Legislation

This resolution formally recognizes the vital roles and significant contributions of teachers across the United States in shaping the nation's civic, cultural, and economic future. It specifically designates the week of May 4–8, 2026, as National Teacher Appreciation Week. The bill encourages widespread public recognition and respect for educators and the teaching profession.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, recognizing his significant contributions as a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow over his passing and offers condolences to his family. The resolution directs that this tribute be communicated to the House and his family, and the Senate will adjourn in his memory.

This bill reauthorizes and updates the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009. It expands the system's scope to include meteorological observations and strengthens requirements for data management and regional collaboration. The legislation also authorizes funding through Fiscal Year 2030 and mandates annual post-storm evaluations in reports to Congress.

This Act strengthens national security by expanding the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review of real estate transactions involving foreign adversaries. It specifically targets purchases of farmland and property near sensitive national security sites. The legislation introduces a presumption that such "elevated risk" transactions pose unresolvable risks, placing a high burden on CFIUS to prove otherwise. Furthermore, it mandates consideration of U.S. food security during transaction reviews and ensures state laws restricting foreign adversary land ownership remain in effect.

The START Act aims to streamline and increase transparency in the national apprenticeship system by establishing formal, time-bound processes for registering new apprenticeship programs. It clarifies the roles of state apprenticeship councils and establishes a new federal grant program to support states in expanding and improving registered apprenticeships. Furthermore, the bill mandates public posting of reciprocity and standards information to ensure clarity for program sponsors across state lines.

The Americans First Immigration Act fundamentally restructures U.S. immigration by replacing employment-based visas with a points-based system prioritizing high-scoring applicants. It also significantly curtails family-based immigration by redefining "immediate relatives" and eliminates the Diversity Visa Lottery, replacing it with a small allocation for religious workers. Furthermore, the bill imposes strict new requirements on employers hiring immigrant visa holders and restricts access to public higher education benefits for non-permanent residents.

The MAP for Broadband Funding Act aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of federal broadband funding by modernizing the Broadband Funding Map. It requires the FCC and NTIA to enhance data collection from federal agencies to prevent wasteful duplication of infrastructure projects. Furthermore, the bill mandates an FCC inquiry into map functionality and a GAO study to review agency coordination and data submission compliance.

This bill, the **Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027**, provides comprehensive funding for the 2027 fiscal year across key federal agencies. It allocates billions to support USDA farm programs, rural infrastructure (including housing and broadband), domestic food assistance (like SNAP and WIC), and the operations of the FDA and CFTC. The legislation also imposes numerous policy riders aimed at increasing spending efficiency, protecting American interests in trade and agriculture, and restricting certain administrative actions by these agencies.

This Act provides appropriations for the Department of State, foreign assistance, and international security programs for Fiscal Year 2027. It funds diplomatic operations, global health initiatives, and military aid while imposing strict conditions on spending related to human rights, UN engagement, and procurement fairness. The legislation emphasizes oversight, supports American exporters, and restricts aid to certain international organizations and countries acting against U.S. interests.

The Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2027 provides funding for the Treasury Department, the Executive Office of the President, the Judiciary, and the District of Columbia for fiscal year 2027. It sets strict operational rules and spending limitations across these entities, including significant restrictions on the IRS and various independent agencies. The bill also imposes broad government-wide prohibitions on funding for DEI programs, electric vehicle purchases, and certain regulatory actions.

The Vehicle Innovation Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive framework for the Department of Energy to advance U.S. vehicle technology through research, development, and manufacturing support. This legislation aims to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions across all vehicle sectors by funding transformative technologies, including electrification and hydrogen systems. It prioritizes domestic commercialization, strengthens public-private partnerships, and authorizes specific funding levels through Fiscal Year 2031. The Act also introduces new programs focused on heavy-duty commercial vehicles and the secondary use of vehicle batteries.

The Streamline Upgrades for Veterans Act aims to improve the process for veterans seeking to upgrade their military discharge status. This bill extends the prohibition on reducing personnel assigned to service review agencies through 2030. Furthermore, it mandates a Department of Defense report detailing the time required for boards to decide discharge review cases related to PTSD or TBI, along with recommendations for speeding up the process.

The Save America’s Family Forests Act of 2026 aims to encourage forest restoration through tax incentives. It significantly increases the immediate deduction limit for standard reforestation expenses and introduces a new, substantial deduction for reforestation costs following a qualified natural disaster. These provisions are designed to support landowners by making forest recovery more financially feasible, with adjustments for inflation built in for future years.

This Act aims to significantly bolster the nation's preparedness against seasonal and pandemic influenza threats. It establishes ambitious goals for rapid vaccine development, strengthens domestic manufacturing and supply chains for vaccines and diagnostics, and funds key public health programs. Furthermore, the bill focuses on increasing public access to vaccines and treatments while combating misinformation to build confidence in public health measures.

The Financial Access Protection Act prohibits banks and other financial institutions from collecting, requesting, or sharing a customer's citizenship or immigration status information. This legislation prevents regulators from mandating or penalizing institutions based on the collection of such data. The bill ensures that compliance with existing anti-money laundering and financial crime reporting obligations remains unaffected.

The RECOUP Act of 2026 mandates the Department of Homeland Security to reimburse state and local first responder agencies for costs incurred while assisting ICE or CBP with immigration enforcement activities. This section outlines streamlined procedures for agencies to submit cost estimates and receive payment from existing, unobligated ICE or CBP funds. The bill also ensures the protection of first responders' personal information collected during these reimbursement processes.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act aims to establish comprehensive standards for the care, health services, and housing of pregnant individuals in federal custody, including those held by the Bureau of Prisons, CBP, ICE, and ORR. The bill mandates extensive data collection on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women and strictly prohibits the use of restraints and restrictive housing during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, with very limited exceptions. Furthermore, it requires federal agencies to provide essential services like family unity programs, specialized medical care, and comprehensive education for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

The Access to Donor Milk Act of 2026 aims to increase the availability and safety of donor human milk for infants. It expands the use of WIC funds to support milk collection and storage activities at nonprofit banks. The bill also establishes competitive grants for milk banks to expand emergency capacity and directs the creation of safety standards and a public awareness campaign.

The VA Home Loan Affordability Act aligns the VA housing loan program with certain Federal Housing Administration (FHA) requirements to make homeownership more accessible for veterans. This legislation streamlines processes by waiving appraisals for certain refinances and removing development approval requirements for condominiums. It also establishes new limits on veteran-paid closing costs and seller fees, while requiring regular review of debt-to-income ratios.

The Neonatal Care Transparency Act of 2026 aims to ensure parents receive clear information regarding life-saving care for extremely premature infants. It mandates that hospitals and obstetric practitioners publicly disclose their specific policies on providing intensive care for very premature babies. Failure to comply with these transparency requirements will result in the loss of federal Medicaid and CHIP funding.