Legislative Activity

The Pipeline Safety Authorization Act of 2026 focuses on strengthening pipeline safety regulations and oversight. Key provisions include narrowing the definition of "transporting gas," requiring safety standards to prioritize domestic economic benefits, and establishing a voluntary, confidential information-sharing system for the industry. The bill also updates penalty structures, sets funding authorizations through FY 2031, and mandates states to adopt leading practices for excavation damage prevention.

This Act establishes the **Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area** in Texas as a unit of the National Park System to conserve natural and cultural resources while expanding public recreation and strengthening the local economy. The management framework emphasizes a **voluntary partnership** between federal, state, and local entities, including private landowners. A key requirement is the development of an **Integrated Resource Management Plan** to guide all activities, with strict prohibitions against using eminent domain for land acquisition. The designation explicitly **saves existing state/local jurisdiction** and protects current private property uses, including infrastructure and resource extraction rights.

The Tax Relief for First Responder Beneficiaries Act expands federal income tax exclusions for compensation received by the survivors of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. This legislation broadens the definition of eligible recipients for tax-free payments, including survivor annuity benefits. The goal is to provide greater financial relief to a wider range of beneficiaries.

This resolution honors mothers and recognizes the significance of motherhood in raising the next generation, coinciding with Mother's Day. It affirms that mothers are, by definition, women, while also acknowledging the roles of stepmothers, adopted mothers, and single mothers. The bill expresses concern over recent challenges to the definition of "mother" and encourages the public to celebrate the women who bring life into the world.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act aims to significantly expand and update the U.S. national strategy for quantum information science, engineering, and technology. This bill focuses on strengthening research, developing a robust domestic workforce, securing the supply chain, and enhancing international cooperation in quantum technologies. It achieves this by updating program definitions, expanding agency responsibilities across the federal government, and establishing new centers and coordination hubs.

The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 improves the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program by establishing stricter timelines for claim processing, creating a new benefit for permanent partial disabilities, and mandating expedited approvals for 9/11-related claims. The bill also enhances program transparency through increased outreach, mandatory audits, and the implementation of key GAO recommendations to ensure timely support for officers and their families.

This resolution recognizes the 10th anniversary of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) export shipment from the lower 48 states in February 2016. It celebrates this milestone as a turning point that established the U.S. as a leading global LNG supplier, significantly boosting economic growth and strengthening international energy security. The bill honors the innovation and hard work that supported this vital sector.

The Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act establishes a Department of Energy program to enhance the physical security and cybersecurity of natural gas pipelines and LNG facilities. This program will focus on improving coordination, leading incident response, developing new technologies, and providing workforce training. The Act ensures that existing security authorities of other federal agencies remain in place.

The Packaging and Claims Knowledge (PACK) Act of 2025 amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to prevent deceptive environmental marketing on consumer packaging. It establishes strict standards for "recyclable," "compostable," and "reusable" claims, requiring third-party certification and clear consumer disclosures. The bill aims to increase transparency by ensuring that environmental claims are backed by scientific evidence and actual infrastructure availability.

The Federal Mechanical Insulation Act officially recognizes the installation of mechanical insulation in federal buildings as a qualifying energy or water efficiency measure. This legislation defines compliant mechanical insulation as meeting or exceeding ASHRAE Standard 90.1 requirements and resulting in energy loss reduction. Furthermore, the Act mandates that comprehensive evaluations of federal buildings must identify these specific energy and water-saving insulation opportunities.

The Cable Transparency Act modernizes how cable franchise agreements are managed by streamlining the process for operators to modify existing rules based on good cause, such as new technology or legal compliance. It establishes clear, time-bound procedures for local authorities to approve or deny these requests, often resulting in automatic approval if deadlines are missed. Furthermore, the Act restricts the ability of both operators and franchising authorities to unilaterally terminate existing agreements, setting high standards for revocation.

The BIRD Health Act of 2025 establishes a new cooperative program between the U.S. and Israel to accelerate joint research and development in healthcare innovation. Managed by the BIRD Foundation under the oversight of HHS, this program will fund projects spanning medical devices, digital health, and biomanufacturing. The goal is to leverage bilateral expertise to bring new health technologies to market while strengthening both nations' healthcare ecosystems.

The School Resource Officer Reform Act provides tax benefits and expands death benefits for certain school resource officers. Specifically, it excludes the compensation of retired, armed peace officers serving in schools from federal income and FICA taxes. Additionally, the bill amends federal law to ensure school resource officers are eligible for Public Safety Officers' Death Benefits if they die in the line of duty.

The Bring the Space Shuttle Home Act mandates the relocation of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian's Udvar-Hazy Center to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, within 18 months. This legislation requires a joint plan for the transfer and ensures the shuttle remains on public display for STEM education near the Houston center. Ultimately, NASA is authorized to transfer ownership to a selected nonprofit organization, provided the display requirements are maintained.

The Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act aims to increase the pay for certain Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees currently receiving the "Rest of US" locality pay rate. This bill mandates that their pay locality be adjusted to the nearest established locality offering a higher rate, provided it is within 200 miles of their worksite. This change is designed to ensure fairer compensation for these federal correctional staff.

This resolution formally honors mothers and recognizes the vital role they play in raising the next generation, coinciding with Mother's Day. It reaffirms that motherhood is defined by women and strongly rejects alternative terminology that diminishes this role. Ultimately, the bill encourages the nation to celebrate the invaluable contributions of mothers to families and the country.

The Police Officers Protecting Children Act amends federal law to allow qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry and discharge concealed firearms within a school zone, provided they meet existing authorization requirements. This legislation clarifies exceptions to the general prohibition on firearms in school zones for these specific personnel.

The Next Generation Pipelines Research and Development Act establishes new federal programs to advance pipeline safety, efficiency, and modernization through research, demonstration projects, and coordination across energy and transportation agencies. The bill creates an Advanced Pipeline Materials and Technologies Demonstration Initiative and a Joint Research and Development Program to fund innovative solutions for leak detection, material science, and smart pipeline systems. It also mandates the creation of a National Pipeline Modernization Center and a specialized measurement program at NIST, subject to appropriations.

This bill, the Protecting America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, strictly prohibits the sale or release of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to any entity owned, controlled, or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party. Furthermore, it prevents the sale of SPR products to non-Chinese buyers if those products are intended for export to the People's Republic of China. The legislation aims to safeguard U.S. energy reserves from benefiting the Chinese government.

This resolution formally censures Representative Jasmine Crockett of Texas for making inappropriate and discriminatory remarks, including recent comments directed at the Governor of Texas. The action requires Representative Crockett to stand in the well of the House while the Speaker publicly reads the resolution aloud. This serves as an official reprimand for her conduct.