Legislative Activity

The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act of 2026 aims to improve the full spectrum of care for cancer survivors, from diagnosis through the remainder of life. The bill establishes an Office of Cancer Survivorship, mandates Medicare coverage for care planning, and creates programs to support employment and comprehensive survivorship services. It also requires Medicaid to cover essential transition services for childhood cancer survivors and mandates fertility preservation coverage for all cancer patients.

The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Program Act of 2026 aims to significantly increase the number of U.S. students participating in study abroad programs, focusing on greater diversity and access for underrepresented groups. It renames and expands the existing IDEAS Program, directing the Secretary of State to award competitive grants to colleges and universities. The ultimate goal is to have one million students studying abroad annually within ten years, with increased participation in developing nations.

The End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act of 2026 establishes a new grant program to fund local, state, and tribal entities in their efforts to locate, investigate, and disrupt illegal opioid distribution. The Attorney General, through the COPS Director, will award grants for hiring, training, equipment, and establishing or expanding multi-jurisdictional task forces. The legislation prioritizes support for Tribal law enforcement and task forces, authorizing $70 million annually from 2027 through 2031.

The Supporting Survivors from Faith-based Communities Act establishes a national resource center to improve how faith communities and service providers respond to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking who have a faith or spiritual background. This center will provide education and training to strengthen prevention efforts and ensure victim safety and autonomy remain the highest priority. The bill also directs the Attorney General to create model state legislation addressing religious divorce denial.

This resolution designates May 2025 as Jewish American Heritage Month to recognize the significant contributions of Jewish Americans to the nation. It also addresses the concerning rise in antisemitism across the country. The bill calls on leaders to actively counter hate, educate the public on Jewish heritage, and ensure the safety and dignity of Jewish Americans.

This resolution officially designates May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week. It honors the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, specifically recognizing 363 officers lost in 2025. The bill expresses unwavering support for law enforcement and acknowledges the need for proper resources to ensure officer safety.

This resolution officially supports designating the month of May as "Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Awareness Month." It recognizes the significant and growing threat of Lyme disease across the United States. The bill commits to continuing efforts to raise public awareness and improve the federal response to these illnesses.

The YALI Act of 2025 formally establishes and expands the Young African Leaders Initiative to invest in emerging African leaders across sub-Saharan Africa. This legislation mandates the creation of professional development, training, and networking opportunities focused on business, civic engagement, and public administration. The bill specifically supports the Mandela Washington Fellowship and requires the establishment of regional leadership centers and online networks to foster ongoing engagement and U.S.-Africa ties.

This bill reaffirms the strong alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea, emphasizing its importance for security, economic growth, and shared values. It recognizes the deep economic ties, the contributions of Korean Americans, and continued commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty. The bill also supports strengthening security, economic, and cultural bonds between the two nations, and celebrates Korean Culture-Kimchi Day.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 aims to combat sophisticated, cross-jurisdictional organized retail and supply chain theft. It achieves this by strengthening federal laws regarding money laundering and stolen property offenses, including lowering monetary thresholds for prosecution. Furthermore, the bill establishes a dedicated Center within the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate federal, state, and local enforcement efforts against these criminal organizations.

The COPS Reauthorization Act of 2026 updates and extends the funding for the COPS ON THE BEAT grant program through fiscal year 2031. It also formally establishes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) as a distinct entity within the Department of Justice, headed by a Presidentially-appointed Director. This legislation ensures continued support for community policing initiatives.

The Respect Tribal IDs Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) develop and implement comprehensive training for its personnel on recognizing and accepting Native American tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. This training will cover proper interaction protocols, document identification, and the U.S. government's trust responsibility to tribes. All immigration enforcement personnel must complete this mandatory training annually and upon regional assignment.

This bill expresses support for designating the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the nation's millions of small businesses and entrepreneurs to the U.S. economy. The resolution honors the hard work and achievements of small business owners and their employees across every community.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 15, 2026, as Glioblastoma Awareness Day. It aims to raise public awareness about glioblastoma, the most aggressive malignant brain tumor, and honor those affected by the disease. The bill encourages greater investment in research and collaboration to develop improved treatments and outcomes for patients.

The Nursing is a Professional Degree Act officially designates nursing as a professional degree under federal law. This bill amends the Higher Education Act to provide a clear statutory definition for "professional degree," explicitly including nursing alongside other established professions like medicine and law. This change ensures consistency in recognizing the advanced academic requirements necessary to practice nursing.

The Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act of 2026 aims to improve medication safety for pregnant and lactating women. This bill directs the FDA to update regulations to encourage including these women in clinical trials. It also mandates an education campaign to raise awareness about relevant research and requires the NIH to prioritize and fund research on drugs used by this population.

This resolution supports the goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2026 to combat the deadly threat of counterfeit pills. It aims to increase public awareness regarding the dangers of fake fentanyl-laced medications, which are increasingly accessible to young people. The bill also applauds law enforcement efforts to stop the distribution of these illicit and often lethal counterfeit pills.

This resolution supports designating the week of April 27 through May 1, 2026, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week." It recognizes the vital role of over one million school-based professionals, such as counselors, social workers, and therapists, in removing barriers to learning for all students. The bill commends these individuals for delivering essential educational, social, and emotional support that improves student outcomes and school climate.

This bill amends federal law to reclassify clergy and religious workers as employees for Social Security and Medicare tax purposes, requiring churches to withhold these taxes. It also repeals the existing religious exemption that allows clergy to opt out of Social Security coverage. Furthermore, the Act establishes a process for currently exempt clergy to revoke their exemption and mandates the IRS to report on informing these workers of their new options.

The SEED Act expands the existing tax deduction for educator expenses to include early childhood educators. This legislation allows early childhood educators to claim the same deduction for unreimbursed classroom supplies as K-12 teachers. The bill broadens the definition of an eligible "school" to cover qualifying early childhood education and childcare facilities.