Legislative Activity

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.

This resolution officially designates June 30, 2026, as "Asteroid Day." It expresses support for global planetary defense efforts, recognizing the importance of detecting and mitigating near-Earth objects to protect Earth. The bill highlights U.S. leadership in asteroid research and calls for continued investment in detection and public education.

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 Lead in Toys Act" mandates that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) implement key oversight improvements to better detect and regulate toxic substances in children's products. This legislation requires the CPSC to establish stricter compliance monitoring, refine laboratory risk assessments, and formalize recurring reviews of lead and phthalate safety standards. Through these actions, the bill aims to strengthen federal oversight and ensure safer products for children.

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.

The Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2026 aims to incentivize financial preparedness among first-time homebuyers. This act modifies mortgage insurance premium requirements by offering a 25 basis point reduction for those who complete approved housing counseling *before* applying for a mortgage or signing a sales agreement. This change replaces the previous cap on the discount.

The TAAP Act reauthorizes the vital United States-Mexico Transboundary Aquifer Assessment Program. This legislation expands the program's scope to include priority aquifers in Arizona, alongside New Mexico and Texas. Furthermore, it extends the program's funding authorization through fiscal year 2036 and resets its termination date.

The Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2025 grants federal appellate and district court judges the discretion to permit public photographing, recording, and broadcasting of court proceedings. This authority is subject to due process considerations and includes mandatory protections for vulnerable witnesses, such as the right to remain unrecognizable. The Act also prohibits all media coverage of jurors and the jury selection process.

The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to support the Iranian people by expanding access to uncensored information and countering regime-imposed internet blackouts. The bill mandates the development of new communication technologies, increases funding for digital freedom programs, and requires the identification and sanctioning of individuals complicit in human rights abuses. Additionally, it strengthens support for independent media and provides cybersecurity training to Iranian journalists and civil society activists.

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 **PEACE in Sudan Act** aims to end the ongoing conflict in Sudan by leveraging diplomatic, economic, and legal tools to hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable and dismantle the networks fueling the war. The bill mandates comprehensive reporting on foreign interference and human rights abuses, authorizes targeted sanctions against malign actors, and restricts financial assistance to the Sudanese government. Additionally, it establishes a long-term strategy for peace, humanitarian support, and the transition to a democratic civilian government.

This resolution officially designates May 10–16, 2026, as the 27th Annual National Charter Schools Week. It congratulates the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of public charter schools nationwide for their contributions to education. The bill highlights the growth, accountability, and positive academic impact of these tuition-free public schools. It encourages communities to hold events supporting high-quality charter schools during that week.

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 Government Bailout Prevention Act prohibits the use of federal funds to assist state and local governments that file for bankruptcy, default on obligations, or face imminent default after January 1, 2026. This restriction applies to Treasury actions and Federal Reserve support, with an exception for disaster-related aid. The bill aims to prevent federal bailouts for financially distressed state and local entities.

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.

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 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 Detention Authority Clarification Act updates terminology in immigration inspection law and expands mandatory detention requirements. Specifically, it changes the term "alien seeking admission" to "applicant for admission." This change subjects applicants for admission to the same mandatory detention rules currently applied to other specified groups.