Legislation

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham, recognizing his decades of dedicated military service and his impactful career in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. It pays tribute to his commitment to national security, the rule of law, and the people of South Carolina. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow for his passing and extends its deepest condolences to his family.

This resolution designates July 2026 as "Plastic Pollution Action Month" to raise awareness about the severe environmental and health impacts of plastic waste. It highlights the urgent need to address rising pollution levels and encourages individuals and the nation to participate in reduction, cleanup, and recycling efforts.

This Senate resolution honors the memory of the seven victims of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, on the fourth anniversary of the tragedy. It expresses deep condolences to the victims' families, commends the bravery of the first responders and healthcare workers who provided aid, and reaffirms a commitment to standing in solidarity against gun violence.

This resolution commemorates the tenth anniversary of the catastrophic June 2016 West Virginia floods, which resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction across the state. It honors the memory of those who lost their lives and recognizes the heroic efforts of first responders and neighbors. Furthermore, the bill celebrates the resilience and strength demonstrated by West Virginia communities in their ongoing recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The American Citizenship Act proposes a significant change to birthright citizenship by limiting automatic U.S. citizenship to children born to at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Under this legislation, children born in the U.S. to parents without legal status would no longer automatically acquire citizenship. These changes would apply only to individuals born after the Act's enactment, preserving the status of those born previously.

The High Court Gift Ban Act establishes strict limitations on the acceptance of gifts by federal judicial officers to prevent conflicts of interest. The bill sets clear monetary thresholds for permissible gifts, outlines specific exceptions, and mandates enforcement through civil and criminal penalties for violations.

This bill officially designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Newton, New Jersey, as the "Anthony 'Tony' J. Gallopo VA Clinic." All official federal documents and records will be updated to reflect this new name.

This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the "Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic." This renaming honors the legacy of Marine Corps veteran Rodney C. Hamilton Sr., who was instrumental in the clinic's establishment and dedicated his life to serving fellow veterans.

The Protecting Innocent Taxpayers from Endless Assessments Act prevents the IRS from using an unlimited timeframe to assess taxes against individuals who were victims of tax preparer fraud. By clarifying that the unlimited assessment period only applies when the taxpayer intended to evade taxes, this bill protects innocent filers from being held liable for the fraudulent actions of their preparers.

The REDACT Act establishes a private right of action allowing victims to sue the federal government if their personally identifiable, medical, or private information is improperly disclosed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This legislation enables victims to seek compensatory or statutory damages, attorney’s fees, and court-ordered relief for unauthorized privacy breaches. By waiving sovereign immunity, the bill ensures the government can be held legally accountable for failing to properly redact sensitive records.

The Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act of 2026 streamlines geothermal energy development by eliminating federal drilling permit requirements for projects on non-federal surface land where the U.S. holds less than 50% of the subsurface mineral interest. Under this legislation, operators may proceed with state-approved projects without undergoing federal environmental reviews, provided they continue to meet existing royalty obligations. These exemptions do not apply to Indian lands or resources held in trust for Indian Tribes.

This resolution expresses the Senate's formal opposition to any presidential pardon, commutation, or clemency for Samuel Bankman-Fried following his conviction for massive financial fraud. It affirms that his 25-year prison sentence is a necessary measure of justice for his crimes and underscores the Senate's commitment to upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the U.S. financial system.

The Outpatient Surgery Access Act of 2026 aims to modernize Medicare reimbursement by aligning annual payment updates for ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) with those of hospital outpatient departments. Additionally, the bill reforms budget neutrality requirements to ensure more equitable financial treatment between these two surgical settings. These changes are designed to stabilize funding and improve access to same-day surgical care.

This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in San Jose, California, as the "Corporal Patrick D. Tillman VA Clinic." This renaming honors the legacy of Pat Tillman, a San Jose native and former NFL player who left his professional career to serve as an Army Ranger and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

The Grid Connection and Congestion Management Act mandates that Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs) and Independent System Operators (ISOs) offer a streamlined "basic access service" for new energy projects. This service focuses on grid reliability rather than guaranteed delivery, allowing generators to connect more efficiently without paying for costly upgrades intended solely to reduce congestion. By simplifying the interconnection process, the Act aims to accelerate the integration of new energy sources onto the transmission grid.

The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act establishes federal minimum wage and fringe benefit standards for a wide range of service workers at small, medium, and large hub airports. By mandating that employers provide competitive compensation based on prevailing-wage methodologies, the bill aims to ensure fair pay for essential airport personnel. It also includes robust enforcement mechanisms, including monthly certification requirements and provisions for private civil actions to ensure compliance.

The Pre-Apprenticeships To Hardhats (PATH) Act establishes a competitive grant program to support nonprofit partnerships in developing pre-apprenticeship programs for the building and construction trades. These programs are designed to prepare individuals—with a focus on underrepresented populations—for successful entry into registered apprenticeship programs. By fostering collaboration between industry and labor, the Act aims to expand workforce training and create clear pathways to economic self-sufficiency.

The Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026 extends the authorization for the program through fiscal year 2031. Additionally, it expands the program's capacity by increasing the maximum number of participating airports from 8 to 14.

The MERIT Act of 2026 ensures that any individual serving as the Acting Director of National Intelligence possesses the same professional national security qualifications required of a permanent Director. This legislation aims to maintain consistent standards of expertise for leadership within the U.S. intelligence community.

The Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act of 2026 enhances the EPA’s capacity to address public health threats by increasing funding for drinking water emergencies and establishing a new grant program for clean water treatment works. The bill also introduces economic feasibility criteria to ensure federal intervention is prioritized for situations where local ratepayers cannot reasonably bear the costs of necessary repairs. These measures authorize $100 million in annual funding from 2027 through 2031 to support critical water infrastructure resilience.