Legislative Activity

The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. It allocates significant funding for enhanced data collection, surveillance, and research across CDC and NIH programs. Furthermore, the bill establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for ensuring safe, respectful, and equitable maternity care, especially for marginalized communities.

The Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 significantly updates federal overtime exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees. It establishes a phased-in increase to the minimum salary threshold required for these "white-collar" roles to be exempt from overtime pay, eventually tying the threshold to national earnings data. Furthermore, the bill tightens the duties test by lowering the allowed percentage of time spent on non-exempt work from 40% to 20%.

The Strength in Diversity Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program to support schools in developing and implementing strategies that increase racial and socioeconomic diversity. This funding aims to reduce racial isolation and concentrated poverty in public elementary, secondary, and early childhood education programs. Grantees must report on measurable improvements in student outcomes and progress toward increasing school diversity.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week." It serves to recognize and honor the service, sacrifice, and valor of law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of their essential mission.

The Microbusiness Support Act establishes a new direct loan program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA) specifically for qualifying microbusinesses. This program will offer loans up to \$100,000 with a fixed annual interest rate of 6%. The SBA is tasked with quickly developing rules to implement the loan terms and operational details for this new support mechanism.

This Senate resolution expresses the sense that access to mifepristone should be based on over 25 years of proven safety and effectiveness supported by peer-reviewed science. It calls for equitable and transparent laws and policies governing access to this time-sensitive medication abortion care. The resolution affirms the FDA's authority to regulate the drug based on the best available evidence, free from political interference.

The Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act aims to eliminate barriers to sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. It establishes grant programs to train the healthcare workforce, expand the number of providers with disabilities, and fund accessible health education. The bill also creates a National Technical Assistance Center and mandates a study to identify effective care models and coordination gaps.

The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act establishes a competitive grant program managed by the Secretary of Education to fund long-term facility improvements at eligible Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and similar institutions. Grants prioritize entities with the greatest facility needs, the most limited fundraising capacity, and high Pell Grant enrollment. Funds can be used for construction, modernization, repairs, and technology infrastructure, while also requiring loan forgiveness for certain prior HBCU Capital Financing Program debts.

This Senate resolution urges the President to prioritize securing the release of several specific individuals wrongfully detained by the People's Republic of China during future engagements with President Xi Jinping. The resolution condemns these politically motivated detentions and calls for immediate humanitarian access and release for those named. It reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defending political and religious freedoms globally.

The Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act aims to significantly improve health outcomes for mid-life women by boosting federal research, public awareness, and professional training related to menopause. The bill establishes new programs for research funding, public education campaigns, and specialized training for healthcare providers. It also supports the creation of Centers of Excellence to advance evidence-based care and address disparities in treatment access.

The Fair Trusts for Fiscal Responsibility Act imposes an annual tax on the net assets of certain trusts starting in 2027, calculated using a progressive rate structure with bracket thresholds that can be adjusted by beneficiaries. The bill also establishes a "trust withholding credit account" to coordinate this new tax with existing estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Finally, it treats tax payments made by the owner of a non-revocable grantor trust as a taxable gift unless the trust reimburses the owner within the same year.

The Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2026 establishes and significantly expands a federal program to support full-service community schools. This initiative provides substantial funding through competitive grants to integrate academic, health, and social services for students. The bill defines key roles and structures, such as community school coordinators and leadership teams, to ensure comprehensive, whole-child support across eligible high-need schools.

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.

The Federal Worker Credit Protection Act of 2026 prohibits credit reporting agencies from reporting negative credit information related to federal workers during a government shutdown. This protection applies when there is a lapse in appropriations lasting over 24 hours and for 30 days after the lapse ends. Covered federal employees can request the removal of this adverse information from their credit reports free of charge during this period.

The Firearm Safety Act of 2026 amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include firearms under the definition of a "consumer product." This action brings firearms under the regulatory authority of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The Expanding Appalachia’s Broadband Access Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the feasibility of using satellite technology in broadband projects managed by the Appalachian Regional Commission. This study will specifically examine the effectiveness, economic impact, and cost-efficiency of satellite broadband for business use in the region. The goal is to determine if satellite solutions can effectively promote economic development across Appalachia.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act to prohibit U.S. foreign assistance funds from supporting programs that violate human rights or undermine public health, including those involving coercive family planning. It specifically nullifies three recent Department of State rules related to foreign assistance. The Secretary of State is required to issue compliance guidance and report annually to Congress on any violations.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2026 significantly strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by establishing rigorous new standards for dog dealers. This bill mandates substantial improvements to housing, nutrition, exercise, socialization, and veterinary care for dogs. Furthermore, it introduces strict regulations on breeding practices, including health screening and limits on female dog litters, while ensuring humane retirement for breeding dogs.

The **Protecting America’s Workers Act** significantly expands workplace safety protections by extending OSHA coverage to all public employees and strengthening whistleblower rights against retaliation. The bill increases penalties for safety violations, grants victims' families more rights during investigations, and improves federal oversight of state-run safety programs. Overall, it aims to create a more comprehensive, transparent, and punitive system to prevent workplace injuries and hold employers accountable.