Legislative Activity

The Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends vital funding and support for ALS research and treatment access through 2031. This legislation strengthens grant application requirements, enhances FDA reporting on rare neurodegenerative disease action plans, and mandates new assessments to improve the effectiveness of ongoing programs. These updates ensure continued momentum in the development of life-saving therapies for patients living with ALS.

The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to establish clear, biological definitions for the terms "sex," "female," and "male." These definitions are intended to provide legal clarity for educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance. The act takes effect immediately upon being signed into law.

This bill mandates that the United States Postal Service continue selling the Alzheimer’s semipostal stamp for an additional six years. Proceeds from these sales will be transferred to the National Institutes of Health to support ongoing medical research into Alzheimer’s disease.

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.

The Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act of 2026 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a national information system and public web hub dedicated to chronic pain research. This initiative aims to standardize data collection, identify research gaps, and provide clinicians and the public with evidence-based resources for pain management. By aggregating federal data and fostering collaboration, the bill seeks to improve the understanding, treatment, and outcomes of chronic pain conditions nationwide.

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 Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act of 2026 streamlines geothermal energy development by eliminating federal drilling permit requirements for projects on non-federal surface land where the U.S. holds less than 50% of the subsurface mineral interest. Under this legislation, operators may proceed with state-approved projects without undergoing federal environmental reviews, provided they continue to meet existing royalty obligations. These exemptions do not apply to Indian lands or resources held in trust for Indian Tribes.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive legislative package designed to combat fraud, reduce government waste, and ensure the integrity of federal spending programs. The bill implements stricter oversight for child care and health care payments, permanently bars those convicted of pandemic-related fraud from future Small Business Administration assistance, and rescinds unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the national deficit. Additionally, it enhances whistleblower protections for government contractors, strengthens data-sharing to intercept improper payments, and establishes new safeguards against foreign influence and deep fake scams.

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 Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026 prohibits physicians from performing dismemberment abortions, except when necessary to save the life of the mother. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violators and provides civil remedies for patients or their parents to sue for damages. It explicitly excludes the woman undergoing the procedure from criminal prosecution or monetary liability.

The SAFE Banking Act of 2026 creates a federal safe harbor for depository institutions and insurers that provide financial services to state-sanctioned marijuana and hemp-related businesses. By prohibiting federal regulators from penalizing financial institutions for serving these legal entities, the bill aims to improve industry transparency and public safety. Additionally, the Act establishes protections for mortgage lenders and clarifies requirements for suspicious activity reporting and account termination procedures.

This Act restricts U.S. nonmilitary foreign assistance from supporting organizations that promote abortion, gender ideology, or discriminatory equity ideology. It places specific requirements on foreign and domestic organizations receiving these funds to ensure separation from prohibited activities. The bill also includes narrow exceptions for life-saving medical situations and allows the Secretary of State to waive provisions for national security interests.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits licensed healthcare providers and transplant hospitals from denying organ transplants or related services to qualified individuals solely because of a disability. This legislation mandates reasonable modifications, auxiliary aids, and consideration of a patient's support network to ensure equal access throughout the entire transplant process. Exceptions only apply if a physician determines the disability is medically significant to the transplant, or if accommodations fundamentally alter the service.

The Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act significantly amends existing law to provide broad immunity to the firearms industry from civil lawsuits related to the criminal or unlawful use of their products. This legislation mandates the immediate dismissal of pending lawsuits against the industry and establishes strict definitions and procedural hurdles for any claims attempting to use statutory exceptions. Furthermore, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on manufacturers or sellers for harms resulting from criminal misuse of firearms.

The Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act mandates that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) submit annual reports to Congress detailing the status of specific, long-pending hydropower license applications. These reports will cover new, subsequent, and original license applications where intent to file was declared at least three years prior. The goal is to increase oversight and provide clarity on the timeline and progress of these complex licensing processes.

The Wildfire Prevention Act of 2025 aims to accelerate wildfire risk reduction on federal lands by mandating ambitious, measurable targets for forest thinning and prescribed burns. The legislation streamlines environmental reviews for vegetation management near power lines and roads, while empowering local governments and tribes to participate in legal proceedings. Additionally, it fosters agency innovation through new technology pilot programs and requires enhanced public reporting to ensure greater accountability and transparency in forest management.

The Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act streamlines federal oversight for existing hydropower facilities by allowing routine maintenance and minor alterations without prior FERC approval. It also establishes an expedited licensing process for small, non-impounding hydrokinetic energy projects up to 5 megawatts. This legislation aims to balance operational flexibility for current licensees with the promotion of new, small-scale renewable energy generation.

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 bill, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2026, significantly increases the penalties for stealing firearms from federally licensed dealers, importers, and manufacturers. It establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for theft committed during a burglary or robbery of these businesses. Furthermore, the act clarifies that attempts to steal firearms from licensed collectors face the same enhanced penalties as successful theft.

This resolution supports designating May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the critical mental health challenges faced by farmers and farmworkers, who experience disproportionately high suicide rates. This day aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness within the agricultural industry.