Legislative Activity

This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the volunteers and communities that supported the North Platte Canteen during World War II. The Canteen was a massive, entirely volunteer-run operation that fed approximately six million service members traveling across the country. The original gold medal will be permanently displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska. The bill also allows the U.S. Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.

This bill, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2026, significantly increases the penalties for stealing firearms from federally licensed dealers, importers, and manufacturers. It establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for theft committed during a burglary or robbery of these businesses. Furthermore, the act clarifies that attempts to steal firearms from licensed collectors face the same enhanced penalties as successful theft.

This resolution honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for Michigan. It recognizes his decades in Congress, highlighting key legislative achievements such as co-sponsoring the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and leading significant banking reforms. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow and adjourns in his memory.

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026 establishes automatic, 14-day continuing appropriations to prevent federal operations from halting when regular funding lapses. This mechanism funds programs at the previous rate until Congress enacts a full budget or continuing resolution. The bill also imposes strict limitations on official travel and congressional business during these funding gaps. Finally, it classifies the costs of this Act as discretionary spending subject to existing budget enforcement rules.

This bill, the Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2026, amends Medicare rules to count time spent receiving outpatient observation services in a hospital toward the required 3-day inpatient hospital stay. This change allows beneficiaries to qualify sooner for Medicare coverage of skilled nursing facility (SNF) services. The provision applies to observation services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.

This bill, TREY's Law, declares that nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements are void and unenforceable if they prevent the disclosure of sexual abuse against a minor. The legislation aims to protect survivors' rights to report crimes and cooperate with authorities by overriding any state or private contract that suppresses information about child sexual abuse. This law applies retroactively to all existing and future agreements.

The Safe Cloud Storage Act amends existing law to establish a secure framework for law enforcement agencies to utilize approved cloud service providers for storing child pornography and related materials. This legislation sets strict cybersecurity and evidence handling requirements for these vendors while granting them limited liability protections for their contractual duties. The bill ensures data remains secure, primarily within the U.S., and mandates regular audits and notifications to the Department of Justice.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late former United States Senator John Seymour of California. It recognizes his extensive public service, highlighting his career in business, local government, and his tenure in the U.S. Senate. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow and directs that official copies of this resolution be delivered to his family.

This resolution designates May 2026 as National Foster Care Month to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children in the foster care system. It honors the resilience of foster youth and expresses gratitude for foster parents, social workers, and advocates. Ultimately, the measure encourages Congress to implement policies that improve outcomes for children in foster care, from prevention to successful transition to adulthood.

This resolution mandates that the pay for all Senators be withheld during any federal government shutdown. The Secretary of the Senate must hold these compensation payments until the shutdown concludes, at which point the funds will be released. This measure will take effect following the November 2026 general election.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week." It serves to recognize and honor the service, sacrifice, and valor of law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of their essential mission.

The Advancing Water Reuse Act establishes a new 30% investment tax credit for taxpayers who invest in qualifying water reuse projects. This credit incentivizes the installation or expansion of systems that recycle water for industrial, manufacturing, data center, food processing, or municipal use. The provision applies to projects placed in service within 10 years of enactment, provided construction begins after that date.

The ABLE Tomorrow Act aims to expand financial security for people with disabilities by enhancing access to and use of ABLE savings accounts. Key provisions include prohibiting Medicaid recovery from ABLE accounts upon the beneficiary's death and creating exceptions to annual contribution limits for specific lump-sum payments. Furthermore, the bill mandates widespread federal and state agency outreach to inform eligible individuals about ABLE programs and allows employees to redirect certain employer retirement contributions directly into their ABLE accounts.

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.

The FAIR Labels Act of 2026 establishes clear labeling requirements and regulatory oversight for both cell-cultivated protein products and plant-based alternative protein products. It mandates that cell-cultivated products must prominently feature the term "cell-cultivated" on their labels, while plant-based alternatives must be clearly identified as "plant-based alternative protein product." Furthermore, the bill updates the agreement between the USDA and HHS to clarify their respective roles in regulating the safety and production of cell-cultivated protein.

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 GUARD Act establishes federal guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence chatbots, particularly concerning minors. It mandates that companies operating these AI systems implement rigorous age verification processes for all users. Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for designing AI that solicits minors into explicit conduct or promotes violence, and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance with user protection and disclosure requirements.

The White House Safety and Security Act of 2026 authorizes \$400 million for a comprehensive East Wing Modernization Project, including the construction of a secure State Ballroom and visitor screening facility. This funding is specifically allocated for design, construction, and related expenses to enhance White House security infrastructure. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain customs user fees until March 31, 2032.

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.