Legislative Activity

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 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 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 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.

The **Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act of 2026** aims to increase transparency and accountability in U.S. elections by closing loopholes that allow foreign spending and requiring greater disclosure of political donors. The legislation mandates that organizations report significant political expenditures, forces leaders to take personal responsibility for political advertisements, and streamlines the legal process for campaign finance challenges. Ultimately, these reforms seek to provide voters with clearer information about who is funding political campaigns and judicial nominations.

The Direct File Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, free, and user-friendly online tax filing program operated directly by the IRS. The bill prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that restrict government-provided filing services and mandates the development of a seamless, accessible platform for federal and state tax returns. This initiative aims to simplify the filing process for taxpayers while ensuring the government maintains full control over its own tax preparation software.

The Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2026 expands Medicare coverage to include medical nutrition therapy for a broader range of chronic conditions, such as obesity, hypertension, and cancer. The bill also increases access to these services by allowing a wider variety of healthcare professionals to order them. Additionally, it establishes a five-year pilot program to evaluate the impact of these services on patient health outcomes and overall Medicare spending.

The Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the healthcare sector by mandating closer coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). The bill establishes new cybersecurity standards for healthcare entities, including requirements for multifactor authentication and encryption, while creating a grant program to assist organizations in adopting these protections. Additionally, it enhances breach reporting transparency, provides specialized cybersecurity guidance for rural health providers, and directs the development of a strategic plan to grow the healthcare cybersecurity workforce.

This resolution officially designates February 2026 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month to celebrate and support CTE programs nationwide. It recognizes CTE's vital role in preparing a skilled workforce for high-demand careers and boosting American economic competitiveness. The resolution encourages promotion of CTE as a respected educational pathway for students.

The Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act strengthens Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by improving the bond guarantee program and establishing new liquidity and capitalization initiatives. The bill also creates a dedicated relending program to expand homeownership opportunities within Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it mandates increased congressional oversight and reporting regarding the effectiveness of these federal financial programs.

The Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act establishes a new National Park unit to preserve and interpret the legacy of philanthropist Julius Rosenwald and the historic Rosenwald Schools program. The legislation creates a national park across multiple sites—including a headquarters in Chicago—to honor the partnership that built thousands of schools for African American children in the segregated South. Additionally, the Act establishes the Rosenwald Schools National Network to provide research, educational resources, and financial assistance for the preservation of these historic sites nationwide.

The ROTOR Act focuses on enhancing aviation safety and transparency, primarily by reforming exceptions that allow aircraft to disable their ADS-B Out tracking systems. It mandates that the FAA require most aircraft to install and use ADS-B In technology for improved situational awareness. Furthermore, the bill establishes new coordination offices and requires comprehensive safety reviews of airspace operations, particularly around major airports, involving both civil and military aviation.

The Tariff Refund Act of 2026 mandates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection issue interest-bearing refunds for import duties collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act that were subsequently ruled unlawful. The bill prioritizes small businesses in the refund process and requires that larger entities pass these savings on to their customers. All refunds must be processed within 180 days of enactment, with regular progress reports provided to Congress.

The FAA SMS Compliance Review Act of 2026 establishes an independent expert panel to conduct a comprehensive review of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Safety Management System (SMS). This panel will assess the SMS's effectiveness, compliance, and integration across the agency. The FAA Administrator is required to act on the panel's findings and report progress on implementation to Congress.

This bill mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General to assess the economic fallout of federal workforce reductions on state and local governments. The study will analyze lost wages, decreased tax revenue, and increased demand for public assistance in affected areas. The resulting report will provide Congress with findings and policy recommendations to address these fiscal harms.