Legislative Activity

The Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act prohibits the use of federal funds for research or publications concerning gender transition procedures for minors. This restriction applies to studies involving hormone treatments or surgeries intended to affirm a minor's gender identity when it differs from their biological sex at birth.

This resolution designates August 1, 2026, as "Gold Star Children’s Day" to honor the sacrifices and unique hardships faced by children who have lost a parent in military service. It serves as a formal expression of national gratitude, encouraging Americans to recognize and support these children.

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.

This bill, the "Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act," overhauls the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) hurricane hunter program. It mandates NOAA to acquire and maintain a dedicated fleet of 6 to 9 aircraft for essential hurricane reconnaissance and research missions. The legislation ensures the continuous collection and real-time sharing of critical weather data while authorizing significant funding for aircraft acquisition through fiscal year 2031.

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.

This bill, the "Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act," raises the minimum amount of money required for certain cases to be heard in federal court from $\$75,000$ to $\$150,000$. It mandates automatic adjustments to this threshold every ten years based on inflation, measured by the Consumer Price Index. The legislation also clarifies when federal courts may charge plaintiffs with costs if they fail to meet the minimum amount in controversy.

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the operations and funding of the Commission through September 30, 2028. This legislation ensures the continued mandate of the Commission in monitoring and promoting religious freedom globally.

The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 aims to strengthen Taiwan’s asymmetric defense capabilities by integrating its drone industry into the U.S. "Blue UAS" supply chain. The bill establishes a working group to identify opportunities for co-developing secure, PRC-independent unmanned aircraft systems and creates a fast-track certification process for Taiwanese manufacturers. By fostering these partnerships, the legislation seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese-sourced components and enhance regional security through a collaborative, allied drone supply chain.

The **Reassessing the United States-Tanzania Bilateral Relationship Act** mandates a comprehensive review of U.S.-Tanzania relations in response to significant democratic backsliding, human rights abuses, and political violence surrounding the 2025 elections. The bill authorizes the President to impose targeted sanctions on Tanzanian officials responsible for these violations and restricts certain U.S. security and financial assistance until the government implements verifiable democratic reforms.

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 Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 addresses the high rates of PTSD and acute stress disorder among public safety officers and telecommunicators. This bill directs the Attorney General to study and report on options for providing state-of-the-art, confidential mental health treatment and preventative care to these essential personnel. The resulting report will outline proposed programs, necessary legislative language, and funding estimates for implementation across all levels of government.

The Tribal Warrant Fairness Act aims to enhance cooperation between the U.S. Marshals Service and federally recognized Indian Tribes. This legislation explicitly broadens the Marshals Service's duties to include Tribal fugitive matters and ensures Tribes are integrated into federal threat protection coordination efforts. Ultimately, the bill recognizes and supports Tribal law enforcement within federal frameworks.

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 Promoting Police Leadership Act directs the Attorney General to develop and certify standardized leadership training curricula for command-level law enforcement personnel. This training will focus on critical areas like strategic thinking, risk management, and building community trust through evidence-based methods. The bill also requires tracking trained officers and mandates reports to Congress on implementation and effectiveness, while explicitly preserving state and local authority over their own training standards.

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 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.

This Act prohibits U.S. money services businesses from conducting any transactions involving a central bank digital currency issued by the People's Republic of China. It amends federal law to specifically bar these financial entities from engaging directly or indirectly with the Chinese CBDC.

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.