Legislative Activity

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.

This bill amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to expand eligibility for certain water infrastructure funds under the Carey Act. Specifically, it authorizes the Secretary to use these funds for the rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement of older dams originally authorized under the Act of August 18, 1894. This funding can only be used after confirming that necessary rehabilitation work on these eligible dams is already secured through other means.

This resolution commemorates the 179th anniversary of the arrival of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pioneers in the Great Salt Lake Valley. It honors their historic journey in pursuit of religious freedom and recognizes their foundational role in settling the American West. Furthermore, it celebrates the enduring pioneer spirit of resilience and industry that continues to shape the American story today.

This resolution designates July 25, 2026, as "National Day of the American Cowboy" to honor the historical and cultural significance of cowboys and cowgirls. It recognizes their vital role in shaping the American West and celebrates the enduring values, economic contributions, and community spirit they continue to embody today.

The Small County PILT Parity Act seeks to update the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program by adjusting population thresholds for qualifying local governments. By lowering these figures and introducing a new payment calculation table, the bill aims to better support the unique financial needs of the nation's smallest counties.

The Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 updates the EPA’s formula for distributing federal clean water funding to states, territories, and Indian tribes. By prioritizing infrastructure needs, population data, and poverty levels, the bill ensures a more equitable and modern allocation of resources. Additionally, it streamlines administrative requirements and expands the eligible uses of state capitalization grants to better support water infrastructure projects.

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.

This resolution expresses support for designating **July 10, 2026, as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day**. It honors the critical and often dangerous work these individuals perform to maintain the nation's electric grid, especially during emergencies. The day also commemorates the anniversary of the first IBEW president's line-of-duty death while restoring power.

The EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025 extends the authorization for the Young Women’s Breast Health Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act of 2009. This legislation ensures that vital breast health education and awareness programs for young women remain funded through 2031.

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.

This bill, the FIRE SMART Act of 2026, requires the EPA to immediately expand the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) program. The expansion specifically directs funding toward water infrastructure projects that aid in wildfire suppression for rural communities at high risk from fire. The EPA must prioritize projects that benefit both drinking water quality and fire safety in these vulnerable areas.

The Duty Status Reform Act aims to modernize and improve the regulations governing work-hour requirements for professionals in high-stakes industries. By updating duty status standards, the bill seeks to enhance operational safety, reduce fatigue-related risks, and promote better work-life balance for employees.

The Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act significantly amends existing law to provide broad immunity to the firearms industry from civil lawsuits related to the criminal or unlawful use of their products. This legislation mandates the immediate dismissal of pending lawsuits against the industry and establishes strict definitions and procedural hurdles for any claims attempting to use statutory exceptions. Furthermore, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on manufacturers or sellers for harms resulting from criminal misuse of firearms.

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 Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025 aims to accelerate wildfire risk reduction on federal lands by mandating ambitious, measurable targets for forest thinning and prescribed burns. The legislation streamlines environmental reviews for vegetation management near power lines and roads, while empowering local governments and tribes to participate in legal proceedings. Additionally, it fosters agency innovation through new technology pilot programs and requires enhanced public reporting to ensure greater accountability and transparency in forest management.

The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act increases the penalty for providing a phone or voice communication device to a federal inmate from one year to two years in prison. The bill also mandates that the Director of the Bureau of Prisons review and update policies related to prohibited objects within federal prisons. This legislation aims to enhance security by specifically targeting the supply of contraband communication devices.

The Carla Walker Act establishes two competitive grant programs, totaling \$10 million annually from FY 2027-2031, to improve forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) DNA analysis and database searching capabilities. These grants support accredited laboratories and law enforcement agencies in using advanced DNA sequencing for investigations and identifying human remains. The bill imposes strict operational rules, including CODIS pre-search requirements and informed consent provisions, while mandating detailed reporting on FGG usage. Finally, it requires the Department of Justice to report to Congress on FGG practices and future funding needs.

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.