Legislative Activity

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 Fairness for Small-Scale Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2026 aims to revitalize the agricultural economy by curbing corporate consolidation through a moratorium on major mergers and a reexamination of past industry deals. The legislation strengthens protections for independent producers, increases transparency in meat and poultry pricing, and mandates country-of-origin labeling for beef, pork, and dairy. Additionally, it bolsters support for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers while investing in regional processing infrastructure to create a more competitive and resilient food system.

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 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.

The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act streamlines the annual reporting process for employee benefit plans by extending filing deadlines to a consistent nine-month-and-15-day timeframe. Additionally, the bill modernizes administrative requirements by mandating the acceptance of electronic signatures for all required filings. These changes aim to reduce the regulatory burden on plan administrators while improving filing flexibility.

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 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 EBOLA Act mandates that the United States rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO) within 30 days to restore international cooperation on public health. The legislation authorizes the necessary funding to resume membership and support global efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa.

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.

This Senate resolution recognizes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States by reaffirming the nation's founding ideals of liberty and equality for all. It highlights the vital contributions of immigrant communities while acknowledging the barriers they face. The resolution commits the Senate to advancing systemic change to ensure inclusion, equity, and opportunity for every resident, regardless of immigration status.

The Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act 2.0 of 2026 expands access to methadone treatment by allowing qualified addiction specialists to prescribe the medication for pharmacy dispensing. This legislation creates a new, flexible pathway for patients to receive treatment, including via telemedicine, while providing states with the authority to opt out of the program. The bill aims to improve patient care by integrating methadone treatment into standard clinical and pharmacy settings.

This joint resolution disapproves a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that would have implemented prior authorization for certain Medicare services under the WISeR model. The rule aimed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring pre-approval for specific procedures. Due to this congressional disapproval, the CMS rule will not take effect.

The SAFER Health Act of 2026 protects patient privacy by prohibiting healthcare providers and their associates from disclosing information regarding pregnancy termination or loss in legal proceedings without the individual's valid authorization. This legislation mandates updates to federal health IT and privacy regulations to ensure this sensitive data remains secure and segregated. Additionally, the Act preempts conflicting state laws while allowing for stronger privacy protections at the state level.

This resolution honors the 27th anniversary of the landmark *Olmstead v. L.C.* Supreme Court decision, which affirmed the right of individuals with disabilities to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate. It strongly condemns a recent Department of Justice opinion that rejects this fundamental community integration mandate. The resolution calls for the immediate rescission of that flawed opinion and urges Congress to increase funding for home- and community-based services.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the Department of Health and Human Services' rule titled "Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)." By nullifying this rule, the resolution prevents the proposed relaxation of federal child care subsidy requirements from taking effect.

The Next Generation Shipping Act establishes a federal innovation program to accelerate the development and deployment of zero-emission maritime technologies and infrastructure. Through grants and loans, the program supports research, vessel retrofitting, and workforce training while prioritizing environmental justice and labor standards. Additionally, the bill creates an advisory committee to guide the Department of Transportation in achieving long-term maritime decarbonization goals.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and shifting the program to mandatory funding. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell eligibility semesters, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress rules to better support students. Overall, it seeks to stabilize and increase financial support for millions of postsecondary students, particularly those with high financial need.

The PUPIL Act mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to examine the roles, effectiveness, compensation, and career pathways of paraprofessionals and education support staff. This study aims to better understand this essential workforce that supports millions of students nationwide. The resulting report will provide actionable recommendations for improving the stability and quality of these critical school positions.

The Small Farm Conservation Act establishes a dedicated Small Farm EQIP subprogram to provide enhanced financial and technical conservation assistance to small-scale agricultural producers. This subprogram mandates minimum payments, offers increased incentives for soil health management on smaller farms, and reserves significant funding for tailored support. It aims to streamline the application process and ensure equitable access for historically underserved groups, including beginning and limited-resource farmers.