Legislative Activity

The Seizure Safe Schools Act of 2026 mandates that the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services issue federal guidance to help schools better support students with epilepsy and seizure disorders. This legislation ensures that schools are equipped to provide necessary accommodations and care through established frameworks like Section 504 plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).

The Stop Prison Price Gouging Act of 2026 mandates that the Bureau of Prisons cap commissary item prices at or below the fair market value of comparable goods in the surrounding state. The bill prohibits revenue-sharing contracts, requires competitive bidding, and establishes rigorous oversight through monthly price reviews, annual congressional reporting, and independent audits.

The "Slow Down Act" mandates that states implement "Stop Super Speeders" programs to improve highway safety. Under this legislation, repeat or severe speeding offenders are required to install intelligent speed assistance technology that automatically prevents their vehicles from exceeding posted speed limits. States are also tasked with establishing penalties for non-compliance with these technology requirements.

This resolution designates August 1 as "National Woman Astronomers Day" to honor the groundbreaking contributions of American women to the field of astronomy. It highlights the importance of increasing female representation in the scientific workforce to foster innovation and ensure equal opportunity. The bill encourages nationwide observance of the day to celebrate these achievements and inspire future generations of women in science.

The Grad Student Affordable Housing Act of 2026 directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a voucher program providing housing assistance to eligible graduate students. Under this program, qualified students meeting specific income requirements can receive vouchers covering 80 percent of their fair market rent.

This Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish task forces to develop technical standards for identifying content generated by artificial intelligence. These standards will focus on provenance metadata, watermarking, and digital fingerprinting for various forms of digital content. The goal is to create technical measures that help platforms and users distinguish between human-created and AI-generated content.

The AI Workforce Impact Study Act of 2026 mandates that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of artificial intelligence on the U.S. workforce. This report must detail job displacement, creation, and alteration due to AI, broken down by demographics and industry. The study aims to provide Congress with essential data to understand AI's current impact and address limitations in federal data collection.

This bill mandates that public colleges receiving Medical Student Education grants must incorporate comprehensive menopause training into their medical school curricula. This requirement, overseen by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, aims to better equip future physicians across all specialties with the necessary knowledge regarding menopause care.

The Gun Violence Prevention and Public Safety Database Act of 2026 mandates the CDC to establish a publicly accessible database compiling peer-reviewed gun violence research within one year. This database must include research from key national health and safety systems and be updated every six months. The bill also authorizes dedicated federal funding to support this ongoing research and database maintenance.

The State and Local Public Sector Innovation Act establishes a grant program to help state and local governments modernize their technology systems, enhance cybersecurity, and improve public service delivery. Funds are distributed based on population and assessed modernization needs, requiring states to pass at least 70% of the grant directly to local governments. The program also sets requirements for states regarding data governance and NIST compliance, while authorizing $500 million annually from 2027 through 2030.

This bill directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran, as authorized under the War Powers Resolution. It ensures that this withdrawal does not impede necessary defensive actions or ongoing intelligence operations related to Iranian threats. The resolution explicitly states that it does not constitute an authorization for the use of military force.

This bill aims to formally codify the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program within existing immigration law. It establishes longer work authorization periods for international students, granting up to 24 months generally, and up to 48 months for those in STEM fields. Furthermore, the legislation specifically requires that nursing be classified as a STEM field for this extended authorization.

This bill aims to protect consumers from deceptive content created by generative Artificial Intelligence, such as deepfakes. It requires AI application providers to embed machine-readable disclosures in AI-generated audio or visual content. Covered online platforms must then clearly display these disclosures to users. The FTC is tasked with issuing regulations to enforce these transparency requirements.

The RECON Act would amend the Social Security Act to make the reconsideration review process optional for benefit appeals. This means individuals appealing an initial decision for Social Security or SSI benefits will no longer be required to complete a reconsideration review before requesting a hearing. The bill aims to streamline the appeals process by allowing claimants to move directly to a hearing if they choose.

This resolution formally recognizes March as "Long COVID Awareness Month" to highlight the ongoing health and economic challenges faced by millions of individuals. It underscores the urgent need for increased medical research into the causes and treatments of this multi-organ illness. By supporting these goals, the bill aims to raise public awareness and advocate for those disproportionately impacted by the condition.

The HBCU AI Research Leadership Act amends the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 to prioritize Historically Black Colleges and Universities in federal research funding. The bill mandates that at least ten percent of financial assistance for national artificial intelligence research institutes be allocated to HBCUs. This initiative aims to empower HBCUs to lead and collaborate on cutting-edge AI research through dedicated support and institutional partnerships.

The Ensuring OBGYN Care in Prisons Act mandates that the Bureau of Prisons employ full-time obstetrician-gynecologists at all facilities housing female prisoners. This bill ensures comprehensive gynecological, prenatal, and postpartum care, including required initial visits within 14 days of incarceration. Furthermore, it establishes patient protections like informed consent and the right to refuse non-emergency care. The Bureau of Prisons must also submit annual reports detailing staffing, services provided, and pregnancy outcomes.

The Military Family Diaper Partnership Act establishes a federal fund to provide diapers and essential supplies to military families in need. Through a partnership with the National Diaper Bank Network, the Department of Defense will provide $1 million annually from 2027 to 2030, which must be matched by non-federal contributions. These resources will be distributed through local diaper banks located near military installations to support service members and their families.

The Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026 mandates that Medicaid programs cover up to 12 mental health telehealth visits annually for certain individuals recently released from incarceration and placed under home confinement. This provision aims to improve access to crucial mental health services during the critical transition period following release.

The Empowering Young Readers Act of 2026 establishes a pilot program to improve children's access to books through competitive grants. These grants, up to $200,000, will be awarded to eligible organizations for purchasing, distributing, or hosting literacy programming related to books. The Secretary of Education will administer the program and report to Congress on its impact on book access and community literacy rates.