Sheri Biggs

The American Space Leadership for the 21st Century Act authorizes the Secretary of State to lead diplomatic efforts to protect and strengthen U.S. space security against growing threats from adversaries like China and Russia. The legislation empowers the State Department to assess space threats, work with allied nations to develop shared space capabilities and security standards, pursue international agreements and risk-reduction measures in space, and establish dialogues with key allies about collective space defense. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to consult with Congress within 90 days of enactment and annually for three years on current and emerging threats to U.S. space security, including information about adversaries' intentions, military capabilities in space, and efforts to prevent hostile actions in orbit. Additionally, the Secretary must notify Congress within 30 days of any significant changes to an adversary's space capabilities or intentions. The legislation contains no specific funding authorization or timeline for implementation beyond the initial congressional consultation requirement.

The Ban Abortion by Mail Act would prohibit doctors certified to prescribe mifepristone, a medication used for abortion, from dispensing it through mail or telehealth without an in-person visit with the patient. The bill also requires that providers have a medical license in the same state where the patient resides. Any provider who violates these requirements would lose their certification to prescribe the drug for at least two years. The legislation applies to all providers certified under the FDA's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS) program for mifepristone. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit annual reports to Congress listing providers who lose their certification due to violations of these requirements or unsafe prescribing practices.

Improving Travel for Military Members ActThis bill allows the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a pilot program to expedite access to security screening for traveling active-duty military personnel and accompanying family members.In selecting airports to participate in the pilot program, TSA must give priority to airports in proximity to certain military installations.

This bill would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to clarify that federal protections against sex discrimination in the workplace do not cover discrimination based on gender identity. The legislation specifically states that the phrase "because of sex" or "on the basis of sex" under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act should not be interpreted to include gender identity discrimination. The bill affects employers and employees across the private sector, as well as federal contractors and agencies covered by Title VII. There is no specific funding allocated in this legislation, as it is a clarifying provision to existing law rather than a new program. The bill was introduced in April 2026 and referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

The No Mercy for Terrorists Act of 2026 increases criminal penalties for providing material support to terrorists and designated foreign terrorist organizations. Currently, providing material support to terrorists carries a maximum 15-year prison sentence, while supporting designated foreign terrorist organizations carries a maximum 20-year sentence; this bill raises both to a minimum of 20 years to life imprisonment, and adds the possibility of capital punishment (death penalty) for both offenses. The legislation affects anyone convicted of knowingly assisting terrorists or terrorist groups, whether through financial resources, equipment, training, or other support. The bill was introduced in March 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee but contains no specific funding provisions or implementation timelines. This represents a significant hardening of existing counterterrorism law, substantially increasing sentences for conduct that already carries decades-long prison terms.

H.R. 7898 creates federal criminal penalties for interfering with National Guard members during authorized deployments. The bill makes it illegal to knowingly enter or remain within a designated 15-foot protective zone around a Guard member with the intent to impede, intimidate, or interfere with their duties, where such zones are marked by verbal warning, signage, barricades, or similar means. Violations carry a penalty of up to one year in prison and/or a fine, with enhanced penalties of up to five years imprisonment if the person makes physical contact with, throws objects at, or spits on the Guard member. The legislation includes a safeguard stating it does not prohibit First Amendment–protected activity conducted outside the designated protective zones. The bill was introduced in March 2026 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee but includes no specific appropriations or implementation timeline.

The Protecting Motherhood Act would prohibit federal agencies from using the term "birthing person" (or similar variations) in official documents, regulations, guidance, forms, and communications. Instead, agencies would be required to use alternative terminology such as "female," "mother," "pregnant female," "pregnant woman," or "woman" when referring to people who are pregnant, giving birth, or parenting. The bill applies to all federal agencies as defined under federal administrative law and would take effect 30 days after enactment. No new funding or specific implementation timeline is outlined in the legislation beyond the 30-day effective date. The bill represents an effort by its sponsors to standardize language across the federal government regarding pregnancy and motherhood.

The Hope Heals Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to assess how federal agencies can better coordinate efforts to prevent mental health crises and increase awareness of warning signs. Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must evaluate whether agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, Defense, and Education can improve how they identify people in crisis, share mental health resources and referrals, and distribute screening tools to the public. The Secretary will consult with mental health experts and academic institutions during this assessment and must submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 360 days total with recommendations for improvement. Once the report is submitted, participating federal agencies are required to implement the recommendations to the extent practicable. This legislation focuses on identifying gaps in cross-agency coordination and improving how government services reach people experiencing mental health emergencies or suicide risk.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal to Major Thomas D. Howie, a South Carolina native and World War II hero who died during the Battle of Normandy on July 17, 1944. Major Howie is remembered for his exceptional leadership and bravery, particularly for his famous declaration "See you in St. Lo" before leading his troops to capture the strategically crucial town of Saint-Lô in France—a victory that paved the way for Operation Cobra and the Allied liberation of Western Europe. The bill directs the Treasury Secretary to design and strike the medal, which will be presented to his nephew Tom Howie or his next of kin, and then permanently displayed at The Citadel Museum in South Carolina. The Secretary may also produce duplicate bronze medals for public sale, with any revenue from those sales deposited into the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund to offset costs. The bill includes no specific timeline for the medal's production beyond normal congressional procedures.

FMS-Only List Review ActThis bill requires the Department of State to conduct an annual review to identify defense articles and services eligible to be sold only through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) (i.e., U.S. government to foreign government sales) that should also be eligible to be sold through Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) (i.e., U.S. company to foreign government sales).For each article or service identified, the review must address (1) the length of time to complete a transfer of the article or service through the FMS program as compared to the DCS process; (2) the impact of a transfer of the article or service through the DCS process on the workload of the State Department and the Department of Defense; and (3) the benefits of the transfer of the article or service through the DCS process to U.S. national security and competitiveness. Within 30 days of the completion of each annual review, the State Department must report to Congress on the results of the review.

This bill would withhold federal funding from states and cities that don't cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. Specifically, it targets jurisdictions that fail to comply with federal law requiring them to share information about immigration violations or that refuse to honor federal requests to detain individuals or notify immigration authorities before releasing them. The Attorney General would be required to identify noncompliant jurisdictions annually by March 1st and report them to Congress, making those jurisdictions ineligible for any federal financial assistance for at least one year until they come into compliance. The bill defines federal financial assistance broadly to include most types of federal grants and aid. Additionally, any member of Congress can request the Attorney General to assess whether a particular state or local jurisdiction is complying with these requirements.

H.R. 3860, the No Passports for Terrorists and Traffickers Act, would allow the Secretary of State to deny or revoke passports for individuals who have been charged with or convicted of providing material support to foreign terrorist organizations, as well as those the Secretary determines have knowingly aided such organizations. The bill affects U.S. citizens and nationals seeking to obtain or maintain passport privileges, with particular focus on those with terrorism-related charges or convictions. The legislation includes safeguards such as allowing individuals to appeal denials or revocations within 60 days and permitting the Secretary to issue limited return-only passports or grant humanitarian waivers in emergency circumstances. The Secretary would be required to submit reports to Congress within 30 days of each passport denial, revocation, or appeal decision. The bill contains no specific funding or timeline requirements beyond the 60-day appeal window and 30-day reporting deadline.

H.R. 3576 expands the Department of Veterans Affairs life insurance program by removing the requirement that veterans have service-connected disabilities to qualify, making the program available to a broader group of veterans who apply before age 81. The bill also establishes new protections for veterans whose insurance policies might be cancelled due to VA administrative errors, requiring the VA to provide 90 days' notice and allow veterans to submit evidence defending their coverage, with decisions to be made within 180 days. Additionally, the VA cannot cancel policies for administrative error more than one year after they are issued or reinstated. Within two years of enactment, the VA must report to Congress on program enrollment, claims, payment amounts, and the financial health of the insurance program. The expansions take effect one year after the bill becomes law.

H.R. 3033, the Protecting the Mailing of Firearms Act, would allow firearms and ammunition to be shipped through the U.S. Postal Service by repealing the current federal law that prohibits mailing concealable firearms. The bill also restricts the Postmaster General from creating new rules that would ban or significantly obstruct the mailing of firearms, ammunition, or gun components, and prevents the postal service from requiring disclosure of firearm purchase records or serial numbers as a condition of mailing these items. The legislation applies immediately to any pending legal cases involving violations of the current mailing prohibition. The bill is sponsored by a bipartisan group of representatives and has been referred to the House Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and the Judiciary for consideration. No specific funding or implementation timeline is outlined in the bill text.

The NFA SBS Act removes short-barreled shotguns from federal firearms regulations by eliminating them from the National Firearms Act's definition of controlled weapons. This means short-barreled shotguns (those with barrels under 18 inches or overall length under 26 inches) would no longer require federal registration, tax stamps, or applications currently mandated for other regulated firearms. The bill also prevents states and localities from imposing their own taxes or registration requirements on these weapons if those requirements reference the federal National Firearms Act. Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Attorney General must destroy all existing federal registration records and applications related to short-barreled shotguns, with the changes taking effect 90 days after the law passes. The legislation fundamentally deregulates this class of firearms at the federal level while preempting state and local regulations that mirror federal requirements.

The FIGHTER Act would exempt regular military compensation from federal income taxes for active-duty service members. The bill excludes "regular compensation" (as defined under military pay law) from taxable income, meaning military personnel would no longer owe federal income tax on their base pay. There is one exception: individuals who served in Congress within the 10 years before receiving military compensation would not qualify for the exemption. The bill takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. The legislation also includes a cost-offset provision requiring the Department of Government Efficiency to find federal spending cuts equal to the lost tax revenue from this exemption.