Legislative Activity

The Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act amends federal law regarding the use of motor vehicles in certain crimes. This bill lowers the required mental state for conviction from proving "intent to cause death or serious bodily harm" to simply proving the act was done "knowingly." It also clarifies that enhanced penalties for death apply when the vehicle was taken with the intent to cause serious harm, and death subsequently occurs.

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 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.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

This Senate resolution urges the President to prioritize securing the release of several individuals, including Pastor Jin Mingri and Jimmy Lai, who are wrongfully detained by the People's Republic of China. It calls for immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for peacefully exercising their rights. Furthermore, the resolution directs the President to raise these humanitarian concerns during future engagements with President Xi Jinping.

This bill prohibits federal family planning funds under Title X from being provided to any entity that performs, promotes, or refers for abortion. Entities receiving funds must certify they will not perform abortions or give funds to organizations that do, with limited exceptions for rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing grant recipients and any abortions performed under the exceptions.

This resolution designates April 2026 as National Safe Digging Month to promote public safety. It strongly encourages everyone planning to dig to call 811 beforehand so utility lines can be safely located and marked. This simple step helps prevent dangerous accidents, service disruptions, and property damage.

The SAFE Act extends and reforms key foreign surveillance authorities under Section 702 of FISA through 2028 while significantly strengthening privacy protections for Americans. It mandates strict warrant requirements for the FBI to access U.S. persons' communications collected under this authority and introduces sweeping reforms across FISA to increase judicial oversight, transparency, and accountability for government misuse of surveillance powers. Furthermore, the bill bans intelligence agencies from purchasing Americans' sensitive data from commercial brokers without a court order.

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 strengthens the ability of claimants to recover art looted by the Nazis by ensuring cases are decided on their legal merits rather than procedural technicalities. The bill prevents courts from dismissing claims based on the passage of time or other non-merits defenses and clarifies that these actions may proceed regardless of the victim's nationality. These updates aim to remove legal barriers and ensure that justice for victims of Nazi persecution is not frustrated by procedural delays.

The Blue Skies for Taiwan Act of 2026 aims to strengthen Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities by integrating the island into the U.S. "Blue UAS" program and fostering a secure, PRC-independent drone supply chain. The bill mandates the creation of a specialized working group to facilitate joint research, development, and production of unmanned aircraft systems. Additionally, it establishes a fast-track certification process for Taiwanese manufacturers to enhance regional security and reduce reliance on Chinese-sourced drone components.

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 Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act authorizes the placement of a new National Medal of Honor Monument within the Reserve in Washington, D.C. This legislation ensures the monument’s site selection complies with specific federal location requirements while remaining subject to the broader planning and construction standards of the Commemorative Works Act.

This resolution commemorates the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first direct presidential election and celebrates its evolution into a robust, resilient democracy. It reaffirms the United States' commitment to Taiwan’s self-defense and the preservation of its democratic institutions amidst regional challenges. The measure underscores the importance of the U.S.-Taiwan partnership in promoting peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2026 establishes a program allowing federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase their retired service firearms directly from their agencies. Under this legislation, eligible officers may acquire these surplus weapons at their designated salvage value.

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 work of the Commission in monitoring and advocating for religious freedom globally by authorizing appropriations for fiscal years 2026, 2027, and 2028.

This resolution officially recognizes the annual Army-Navy football game as "America's Game" due to its deep patriotic tradition and role in inspiring military service. It urges that the game maintain its exclusive television time slot on the second Saturday of December to maximize national attention. The resolution calls on networks and associations to avoid scheduling competing games during this time to honor the service members involved.

The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026 improves the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program by establishing strict processing deadlines, creating a new benefit for permanent partial disabilities, and mandating expedited claims for those certified by the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund or World Trade Center Health Program. The bill also enhances program transparency through increased outreach, mandatory audits, and the implementation of key GAO recommendations to ensure timely support for public safety officers and their families.

The Count the Crimes to Cut Act mandates a comprehensive accounting of all federal criminal offenses, both statutory and regulatory. It requires the Attorney General and numerous federal agencies to report detailed information on these crimes, including penalties and prosecution history. Finally, the bill mandates the creation of public, online indexes for all identified criminal offenses.

This resolution strongly condemns the Government of Iran for its violent suppression of peaceful protests and widespread human rights abuses against its citizens. It highlights the regime's use of deadly force, internet blackouts, and severe persecution in response to demonstrations sparked by economic hardship. The resolution commends the courage of the Iranian people and calls for free and fair elections.