Legislative Activity

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 ensures that veterans' disability compensation and related benefits receive a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026. The increase will match the percentage increase applied to Social Security benefits taking effect on December 1, 2026. This adjustment applies to various compensation and dependency/indemnity payments administered by the VA.

This bill aims to improve the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by requiring telecommunications providers to transmit precise, **dispatchable location information** for all calls made to the service. It mandates the FCC to initiate an inquiry into the technical and privacy challenges of this requirement. Additionally, the GAO must report to Congress on the feasibility and implications of using geolocation technology for 988 callers.

The Baby Changing on Board Act mandates the installation of baby changing tables in restrooms on newly purchased Amtrak and federally assisted passenger rail cars. This ensures that certain public restrooms on these trains are equipped with accessible changing stations for parents and caregivers. The bill specifically targets new rail cars that have at least one non-private restroom.

The GUARD Act establishes federal guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence chatbots, particularly concerning minors. It mandates that companies operating these AI systems implement rigorous age verification processes for all users. Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for designing AI that solicits minors into explicit conduct or promotes violence, and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance with user protection and disclosure requirements.

This resolution supports the goals of National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6th to May 12th. It recognizes the vital contributions of nurses across patient care, public health, and research. The bill encourages the nation to observe this week with appropriate recognition for the importance of nurses in everyday lives.

This bill, the Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act, raises the mandatory retirement age for commercial airline and cargo pilots from 65 to 67. It also provides an option for certain operators to allow experienced pilots to fly until age 70 under specific conditions. The legislation ensures that older pilots are subject to the same safety and medical standards as younger pilots unless the FAA determines otherwise.

The Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 prohibits the Department of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing OSHA's proposed 2024 heat safety standard. Congress finds the proposed rule too rigid, burdensome, and confusing for both businesses and workers across diverse industries. This legislation prevents the adoption of that specific, prescriptive standard or any substantially similar regulation.

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.

This bill amends federal law regarding beneficial ownership information reporting. It narrows the reporting requirement to apply only to foreign entities registered to do business in the U.S. The legislation specifically exempts U.S. persons from reporting their ownership information and mandates the deletion of existing U.S. person data from FinCEN records.

This Act mandates a comprehensive report on Russia's systematic persecution of religious groups in occupied Ukrainian territories, detailing abuses against non-aligned faiths. Following each report, the President must certify findings and impose sanctions on responsible individuals and entities. The legislation aims to hold accountable those involved in suppressing religious freedom and destroying houses of worship during the invasion.

The Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026 aims to streamline the construction and alteration of VA facilities. This bill directs the VA to utilize recognized commercial building codes and standards instead of federal ones where appropriate. It mandates at least three annual pilot projects to test this new approach between 2027 and 2031, with required reporting to Congress.

This resolution designates March 5, 2026, as "National Slam the Scam Day" to combat the pervasive issue of government imposter scams. The day aims to raise public awareness and promote education about these scams, which cost consumers billions annually and disproportionately harm older adults. It encourages proactive measures, reporting, and collaboration among various organizations to protect Americans from fraud.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 aims to significantly expand and strengthen the U.S. national commitment to quantum information science, engineering, and technology. This bill reauthorizes and updates the existing initiative by bolstering workforce development, enhancing interagency coordination, and securing the quantum supply chain against foreign threats. It also establishes new programs for quantum testbeds, NIST research centers, and requires a review of regulatory barriers to accelerate domestic quantum innovation.

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 strengthens the ability of claimants to recover art looted by the Nazis by ensuring cases are decided on their legal merits rather than procedural technicalities. The bill prevents courts from dismissing claims based on the passage of time or other non-merits defenses and clarifies that these actions may proceed regardless of the victim's nationality. These updates aim to remove legal barriers and ensure that justice for victims of Nazi persecution is not frustrated by procedural delays.

The Mined in America Act of 2026 aims to bolster U.S. national security and energy independence by promoting domestic proof-of-work mining and high-density computing. The bill establishes a federal certification program for mining operations that meet strict security and sourcing standards, while providing these certified entities with access to federal energy grants and procurement preferences. Additionally, the Act creates a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve and mandates federal studies to advance the development of secure, energy-efficient mining hardware and decentralized artificial intelligence infrastructure.

The Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026 extends the authorization for critical sport fish conservation and restoration programs through 2031. This legislation maintains essential funding for state-level projects while updating the allocation formulas for multistate conservation grants and the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.

The Health Workforce Innovation Act establishes a grant program to fund community-driven training initiatives for allied health professionals. By supporting partnerships between vocational programs and health centers, the bill aims to increase the supply of essential healthcare workers in rural and underserved communities.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility (EBITDA) Act repeals recent modifications to the calculation of adjusted taxable income regarding business interest deduction limits. By removing these specific constraints from the Internal Revenue Code, the bill aims to restore previous standards for how businesses determine their deductible interest expenses. This change is set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.