Legislation

The Michael Enzi Voluntary Protection Program Act of 2025 establishes a new program within the Department of Labor to recognize employers who voluntarily implement comprehensive workplace safety and health management systems. Approved employers will undergo rigorous evaluations but will be exempt from programmed OSHA inspections during participation. This Act aims to encourage excellence in employee protection through systematic hazard assessment and active employee involvement.

This bill designates and expands the Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area in Nevada to protect its significant resources. It withdraws federal land within the area from new mineral entry while authorizing specific rights-of-way for the Southern Nevada Water Authority's buried water pipeline infrastructure along the boundary. The legislation also requires the development of a comprehensive management plan for the newly defined conservation area.

This bill authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony commemorating the Days of Remembrance of victims of the Holocaust. The specified date for this event is April 14, 2026. Any necessary physical preparations for the ceremony must adhere to the conditions set by the Architect of the Capitol.

The James T. Woods Act, also known as the COP Act, establishes a new federal crime targeting individuals who threaten to distribute child sexual abuse material. This prohibition specifically targets threats made with the intent to coerce a minor into creating and sending new explicit material. The bill amends existing federal laws to ensure these coercive threats carry appropriate penalties.

This resolution officially designates February 2026 as "Hawaiian Language Month" or "ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Month." It recognizes the history of the Hawaiian language, its near extinction due to past suppression, and the successful revitalization efforts led by Native Hawaiians. The bill commits Congress to preserving and promoting the use of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and urges the public to celebrate the month with supportive activities.

The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026 significantly updates and extends NOAA's weather and environmental forecasting authorities through 2030. The bill prioritizes public safety by funding research to improve warnings for severe weather like tornadoes and hurricanes, while also modernizing infrastructure through AI integration and commercial data use. Furthermore, it establishes new programs to enhance forecasts for agriculture, water management, wildfires, and harmful algal blooms.

This Act, titled the "Death Penalty for Child Rapists Act," amends federal and military law to authorize the death penalty for certain severe sexual abuse offenses committed against children. Specifically, it updates sentencing guidelines under federal criminal statutes and the Uniform Code of Military Justice to include capital punishment as a potential penalty for these crimes. The legislation includes a severability clause to ensure remaining provisions stay in effect if any part is found unconstitutional.

This Act mandates that the VA-DOD Joint Executive Committee conduct a comprehensive inventory and effectiveness assessment of mental health services available to transitioning service members. The Committee must then report its findings, including recommendations for improvement, to Congress. Additionally, the bill requires a regular review of the joint separation health assessment to ensure its continued relevance.

The RELIEF Act establishes a mandatory refund process for certain tariffs collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection starting January 1, 2025, specifically those imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This legislation requires the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to automatically issue refunds to importers within 90 days of enactment. Importers will receive these refunds without needing to file an application or protest.

This bill expresses support for designating 2026 as the "Year of Math" in the United States. This designation coincides with the U.S. hosting the International Congress of Mathematicians. The goal is to highlight the importance of mathematics as the foundation for STEM fields critical to national security and economic prosperity.

This resolution urges the U.S. Senate to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). CEDAW is a crucial international treaty that condemns gender discrimination and sets a global agenda for achieving women's equality. Ratification would align the United States with 189 other nations in upholding fundamental human rights for women.

The Counter Drone State and Local Defender Act authorizes the FAA to conduct counter-drone activities to protect national airspace safety and allows state, local, Tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies to use approved counter-UAS systems. This is established through a three-year pilot program, a special program for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and a path to permanent authorization for registered agencies. The bill includes specific privacy protections and requires agencies to adhere to FAA oversight regarding equipment and training.

The Federal Retirement Safety Act amends federal retirement law to protect victims of domestic violence when accessing lump-sum retirement benefits. This legislation allows eligible employees to waive or bypass the standard spousal notification and consent requirements for lump-sum withdrawals if providing notice or seeking consent poses a safety risk. Victims can prove eligibility through self-certification regarding recent domestic violence crimes committed by the spouse or former spouse.

The Investing in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act of 2026 aims to address job displacement due to automation by establishing a new federal grant program. This program will fund demonstration projects run by local partnerships to retrain workers for in-demand, technology-oriented fields. The Act also expands existing federal training services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to specifically target workers at risk of automation-related job loss.

The Whale CHARTS Act of 2026 expands federal efforts to protect migratory whales and other large cetaceans. This legislation mandates the creation of high-accuracy distribution maps for whale habitats and funds research into understudied species. It also establishes a competitive grant program to develop and deploy technologies that reduce harmful interactions between whales and ocean users, such as vessel strikes.

The Connect the Grid Act aims to modernize and expand the national electric transmission system through comprehensive planning, federal permitting authority for critical projects, and enhanced interregional coordination. It specifically brings the Texas grid (ERCOT) under greater federal oversight and mandates new reliability standards for interconnections with neighboring regions. The bill also increases funding for transmission infrastructure and promotes the use of domestic materials and labor standards.

The Ensuring OBGYN Care in Prisons Act mandates that the Bureau of Prisons employ full-time obstetrician-gynecologists at all facilities housing female prisoners. This bill ensures comprehensive gynecological, prenatal, and postpartum care, including required initial visits within 14 days of incarceration. Furthermore, it establishes patient protections like informed consent and the right to refuse non-emergency care. The Bureau of Prisons must also submit annual reports detailing staffing, services provided, and pregnancy outcomes.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to provide Congress with a detailed report on human rights practices in Honduras. The report must specifically address alleged abuses by the former government linked to drug trafficking and corruption. It also requires an assessment of U.S. security assistance and steps taken by the U.S. government to address these violations.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 2026 as "Low Vision and Vision Impairment Awareness Month." It highlights the significant economic and personal impact of preventable vision loss in the U.S. The bill encourages raising awareness about eye health risks and promoting access to necessary care and information for all age groups. Furthermore, it calls on the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enhance surveillance, research, and the development of evidence-based tools related to various eye diseases.

This resolution condemns Israeli settlement expansion, settler violence, and related human rights abuses in the West Bank. It calls upon Israel to immediately halt demolitions and settlement approvals, and urges the U.S. government to impose targeted sanctions and review tax policies that may subsidize settlement activity. The bill ultimately seeks to protect the viability of a negotiated two-State solution.