ENA Washington Update - January 2026

News You Can Use
New York Enacts Law to Protect Emergency Nurses from Workplace Violence
After months of ENA local advocacy, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 12 signed into law a bill requiring hospitals across the state to develop and implement a comprehensive workplace violence prevention plan. New York ENA was instrumental in supporting this legislation from its inception through final passage. In addition to prioritizing the bill throughout the legislative session, members also submitted a Memorandum of Support for the legislation early on in the process. Additionally, New York ENA joined other organizations and met with lawmakers to ensure the bill received strong bipartisan backing.

Similar to other state laws that have been passed, the New York law requires plans to include a workplace safety and security assessment and a safety and security plan that addresses identified risks to workers and patients. For emergency nurses in the Empire State, this will lead to a more consistent approach to preventing, mitigating and responding to workplace violence. This approach ensures that not only will steps be taken to stop workplace violence from occurring, but policies will be implemented to allow workers who are assaulted to address their trauma in a way that best works for them.

The bill carried bipartisan support among New York legislators, passing 58-1 in the state’s senate in June.

Congress Approaches Another Funding Deadline
As a new year begins, Congress faces another self-imposed deadline to keep the federal government open. November’s short-term stopgap measure to reopen the government restored funding to a wide array of federal programs and offices, including critical nursing research at the National Institutes of Health, while also continuing the processing of nursing education grants and scholarships through Title VIII programs.

Congress will need to act on FY26 funding again before the current continuing resolution expires Jan. 30 to avoid another partial federal government shutdown. Potential options include passing the remaining appropriations bills, enacting another short-term continuing resolution or passing a longer-term continuing resolution that essentially funds the government for the remainder of the fiscal year, typically with few opportunities for increases to individual programs. 

ENA State Leaders: Got a State Bill to Track?
Contact ENA Government Relations and let us know the bill number - gov@ena.org.

EN411 Grassroots Advocacy

Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents – this means you!
Action Alerts highlight ENA’s priorities before the House and Senate. Through the links below, you can send a letter or X post to your member of Congress.

The FAAN Act Makes Significant Investments in Nursing Education. Support it Today!

The Nursing Shortage is Real. Title VIII Programs Provide Real Support.

Emergency Nurses are Under Attack! A Federal Criminal Law Could Help Deter Violence.

Boarding and Overcrowding Have Been Problems for Years. Let’s Do Something About It.

MISSION ZERO Is Popular, Innovative, and Needs to be Reauthorized. Learn More

Workplace Violence Has No Cure. Tell Congress to Do More to Fight It!

Support Tyler’s Law to Effectively Implement Fentanyl Testing in EDs!

Support the Reauthorization of Programs to Combat Emergency Nurse Burnout!


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Upcoming Government Relations and Advocacy Events:

Jan. 29-30    ENA Leadership Conference 2026     Learn More

April 28-29   Day on the Hill     Save the Date