Legislative Activity

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.

The Relief for Families of the Fallen Act provides significant income tax relief for the families of public safety officers who die from injuries sustained in the line of duty. This bill exempts income taxes for the year of death and prior years back to when the injury occurred. Eligibility will be determined by the Treasury Secretary based on existing federal death benefit criteria.

This bill authorizes the Army to partner with private industry to extract strategic and critical minerals from its industrial facilities. These agreements require private entities to assume full environmental liability and provide fair compensation to the Army. Funds received can be used to support and modernize the Army's industrial base, streamlining support for national defense needs.

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.

This bill combines two major components: the **Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act**, which reforms and extends key surveillance authorities like Section 702 of FISA with new privacy protections and criminal penalties for misuse, and the **Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act**, which explicitly prohibits the Federal Reserve from creating or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to the public. In essence, the legislation tightens oversight on foreign intelligence gathering while blocking the creation of a government-controlled digital currency.

The Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 prohibits the Department of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing OSHA's proposed 2024 heat safety standard. Congress finds the proposed rule too rigid, burdensome, and confusing for both businesses and workers across diverse industries. This legislation prevents the adoption of that specific, prescriptive standard or any substantially similar regulation.

This resolution formally welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States for His Majesty's address to a joint meeting of Congress. It recognizes the deep, historic partnership between the U.S. and U.K. across security, innovation, and shared democratic values. The bill reaffirms the enduring friendship and encourages deeper cooperation on strategic global issues.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing government waste, preventing fraud, and increasing financial transparency across federal programs. It targets improper payments in areas like child care and Medicare, permanently bars pandemic relief fraudsters from future SBA aid, and cancels unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the deficit. Additionally, the Act strengthens oversight of welfare programs, enhances fraud enforcement timelines, and expands whistleblower protections for federal contractors.

The Airpower Acceleration Act of 2026 streamlines the acquisition of critical fighter jets by granting the Secretary of Defense multiyear procurement authority for the F-35 and F-15EX aircraft. This bill also establishes new minimum inventory requirements for the Air Force fighter fleet, aiming for at least 1,800 total fighters by 2026. Furthermore, it authorizes an expansion of the F-15EX fleet to replace aging F-15E aircraft.

This bill mandates that states verify an applicant's lawful presence in the U.S. before issuing driver's licenses, commercial licenses, or identification cards. States failing to implement these strict verification and electronic confirmation requirements by October 2026 will face a 10% reduction in federal highway funding. Withheld funds will be redistributed to states that comply with the new federal standards.

The Satellite Cybersecurity Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive federal review of cybersecurity support for commercial satellite systems, led by the Comptroller General. It requires the Department of Commerce to establish a public online clearinghouse for cybersecurity resources and consolidate voluntary industry recommendations. Furthermore, the Act compels the Department of Commerce to develop and submit a national cybersecurity strategy for these systems to Congress.

The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility (EBITDA) Act repeals recent modifications to the calculation of adjusted taxable income regarding business interest deduction limits. By removing these specific constraints from the Internal Revenue Code, the bill aims to restore previous standards for how businesses determine their deductible interest expenses. This change is set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

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 Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act clarifies that states may use federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy centers. It ensures that organizations providing resources and services to expectant mothers, fathers, and families cannot be discriminated against in the allocation of these grants.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated grant program and emergency response fund to support the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. This legislation provides critical federal funding through 2030 to enhance conservation efforts and ensure authorized facilities have the resources necessary to care for these protected species.

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.

The Pro Codes Act of 2026 protects the copyright of technical standards incorporated into law, ensuring that standards development organizations can continue to fund their work. In exchange for this protection, the Act requires these organizations to provide the public with free, searchable online access to the specific standards referenced in government regulations.