Legislative Activity

The Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to extend federal minimum wage and overtime protections to incarcerated individuals. This legislation ensures that workers in correctional facilities receive fair compensation for their labor, prohibiting the deduction of court-imposed fees from their earnings.

The Sentencing Commission Improvements Act expands the United States Sentencing Commission by adding a federal public or community defender as a second nonvoting member. This legislation ensures that the perspective of defense counsel is formally represented alongside the Attorney General within the Commission's structure.

This resolution designates March 14, 2026, as "Black Midwives Day" to honor the invaluable contributions of Black midwives to maternal and infant health. It calls for proactive policy measures to address racial disparities in maternal outcomes, support the advancement of Black midwifery, and expand access to culturally congruent care.

This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand and extend the rural decentralized water systems grant program through 2031. It increases the maximum financial assistance available to low-income rural households for the construction or repair of private water wells and septic systems. Additionally, the legislation updates eligibility requirements and allows for extended warranty coverage on new septic installations.

The Keep Your Pay Act provides tax relief to workers and families by significantly increasing the standard deduction and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. It also replaces the existing child tax credit with a new, refundable monthly payment system to provide more consistent financial support. To offset these changes, the bill implements a temporary increase in income tax rates for the highest earners.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 2026 as "Music in Our Schools Month." It recognizes the cultural importance and long history of music education in the U.S. The bill highlights the academic and social benefits of music programs while acknowledging disparities in access to quality music instruction. Ultimately, it calls for increased support for teaching and learning music in public schools.

The GAAME Act of 2026 mandates that schools receiving Title I funding provide students with sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified professionals. By amending the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the bill ensures these programs are integrated into school-wide curricula and targeted assistance plans to support a well-rounded education.

This joint resolution directs the President to immediately remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has formally declared war or passed a specific authorization for military force. It asserts Congress's constitutional authority over declaring war and addresses recent military actions taken without legislative approval. The directive allows for continued defense against direct attacks and support for allies defending against Iranian aggression.

The African American History Act of 2026 establishes a grant program managed by the National Museum of African American History and Culture to support the development and distribution of educational resources regarding African American life, history, and culture. By providing funding for curricula, professional development, and digital programming, the Act aims to enhance historical education in schools through a social justice and anti-bias lens. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reporting to Congress to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of these educational funds.

This resolution celebrates Black History Month by recognizing the profound history and enduring contributions of African Americans to the United States. It acknowledges past injustices while honoring the achievements across all fields that have shaped the nation. The resolution encourages continued reflection and unity as we move forward with liberty and justice for all.

The Supreme Court Ethics and Investigations Act establishes two independent offices within the Supreme Court to enhance judicial accountability. The Office of Ethics Counsel will provide guidance and mandatory training to justices on ethical matters, while the Office of Investigative Counsel is empowered to investigate ethics complaints and issue subpoenas. Together, these offices aim to ensure greater transparency and adherence to conduct standards for Supreme Court justices and their families.

This bill establishes the Office of Small Farms within the USDA to better support small farm, ranch, and forest operations. The Office will coordinate support, review programs for disadvantages to small producers, and develop new initiatives. Key functions include providing technical assistance and implementing a grant program of up to $25,000 per operator. The legislation also mandates the appointment of State small farms coordinators to improve program delivery at the local level.

The Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act of 2026 establishes a pilot program offering competitive grants to local entities in high-unemployment areas to create guaranteed jobs for all eligible adult residents. These guaranteed jobs must meet strict standards for wages, benefits, and working conditions, while also providing supportive services for participants. The bill mandates rigorous reporting and evaluation to assess the program's impact on employment, poverty, and economic indicators.

The State Authority to Protect Civil Rights Act empowers State Attorneys General to file civil lawsuits in federal court on behalf of state residents whose civil rights have been violated. This authority specifically applies to conspiracies against rights and deprivations of rights under color of law. Successful lawsuits may result in injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and punitive damages under certain conditions.

The Under Color of Law Accountability Act establishes new federal criminal offenses for specific misconduct by individuals acting under the color of law. This bill specifically prohibits the use of excessive force, theft of property, and obstruction of justice or evidence by those acting under official authority. It sets clear penalties for these violations, including imprisonment, and addresses related actions like conspiracy and failure to intervene.

The Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act establishes a national employer notification service to automatically alert employers when a school bus driver has a significant change in their driving record, such as a conviction or license suspension. This law requires states to implement this service for all commercial drivers with a school bus endorsement within two years of federal regulation. The Act also clarifies that schools and school districts are considered employers under this service and mandates that drivers receive simultaneous notification of any report sent to their employer.

The SECURES Act of 2026 mandates the Secretary of Transportation to establish new federal standards for seat belts on all new school buses within 180 days of enactment. This rulemaking must consider the proven safety benefits of lap-shoulder belts and incorporate innovative detection and reminder systems. The goal is to ensure every child rides on a school bus equipped with the highest level of available restraint protection.

The Right to Redress Act amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to establish a new procedure for lawsuits against the United States involving injuries or deaths caused by federal law enforcement officers. This legislation grants individuals the right to request a trial by jury in these specific tort claims. Furthermore, it clarifies that judgments against the U.S. under this new process do not prevent separate actions against the individual officer, and it limits the government's discretionary function exception in these cases.

The AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026 establishes a new prize competition program managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to spur AI research and development addressing major national problems. This program will award significant cash prizes for solutions in critical areas like national security, health, and energy. The Act also mandates the coordination of federal agencies to publish foundational datasets to support these AI challenges.

The Federal Grant Neutrality Act prevents the Department of Justice from conditioning the award of its grants on an entity's compliance with specific presidential directives or certain sections of immigration law. This legislation ensures that eligibility for DOJ funding is not tied to adherence to presidential memoranda or Executive orders.