Legislative Activity

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 Investor Choice Act of 2026 protects retail investors by prohibiting mandatory arbitration clauses in contracts with brokers, investment advisers, and public companies. This legislation ensures that investors retain the right to choose between arbitration and pursuing legal action in court, including the ability to participate in class action lawsuits. By voiding restrictive mandatory arbitration agreements, the bill aims to restore fair and equitable legal recourse for defrauded investors.

This joint resolution disapproves a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that would have implemented prior authorization for certain Medicare services under the WISeR model. The rule aimed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring pre-approval for specific procedures. Due to this congressional disapproval, the CMS rule will not take effect.

This resolution officially recognizes June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month to celebrate the history, contributions, and ongoing fight for equality of the LGBTQ community. It acknowledges the systemic discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ individuals both domestically and globally. The resolution supports equal rights and treatment for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, encouraging education and celebration of the community's resilience.

This bill, the Green Ribbon Act of 2026, strengthens and expands the Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Program to encourage environmental goals in schools through recognition and state grants. It also establishes a similar award program at the Institute of Museum and Library Services for nonformal learning institutions. Furthermore, the Act creates a new Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability within the Department of Education to provide technical assistance and manage related programs.

The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act establishes a competitive grant program to assist states and Indian tribes in developing or improving their own firearms dealer licensing systems. To qualify for funding, jurisdictions must implement rigorous licensing requirements, including mandatory dealer inspections and clear enforcement protocols for violations. The Act also mandates annual reporting to ensure transparency and accountability regarding the effectiveness of these licensing programs.

The Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act strengthens protections for workers by mandating transparent pay disclosures, ensuring timely final paychecks, and increasing penalties for wage violations. The bill extends the statute of limitations for filing claims, bans forced arbitration, and establishes a grant program to support community-based efforts in preventing wage theft. These measures aim to hold employers accountable and provide workers with more robust legal tools to recover unpaid wages.

This resolution honors the 27th anniversary of the landmark *Olmstead v. L.C.* Supreme Court decision, which affirmed the right of individuals with disabilities to receive services in the most integrated setting appropriate. It strongly condemns a recent Department of Justice opinion that rejects this fundamental community integration mandate. The resolution calls for the immediate rescission of that flawed opinion and urges Congress to increase funding for home- and community-based services.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and shifting the program to mandatory funding. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell eligibility semesters, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress rules to better support students. Overall, it seeks to stabilize and increase financial support for millions of postsecondary students, particularly those with high financial need.

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 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.

This resolution recognizes the foundational contributions of Black Americans to the musical heritage of the United States across numerous genres. It also highlights significant disparities in music education access for Black students. Finally, the resolution designates June 2026 as "Black Music Month."

The PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs for researching and developing next-generation firefighter turnout gear that is free of harmful PFAS chemicals. These grants will support the creation of safer protective clothing and the development of training programs for first responders on its proper use and decontamination. The ultimate goal is to prevent occupational illness and injury among firefighters by advancing safer alternatives.

The Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2025 grants federal appellate and district court judges the discretion to permit public photographing, recording, and broadcasting of court proceedings. This authority is subject to due process considerations and includes mandatory protections for vulnerable witnesses, such as the right to remain unrecognizable. The Act also prohibits all media coverage of jurors and the jury selection process.

This bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until early 2029. TPS provides individuals from designated countries with the ability to temporarily live and work in the U.S. due to unsafe conditions in their home nation.

This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to promoting the safety and well-being of refugees globally and domestically. It highlights the severe worldwide displacement crisis and criticizes the current suspension and low caps of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The bill calls for the full restoration of asylum protections and refugee resettlement to uphold U.S. legal obligations and humanitarian leadership.

The UNLOCK AUKUS Act streamlines defense cooperation by amending the Arms Export Control Act to remove specific regulatory barriers. This legislation facilitates the seamless transfer of defense articles and services among AUKUS partners, strengthening collaborative security efforts.

This bill proposes to abolish the Anti-Weaponization Fund, which was established by the Attorney General in connection with the *Trump v. Internal Revenue Service* case. Additionally, it nullifies the Attorney General's related order concerning the release of certain claims, rendering it legally void.

The Land of the Free Act of 2026 proposes to amend immigration law by eliminating the provision that makes non-citizens deportable for engaging in activities aimed at overthrowing the U.S. government through force or violence. This bill specifically repeals the section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that lists this as a ground for removal.

This resolution formally acknowledges and apologizes for the decades of discrimination and mistreatment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served in the U.S. military, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. It condemns past and recent discriminatory policies that led to wrongful terminations and exclusions. The resolution commits the nation to pursuing equal rights, protections, and respect for all LGBT servicemembers and federal employees moving forward.