Legislative Activity

The PROKID Act (Protection of Kids in Immigrant Detention Act) establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson to provide rigorous oversight, monitoring, and investigation of the treatment of immigrant children in government custody. The legislation mandates comprehensive data collection, requires unobstructed access to detention facilities, and creates an expert advisory committee to ensure compliance with federal laws and child welfare standards. By prioritizing transparency and accountability, the Act aims to protect the rights and well-being of immigrant children held in federal facilities.

The Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2026 establishes an independent United States Immigration Court system under Article I of the Constitution, effectively separating immigration adjudication from the executive branch. This new judicial body will consist of appellate and trial divisions, with judges appointed to 15-year terms to ensure impartiality and judicial independence. The Act provides for a structured transition of existing cases and personnel, while granting the courts authority over their own budget, staffing, and procedural rules.

The Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026 overhauls the treatment of noncitizen children and families in federal custody by prioritizing family unity, humane living standards, and swift reunification. The legislation mandates legal representation for unaccompanied children, establishes independent oversight to ensure accountability, and strictly limits the use of detention facilities. By creating clear, enforceable protections and privacy safeguards, the bill aims to minimize trauma and ensure that the welfare of the child remains the central focus of the immigration process.

The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act aims to lower drug costs by streamlining the biosimilar approval process. It limits the number of patents a reference product sponsor can assert in infringement litigation against biosimilar applicants, preventing the use of excessive patent litigation to delay market competition.

The **Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2026** aims to improve the quality of higher education by strengthening the oversight of accrediting agencies and increasing institutional accountability for student outcomes. The bill grants the Secretary of Education greater authority to set student achievement benchmarks, mandates more rigorous accreditation reviews, and increases transparency through standardized public disclosures. Additionally, it implements stricter conflict-of-interest rules and establishes new protections for students, such as enhanced requirements for credit transfers and institutional teach-out plans.

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It details the economic impact of this disparity and reaffirms Congress's commitment to achieving pay equity through systemic change.

The Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act requires large multinational companies to publicly disclose detailed financial and operational data for every tax jurisdiction in which they operate. By mandating country-by-country reporting, the bill aims to increase corporate transparency regarding tax payments, profits, and employee counts. This information must be filed with the SEC in a machine-readable format and made available to the public online.

The **Protecting Students from Worthless Degrees Act** ensures that higher education programs receiving federal funding provide genuine value and career readiness. The bill mandates that programs preparing students for licensed occupations must meet specific state qualification requirements and establishes strict debt-to-earnings standards to hold institutions accountable for student outcomes. Additionally, it strengthens oversight for distance education by requiring institutions to maintain proper state authorization for all students they serve.

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.

The Luxury JET Act prohibits the transfer of aircraft gifted by the Government of Qatar to the U.S. executive airlift fleet for the personal use of Presidents or their associates. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive Government Accountability Office review to investigate potential conflicts of interest, national security implications, and the full taxpayer cost associated with accepting these luxury aircraft.

The Advanced Coursework Equity Act aims to close the opportunity gap by expanding access to rigorous academic programs for historically underrepresented students. The bill establishes a federal grant program to help schools implement universal screening and open enrollment policies, ensuring that all students ready for advanced coursework have the chance to succeed. By providing resources for teacher training, tutoring, and program expansion, the Act seeks to prepare more students for success in STEM fields and the global workforce.

The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act establishes federal minimum wage and fringe benefit standards for a wide range of service workers at small, medium, and large hub airports. By mandating that employers provide competitive compensation based on prevailing-wage methodologies, the bill aims to ensure fair pay for essential airport personnel. It also includes robust enforcement mechanisms, including monthly certification requirements and provisions for private civil actions to ensure compliance.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.