Sean Casten

Military VOTE Act

The proposal would make it easier for military members and their families to vote while stationed overseas or deployed by improving access to absentee ballots and voting materials. It aims to remove barriers that currently prevent service members from participating in elections, such as delays in receiving ballots or difficulty registering to vote from foreign locations. The changes would affect active-duty personnel, National Guard members, reservists, and their eligible family members.

DPA Workforce and Skilled Labor Needs Act of 2026

This bill would authorize the government to use emergency powers to address labor shortages in critical industries by streamlining hiring, training, and worker placement programs during times of national need. It would affect businesses struggling to fill skilled positions as well as workers seeking training and employment in high-demand fields like manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. The legislation aims to make it faster and easier to match available workers with jobs that require specialized skills.

Energy Bills Relief Act

This bill aims to reduce what Americans pay for electricity, natural gas, and other energy costs through measures that likely include tax breaks, subsidies, or regulatory changes in the energy sector. The broad referral to multiple committees suggests it may address energy production, efficiency improvements, renewable energy incentives, or assistance programs for households struggling with high utility bills. The exact provisions aren't yet clear since the bill is still in the early stages of the legislative process.

Venezuela Oil Proceeds Transparency Act

This bill would require the U.S. government to track and publicly report how money from Venezuelan oil sales is being used, particularly focusing on whether funds are going to the Venezuelan government or being diverted elsewhere. The measure aims to increase transparency around oil revenues and sanctions enforcement related to Venezuela, helping Congress and the public understand the financial flows connected to U.S. policy toward the country. It affects policymakers, international businesses involved in oil trade, and anyone interested in how U.S. sanctions on Venezuela are actually working.

SURGE Act of 2026

The SURGE Act would likely expand energy production or modernize the nation's power systems, though the specific provisions aren't yet clear from the title alone. Based on its referral to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the bill probably affects energy companies, utilities, and consumers by changing how electricity is generated, distributed, or regulated. The exact impact on energy prices, renewable energy development, or grid infrastructure would depend on the detailed language of the legislation.

Ceasefire Compliance Act of 2026

This bill would likely establish rules or requirements for monitoring and enforcing ceasefire agreements between countries or groups involved in armed conflicts. It probably aims to create mechanisms for the U.S. government to track whether parties are following ceasefire terms and potentially impose consequences if they violate them. The bill would affect foreign policy decisions, international relations, and how the U.S. responds to conflicts around the world.

Powering Productivity Act

The bill aims to boost energy production and efficiency to support economic growth and business productivity. Based on its focus on energy policy, it likely proposes changes to how the country generates, distributes, or uses power—potentially affecting energy companies, manufacturers, and consumers' electricity costs. The specific details will be determined as the House Committee on Energy and Commerce reviews the proposal.

METRIC Act

The METRIC Act would likely establish or modify standards related to energy measurement, efficiency, or performance metrics in the United States. Based on its referral to the Energy and Commerce Committee, it probably affects energy companies, manufacturers, and possibly consumers by changing how energy use is tracked, reported, or regulated. The specific details of what measurements or metrics would change depend on the bill's full text.

Addressing Climate Financial Risk Act of 2026

This bill would require banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions to assess and disclose how climate change could affect their investments and business operations, similar to how they already report other financial risks. The goal is to help investors, regulators, and the public understand which financial companies are exposed to climate-related dangers like extreme weather, flooding, or stranded fossil fuel assets. This transparency would allow markets to better price risk and encourage companies to prepare for climate impacts.

ESP, Paraprofessional, and Education Support Staff Family Leave Act

The proposal would provide paid family leave benefits to education support staff, paraprofessionals, and other school employees who need time off for childbirth, adoption, or caring for family members. Currently, many of these workers lack access to paid leave programs that are more commonly available to other federal or private sector employees. The bill aims to help school staff balance work and family responsibilities without losing income during important life events.

Restoring Judicial Separation of Powers Act

Restoring Judicial Separation of Powers Act This bill revises the federal statutory framework that confers appellate jurisdiction to courts. Among the changes, the bill grants the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit—not the Supreme Court—jurisdiction over direct appeals from final decisions of three-judge panels, and appeals by certiorari and certified questions. The bill also establishes a 13-judge multi-circuit panel and grants it jurisdiction over any case in which the United States or a federal agency is a party, or a case concerning constitutional interpretation, statutory interpretation of federal law, or the function or actions of an executive order. Finally, the bill specifies that whenever an action before a federal court seeks injunctive relief barring the enforcement of a federal law, statute, regulation, or order against a nonparty, the court shall, upon a motion of a party, transfer the action to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2025

The bill would require banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions to assess and disclose how climate change could affect their business and investments, similar to how they already report other financial risks. This would help investors and regulators understand which financial companies are exposed to climate-related dangers like extreme weather, changing energy markets, or stranded assets. The requirement would apply to large financial firms and could influence how they invest money and manage risk.

Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025

Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to compile, publish, and annually update a list of medications that may be safely prescribed to pilots and air traffic controllers for the purposes of issuing a medical certification. The list must be publicly available on the FAA website and distributed to those seeking a license and medical certification. Currently, the FAA does not have a list of approved medications. However, the FAA does have lists for Aviation Medical Examiners of Do Not Issue medications and Do Not Fly medications.

GREEN Appraisals Act of 2025

This bill would require property appraisers to consider energy efficiency and environmental features when determining home values, potentially increasing the assessed value of properties with green upgrades like solar panels or improved insulation. The change would affect homeowners, lenders, and real estate markets by recognizing the financial value of environmentally friendly improvements. Veterans may be particularly impacted since the bill is also being reviewed by the Veterans' Affairs Committee, possibly relating to VA home loan programs.

Pell Grant Sustainability Act

Pell Grant Sustainability Act This bill indexes the maximum award amount for Pell Grants to the rate of inflation. The bill also permanently reauthorizes the discretionary statutory authority for the Pell Grant program.

Stop Sexual Harassment in K–12 Act

Stop Sexual Harassment in K-12 Act This bill outlines the role and duties of Title IX coordinators in elementary and secondary schools, including by requiring local educational agencies to increase the number of full-time employees designated to serve as a Title IX coordinator per specified student population. The bill also creates a grant program to train teachers and staff on how to respond to signs of sex-based harassment and assault of students and requires the Department of Education to develop a sex-based harassment survey.

IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act

IDs for an Inclusive Democracy Act This bill directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to produce and make available at no cost to individuals over the age of 14 a means of identification (ID) sufficient to satisfy certain identification requirements (i.e., requirements otherwise satisfied by a driver's license or state ID). The ID must include a photograph, specified information, and certain security features, and must generally be valid for 10 years. SSA must develop and implement a campaign to educate the public about the ID, including how an individual can obtain and use one. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) must develop and implement a process that enables individuals to apply for and renew an ID through USPS, modeled after the process for passport applications. The bill also establishes a task force to set forth requirements for the production and distribution of the new IDs. The task force must (1) issue a report outlining such requirements, including procedures to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of any information obtained from applicants seeking assistance with the ID process; and (2) develop and publish voluntary best practices for nonprofit organizations and entities that serve vulnerable populations on assisting individuals with the application process.

Vehicle Energy Performance Act of 2025

Vehicle Energy Performance Act of 2025 This bill creates a refundable tax credit for the purchase of a new (2027 model year or later) qualified high energy performance motor vehicle. The bill also modifies the calculation of the excise tax on the sale by a manufacturer or importer of a fuel-inefficient vehicle (known as the gas guzzler tax). The amount of the tax credit for a new qualified high energy performance motor vehicle is based on a vehicle’s energy performance in the current and prior model year in comparison with the median and best vehicle energy performance overall in the prior model year, up to a maximum of $5,000. To qualify for the tax credit, the vehicle must be a passenger automobile or light truck with a greater than median energy performance (based on miles per gallon-gas equivalent) as compared to the same passenger automobile or light truck for the prior model year. (Conditions apply.) The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to publish the median and best vehicle energy performance for the model year based on information reported by vehicle manufacturers. Finally, the bill modifies the gas guzzler excise tax so that the amount is based on a vehicle’s energy performance in the current and prior model year in comparison with the median and best vehicle energy performance overall in the prior model year. (Currently, the gas guzzler tax is imposed on vehicles that do not meet a fuel efficiency standard of at least 22.5 miles per gallon.)

Methane Emissions Mitigation Research and Development Act

This bill would fund research and development projects aimed at reducing methane emissions from energy production and other sources. The funding would support scientists and engineers working on new technologies and methods to capture, reduce, or prevent methane leaks from oil and gas operations, landfills, and other industrial facilities.

LNG Public Interest Determination Act of 2025

LNG Public Interest Determination Act of 2025 This bill modifies and expands requirements for exporting natural gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG). Under the existing provisions of the Natural Gas Act, exporters of natural gas must obtain authorization to make such exports from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Additionally, FERC must authorize such exports if they are consistent with the public interest. The bill directs exporters of natural gas to obtain authorization from the Department of Energy (DOE) rather than from FERC. Before granting an authorization, DOE must determine that the export would not likely (1) contribute significantly to climate change; (2) materially increase energy prices or energy price volatility for U.S. consumers; or (3) create a disproportionate health or environmental burden on rural, low-income, minority, and other vulnerable communities. The bill also classifies an authorization of the exportation of natural gas as a major federal action that triggers the environmental review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Additionally, the bill terminates the categorical exclusion for exports of natural gas, and any associated transportation of LNG by marine vessels, from NEPA environmental review requirements. A categorical exclusion is a class of actions that a federal agency has determined do not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and, thus, do not require either an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement.