Legislative Activity

The Quantum-GUARD Act of 2026 mandates that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) account for quantum computing cybersecurity risks when establishing grid reliability standards. The legislation directs the Department of Energy to create a "PQC sandbox" to foster innovation in post-quantum cryptography and requires a comprehensive study on protecting the nation’s bulk-power system from future quantum-based threats.

The Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026 designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) through July 1, 2029, allowing eligible Afghan nationals currently in the United States to live and work legally. The bill mandates expedited processing for TPS applications and provides for fee waivers for qualified applicants. Additionally, it establishes clear requirements for background checks and emergency travel authorization for those granted status.

The Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Talent Act directs the federal government to develop a comprehensive strategy to attract, retain, and cultivate the global and domestic talent necessary to maintain U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence. The bill mandates an interagency assessment of current immigration and workforce policies to better support innovation and economic growth while strengthening national security vetting. Ultimately, the legislation aims to align federal practices with the goal of securing American dominance in critical and emerging technologies.

The ASSET Act aims to improve financial security for low-income families by eliminating restrictive asset limits in key public assistance programs, including TANF, SNAP, and LIHEAP. By removing these barriers, the bill allows families to build savings without risking their eligibility for essential support. Additionally, the Act significantly raises and indexes resource limits for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to keep pace with inflation.

The Carbon Dioxide Removal Leadership Act of 2026 mandates that the Department of Energy procure increasing amounts of atmospheric carbon dioxide removal services, scaling up to 10 million metric tons annually by 2036. The bill establishes rigorous third-party verification standards, prioritizes projects that provide community and economic benefits, and sets declining price caps to drive technological innovation. Additionally, it requires a federal study to develop a strategy for achieving gigaton-scale carbon removal by 2050.

The National Coordination on Resilience for Security Act of 2026 establishes a Chief Resilience Officer within the National Security Council to lead a unified federal strategy against natural hazards. This legislation creates interagency working groups and a Partners Council to streamline federal resilience efforts, improve spending efficiency, and better support state, local, and tribal communities. Additionally, the Act mandates the development of a comprehensive National Resilience Strategy and an online clearinghouse to enhance national security through proactive, science-based adaptation.

The New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency (NO BOSS) Act expands access to self-employment assistance programs by removing the requirement that participants must be likely to exhaust their unemployment benefits. The bill modernizes program standards to prioritize entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and the development of formal business plans. These updates aim to provide greater flexibility and support for unemployed individuals looking to transition into business ownership.

The NO FAKES Act of 2026 establishes a federal property right for individuals and right holders to control the use of their voice or visual likeness in unauthorized, highly realistic computer-generated digital replicas. This grants the right to authorize or prohibit such uses, both during life and for a term following death, creating civil liability for unauthorized distribution or the provision of tools primarily designed for creating such replicas. The Act includes specific liability standards, exclusions for uses like news and parody, and detailed safe harbor provisions for online services that comply with notification and removal procedures.

The Energy Security Pacts Act establishes a framework for the U.S. Department of State to enter into multiyear agreements with partner countries to strengthen energy and economic security. By creating a dedicated Office of Energy Security Pacts and an interagency Council, the bill aims to diversify critical mineral and energy supply chains while fostering private-sector investment. These pacts are designed to enhance global energy reliability and competitiveness through transparent, strategic, and collaborative international partnerships.

The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Defense Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive framework within the Department of Defense for developing and using autonomous weapon systems and AI capabilities. It mandates maximizing the use of AI while ensuring continuous, rigorous human oversight to comply with the laws of war and safety standards. The bill institutes a risk-based review system for all new systems before prototyping and fielding, and it explicitly prohibits using autonomy for initiating nuclear launches or certain domestic surveillance activities. Finally, it requires extensive testing, evaluation, and annual reporting to Congress on the implementation of these safeguards.

This resolution officially designates May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month. It recognizes the devastating impact of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and affirms the Senate's dedication to improving access to treatments and supports for those affected. The bill also commits to supporting research to find causes, risk factors, and a cure for ALS.

The Safer Choice Program Authorization Act of 2026 formally establishes and strengthens the EPA's voluntary Safer Choice and Design for the Environment programs. This legislation mandates the EPA to continue operating these programs, which use rigorous, science-based standards to identify products made with safer chemical ingredients. The Act authorizes funding through 2034 and ensures ongoing transparency through annual reporting and a public database of certified products.

This Senate resolution declares the People's Republic of China (PRC) the foremost strategic competitor of the United States, citing threats across military, economic, and technological domains. It calls for countering these threats by making them a top foreign policy priority. The resolution urges strengthening deterrence, protecting U.S. economic interests against predatory practices, and reaffirming commitments to Indo-Pacific allies.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized the action. It asserts Congress's constitutional authority over declaring war and cites the War Powers Resolution regarding unauthorized military engagements. The bill permits necessary defensive actions, intelligence sharing, and support for attacked allies.

This resolution commends the American Chemical Society (ACS) on its 150th anniversary, recognizing its vital service to the United States. It honors the ACS's enduring contributions to science, education, and economic strength. The resolution further affirms the importance of promoting STEM education and careers in chemistry.

The Railroad Retirement Fairness Act of 2026 aims to ensure railroad employees and their families receive equitable Social Security benefit protections. This bill prevents the reduction of Social Security benefits for railroad workers who also qualify for benefits through other employment by treating their railroad retirement annuity as a Social Security benefit for WEP and GPO calculations. Additionally, it eliminates a specific deduction from annuities under the Railroad Retirement Act.

The Ending Scam Credit Repair Act (ESCRA) strengthens consumer protections by imposing stricter regulations on credit repair organizations, including prohibitions against deceptive practices and "dispute jamming." The bill mandates that these organizations provide proof of results before collecting payment, requires state licensing, and increases transparency through enhanced disclosure and recordkeeping requirements. Additionally, it expands consumer rights by allowing for statutory damages in cases of noncompliance.

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.

The Military Learning for Credit Act of 2025 allows eligible veterans to use their existing educational assistance benefits to cover the costs of approved examinations, such as CLEP and DSST tests, to earn college credit. This benefit is capped at \$500 per exam and will count against the veteran's total educational entitlement time. Using these funds for testing will not affect any separate educational assistance received from the Department of Defense.

The Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act establishes a federal grant program to help law enforcement agencies and nonprofits improve interactions with individuals who have autism or other developmental and communication disabilities. By funding voluntary "blue envelope" initiatives, the bill provides officers with specialized de-escalation training and offers community members tools to help navigate law enforcement encounters safely. The program also creates a public directory to connect individuals with local resources and prioritizes trauma-informed, community-supported practices.