Legislative Activity

This resolution commemorates the 10th anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, honoring the 49 lives lost and expressing support for all affected. It recognizes the bravery of first responders and reaffirms the nation's unity against hate and terrorism. The bill also highlights ongoing efforts toward gun safety and mental health legislation.

This bill, the Renewing the African American Civil Rights Network Act, extends the authorization period for the African American Civil Rights Network. It amends existing law to increase the network's authorization from seven years to ten years following the enactment of this Act.

The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026 aims to improve fairness and efficiency in immigration proceedings by expanding access to legal information and counsel. The bill specifically guarantees government-funded legal representation for all unaccompanied children throughout their immigration proceedings. It also mandates timely access to case files for all noncitizens and requires the establishment of pro bono representation systems for children.

This bill, the "Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act," amends existing law to mandate six specific fee-free days annually for entry to federal recreational lands and waters. These free admission days are set to coincide with significant holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veterans Day. The goal is to promote national pride and encourage public volunteerism by increasing access to these public lands.

This bill expresses the disapproval of Congress, under the Congressional Review Act, of a Department of Health and Human Services rule concerning the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). Specifically, it rejects the rule that aimed to restore flexibility within the CCDF program. As a result, the rule published on May 12, 2026, will not take effect.

The Critical Access Hospital RIP Act of 2026 aims to protect critical access hospital (CAH) status for facilities that might otherwise lose it due to new or improved roadways. Specifically, it ensures that a CAH retains its designation if it only fails the distance requirement because of a transportation infrastructure improvement completed after the hospital was initially designated. This prevents necessary roadwork from inadvertently jeopardizing essential rural healthcare access.

This bill expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2026 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." The designations aim to honor the nearly 47,000 people killed by gunfire each year and raise public awareness about the devastating impact of gun violence. The resolution encourages the public to wear orange on that day and focus on community efforts to promote gun safety.

This act, the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, prohibits the construction of any new triumphal arches in Lady Bird Johnson Park. It also restricts the building of any triumphal arch over 50 feet tall on other National Park Service land within the capital region unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The legislation aims to protect the visual landscape surrounding Arlington National Cemetery.

The American High-Speed Rail Act significantly expands federal support for high-speed and higher-speed rail development by increasing funding limits, broadening eligibility for public-private partnerships, and establishing new planning and safety requirements. The bill authorizes substantial funding through 2031 for corridor development and planning, while also creating pathways for acquiring necessary right-of-way property and ensuring labor protections on federally-funded infrastructure. It also refines definitions, setting the threshold for true "high-speed rail" at 186 mph or more, and introduces a new category for "higher-speed rail."

The Harry Lew and Danny Chen Military Justice Reform Act directs the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of creating a separate, specific criminal offense for hazing within the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This analysis must include developing a proposed definition of hazing. The Secretary is required to submit a report detailing these findings and recommendations to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

The RESTORE Third Spaces Act of 2026 establishes a three-year pilot grant program to renovate and develop vital community gathering places, known as "third spaces," outside of homes and workplaces. Administered by the Secretary of Commerce, the program prioritizes projects in underserved communities that strengthen local economies and combat social isolation. Grantees must ensure the resulting spaces remain free or low-cost to the public to foster social cohesion and civic engagement.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

The Veterans Visa and Protection Act of 2026 establishes a program for noncitizen veterans removed or facing removal to return to the U.S. and adjust their status to lawful permanent residents. This Act prohibits the removal of noncitizen veterans and service members unless they have committed a qualifying crime of violence. Furthermore, it streamlines the path to naturalization and ensures eligible veterans receive all corresponding military and veterans benefits.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

The Closing the HPV Testing Gap Act directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct a comprehensive study on developing a standardized, noninvasive HPV test for men. This action aims to close a critical gap in cancer prevention and public health surveillance, which currently lacks FDA-approved testing for men. The resulting report will provide recommendations for research, implementation, and interagency coordination to advance gender equity in cancer prevention efforts.

The Fostering the Future Act aims to significantly improve opportunities and support for youth who have experienced foster care. This legislation expands access to education and workforce training vouchers, increases financial support amounts, and improves access to stable housing. Furthermore, it enhances support services, including legal counseling and tailored resources for expectant and parenting foster youth.

The SLUSH FUND Act of 2026 imposes a 100% tax on certain settlement payments received by former Presidents, their families, and related entities from funds originating from civil actions against the United States. This new tax is treated separately from standard income tax and cannot be deducted. The Act also mandates strict reporting requirements for those making these payments, with penalties for non-compliance.

The IMPACT to Save Moms Act establishes a demonstration project for states to test alternative payment models for maternity care within Medicaid and CHIP programs. This project aims to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for high-risk groups, by considering factors like risk stratification and social determinants of health. The Secretary of HHS must evaluate the project's impact and report recommendations to Congress on potential national expansion.

The HUD Data Privacy Act of 2026 establishes strict limits on how the Department of Housing and Urban Development can share personal information collected from housing assistance recipients. Information may only be shared with other entities for the specific purposes of benefit qualification verification and benefit determination. This Act explicitly prohibits the use of shared data for civil immigration enforcement purposes.

The **Protecting Our Democracy Act** imposes sweeping reforms across the executive branch to strengthen accountability and restore checks and balances. It restricts presidential pardon power, closes loopholes to ensure no President is above the law, and enforces constitutional emoluments clauses to prevent self-enrichment. Furthermore, the Act enhances congressional oversight by strengthening subpoena enforcement, increasing transparency around White House visitors and tax returns, and protecting federal whistleblowers from retaliation.