Dale W. Strong

SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026

Spending Aviation Fees for Equipment, Guaranteeing Upgraded and Advanced Risk Detection and Safety Act of 2026 or the SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 This bill allocates additional funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for aviation security, including checked baggage explosives detection equipment and security checkpoint technology. As background, TSA collects passenger civil aviation security service fees (often referred to as the 9/11 security fee or passenger security fee) on air carrier passengers originating at airports in the United States. In general, these fees are deposited into the Department of the Treasury general fund and applied towards debt reduction. A portion of these fees are allocated to TSA for aviation security. The bill requires that the first $500 million collected in each fiscal year from passenger security fees be deposited into the Aviation Security Capital Fund. This is an increase from the currently required $250 million. This fund provides for the costs associated with acquiring and installing in-line baggage screening systems (i.e., systems that use a conveyor belt infrastructure to automatically screen, sort, and track baggage) to accommodate checked baggage explosives detection equipment and for certain other airport security improvements. The bill also requires that the next $250 million collected in each fiscal year from passenger security fees be deposited into a new Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund for the costs associated with acquiring, installing, and sustaining aviation security checkpoint technology.

Civil Preparedness for Agroterrorism Exercise Act of 2026

The Department of Homeland Security would be required to run a practice drill to test how well the government can respond to a terrorist attack on the nation's food and agriculture systems. This exercise would help identify weaknesses in emergency plans and coordination between federal agencies, state governments, and the agriculture industry so they can better protect farms, food processing facilities, and water supplies from potential threats.

TRUST Act

The proposal would prevent the U.S. military from recruiting or appointing people who are citizens of countries considered adversaries to the United States. This would affect both military recruitment efforts and the enlistment process, potentially limiting the pool of foreign nationals who can join the Armed Forces based on their country of origin.

SERVICE Act of 2025

The bill aims to address crime and law enforcement issues, though the specific details are not yet clear from the title alone. Based on its referral to the House Judiciary Committee, it likely proposes changes to how federal law enforcement agencies operate, criminal penalties, or crime prevention strategies. Once the bill moves through committee, its concrete effects on law enforcement practices, criminal justice procedures, or public safety will become clearer.

DHS Biodetection Improvement Act

DHS Biodetection Improvement Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assess how it has utilized Department of Energy national laboratories and sites for research and development in carrying out DHS missions and to report to Congress a strategy for how DHS will conduct biodetection research and development in coordination with such laboratories and sites.

Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act

Research Security and Accountability in DHS Act This bill requires the Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to develop a department-wide policy for safeguarding research and development from unauthorized access or disclosures of sensitive information in related acquisitions. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the compliance of DHS with a 2021 presidential memorandum and related guidance that required certain disclosures about government-funded research and development (e.g., conflicts of interest involving foreign governments).

SHIELD Against CCP Act

Strategic Homeland Intelligence and Enforcement Legislation to Defend Against the CCP Act or the SHIELD Against CCP Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to form a working group tasked with duties related to countering terrorist, cybersecurity, border and port security, and transportation security threats posed to the United States by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The working group must assess and annually report on current DHS efforts to counter the CCP’s (1) use of the U.S. immigration system, (2) economic and trade practices, and (3) support for illicit financial activity and trafficking controlled substances. The working group must terminate seven years after its establishment. DHS must additionally carry out research and development on technologies and techniques for enhancing its security and situational awareness to these threats. The Government Accountability Office must report on the implementation of this bill.

Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act

Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act This bill requires local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish, maintain, and enforce policies that require federally funded public elementary and secondary schools to display the U.S. flag, educate students about the U.S. flag, and direct students and staff to recite the Pledge of Allegiance on a daily basis. Specifically, LEAs, as a condition of receiving federal elementary and secondary education funds, must require the following activities at each school: for all students, teachers, and staff to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of each school day (with an exception for religious or personal reasons); for the U.S. flag to be prominently displayed in each classroom and gymnasium; and for educational materials on the history, significance, and proper display of the U.S. flag to be incorporated into the civics or history curriculum of each grade level. The bill includes annual certification requirements. Further, the bill authorizes and directs the Department of Education to issue and secure compliance with rules or orders with respect to an LEA that fails to certify (or certifies in bad faith) compliance with the bill's requirements.