Legislative Activity

The Food Labeling Modernization Act of 2026 mandates comprehensive updates to food packaging to help consumers make more informed, healthy dietary choices. The bill introduces mandatory front-of-package "high in" icons for nutrients like sugar and sodium, stricter definitions for terms like "natural," and enhanced disclosure requirements for allergens, gluten, and caffeine. Additionally, it requires online food retailers to provide full labeling information and establishes new formatting standards to improve the readability and transparency of ingredient lists.

This resolution directs the Senate Legal Counsel to initiate a civil lawsuit against President Donald J. Trump to enforce the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The action seeks to prohibit the President from accepting unauthorized presents, titles, or financial emoluments from foreign states. The measure cites numerous alleged instances of corruption and conflicts of interest involving the President, his family, and foreign entities that undermine the integrity of his office.

The Social Security 2100 Act provides a temporary boost to benefits for retirees, disabled workers, and survivors from 2027 through 2036 while expanding eligibility for caregivers and students. To fund these enhancements, the bill eliminates the cap on wages subject to payroll taxes and introduces a new tax on investment income for high earners. Additionally, the legislation strengthens Social Security Administration operations by protecting staffing levels, preventing field office closures, and enhancing privacy protections for beneficiary data.

The Standards To Prevent Frontovers Act of 2026 directs the Department of Transportation to establish new safety standards aimed at preventing "frontover" and low-speed collisions. The bill mandates that vehicles be equipped with advanced detection, driver notification, and active intervention systems to protect pedestrians and vulnerable road users. Additionally, it requires the inclusion of frontover and backover incident data in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s surveillance system to improve public safety reporting.

Tristan's Law establishes a federal grant program to enhance the safety of children around frozen dessert trucks. States become eligible for these grants by implementing laws that require these trucks to be equipped with specific safety features, such as specialized signal lamps and stop signal arms. The bill also mandates a Department of Transportation study on pedestrian injuries involving these trucks and the feasibility of further safety measures.

This Act encourages colleges and universities to adopt comprehensive mental health and suicide prevention plans. It directs the Department of Education to develop and distribute evidence-based model plans to guide these voluntary efforts. The legislation also mandates the provision of technical assistance to schools interested in implementing these plans.

The No Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging Act of 2026 aims to enhance food safety by automatically classifying several hazardous chemicals, including PFAS and certain phthalates, as unsafe for use in food contact materials. This legislation requires the FDA to consider vulnerable populations when reviewing alternatives to these banned substances. The new federal standard allows states and localities to maintain or enact stricter regulations protecting public health.

This bill, the "Right to Record Act of 2026," establishes a federal right to record, observe, or peacefully protest law enforcement activities in public view. It creates a civil remedy allowing individuals to sue federal officers and the United States for violations, including penalties like statutory damages. The Act explicitly states that merely recording or standing near an officer does not forfeit this right unless physical restraint occurs.

The Complete America’s Great Trails Act establishes a new federal tax credit for landowners who donate property that includes a designated National Scenic Trail and a specified surrounding corridor. This credit is equal to the fair market value of the donated land, encouraging private conservation efforts to complete and expand these national trails. The bill also mandates a study on the credit's effectiveness and potential future modifications, such as making the credit refundable.

The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026 aims to protect veterans from fraudulent and unauthorized fee charging by reinstating strict penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for those who illegally assist with VA benefit claims. The bill mandates the VA to improve transparency by creating an online tool listing accredited representatives and enhancing public warnings about predatory practices on all claim-filing websites. Furthermore, it requires new data collection on paid assistance providers and establishes a robust, accessible accreditation system for legitimate agents and attorneys.

The Homeowners’ Escrow Savings Act aims to protect homeowners by requiring mortgage servicers to pay interest on escrow account balances, calculated based on the yield of one-year U.S. Treasury securities. This legislation also mandates that servicers use more comprehensive and accurate factors when estimating future property tax obligations. The bill ensures greater transparency and fairness in how homeowner escrow accounts are managed.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 2026 as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Corticobasal Degeneration Awareness Month. The designation aims to increase public understanding of these rare, rapidly progressing brain disorders. It also supports the urgent need for expanded research into treatments and cures for those affected.

This Senate resolution expresses the commitment to achieving zero traffic fatalities on U.S. roadways by the year 2050. It emphasizes using a data-driven, safe systems approach and advanced vehicle technologies to eliminate preventable deaths. The resolution also calls for strengthening data collection and addressing existing disparities in transportation safety.

This bill, the Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act, invalidates mandatory arbitration agreements and class action waivers for Amtrak passengers involved in consumer or civil rights disputes. It ensures that passengers alleging personal injury, discrimination, or other civil rights violations can pursue their claims in court. These new rules do not apply to disputes covered under the Railway Labor Act.

The Extinction Prevention Act of 2026 establishes dedicated federal funds and competitive grant programs across four titles to support the conservation of imperiled species. These titles focus on protecting North American butterflies, Pacific Island plants, freshwater mussels, and Southwestern desert fish. Each program authorizes up to $5 million annually for six years, prioritizing projects that aid species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) rule concerning the "Time or Space" exception for digital marketing providers. By disapproving the rule, Congress effectively nullifies the CFPB's action regarding the withdrawal of a previous regulation on this matter.

This bill updates the eligibility requirements for service members transferring unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to family members, generally requiring a minimum of 10 years of service. It also provides greater flexibility for when these benefits can be transferred while establishing that dependent children must be 18 or hold a high school diploma before utilizing the transferred assistance.

The Restoring College Access and Affordability Act aims to reverse recent changes to federal student aid programs by repealing provisions related to loan limits, repayment options, and Pell Grant eligibility. This legislation restores prior law regarding student loan forgiveness, deferment, and how other grants affect Pell Awards. Additionally, it modifies the excise tax on private college endowment income and adjusts rules concerning ineligibility based on low earning outcomes.

The Carlton H. Ingram Veterans’ Benefits Protection Act ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs disregards the beneficial effects of medication or treatment when determining a veteran’s disability rating. By establishing a baseline based on the veteran's condition without such interventions, the bill aims to provide a more accurate assessment of service-connected disabilities. Additionally, it protects a veteran's right to seek compensation for new or aggravated conditions resulting from medical treatment.

The Social Determinants for Moms Act establishes a federal task force to coordinate cross-agency strategies aimed at eliminating preventable maternal deaths and health disparities. Additionally, the bill creates a grant program to provide $100 million annually to community-based organizations addressing the social and environmental factors that impact maternal health outcomes.