United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2026
No Federal Funds for Ballot Harvesting Act This bill requires each state, in order to receive federal funds for election administration, to prohibit the knowing collection and transmission of a ballot in a federal election that was mailed to another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2026
Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies Act or the DOMINANCE Act This bill establishes a Bureau of Energy Security and Diplomacy in the Department of State and authorizes several programs to address access to energy and critical minerals. The bureau must formulate and implement policies related to international energy, energy technology, critical minerals, and related supply chains. An assistant secretary is authorized to lead the bureau. The bill authorizes the State Department to establish multi-year energy security compacts with partner countries. The purpose of such compacts is to increase reliable access to energy, electricity, or critical minerals for both parties to the compact. The bill also authorizes the State Department to lead U.S. participation in a Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), whose purpose includes supporting investment in critical mineral mining, processing, and refining projects that enable critical mineral supply chains. The United States must prioritize MSP projects that advance the national and economic security interests of the United States and U.S. allies and partners. Fellowships are authorized to support (1) U.S. citizens attending foreign mining institutions in order to build the capacity of the U.S. mining workforce; and (2) foreign mining academics and professionals being placed at U.S. institutions to help advance research and development initiatives in the U.S. mining industry and expand U.S. mining education and workforce development programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2026
Fiscal State of the Nation Act This bill requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2026
Stop Insider Trading Act This bill generally prohibits Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing stocks and requires public notice before these individuals may sell stocks. Specifically, Members of Congress and the spouses and dependent children of Members of Congress may not purchase covered investments. Between 7 and 14 days before a Member or a covered spouse or dependent sells a covered investment, the relevant Member must file public notice of the intent to sell with the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate. The Clerk or Secretary must publish this notice online. If the individual decides not to sell the covered investment, the notice must be withdrawn. Under the bill, a covered investment is a security issued by a publicly traded company or a comparable economic interest. Some investments are exempt, including interest in a widely held investment fund and certain investments held in a trust. Violations of these provisions are subject to a fee and, in the case of a purchase, a requirement to sell the covered investment. The fee must equal (1) the greater of $2,000 or 10% of the transaction value, and (2) any net gain realized from the transaction during a specified period. The fee may not be paid using campaign donations or Members’ official allowances. Certain transactions by covered spouses and dependents are exempt, including transactions made on behalf of another person or made as part of compensation from the individual’s employer.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2025
Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods. Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.
United States · United States Congress · 10 November 2025
Bringing Assistance for Rural Needs During Shutdowns Act This bill requires Farm Service Agency (FSA) officers and employees to continue to work during a government shutdown. As background, under an exception in the Antideficiency Act, an employee whose duties involve the safety of human life or the protection of property may be required to work during a government shutdown (i.e., lapse in appropriations). Under this bill, any services by an FSA officer or employee are deemed to be for an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property. Thus, if a lapse in FSA appropriations occurs, FSA officers and employees may be required to continue working.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2025
Non-Essential Workers Transparency Act This bill requires federal agencies to submit reports to Congress regarding employees who were furloughed during a lapse in appropriations (i.e, government shutdown), the total number of employees, and the cost of salaries. Specifically, each federal agency must submit a report to specified congressional committees within 30 days of the end of a lapse in appropriations. The report must include specified details regarding the total number of employees (including contract employees) employed by the agency before the lapse began, the total number of employees who were furloughed during the lapse, the total number of employees who were not furloughed during the lapse, and the total annual cost of the salaries for each group of employees. The report must be submitted in an unclassified form, but it may include a classified annex. Each congressional committee that receives a report must publish the report on its website within 30 days. The bill also requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to submit a report to Congress regarding the economic effects of each lapse in appropriations. CBO must submit the report within 30 days of the end of a lapse in appropriations and make the report available on its website.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2025
Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act This bill requires various federal agencies to continue certain operations, functions, and services related to firearms during a government shutdown. The bill applies to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the ATF's Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services; the activities of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and the activities of the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses. Under the bill, (1) these operations, functions, and services are deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property; and (2) employees carrying out the operations, functions, and services are deemed to be excepted employees. (Under an exception in the Antideficiency Act, an employee whose duties involve the safety of human life or the protection of property may be required to work during a government shutdown. Employees who are required to work during a government shutdown because they fall under this or other exceptions are known as excepted employees.)
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2025
Cashless Bail Reporting Act This bill requires the Department of Justice to publish annually a list of state and local governments that permit individuals who are charged with certain criminal offenses that pose a clear threat to public safety and order to be released pending trial on personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond. Under the bill, the criminal offenses that pose a threat to public safety and order include criminal offenses involving a violent or sexual act (e.g., burglary, murder, or rape) and offenses that promote public disorder (e.g., looting or vandalism). On August 25, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that required the Department of Justice to submit to the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security a list of state and local jurisdictions that have substantially eliminated cash bail as a potential condition for pretrial release for crimes that pose a clear threat to public safety and order, including offenses involving violent, sexual, or indecent acts, or burglary, looting, or vandalism.
![Official portrait of Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/67742ca40b34857ecc9090d7_200.jpg)