Troy Carter

The Emergency Preparedness in Higher Education Act establishes a federal grant program through FEMA to help colleges and universities develop or strengthen their emergency preparedness and response capabilities. Eligible institutions include historically Black colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges, and other accredited higher education institutions, with grants ranging from $250,000 to $5 million per school. Grant funds can be used for emergency planning staff, updating disaster response plans, constructing emergency operations centers, and acquiring communication technology to coordinate with local emergency agencies. The bill authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 through 2031 for the program, with FEMA required to establish the grant program within 180 days of enactment and report to Congress on the program's effectiveness within three years.

This bill directs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the Department of Homeland Security to establish a task force focused on artificial intelligence security within one year of enactment. The task force will coordinate CISA's efforts to ensure AI systems are safely and securely designed, developed, and deployed, while also identifying how AI can help defend against cyber threats and assessing workforce gaps in AI expertise at the agency. The task force must also ensure that AI initiatives comply with privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties standards and will oversee CISA's inventory of its own AI systems. The task force is required to provide biannual briefings to Congress on its activities, starting six months after it is established, and the entire initiative is set to expire five years after the bill becomes law.

The 9-8-8 Crisis Response Workforce Act expands federal training programs for mental health and crisis response workers to address shortages in behavioral health services across the country. The bill specifically funds fellowships and educational grants for professionals in psychiatry, social work, counseling, nursing, and crisis response roles such as crisis call centers, mobile crisis teams, and crisis stabilization facilities. It also requires the federal government to collect and publish data on the availability of crisis services in underserved areas to better identify workforce gaps. The legislation authorizes $25 million annually from 2023-2027 for general behavioral health training, with an additional $10 million per year from 2027-2031 specifically for crisis management fellowships, plus $50 million annually from 2026-2030 for broader workforce education grants. The bill affects mental health workers, counselors, and crisis service providers nationwide, with emphasis on serving medically underserved communities.

The Federal Emergency Mobilization Accountability (FEMA) Workforce Planning Act requires FEMA to develop a comprehensive workforce plan within one year of enactment and update it every three years thereafter. The plan must address staffing gaps, critical skills shortages, recruitment and retention strategies, training needs, and workforce deployment capabilities, while analyzing projected costs and cost-efficiency measures. The bill affects FEMA employees and the agency's ability to respond to disasters and emergencies by ensuring the workforce has the right skills, size, and readiness. The Government Accountability Office must review each plan within 180 days and provide recommendations to Congress. The legislation requires no new federal funding, as FEMA must implement the planning requirements using existing resources.

The Equity in Research Act would establish a National Science Foundation grant program to strengthen research capacity at colleges and universities that serve historically underrepresented populations. The grants, ranging from $1 million to $5 million per institution, would go to Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges, and other minority-serving institutions to improve research facilities and capabilities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medical fields. Schools could use the funding for building infrastructure improvements, research equipment and materials, facility maintenance, and personnel costs related to managing research activities. The bill authorizes $50 million in annual funding beginning in fiscal year 2027 and continuing each year thereafter. This legislation aims to help underrepresented institutions build stronger research programs and compete more effectively for future research opportunities.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1706 South Burnside Avenue in Gonzales, Louisiana, as the "Cpl. Lawrence Brown Post Office Building".

This resolution expresses congressional support for designating September 2026 as "National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month." The measure highlights the significant health burden of prostate cancer in the United States, noting that more than 3.1 million men currently living have been diagnosed with the disease and that it is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. The resolution calls for increased awareness about prostate cancer screening methods, encourages continued research into prevention and treatment, and urges Americans, interest groups, and healthcare providers to promote education about early detection strategies. The resolution contains no funding or implementation timeline, as it is a symbolic measure expressing support rather than establishing new programs or requirements.

The STORM FORTIFIED and Wildfire Prepared Act authorizes $100 million annually from 2027 through 2036 to help homeowners make their homes more resistant to storms and wildfires through a federal revolving loan program administered by FEMA. States and local entities that establish these loan programs must contribute at least 35% in matching funds and will offer homeowners low-interest loans capped at 1% with repayment terms of 20 to 30 years depending on income level, covering costs for FORTIFIED roofs, FORTIFIED home upgrades, and wildfire-prepared home installations. The legislation includes strict oversight provisions requiring biennial audits of participating entities and regular federal reviews, with FEMA required to issue detailed guidance within six months on reporting requirements, loan forgiveness accounting, and targeting assistance to underserved communities. The law does not prevent FEMA from funding additional hazard mitigation projects beyond those specified in this legislation through other existing authorities.

The State Offices of Women's Health Support and Expansion Act would authorize federal grants to help states establish or maintain dedicated offices focused on women's health issues. Each state would be eligible to receive funding, with 50 percent of appropriated money distributed equally among states and the other 50 percent allocated based on female population, maternal mortality rates, poverty rates, and rural population. States would use these grants to support public education on preventive health, chronic disease management, reproductive health, and maternal health; coordinate services and research; address social determinants like housing and food insecurity; and establish community advisory panels to guide priorities. The legislation includes strict prohibitions on using grant funds to discourage individuals from seeking reproductive health services or to withhold accurate medical information about contraception, medication abortion, or other evidence-based health topics. The bill authorizes $55 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and includes privacy protections to prevent misuse of health data.

The EDUCATE Act of 2026 establishes a federal marijuana agricultural research and education program at historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and other eligible agricultural schools. The bill authorizes $5 million annually from 2026 through 2030 for competitive grants to support research on marijuana cultivation practices, soil health, pest management, economic opportunities for minority farmers, and workforce development in the emerging cannabis industry. It also creates a separate scholarship program with $100,000 in annual funding to support students pursuing degrees in marijuana and hemp agriculture at participating institutions. The legislation includes important protections ensuring that participating institutions, researchers, faculty, and students cannot be denied federal benefits or face federal prosecution for marijuana research activities conducted under proper DEA registration and compliance with the bill's requirements. Annual reporting to Congress on grant awards, research outcomes, and scholarship participation is required beginning one year after enactment.

This bill amends federal immigration law to classify crawfish processing as agricultural labor, making workers in that industry eligible for agricultural visa programs. Currently, crawfish processing activities like washing, sorting, grading, boiling, peeling, and transporting are not recognized as agricultural work under immigration law, limiting employers' ability to hire foreign workers for these jobs. The bill expands the definition of agricultural labor in the Immigration and Nationality Act to explicitly include crawfish processing, treating it similarly to other farm-related work like apple pressing. This change primarily affects crawfish processing facilities, which are concentrated in Louisiana, and the foreign workers they employ. The legislation was introduced in June 2026 and contains no specific funding allocations or implementation timelines.

This resolution expresses support for designating June 14 through June 21, 2026, as "National Men's Health Week" and requests that the President issue a proclamation encouraging Americans to observe it. The resolution highlights significant health disparities affecting men, including that men live on average more than five years less than women, have higher death rates from heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, and are less likely to seek preventive care. The measure notes that men often delay seeking medical attention and emphasizes the importance of early detection and screening for conditions like prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and colorectal cancer. National Men's Health Week has been celebrated annually since 1994 and is already recognized by governors in all 50 states and mayors in over 350 cities. This is a symbolic resolution with no budget impact and no direct regulatory effect beyond encouraging public awareness and health promotion activities.

This bill requires the federal government to launch a public awareness campaign in schools to promote youth suicide prevention resources, with a particular focus on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Schools receiving support under the program must display clear, visible signage in prominent locations such as hallways, bathrooms, counselor offices, gymnasiums, and digital bulletin boards, informing students that they can call, text, or use chat services through the 988 line at no cost, confidentially, 24 hours a day. The legislation amends the Public Health Service Act and extends the authorization for these programs through 2027. The bill primarily affects schools and students, particularly those using federal suicide prevention resources, though the text does not specify particular funding amounts for the awareness campaign.

Homeland Security Capabilities Preservation Reporting Act of 2026This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to submit a report to Congress every three years (current law requires only one report) regarding urban areas’ security capabilities previously supported with funding from the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) and at risk of being reduced or eliminated without additional federal assistance. FEMA’s UASI grants assist designated high-risk urban areas with developing and sustaining capabilities to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism.Each report must contain a proposal for FEMA to provide financial assistance for at least three consecutive years to urban areas previously receiving UASI funds to allow them to transition to other funding sources to preserve their security capabilities.

This bill would increase federal Medicaid funding to states by providing 100 percent reimbursement for costs related to outreach and enrollment activities under the Medicaid program. Currently, the federal government shares these costs with states at a lower reimbursement rate. The legislation is motivated by concerns that recent changes to Medicaid rules, including new work requirements and more frequent eligibility reviews passed in 2025, have created administrative barriers that may cause eligible individuals to lose coverage or fail to enroll. The bill specifically aims to help states hire navigators and support staff to assist people in understanding and complying with these new requirements, particularly for vulnerable populations including children, working families, and older adults. The increased federal payments would begin immediately upon the bill's enactment and apply to all calendar quarters going forward, with no specified spending cap or sunset date.

The ZELDIN Act would require the Environmental Protection Agency to obtain Congressional approval before dismissing lawsuits or withdrawing claims related to the release of cancer-causing chemicals. When the EPA seeks to drop such a case, it must notify both houses of Congress, which then have 30 days to vote on a joint resolution approving the dismissal; if Congress takes no action, the dismissal cannot proceed. The bill also requires the EPA's legal counsel to review and approve any termination of grants or cooperative agreements to ensure compliance with existing rules and terms, and prevents the agency from deobligation of grant funds until any related lawsuits are fully resolved. The legislation allows individuals harmed by violations to sue for damages up to $1,000 per violation or treble damages in cases of bad faith, and courts could reduce the EPA Administrator's salary to $1 if violations are found. Additionally, the bill codifies specific EPA rulemaking procedures and economic analysis guidelines, and expires on January 20, 2029.

This bill provides $26.367 billion in FY2026 emergency funding for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) Disaster Relief Fund.The bill provides the funding to FEMA for the necessary expenses to carry out the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act with respect to major disasters.

H.R. 7787 creates a federal loan deferment and forgiveness program to encourage mental health professionals to work in areas with shortages of mental health services. Under the program, eligible mental health providers—including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and nurse practitioners—who commit to at least 5 years of full-time work in underserved areas can have up to $200,000 of their education loans forgiven. The bill prioritizes students from minority-serving institutions and covers various federal education loans as well as loans specifically taken out for mental health training. This program affects recent graduates and students entering mental health professions and aims to address the nationwide shortage of mental health providers in underserved communities.

The State of Men's Health Act directs the federal government to study and address significant health disparities affecting American men. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to complete a comprehensive study within one year examining men's health outcomes, existing federal programs that could be improved, and recommendations for new initiatives—with particular focus on diseases like prostate cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and suicide prevention. The legislation also mandates the establishment of an Office of Men's Health within the Department of Health and Human Services within 18 months to coordinate federal efforts, promote public awareness, and maintain research databases on men's health best practices and clinical guidelines. The bill cites alarming statistics, including that men die at 1.4 times the rate of women, die of suicide at four times the rate of women, and that premature male death and disability costs the nation over $400 billion annually in direct and indirect expenses. Importantly, the bill requires no additional federal funding, as all costs must be derived from existing appropriations.

This bill requires school districts that issue student ID cards to include mental health and suicide prevention resources on those cards, specifically the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and state or local suicide prevention hotlines if available. Schools that don't issue ID cards must instead post this information on their websites and student-used software platforms. Schools can add the information by printing it directly on cards, using stickers, or other methods they find appropriate, and may optionally include additional mental health resources or add the information to staff ID cards as well. The bill requires the U.S. Secretary of Education to conduct awareness campaigns about these mental health resources in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, ensuring information is accessible to students and people with disabilities. The requirements take effect one year after the bill is enacted, applying to new ID cards issued after that date while allowing schools to continue using existing cards without modification.

The Public Health Air Quality Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive federal air quality monitoring program designed to protect public health, particularly in communities already burdened by pollution. The EPA must deploy thousands of low-cost monitoring systems across the country—including at least 100 multipollutant stations in vulnerable areas with high asthma, poverty, or pollution rates, and approximately 1,000 low-cost monitors in clusters throughout communities—with all data published publicly within 7 days in accessible, multilingual formats. For industrial facilities, the bill requires real-time fenceline monitoring at approximately 100 high-priority stationary sources (particularly in petrochemical, chemical, and manufacturing sectors) within one year, with mandatory corrective action and public reporting if pollutant levels exceed health-protective thresholds. The EPA must develop and update advanced testing methods, maintain monitors with 180-day maintenance checks, integrate satellite data for air quality compliance by 2028, and conduct assessments of air quality standards compliance and pollution disparities across communities. The legislation authorizes $75 million for fiscal year 2026, with monitoring continuing for at least 6 years and implementation deadlines ranging from 18 months to 40 months depending on the specific monitoring requirement.

H.R. 6560 would ensure the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) automatically continues operating if Congress fails to extend it before its authorization expires. The bill amends the 1968 National Flood Insurance Act to allow the program to automatically function through the fiscal year following the expiration date, maintaining the Administrator's authority to issue new policies, renew existing coverage, pay claims, and handle administrative operations. During any automatic extension, the program would operate under the same funding levels, rates, and terms that were in effect immediately before expiration, with the exception that pilot programs and other temporary initiatives with statutory end dates would not be extended. The legislation affects millions of Americans who hold flood insurance policies and would prevent a lapse in coverage if Congress becomes deadlocked on reauthorization. The bill was introduced by Louisiana representatives in December 2025 and is designed to take effect retroactively from September 30, 2025.

Realizing Equitable & Sustainable Participation in Emerging Cannabis Trades Resolution or the RESPECT ResolutionThis resolution encourages states and localities to adopt best practices and take bold steps to address disparities in the cannabis marketplace and to address, reverse, and repair the effects of the war on drugs on communities of color. The resolution also expresses the sense that the President should direct the U.S. Mission to the United Nations and the Commission on Narcotic Drugs to seek to treat cannabis as a legal commodity.

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop guidelines to improve access to a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for prisoners prior to their release.Specifically, TSA must develop guidelines to assist individuals in federal, state, and local prisons in (1) pre-applying or preparing an application for a TWIC card; and (2) requesting an appeal or waiver of a preliminary determination of ineligibility for a TWIC card.As background, a TWIC card is required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for workers who need access to secure areas of U.S. maritime facilities and vessels. TSA conducts a background check to determine a person’s eligibility and issues the credential.

This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.