Ashley Moody

This bill would prohibit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office from issuing patents to entities identified as national security threats, specifically targeting Chinese military-affiliated companies and those on federal restricted lists. The restrictions apply to companies on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, the Department of Defense's list of Chinese military companies operating in the U.S., or the Federal Communications Commission's list of companies producing restricted communications equipment. Any existing patents held by such entities would become unenforceable while they remain on these lists, and they would be barred from using expedited patent review processes. The President can waive these prohibitions for rolling 180-day periods if determining there is no essential national security interest, provided the President notifies Congress at least 30 days in advance with a detailed explanation. The bill clarifies that these restrictions do not prevent listed entities from filing patent applications or affect the examination process itself, only the ability to obtain or enforce patent protection.

The Prosecuting Poison Pill Dealers Act would amend federal drug laws to expand criminal liability for drug dealers whose substances contribute to someone's death or serious injury. Currently, prosecutors must prove that a controlled substance directly caused a death or injury, but this bill would lower that standard by allowing prosecution if the drug was simply a "substantial factor" in the harm, even if other substances also played a role. This means drug dealers could face criminal charges in cases involving overdose deaths where multiple drugs were involved, such as when fentanyl is mixed with other substances. The bill does not specify additional funding or implementation timelines. The change would primarily affect drug traffickers and dealers, potentially increasing criminal prosecutions in overdose cases.

This bill would exempt crime stopper organizations from having to file currency transaction reports when they pay cash rewards for information about crimes. Currently, banks and financial institutions must file reports when customers conduct cash transactions over $10,000, which helps authorities detect money laundering and other financial crimes. The legislation carves out an exception for nonprofit crime stopper organizations making reward payments, recognizing that these groups need to pay informants in cash while protecting their identities and encouraging community participation in crime prevention. The bill modifies federal tax code to add this exemption and does not include any specific funding or implementation timeline beyond its introduction in September 2026.

The VEST Act amends federal wage and hour law to clarify that restricted stock units (RSUs) should be excluded from calculations of employee overtime pay, just like stock options and employee stock purchase plans. The bill addresses a gap in the Fair Labor Standards Act where RSUs were not explicitly mentioned when the original exemption was created in 2000, even though Congress intended the exemption to be flexible enough to cover various types of employee equity compensation. The law applies to all employees receiving equity compensation from their employers, particularly salaried and hourly workers. The changes take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law, and employers are protected from liability for past or near-term violations if they were operating existing RSU programs before the new rules took effect or if their programs are covered by union agreements.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that would require the federal government to balance its budget by ensuring that spending does not exceed revenues based on the average of the previous three years of income. The amendment would establish new budget procedures, including a biannual appropriations process requiring Congress to make appropriation bills available publicly at least 72 hours before a vote, and would create a budget stabilization fund that builds to 10 percent of annual revenue over ten years to cover emergencies and revenue shortfalls. It would grant the President line-item veto power over appropriations that would cause spending to exceed revenues, though Congress could override such vetoes with a three-fourths majority vote. The amendment also establishes a Taxation, Spending, and Budget Reform Commission that would meet every ten years while the national debt exceeds 60 percent of gross domestic product to recommend tax, spending, and budget reforms. The amendment would take effect two years after being ratified by three-fourths of the states, affecting all future federal budgeting and spending decisions.

This bill requires states to provide annual reports to the federal government about fraud prevention efforts in their Medicaid home and community-based services programs, beginning in 2026. States must report on any instances of waste, fraud, or abuse they discover in these services, as well as describe the steps they are taking to prevent such problems from occurring. Home and community-based services are alternatives to institutional care that help people with disabilities and elderly individuals receive support while living in their communities rather than in nursing homes or other facilities. The legislation does not specify new funding or create new programs, but instead establishes a reporting requirement to increase transparency and accountability in how states manage Medicaid funds for these services. This change applies to all states offering these services under their Medicaid waivers and continues indefinitely after 2026.

The GME Transparency Act of 2026 requires hospitals that receive Medicare funding for graduate medical education programs to report detailed information about the citizenship status of their medical residents. Hospitals must submit deidentified data to the Department of Health and Human Services within 180 days of each fiscal year, categorizing residents by their immigration status including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, exchange visitors, H-1B visa holders, and other lawfully present individuals. The secretary must then compile this information and submit an annual report to Congress within 270 days of the fiscal year's end, breaking down the data by state and showing both the number and percentage of residents in each citizenship category. Hospitals that fail to submit the required information would lose eligibility for Medicare graduate medical education payments. The reporting requirement begins in the first fiscal year following the law's enactment and continues annually thereafter.

This resolution designates September 2026 as "National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month" to raise public awareness about spinal cord injuries and the roughly 311,560 Americans living with this condition, including more than 42,000 veterans. The Senate notes that about 18,482 new spinal cord injuries occur each year in the United States, most commonly caused by motor vehicle accidents, and highlights that survival outcomes have not significantly improved since the 1980s. The resolution expresses support for continued research into new treatments, therapies, and potential cures, as well as for clinical trials testing promising new therapies for people living with paralysis. It also formally commends the researchers, doctors, organizations, and volunteers working to improve quality of life for those affected by spinal cord injuries and their families. As a simple resolution, it carries symbolic weight and does not create new programs, allocate funding, or establish binding legal requirements.

This Senate resolution expresses support for National Purple Heart Recognition Day, designated as August 7, 2026. It recounts the history of the Purple Heart Medal, tracing its origins to General George Washington's 1782 creation of the Badge of Military Merit during the Revolutionary War, and notes that the modern medal was officially established in 1932 as its successor, making it the oldest U.S. military decoration still in use. The resolution highlights that the Purple Heart is awarded to service members killed or wounded in action or while held as prisoners of war, and that more than 1.8 million people have received it. It encourages all Americans to learn about the medal's history, honor its recipients, and organize ceremonies or activities to show support for those who have earned it. As a simple resolution, it carries no funding, legal requirements, or binding timelines, serving instead as a symbolic statement of recognition.

This bill creates a new National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice to coordinate federal fraud prosecutions and enforcement efforts. The division would be headed by an Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement, appointed by the President with Senate approval, who would report directly to the Attorney General and carry out duties as the Attorney General directs. The legislation also extends the prohibition on political activity to employees of this new division, consistent with restrictions on other Justice Department components. The bill does not specify funding amounts or implementation timelines, leaving those details to be determined through normal appropriations processes and Justice Department procedures. This measure affects federal prosecutors, Justice Department staff, and would potentially benefit the general public through more coordinated efforts to combat fraud.

This Senate resolution expresses support for designating the third Friday of September as "National POW/MIA Recognition Day" to honor prisoners of war and missing-in-action military personnel. According to the Department of Defense, over 80,000 U.S. servicemembers remain unaccounted for across multiple conflicts, with the largest numbers from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, primarily located in the Asia-Pacific region. The resolution acknowledges the federal government's moral obligation to account for these individuals and encourages Americans to honor them through community commemorations, displaying the POW/MIA flag, and performing acts of service for their families. This is a symbolic resolution expressing the Senate's sense of support rather than legislation that creates new law or requires funding. The resolution builds on existing federal recognition, including the POW/MIA flag that has flown over the White House since 1982 and the 2019 National POW/MIA Flag Act requiring the flag to be displayed on federal properties.

The Better Bench Act removes the requirement that federal circuit judges must live within their assigned judicial circuit. Currently, federal law requires circuit judges to reside in the circuit where they serve, which limits where judges can live. This bill eliminates that residency restriction, allowing judges greater flexibility in choosing where to live. To accommodate judges who live outside their circuit, the bill requires the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to provide appropriate office facilities and administrative support either in the judge's home location or in the nearest available alternative. The same changes also apply to judges on the United States Court of Federal Claims. The bill does not authorize or require the construction of any new facilities.

The STARS Act of 2026 establishes the United States Space Academy as a new federal service academy under NASA, similar to the existing military service academies like West Point. The Academy will provide undergraduate education and leadership training for future space professionals, including astronauts, engineers, operators, and civil servants who will work in the space domain. The bill requires the Academy's permanent location to be in Florida, with priority given to sites near Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to allow cadets to train alongside active launch operations. Within 180 days of passage, NASA must submit a report to Congress proposing a specific Florida location, curriculum, service obligations for graduates, budget estimates, and an implementation timeline. The bill authorizes whatever appropriations are necessary for site acquisition, design, and construction of the Academy's campus.

This resolution expresses Senate recognition and appreciation for the approximately two million hotel employees working across the United States in various roles including housekeeping, front desk services, food and beverage, maintenance, and management. The resolution acknowledges that hotel workers are essential to the travel and tourism industry, support local economies and communities, and provide critical services during emergencies and disasters. It highlights that the hotel industry offers substantial career advancement opportunities, with more than half of general managers starting in entry-level positions. The resolution supports National Hotel Employee Day, established in 2022 by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and National Day Calendar, which is observed annually on September 1st. The Senate encourages Americans to recognize and thank hotel employees for their service, professionalism, and dedication to the nation.

The SWIPES Act amends federal fraud laws to crack down on gift card scams and other access device fraud, particularly targeting schemes that victimize seniors. The bill significantly increases criminal penalties for fraud involving access devices like gift cards, passwords, and digital credentials, with sentences ranging up to 30 years for large-scale operations involving over 1,000 counterfeit or unauthorized devices. The legislation creates a new federal crime specifically for fraud targeting people over 60, adding a mandatory 2-year prison sentence on top of penalties for the underlying fraud offense. The bill expands the definition of what constitutes fraud-related access devices to include modern digital credentials and defines gift cards as prepaid cards or codes that can be used at single or multiple merchants. No specific funding or implementation timeline is provided in the legislation.

The PLEDGE Act requires all public elementary and secondary schools in Washington, D.C. to display the American flag in every classroom during the school day and establishes mandatory patriotic observances for students. Specifically, the bill mandates that students recite the Pledge of Allegiance each morning while standing with their right hand over their heart, and requires all students and staff to stand at attention when the national anthem is played. The legislation includes protections for student rights, allowing parents to request in writing that their children be excused from participating in the Pledge, and it requires schools to inform students of this opt-out option through student handbooks or similar publications. The bill also prohibits students from making disruptive displays during the Pledge and requires schools to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. The bill does not specify any funding allocations or implementation timeline beyond the standard legislative process.

This bill would streamline the federal review process for biosimilar drugs, which are biological medications designed to be nearly identical to existing approved drugs. The legislation amends the Public Health Service Act by removing one requirement from the current biosimilar approval pathway and reorganizing the remaining provisions. Biosimilars are generally less expensive alternatives to brand-name biological medications, so streamlining their approval could potentially help patients access more affordable treatment options and increase competition in the pharmaceutical market. The bill directly affects the Food and Drug Administration's review process and the pharmaceutical companies seeking to bring biosimilar products to market. No specific funding amounts or implementation timelines are specified in this legislation.

This bill makes it a federal crime to intentionally stage a collision involving a commercial motor vehicle. A person who causes such a collision faces up to 20 years in prison and fines, while someone who arranges for another person to stage the collision faces the same penalties. If the staged collision results in serious bodily injury or death, the minimum prison sentence increases to at least 20 years. The bill also prevents federal prosecution of someone who has already been convicted or acquitted of the same act under state or local law. This legislation aims to combat insurance fraud schemes where individuals deliberately cause accidents with trucks and other commercial vehicles to collect insurance payouts, a practice that endangers lives and increases costs for the trucking industry and consumers.

This bill would require all ballots cast in federal elections, including absentee and mail-in ballots, to arrive at election officials by the time polls close on Election Day to be counted as valid. The legislation applies to primary, runoff, and general elections for federal office, though it exempts military voters and U.S. citizens voting from abroad, who would be allowed additional time to submit their ballots. The bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to establish this uniform deadline across all states and would take effect starting with the 2027 federal elections. This change would effectively end the practice in many states of accepting ballots that arrive after Election Day, even if they were postmarked on or before that date. The legislation contains no new federal funding requirements, as it directs states to implement the deadline through their existing election administration processes.