Legislative Activity

The Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act authorizes the placement of the National Medal of Honor Monument within the Reserve area in Washington, D.C. This legislation provides the necessary site-specific authorization to ensure the monument can be established in this prominent location.

The Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2026 strengthens immigration enforcement by shifting primary detention and custody authority from the Attorney General to the Secretary of Homeland Security. The bill establishes stricter standards for the detention of noncitizens during removal proceedings and expands the government's authority to hold individuals with final removal orders. Additionally, it limits administrative and judicial review of custody determinations to ensure more consistent enforcement of immigration laws.

This resolution designates August 22 through August 30, 2026, as "National Park Week" to honor the National Park Service’s history and ongoing contributions. It recognizes the vital role these parks play in recreation, education, and the economy while encouraging the public to celebrate and support the preservation of our national treasures.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

This resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, honoring its legacy of fostering international goodwill through educational and cultural exchange. It recognizes the program's significant contributions to U.S. diplomacy, national security, and global academic partnership. Additionally, the resolution congratulates the program's distinguished alumni and encourages continued international collaboration among scholars and professionals.

The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 prohibits the sale or importation of connected vehicles, their parts, and related software originating from or controlled by covered adversarial countries (North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran). Enforced by the Secretary of Commerce, this law aims to mitigate national security risks associated with foreign adversary access to sensitive vehicle data and control systems. The Act establishes phased bans starting in 2027 for vehicles and software, and 2030 for hardware, while setting up processes for compliance, authorization, and enforcement.

The Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act of 2026 strengthens federal efforts to combat economic espionage by expanding the legal definition of a "foreign instrumentality." It ensures that any entity domiciled in countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is subject to these prohibitions, regardless of their specific ownership or management structure.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 imposes sweeping economic sanctions and trade restrictions to isolate Russia and penalize those supporting its military efforts. The bill targets Russian financial institutions, energy sectors, and leadership while penalizing foreign entities that facilitate sanctions evasion. It aims to cripple Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine through severe tariffs, asset freezes, and restricted access to U.S. markets.

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 **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 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 "Free to Exit Administrative Tribunals Act" (FEAT Act), allows certain parties involved in specific Department of the Interior administrative proceedings to transfer their case to a federal district court. Once transferred, the district court will review the matter *de novo*, meaning they will examine the case from the beginning without deference to the agency's prior decision. This provides an expedited path for resolution outside of the Department of the Interior's internal appeals process.

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 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 WARP Act of 2026, mandates the Secretary of Defense to conduct a comprehensive assessment of how integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) impacts warfighters' ability to retain critical skills and maintain operational readiness. The assessment must identify risks associated with AI reliance, evaluate training programs, and recommend policies to ensure proficiency is sustained, especially when AI systems are unavailable. The Department must report findings and recommendations to Congress within one year and submit a longitudinal study three years after enactment.

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 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.

This bill, the SUSTAIN Act, prohibits the Secretary of the Air Force from reducing, retiring, or modifying existing MQ-9 aircraft units through September 30, 2032, with limited exceptions for unsafe aircraft or approved mission conversions. It also requires the Air Force to submit a comprehensive report detailing the recapitalization and modernization plan for the MQ-9 fleet through fiscal year 2035. The legislation aims to protect the current inventory and operational status of these critical unmanned systems.

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 Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, mandatory electronic employment verification system for all U.S. employers, building upon the existing E-Verify program. This legislation phases in requirements for all businesses to use the system to confirm employee work authorization, imposing significantly enhanced civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance or hiring unauthorized workers. The Act also establishes an individual self-check tool and mandates federal agencies to share necessary records to ensure system accuracy and security.