Legislative Activity

The College Transparency Act establishes a secure, new Postsecondary Student Data System to track student enrollment, completion, and post-college outcomes across higher education institutions. This system aims to increase transparency for students and families by providing clear data on costs and success rates, while minimizing duplicate reporting burdens for schools. The collected data will be used for secure research and public reporting of aggregate statistics, strictly prohibiting the sale of data or its use for federal college rankings.

The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to establish clear, biological definitions for the terms "sex," "female," and "male." These definitions are intended to provide legal clarity for educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance. The act takes effect immediately upon being signed into law.

The Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act aims to strengthen rural healthcare by expanding eligibility for rural emergency hospital (REH) status and enhancing financial support for these facilities. The bill introduces new payment incentives, allows for expanded service offerings like swing beds and specialized units, and ensures REHs are eligible for critical grant programs and Medicaid coverage. These measures are designed to increase the sustainability of rural hospitals and improve access to essential care in underserved communities.

This resolution commemorates June 19, 2026, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day," honoring the historical significance of the end of slavery in the United States. It celebrates the resilience of African Americans and encourages nationwide reflection on the history and heritage that have shaped our democracy.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes in rural areas by providing grants for emergency obstetric training, essential medical equipment, and staffing at facilities without dedicated obstetric units. The legislation also establishes a telehealth pilot program to connect rural providers with maternal health specialists for urgent consultations. Additionally, it mandates a comprehensive study on rural maternity ward closures to better inform future regional care strategies.

The CLEAR LABELS Act enhances pharmaceutical transparency by requiring drug labels to clearly identify the original manufacturers of both active ingredients and finished products. It mandates that this supply chain information be accessible through digital tools like QR codes or barcodes, while ensuring paper copies remain available upon request. Additionally, the bill streamlines regulatory compliance by exempting these products from redundant customs country-of-origin marking requirements.

The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now Act of 2026 aims to lower insulin costs by capping out-of-pocket expenses for insured patients and mandating transparency in pharmacy benefit manager rebates. The legislation also seeks to increase market competition by accelerating the approval of generic and biosimilar drugs. Additionally, it establishes a pilot program and national resource center to improve insulin affordability and access for uninsured individuals.

The Aviation Medication Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to create and maintain a public, user-friendly list of medications approved for pilots and air traffic controllers. This list will clearly inform current and prospective aviation personnel about medications they can safely use while holding or applying for a medical certificate. The FAA must consult with medical and stakeholder groups to develop and annually update this comprehensive resource, including both approved and prohibited drugs.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 imposes sweeping economic sanctions and trade restrictions to isolate Russia and penalize those supporting its military efforts. The bill targets Russian financial institutions, energy sectors, and leadership while penalizing foreign entities that facilitate sanctions evasion. It aims to cripple Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine through severe tariffs, asset freezes, and restricted access to U.S. markets.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham, recognizing his decades of dedicated military service and his impactful career in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. It pays tribute to his commitment to national security, the rule of law, and the people of South Carolina. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow for his passing and extends its deepest condolences to his family.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive legislative package designed to combat fraud, reduce government waste, and ensure the integrity of federal spending programs. The bill implements stricter oversight for child care and health care payments, permanently bars those convicted of pandemic-related fraud from future Small Business Administration assistance, and rescinds unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the national deficit. Additionally, it enhances whistleblower protections for government contractors, strengthens data-sharing to intercept improper payments, and establishes new safeguards against foreign influence and deep fake scams.

The **American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026** aims to accelerate energy and infrastructure development by streamlining federal permitting processes. The bill establishes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for natural gas pipeline reviews, sets strict timelines for interagency coordination, and limits the scope of environmental reviews under NEPA. Additionally, it reforms water quality certification requirements and restricts judicial review to prevent project delays, fostering a more predictable regulatory environment for energy and mining projects.

This resolution commemorates the anniversary of the Supreme Court's *Dobbs* decision, celebrating the overturning of *Roe v. Wade* and the return of abortion regulation to elected representatives. It affirms the right to life for the unborn and commits to supporting families and expectant mothers. The resolution also recognizes the role of pregnancy centers and advocates for laws protecting unborn life.

The NO FAKES Act of 2026 establishes a federal property right for individuals and right holders to control the use of their voice or visual likeness in unauthorized, highly realistic computer-generated digital replicas. This grants the right to authorize or prohibit such uses, both during life and for a term following death, creating civil liability for unauthorized distribution or the provision of tools primarily designed for creating such replicas. The Act includes specific liability standards, exclusions for uses like news and parody, and detailed safe harbor provisions for online services that comply with notification and removal procedures.

This bill, the "Save Our Shrimpers Act," mandates that U.S. representatives at international financial institutions must oppose funding for projects supporting shrimp farming, processing, or export in borrowing countries. The Secretary of the Treasury can waive this opposition if deemed in the national interest after notifying Congress. This requirement is set to expire seven years after enactment.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and modifies the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its authorized funding to \$2.0 billion. This legislation broadens eligible lands for maintenance projects and prioritizes those receiving significant private donations. It also enhances transparency by requiring multi-year project lists and actively encouraging public contributions to address deferred maintenance across federal lands.

The Foreign-Trade Zone Export Enhancement Act of 2026 aims to boost U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and job preservation by updating foreign-trade zone operations. This legislation specifically allows certain goods manufactured or processed within these zones to enter the U.S. duty-free. It directs Customs and Border Protection to implement these new tariff rules promptly.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment collectively. This recognition honors the regiment's crucial and heroic service during the Revolutionary War, notably as one of the first integrated military units in American history. The original medal will be displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, and bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs.

The Tribal Warrant Fairness Act aims to enhance cooperation between the U.S. Marshals Service and federally recognized Indian Tribes. This legislation explicitly broadens the Marshals Service's duties to include Tribal fugitive matters and ensures Tribes are integrated into federal threat protection coordination efforts. Ultimately, the bill recognizes and supports Tribal law enforcement within federal frameworks.

This resolution recognizes the strategic importance of the Arctic region to U.S. national security and economic interests. It supports continued congressional engagement with Arctic allies and partners to promote peace, stability, and sustainable development. The Senate specifically backs efforts to strengthen Arctic security, infrastructure, and scientific research while upholding a rules-based international order. The resolution also affirms the vital role of Indigenous peoples in Arctic governance.