Legislative Activity

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.

This resolution officially designates January 23, 2026, as "Maternal Health Awareness Day." It aims to raise public awareness about the critical issues of maternal mortality, morbidity, and significant health disparities in the United States. The day encourages federal, state, and local entities to take action to improve maternal safety and eliminate inequities in care.

The Federal Officers Camera Use for Safety Act (FOCUS Act) mandates that federal law enforcement officers engaged in immigration enforcement must wear and operate body-worn cameras. This bill establishes specific requirements for camera equipment, video retention periods, and public access to footage under FOIA. It also outlines disciplinary actions for non-compliance and requires annual reporting to Congress on violations and remedial actions.

The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act aims to fundamentally reform immigration detention by prohibiting the use of jails and private criminal facilities for immigrant detention. It establishes stringent new standards for dedicated immigration facilities, mandates regular public reporting and rigorous oversight, and creates a presumption of release for detained individuals, prioritizing community-based alternatives. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the detention of children and the use of solitary confinement for all detained noncitizens.

The Fair Competition for Small Business Act of 2025 empowers state attorneys general to file lawsuits on behalf of their residents for damages resulting from violations of antitrust laws. This amendment to the Clayton Act strengthens enforcement by allowing states to seek redress for harm caused by Sherman Act violations.

The Marijuana in Federally Assisted Housing Parity Act of 2025 prevents individuals from being denied admission to or evicted from federally assisted housing solely for marijuana-related activities that are legal under state law. The bill ensures that such activities are no longer classified as "drug-related criminal activity" within federal housing programs. Additionally, it directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to regulate marijuana smoking in the same manner as tobacco smoking.

The Federal Firearm Licensing Act establishes a mandatory federal licensing system for the purchase and possession of firearms, requiring applicants to complete safety training and undergo comprehensive background checks. The bill also mandates that all private firearm transfers be facilitated by a licensed dealer to ensure compliance with background check requirements. Additionally, it implements ongoing criminal activity monitoring for license holders and requires the reporting of all firearm transactions to the Attorney General.

The Upper Raritan River Watershed Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to evaluate the Upper Raritan River Watershed in New Jersey for potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The study will assess the North and South Branches of the Raritan River, the Black or Lamington River, and their tributaries. A report detailing the findings must be submitted to Congress within three years of funding availability.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the FDA to update federal regulations by replacing references to "animal tests" with the broader term "nonclinical tests." This action ensures regulatory consistency following recent legislative changes regarding drug development methods. The required interim final rule will take effect immediately upon publication.

The EQIP Improvement Act of 2025 reforms the Environmental Quality Incentives Program by adjusting payment limits for conservation practices and establishing a new, lower overall payment cap of $150,000 per entity. This legislation also mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture submit an annual report to Congress detailing funding obligations by state, practice category, and producer operation size.

The Zero Food Waste Act establishes a grant program at the EPA to help cut national food waste in half by 2035 compared to 2015 levels. These competitive grants will fund eligible entities for studying, planning, collecting data on, or implementing activities that reduce food waste sent to landfills. The legislation authorizes significant funding over ten years to support these reduction efforts across the country.

The NOTICE Act establishes new notification requirements for Congress before the President calls the National Guard into federal service for domestic emergencies. This legislation mandates at least 24 hours' notice detailing the justification, scope, and training of the deployed Guard units. Furthermore, the bill requires ongoing written updates every 72 hours for deployments lasting longer than 48 hours.

The PATHS to Tutor Act of 2025 establishes a $500 million competitive grant program to fund high-quality tutoring partnerships between schools and educator preparation programs. These partnerships will place trained tutors in small groups within high-need or hard-to-staff schools. The goal is to accelerate student learning while providing aspiring teachers with valuable, compensated experience. The bill also coordinates these tutoring positions with national service programs to offer educational awards to tutors upon completion of service.

The Freedom to Heal Act of 2025 establishes a special registration process for physicians to administer certain unapproved, experimental Schedule I drugs to terminally ill patients under existing "Right to Try" laws. This process, overseen by the Attorney General, requires physicians to meet specific application criteria, including manufacturer verification and state law compliance. The bill mandates swift action on applications and outlines procedures for drug quantity management and treatment at multiple sites to ensure patient access while preventing diversion.

This resolution commemorates World AIDS Day and supports the global and domestic goals to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. It recognizes significant progress made through initiatives like PEPFAR and the Ryan White Program while highlighting ongoing challenges, particularly regarding disparities in affected communities. The resolution urges continued funding for prevention, treatment, and research both in the U.S. and internationally.