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 resolution formally recognizes the vital roles and significant contributions of teachers across the United States in shaping the nation's civic, cultural, and economic future. It specifically designates the week of May 4–8, 2026, as National Teacher Appreciation Week. The bill encourages widespread public recognition and respect for educators and the teaching profession.

This resolution officially recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2026. It celebrates the significant and growing contributions of these communities to American history, culture, and government. The resolution also acknowledges important anniversaries and ongoing challenges faced by the community.

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.

The Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act mandates the Department of Education to collect and publish detailed data on the civil rights aspects of the educator workforce, including teachers and principals. This data will be broken down by race, ethnicity, sex, and years of experience to provide a clearer picture of the profession. The resulting reports will be made publicly available to ensure transparency regarding educator qualifications and experience levels across school districts.

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 resolution supports designating May 10, 2026, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day." It recognizes the critical need to address significant mental health disparities and barriers to care within the diverse AANHPI community. The bill calls for better data collection, increased provider diversity, and improved access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized the action. It asserts Congress's constitutional authority over declaring war and cites the War Powers Resolution regarding unauthorized military engagements. The bill permits necessary defensive actions, intelligence sharing, and support for attacked allies.

The Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2026 aims to bolster urban and controlled-environment agriculture by expanding the USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture. This legislation establishes a new competitive grant program to support producers and prioritizes improving local food access in underserved areas. It also mandates dedicated funding and expands research opportunities for innovative farming technologies.

This resolution designates the first Wednesday of May as Maternal Mental Health Day to raise critical awareness about maternal mental health conditions, which affect a significant number of new mothers. It recognizes these disorders as common but often untreated complications of pregnancy and childbirth that impact family well-being. The day aims to highlight the importance of support, research, and treatment for mothers across the country.

The CREATE AI Act establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) to advance U.S. AI research and workforce skills. This resource will connect eligible American researchers and educators to essential computational, data, and software resources. The National Science Foundation is tasked with establishing and overseeing the NAIRR, ensuring compliance with research security standards.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act to prohibit U.S. foreign assistance funds from supporting programs that violate human rights or undermine public health, including those involving coercive family planning. It specifically nullifies three recent Department of State rules related to foreign assistance. The Secretary of State is required to issue compliance guidance and report annually to Congress on any violations.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It aims to promote employment opportunities for people with criminal records by advocating for the removal of barriers to fair-chance hiring. The bill supports expanding workforce programs and fostering collaboration to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure stable jobs and successfully reenter society.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2026 significantly strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by establishing rigorous new standards for dog dealers. This bill mandates substantial improvements to housing, nutrition, exercise, socialization, and veterinary care for dogs. Furthermore, it introduces strict regulations on breeding practices, including health screening and limits on female dog litters, while ensuring humane retirement for breeding dogs.

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.

The No Immunity for Glyphosate Act aims to hold manufacturers of glyphosate-based herbicides and elemental phosphorus accountable for harm caused by their products. This legislation explicitly removes any existing legal immunities that shield these companies from civil liability. It establishes a clear right for injured individuals to sue manufacturers in federal court for damages related to exposure.

The **Protecting America’s Workers Act** significantly expands workplace safety protections by extending OSHA coverage to all public employees and strengthening whistleblower rights against retaliation. The bill increases penalties for safety violations, grants victims' families more rights during investigations, and improves federal oversight of state-run safety programs. Overall, it aims to create a more comprehensive, transparent, and punitive system to prevent workplace injuries and hold employers accountable.

The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for key Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and surety bonds. This change allows businesses majority-owned by certain immigrants, non-citizens lawfully present in the U.S., and even some individuals residing abroad to access federal support. The bill ensures that businesses meeting ownership and location criteria are not denied SBA financing solely because of the status of their eligible owners.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as Parkinson's Awareness Month. It recognizes the impact of Parkinson's disease and calls for increased efforts in research, education, and support services. The bill also commends those working to improve the lives of individuals affected by the disease.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized such military action. It reaffirms Congress's constitutional authority to declare war. The resolution maintains exceptions for necessary self-defense and providing specific defensive support to allies attacked by Iran.