Legislative Activity

This concurrent resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson, Arizona, shooting. It honors the six individuals who lost their lives and recognizes the survivors, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution reaffirms the importance of civility in democracy and Congress's dedication to preventing gun violence.

The ePermit Act mandates the creation of a unified, digital system for managing all federal environmental reviews and project permits. This system will require electronic submission, real-time tracking, and public accessibility of all authorization data. The goal is to modernize the permitting process through standardized data and transparent, efficient digital workflows, while ensuring existing environmental laws are upheld.

This resolution authorizes the Senate Majority Leader to initiate litigation against the President and Department of Justice officials for failing to comply with the bipartisan mandate of Public Law 11938 regarding the release of Epstein-related records. It specifically addresses the DOJ's insufficient document production, improper redactions, and failure to meet the statutory deadline. The measure directs the Senate to legally challenge these actions to ensure full compliance with the law.

This bill establishes the Mental Health Career Promotion Grant Program to address workforce shortages in mental and behavioral health. The program awards grants to partnerships between schools, community colleges, and mental health providers to create or expand initiatives that promote these careers to students. Activities funded will include educational presentations, internships, and mentorship opportunities for students in grades 9 through college.

The Predatory Lending Elimination Act amends federal law to apply the Military Lending Act's 36% interest rate cap (MAPR) to most consumer credit transactions. This new restriction generally excludes residential mortgages and specific auto loans, while preserving stronger state consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is tasked with issuing implementing rules within one year.

The Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 establishes major federal funding streams, primarily through grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide. This legislation prioritizes improvements focused on health, safety, and energy efficiency, directing significant resources toward districts serving low-income students. The Act also mandates transparency through public reporting and requires local districts to develop long-term facility master plans.

This resolution officially designates the week of February 2 through 6, 2026, as "National School Counseling Week." It recognizes the vital role school counselors play in supporting students' academic, social-emotional, and career development. The measure aims to increase public awareness of the essential services school counselors provide despite often facing high student-to-counselor ratios.

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 asserts that no such authorization currently exists. The bill permits continued activities like intelligence sharing and assisting allies with necessary defensive measures against Iranian threats.

This resolution supports designating 2026 as the "International Year of the Woman Farmer." It recognizes the vital and critical role women play in agriculture both in the United States and globally. The designation aims to honor their contributions to food systems and encourage future participation in the agricultural workforce.

This bill, the Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act, amends existing law to regulate the imagery used on the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Specifically, it prohibits the use of any image featuring a living current or former elected official or any other living political figure on the pass.

The Opportunities in Organic Act renames and significantly expands the existing national organic certification cost-share program. It establishes new grant funding for nonprofits to provide technical assistance, capacity building, and direct support for farmers transitioning to or maintaining organic certification. The bill also increases resources for technical assistance and mandates comprehensive reporting on the program's impact and participant demographics.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove a recent rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs concerning "Reproductive Health Services." If enacted, this resolution would nullify the VA's September 9, 2024, regulation, rendering it without legal effect.

The Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems Act of 2026 requires federal agencies using complex automated systems to establish dedicated civil rights offices focused on algorithmic bias. These offices must employ experts to assess risks related to discrimination based on protected characteristics. Furthermore, agencies must submit biennial reports detailing their efforts to mitigate harms from these covered algorithms and engage with relevant stakeholders.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. It recognizes his distinguished service in the Air Force, his Olympic athletic career, and his historic tenure in the U.S. Congress. The resolution specifically highlights his landmark legislative accomplishments, including establishing the National Museum of the American Indian. The Senate expresses its sorrow and will recess as a mark of respect for his memory.

The Power for the People Act of 2026 mandates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the impact of data centers on the electric grid and establish special interconnection queues for them. This legislation aims to ensure data centers bear the costs of their grid demands, preventing residential and business customers from subsidizing their growth. The bill also encourages states to adopt specific electricity rate classes for data centers to protect ratepayers from rising energy costs and infrastructure burdens.

The Correctional Facility Disaster Preparedness Act of 2026 mandates annual reporting from the Bureau of Prisons detailing the impact of major disasters on facilities, staff, and inmates. It requires the Bureau to submit a comprehensive corrective action plan to improve emergency preparedness. Furthermore, the Act expands the National Institute of Corrections Advisory Board and requires a public hearing to incorporate diverse expertise into future disaster planning.

The Credit Card Fairness Act codifies the CFPB's rule to limit credit card late fees, ensuring they are reasonable and proportional to the issuer's costs. For large issuers (1 million+ accounts), this act caps the late fee at \$8, subject to future adjustments based on inflation. This legislation aims to prevent late fees from becoming a source of profit for credit card companies.

The Plant-Powered School Meals Pilot Act establishes a three-year grant program for eligible school districts to offer 100% plant-based meal options. It also amends existing law to expand meal substitution requirements for students with various dietary needs, including a separate pilot program to reimburse schools for providing nondairy beverages. The legislation aims to increase plant-based food offerings and better accommodate diverse student dietary requirements.

The No Political Enemies Act prohibits the federal government from taking investigative, regulatory, or enforcement actions against individuals or entities primarily because they engaged in constitutionally protected speech or political activity. It establishes an affirmative defense for those facing politically motivated enforcement actions and allows individuals to sue officials for damages or seek injunctions against such targeting. The bill also mandates regular reporting from the Department of Justice to Congress regarding sensitive law enforcement matters.

The SERVE Act, or Stop Executive Renaming for Vanity and Ego Act, prohibits naming any federal property after a sitting President. This legislation prevents the use of federal funds for such naming or renaming. Any existing federal property named after the sitting President upon enactment must revert to its original federally designated name.