Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution urges the President to prioritize securing the release of several specific individuals wrongfully detained by the People's Republic of China during future engagements with President Xi Jinping. The resolution condemns these politically motivated detentions and calls for immediate humanitarian access and release for those named. It reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defending political and religious freedoms globally.

The **BACK OFF Act** aims to prevent "birth tourism" by making it grounds for inadmissibility and deportation for non-permanent residents who travel to the U.S. solely to give birth and secure automatic citizenship for their children. The bill establishes severe criminal penalties for facilitating this practice and mandates new medical examinations and expedited removal processes for suspected offenders. It also creates a dedicated Department of Homeland Security task force to investigate and combat birth tourism schemes.

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.

The Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act revises federal law regarding motor vehicle theft by lowering the required mental state for the basic offense to "knowingly." This change broadens the scope of federal jurisdiction over carjacking incidents. The bill also establishes a specific aggravating factor if death results when a vehicle is taken with the intent to cause serious harm.

This bill repeals the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, eliminating the federal requirement for contractors on federally funded construction projects to pay locally prevailing wages. The repeal voids the requirement for the Department of Labor to set these minimum wage rates for federal contracts over $2,000. This change takes effect 30 days after the bill is enacted, with exceptions for existing contracts and open bids.

The Veterans Protection from Fraud Act of 2026 enhances penalties for crimes committed against veterans. This legislation specifically amends federal law to include "targeted veterans of any age" as a category of vulnerable victims. Consequently, offenders who target veterans will face stricter punishments under existing statutes.

This resolution expresses concern over the People's Republic of China's expanding economic, security, and diplomatic influence in Latin America and the Caribbean. It calls for the United States to strengthen its own engagement in the region to counter this growing presence. The bill urges the administration to develop a comprehensive strategy and increase investment and exchange programs as alternatives to Chinese influence.

The Workforce Transparency Act of 2026 establishes a voluntary federal framework for sharing aggregated, de-identified data about how artificial intelligence systems impact the workforce. This allows AI providers and customers to submit privacy-protected information on task usage and geographic distribution to the Department of Labor. The Act aims to support evidence-based policy while strictly prohibiting the disclosure of individual privacy, trade secrets, or proprietary information. No entity is required to participate, and choosing not to submit data cannot result in adverse inferences by federal agencies.

The Time for Completion Act aims to increase transparency by requiring colleges to provide detailed, publicly available data on how long it actually takes different types of students to complete their degrees or certificates. This new reporting will break down completion rates across various timeframes (up to 200% or 300% of normal time) based on enrollment status. These expanded graduation rates must also be included in the information provided directly to prospective and current students.

The Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 prohibits the Department of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing OSHA's proposed 2024 heat safety standard. Congress finds the proposed rule too rigid, burdensome, and confusing for both businesses and workers across diverse industries. This legislation prevents the adoption of that specific, prescriptive standard or any substantially similar regulation.

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.

This resolution designates April 2026 as "Financial Literacy Month." The designation aims to raise public awareness about the critical importance of personal financial education. It calls upon various sectors of society to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities promoting financial well-being.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing government waste, preventing fraud, and increasing financial transparency across federal programs. It targets improper payments in areas like child care and Medicare, permanently bars pandemic relief fraudsters from future SBA aid, and cancels unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the deficit. Additionally, the Act strengthens oversight of welfare programs, enhances fraud enforcement timelines, and expands whistleblower protections for federal contractors.

The Engineering Biology Readiness Act focuses on strengthening national biodefense against risks associated with engineering biology. It extends deadlines for national biodefense strategy briefings and mandates a comprehensive analysis of current and future engineering biology threats. Furthermore, the bill requires recommendations for modernizing U.S. authorities, regulations, and research efforts to mitigate risks while supporting beneficial innovation.

The Medication Competition Act establishes a clear pathway for the FDA to approve biosimilar and interchangeable versions of biologic drugs. It sets rigorous standards for safety and efficacy, requiring biosimilars to be highly similar to the reference product. The bill also institutes a one-year exclusivity period for the first approved interchangeable product and outlines procedures for resolving related patent disputes.

This bill aims to eliminate "sanctuary jurisdictions" by penalizing local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It provides legal protections for local officers who comply with DHS detainers and makes sanctuary jurisdictions ineligible for a wide range of federal grants. Furthermore, it allows states to sue jurisdictions that release immigrants who subsequently commit crimes in other states.

The FLEX Act revises federal funding distribution for charter schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It expands allowable uses for grant funds to support new programs within high-quality charter schools and increases minimum funding reservations for development, replication, and facilities assistance. The bill also streamlines application requirements and clarifies rules regarding advance payments and technical assistance for charter school grantees.

The Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 prohibits state and local governments from imposing liability on energy businesses for climate change-related harms through lawsuits or new penalty laws. This legislation asserts that the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of federal law. Consequently, all pending "qualified liability actions" in state or federal court must be dismissed.

This Senate resolution urges the President to prioritize securing the release of several individuals, including Pastor Jin Mingri and Jimmy Lai, who are wrongfully detained by the People's Republic of China. It calls for immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights. Furthermore, the resolution directs the President to raise these humanitarian concerns during future engagements with President Xi Jinping.

The IGO Anti-Boycott Act expands existing law to prohibit boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations, not just foreign countries. It also mandates that the President submit an annual public report detailing all covered boycotting entities and their actions.