Legislative Activity

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to speed up the process of securing a first collective bargaining agreement after a union is certified. It establishes a mandatory timeline, including mediation and binding arbitration, if an agreement is not reached within 90 days of bargaining. This process is designed to prevent lengthy delays that currently weaken the union's position. The bill also requires a GAO report on current time-to-contract averages.

This bill expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2026 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." The designations aim to honor the nearly 47,000 people killed by gunfire each year and raise public awareness about the devastating impact of gun violence. The resolution encourages the public to wear orange on that day and focus on community efforts to promote gun safety.

The Offshore Leasing Standards and Accountability Act of 2026 establishes rigorous "fitness-to-operate" standards for offshore oil and gas operators, requiring certification based on environmental compliance, safety records, and financial solvency before issuing or extending leases. The bill also mandates that leaseholders fully fund future decommissioning liabilities through interest-bearing escrow accounts, with required payments scheduled to cover estimated costs within five years. Furthermore, it restricts the temporary abandonment of offshore wells to a maximum of three years, subject to strict operational or environmental justification.

The Ending Fossil Fuel Bailouts Act of 2026 fundamentally reforms federal bankruptcy law concerning fossil fuel companies. This legislation prioritizes cleanup and employee obligations over other claims when these companies file for bankruptcy. It also prevents fossil fuel assets from being abandoned and makes certain environmental debts non-dischargeable.

This bill expresses support for designating May as "National Menstrual Health Awareness Month." It recognizes the significant impact of menstruation stigma on health, education, and economic opportunity for women and girls. The resolution aims to normalize menstruation, improve education, and expand access to menstrual health care and research.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

This bill, the Keep Illegal Handguns Out of the Mail Act of 2026, prevents the United States Postal Service from enacting or enforcing a proposed rule that would change the standards for mailing concealable firearms. In essence, it blocks the USPS from implementing new regulations regarding the mailing of handguns.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

The Scratch Cooked Meals for Students Act establishes a pilot program to award competitive grants to school food authorities promoting the preparation of meals using unprocessed or minimally processed ingredients. These grants will fund training, equipment upgrades, and other necessary support for increasing scratch cooking in school meal programs. Priority will be given to authorities serving high-need student populations that commit to self-operation and workforce agreements.

The Improving SCRA Benefit Utilization Act aims to strengthen consumer protections for service members under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). This bill mandates improved financial literacy training focusing on SCRA interest rate caps and requires specific notifications of these benefits upon entry or mobilization to active duty. Additionally, it ensures financial institutions must retroactively apply maximum interest rates to pre-service debts from the start of active duty and expand those protections to all debts held by the creditor.

The **Protecting Our Democracy Act** imposes sweeping reforms across the executive branch to strengthen accountability and restore checks and balances. It restricts presidential pardon power, closes loopholes to ensure no President is above the law, and enforces constitutional emoluments clauses to prevent self-enrichment. Furthermore, the Act enhances congressional oversight by strengthening subpoena enforcement, increasing transparency around White House visitors and tax returns, and protecting federal whistleblowers from retaliation.

This resolution expresses support for designating the last full week of May as "Wildfire Preparedness Week." The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the growing threat of wildfires and promote essential educational programs on fire safety and community preparedness. It encourages preventative measures, such as evacuation planning and responsible land management, to reduce human-caused fires.

The GUARD Act expands the use of federal grant funds to help state, local, and tribal law enforcement investigate elder financial fraud, "pig butchering" scams, and general financial fraud. This legislation allows agencies to hire specialized staff, receive advanced training on emerging technologies, and acquire necessary investigative tools. Furthermore, the Act mandates comprehensive federal reports to Congress detailing the scope of these scams and the effectiveness of current enforcement efforts.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 establishes permanent, universal free breakfast and lunch programs for all enrolled students at participating schools, eliminating income tests and meal debt collection. The bill significantly updates federal funding mechanisms by replacing reliance on free and reduced-price lunch data with new measures for identifying economically disadvantaged students across various education and social programs. Furthermore, it expands access to summer and afterschool meals while making technical amendments across several federal education and nutrition laws.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 aims to combat sophisticated, cross-jurisdictional organized retail and supply chain theft. It achieves this by strengthening federal laws regarding money laundering and stolen property offenses, including lowering monetary thresholds for prosecution. Furthermore, the bill establishes a dedicated Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal, state, and local enforcement efforts against these criminal organizations.

The Trade Responsibly for Environmental Emissions (TREE) Act prohibits the import and sale of "deforestation goods"—commodities linked to deforestation or forest degradation after December 31, 2020—starting in 2029. Importers must submit detailed due diligence statements to Customs and Border Protection, with violations resulting in significant civil penalties, including fines up to 4% of U.S. revenue and potential import bans. The bill also mandates a risk-based country categorization system to guide increased border inspections.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act aims to establish comprehensive standards for the care, health services, and housing of pregnant individuals in federal custody, including those held by the Bureau of Prisons, CBP, ICE, and ORR. The bill mandates extensive data collection on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women and strictly prohibits the use of restraints and restrictive housing during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, with very limited exceptions. Furthermore, it requires federal agencies to provide essential services like family unity programs, specialized medical care, and comprehensive education for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

This Act strengthens national security by expanding the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review of real estate transactions involving foreign adversaries. It specifically targets purchases of farmland and property near sensitive national security sites. The legislation introduces a presumption that such "elevated risk" transactions pose unresolvable risks, placing a high burden on CFIUS to prove otherwise. Furthermore, it mandates consideration of U.S. food security during transaction reviews and ensures state laws restricting foreign adversary land ownership remain in effect.

This bill, the Assault Weapon Financing Accountability Act, prohibits the use of "Buy Now, Pay Later" loans for the purchase of semiautomatic assault weapons. It makes it illegal for lenders to issue these loans and for gun dealers to knowingly accept them for these specific firearm sales. Violations carry a significant civil penalty of $100,000 per offense.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 4, 2026, as a "National Day of Reason." It recognizes reason as fundamental to human progress, U.S. founding principles, and the protection of civil liberties. The bill encourages Americans to observe the day by promoting critical thought and the scientific method.