Legislative Activity

The Judicial FOIA Expansion Act would extend the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act to the federal judiciary, requiring courts and related judicial entities to provide public access to administrative and operational records. The bill mandates that these disclosures be provided in machine-readable formats and establishes specific transparency requirements for judicial conduct, committee activities, and court administration.

The Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act requires large multinational companies to publicly disclose detailed financial and operational data for every tax jurisdiction in which they operate. By mandating country-by-country reporting, the bill aims to increase corporate transparency regarding tax payments, profits, and employee counts. This information must be filed with the SEC in a machine-readable format and made available to the public online.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 imposes sweeping economic sanctions and trade restrictions to isolate Russia and penalize those supporting its military efforts. The bill targets Russian financial institutions, energy sectors, and leadership while penalizing foreign entities that facilitate sanctions evasion. It aims to cripple Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine through severe tariffs, asset freezes, and restricted access to U.S. markets.

The **Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act** ensures that higher education programs receiving federal funding provide genuine value and career readiness. The bill mandates that programs preparing students for licensed occupations must meet specific state qualification requirements and establishes strict debt-to-earnings standards to hold institutions accountable for student outcomes. Additionally, it strengthens oversight for distance education by requiring institutions to maintain proper state authorization for all students they serve.

The Mamas First Act aims to address the maternal mortality crisis in the United States by mandating that state Medicaid programs cover services provided by doulas, midwives, and lactation support providers. Beginning in 2027, this legislation ensures these essential maternal health services are accessible to all Medicaid beneficiaries without any copays or cost-sharing. By expanding access to these specialized care providers, the bill seeks to improve birth outcomes and reduce health disparities across the country.

The Luxury JET Act prohibits the transfer of aircraft gifted by the Government of Qatar to the U.S. executive airlift fleet for the personal use of Presidents or their associates. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive Government Accountability Office review to investigate potential conflicts of interest, national security implications, and the full taxpayer cost associated with accepting these luxury aircraft.

The Duster Inhalation Prevention Act aims to curb the recreational misuse of aerosol duster products by classifying specific harmful propellants as hazardous substances. Under this legislation, the Consumer Product Safety Commission will ban products containing these chemicals above a set threshold and implement measures to prevent manufacturers from stockpiling them. This act serves to protect public health by restricting access to substances frequently abused for inhalation.

The Nitrous Oxide Inhalation Prevention Act establishes a federal regulatory framework to curb the recreational misuse of nitrous oxide while maintaining access for legitimate medical and industrial purposes. The bill mandates strict packaging, labeling, and sales restrictions—including age verification and storage requirements—for non-medical nitrous oxide products. Additionally, it authorizes new grant programs for public education and harm reduction initiatives to prevent substance misuse.

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 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.

The Living Wage For All Act establishes a path to a $25 federal minimum wage, requiring large corporations to reach this benchmark within five years and providing a longer transition period for smaller employers. The bill also phases out subminimum wages for tipped workers, youth employees, and individuals with disabilities to ensure all workers earn a fair, living wage. Once the $25 target is met, the minimum wage will be indexed to national median wage growth to maintain its purchasing power over time.

The Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2026 provides essential financial protections for individuals facing bankruptcy due to significant medical debt or health-related employment loss. The bill offers relief by increasing homestead exemptions, waiving certain administrative bankruptcy requirements, and simplifying the discharge of student loans for qualifying debtors. Additionally, it protects the credit reputations of these individuals by excluding such bankruptcy filings from consumer credit reports.

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.

The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act honors the U.S. and Filipino service members and civilians who fought in the Pacific theater during World War II. This legislation authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of those who defended Bataan and Corregidor and endured imprisonment by Imperial Japanese forces. The medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution to ensure their legacy is preserved and shared with the public.

The Right to Vote Act establishes a fundamental federal right to vote and prohibits government actions that make voting more difficult or substantially impair the ability to cast a ballot. It provides a clear legal framework for citizens to challenge restrictive voting policies in federal court and ensures that any government-imposed burdens on voting must be justified by a significant, specific interest.

The Medicare Cost Cap Act of 2026 establishes a new annual out-of-pocket spending limit for Medicare Part A and Part B beneficiaries, ensuring that seniors and individuals with disabilities are protected from catastrophic healthcare costs. Additionally, the bill expands access to low-income assistance programs by eliminating asset tests, raising income eligibility thresholds, and streamlining the enrollment process between Medicare and Medicaid.

The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to provide financial assistance for travel and practical support to individuals seeking abortion services. By authorizing $350 million annually, the bill helps community-based organizations cover costs such as transportation, lodging, childcare, and doula services for those traveling to access care. Additionally, the legislation includes protections to ensure these funds can be utilized regardless of restrictive state laws.

The Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act strengthens protections for workers by mandating transparent pay disclosures, ensuring timely final paychecks, and increasing penalties for wage violations. The bill extends the statute of limitations for filing claims, bans forced arbitration, and establishes a grant program to support community-based efforts in preventing wage theft. These measures aim to hold employers accountable and provide workers with more robust legal tools to recover unpaid wages.

This resolution officially recognizes June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month to celebrate the history, contributions, and ongoing fight for equality of the LGBTQ community. It acknowledges the systemic discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ individuals both domestically and globally. The resolution supports equal rights and treatment for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, encouraging education and celebration of the community's resilience.

The Investor Choice Act of 2026 protects retail investors by prohibiting mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts with brokers, investment advisers, and public companies. This legislation ensures that investors retain the right to choose between arbitration and pursuing legal action in court, including the ability to participate in class action lawsuits. By voiding restrictive mandatory arbitration agreements, the bill aims to restore fair and equitable legal recourse for defrauded investors.