, including health screening and limits on female dog litters, while ensuring humane retirement for breeding dogs.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 20 through April 24, 2026, as "National Home Visiting Week." It recognizes the vital role of home visiting programs in supporting families with young children, promoting healthy development, and preventing abuse and neglect. The bill highlights the extensive reach and impact of these evidence-based services across the nation.

This bill officially reauthorizes the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIP) for an additional seven years, extending its operation until 2034. It also updates the mandatory recoupment timelines for when the government recovers insurance payments following a covered terrorist act.

This bill, the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, explicitly repeals Executive Order 14399, which attempted to regulate mail-in voting. It prohibits federal agencies, including the Postal Service, from using funds to create national voter/citizenship databases or interfere with state administration of absentee and mail-in ballots. The Act reaffirms that states, not the federal government, control federal election procedures.

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act mandates the public release of all federal government agreements with drug manufacturers concerning pricing, sales, and import conditions. This transparency requirement applies to specific existing deals and any future agreements made after enactment. The law strictly limits what information can be withheld, preventing redactions based on political embarrassment. Finally, it requires analyses from the CBO and GAO on the economic and budgetary effects of these disclosed deals.

The Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act of 2026 is a comprehensive bill establishing stricter federal firearm regulations. It mandates universal background checks for private sales, limits handgun purchases, bans "ghost guns," and restricts assault weapons. Additionally, the Act creates federal grant programs to support state implementation of Extreme Risk Protection Orders (red flag laws) and domestic violence firearm surrender requirements. Finally, it introduces new safety measures, including mandatory reporting of lost/stolen guns and prohibitions for those convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes.

The Stop CHEATERS Act aims to prevent tax avoidance by large corporations and high-income individuals. It provides significant, multi-year appropriations to the IRS for increased enforcement, improved taxpayer services, and technology modernization. Furthermore, the bill mandates regular reporting from the IRS and the Treasury Inspector General to Congress detailing efforts to audit high-earners and large businesses.

The Catching Up Family Caregivers Act of 2026 aims to support unpaid family caregivers by allowing them to make additional "catch-up" contributions to their retirement accounts. This provision expands existing retirement savings rules to include individuals who provide significant unpaid care for a family member or dependent while working limited paid hours. Caregivers can utilize this benefit for up to five total tax years, providing a crucial opportunity to bolster their retirement savings.

The Improving Retirement Security for Family Caregivers Act of 2026 aims to boost retirement savings for unpaid family caregivers. It allows qualifying caregivers to make additional catch-up contributions to retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, regardless of age. Furthermore, it permits caregivers with minimal paid employment to contribute the full annual limit to a Roth IRA. These provisions are designed to offset lost retirement savings due to caregiving responsibilities.

Tyler’s Law directs the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study on the current practices, costs, and benefits of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments. Following this study, the Secretary will issue formal guidance to help hospitals improve their testing protocols for patients experiencing overdoses. This legislation aims to enhance clinical responses to the fentanyl crisis and improve patient health outcomes.

Sammy’s Law requires large social media platforms to provide parents and guardians with free tools to monitor and manage their children's accounts, including private messages, content, and privacy settings. The legislation mandates that platforms offer secure API access to authorized third-party safety software to help facilitate this oversight. Additionally, the bill establishes federal enforcement through the FTC to ensure these safety standards are upheld consistently across the country.

This resolution honors the historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across all sectors of society, including military service, business, science, and public leadership. It celebrates their resilience and vital role in shaping the nation while calling for continued investment to address the unique challenges they face.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Reclaim Trade Powers Act repeals Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, effectively removing the President's authority to unilaterally impose import restrictions based on balance-of-payments deficits. This legislation aims to restore greater congressional oversight by eliminating this specific executive trade power.

The Failed Bank Executives Clawback Act mandates that executives and controlling stakeholders of large failed banks (with assets over $10 billion) return up to three years of compensation to the FDIC. This legislation ensures accountability by requiring recovered funds to be deposited into the Deposit Insurance Fund. Additionally, it clarifies the FDIC's authority to oversee the orderly liquidation of failed financial companies.

The Fiscal Commission Act establishes a bipartisan, 16-member commission tasked with developing legislative recommendations to improve the federal government's long-term fiscal health and reduce the national debt. The bill mandates that the Commission’s approved proposals be submitted to Congress for expedited consideration through a fast-track process that prohibits amendments. This initiative aims to address the nation's fiscal condition and ensure the long-term solvency of federal trust funds.