Legislative Activity

The Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act amends federal law regarding the use of motor vehicles in certain crimes. This bill lowers the required mental state for conviction from proving "intent to cause death or serious bodily harm" to simply proving the act was done "knowingly." It also clarifies that enhanced penalties for death apply when the vehicle was taken with the intent to cause serious harm, and death subsequently occurs.

The Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act establishes federal requirements for companies providing artificial intelligence chatbots to U.S. users. It mandates age verification for all users and prohibits minors from accessing specialized "AI Companions." Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for developing chatbots that solicit minors into sexually explicit conduct or promote violence, and requires covered entities to ensure chatbots clearly disclose they are not human.

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.

This bill officially reauthorizes the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIP) for an additional seven years, extending its operation until 2034. It also updates the mandatory recoupment timelines for when the government recovers insurance payments following a covered terrorist act.

This bill prohibits federal family planning funds under Title X from being provided to any entity that performs, promotes, or refers for abortion. Entities receiving funds must certify they will not perform abortions or give funds to organizations that do, with limited exceptions for rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing grant recipients and any abortions performed under the exceptions.

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.

This bill prohibits all future United States financial contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It also restricts the use of federal funds for U.S. delegations to UN bodies chaired by countries deemed to repeatedly support international terrorism. Furthermore, the legislation revokes all privileges and immunities for UNRWA officials and employees.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish a committee to review and recommend updates to policies regarding the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions. The bill mandates regulatory updates to encourage aviation personnel to seek mental health care without fear of penalty. Furthermore, it allocates funding to enhance the FAA's capacity to process reviews and launches a public campaign to reduce mental health stigma within the industry.

The Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends and updates funding for existing regional ocean partnerships through fiscal year 2031. This legislation amends previous law to ensure continued support for these vital ocean management initiatives. It also adjusts reporting requirements to assess the ongoing effectiveness of the partnerships.

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 strengthens the ability of claimants to recover art looted by the Nazis by ensuring cases are decided on their legal merits rather than procedural technicalities. The bill prevents courts from dismissing claims based on the passage of time or other non-merits defenses and clarifies that these actions may proceed regardless of the victim's nationality. These updates aim to remove legal barriers and ensure that justice for victims of Nazi persecution is not frustrated by procedural delays.

The Child Predators Accountability Act strengthens federal laws against the sexual exploitation of minors by closing critical legal loopholes. It expands the definition of prohibited conduct to include the intentional depiction of minors in sexually explicit material, regardless of whether the child physically participated in the act. This legislation ensures that those who coerce or exploit children through digital depictions are held fully accountable under federal law.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

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 HBCU Research Capacity Act establishes a federal clearinghouse within the Department of Education to help Historically Black Colleges and Universities identify and secure federal research grant opportunities. By providing centralized resources, best practices, and increased transparency, the bill aims to dismantle systemic funding barriers and strengthen the research capacity of HBCUs. Additionally, the legislation mandates that major federal agencies review their grant programs and report annually to Congress to ensure equitable access to research funding.

This resolution establishes the first Saturday after the Spring Equinox as "National Day of Play" to promote community engagement and social connection. By encouraging people to step away from electronics, the initiative highlights the vital role that play serves in supporting mental, physical, and social well-being.

Sammy’s Law requires large social media platforms to provide parents and guardians with free tools to monitor and manage their children's accounts, including private messages, content, and privacy settings. The legislation mandates that platforms offer secure API access to authorized third-party safety software to help facilitate this oversight. Additionally, the bill establishes federal enforcement through the FTC to ensure these safety standards are upheld consistently across the country.

This resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the vital contributions of women across the agricultural industry. It celebrates the essential roles women play as producers, educators, and leaders, while encouraging the nation to support and empower the next generation of female agricultural professionals.

The Local Data for Better Conservation Act requires the Secretary to incorporate state-collected data when making listing or delisting determinations under the Endangered Species Act. This legislation ensures that local scientific information is formally integrated into federal decision-making processes for species protection.

The "Stop Insider Trading Act" prohibits Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing individual stocks and requires advanced public notice for any sale of existing holdings. The bill establishes strict financial penalties for violations, which must be paid personally by the Member of Congress. These measures aim to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest by restricting personal investment activities among federal lawmakers.