Legislative Activity

The Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams National Medal of Honor Monument Location Act authorizes the placement of the National Medal of Honor Monument within the Reserve area in Washington, D.C. This legislation provides the necessary site-specific authorization to ensure the monument can be established in this prominent location.

This resolution commemorates the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence, honoring the nation's democratic journey and its resilience against Russian aggression. It reaffirms the United States' commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while advocating for continued diplomatic support and security cooperation. Additionally, the resolution encourages ongoing democratic reforms in Ukraine and the integration of lessons learned from the conflict to strengthen trans-Atlantic security.

The Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Act strengthens efforts to combat fraud by significantly increasing funding for federal oversight agencies and expanding investigative authorities. The bill also enhances data-sharing capabilities across Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs while improving reporting transparency. Additionally, it mandates a comprehensive GAO study to evaluate the effectiveness and performance of these anti-fraud initiatives.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

The Military Chaplains Modernization Act of 2026 updates and clarifies the leadership structure, duties, and responsibilities of the Chaplain Corps across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The bill strengthens protections for chaplains to perform their duties in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs and the tenets of their endorsing organizations, free from censorship or retaliation. Additionally, it establishes clear legal standards for the chaplaincy and ensures that military leadership provides the necessary support for chaplains to fulfill their spiritual mission for service members.

The State-Based Education Loan Awareness Act amends the Higher Education Act to formally define and integrate state-based education loan programs into existing financial aid frameworks. This legislation ensures that these state-sponsored, non-federal loans meet specific consumer protection standards and interest rate caps. Additionally, it permits higher education institutions to enter into formal arrangements to offer these loans, provided students are first fully informed of their federal loan eligibility and benefits.

The College Transparency Act establishes a secure, privacy-protected federal data system to track postsecondary student outcomes, including enrollment, completion, and post-college earnings. By repealing the existing ban on a national student-level database, the bill aims to provide students and families with transparent, customizable information to help them make informed educational decisions. The system is designed to streamline institutional reporting requirements while strictly prohibiting the use of personal data for law enforcement, immigration, or federal ranking purposes.

The Audit the Pentagon Act mandates financial accountability by imposing a 2 percent funding reduction on any Department of Defense component that fails to achieve a clean audit opinion. These withheld funds are then redirected to the U.S. Treasury to be used exclusively for deficit reduction.

This resolution designates August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week." It recognizes the vital role these markets play in supporting local economies, promoting sustainable agriculture, and improving community access to fresh, healthy food.

The Preventing Tax Fraud and Identity Theft Act accelerates the electronic filing deadline for various information returns—including those for interest, dividends, and gambling winnings—to January 31 of the year following the tax year. By moving these deadlines forward, the bill aims to improve tax administration and reduce opportunities for fraud. These requirements will take effect for returns covering the 2028 calendar year and beyond.

The CLEAR LABELS Act enhances pharmaceutical transparency by requiring drug labels to clearly identify the original manufacturers of both active ingredients and finished products. It mandates that this supply chain information be accessible through digital tools like QR codes or barcodes, while ensuring paper copies remain available upon request. Additionally, the bill streamlines regulatory compliance by exempting these products from redundant customs country-of-origin marking requirements.

The **Patients Deserve Price Tags Act** aims to increase healthcare affordability by mandating comprehensive price transparency across hospitals, laboratories, imaging centers, and ambulatory surgical centers. The bill requires these providers and health insurance plans to publicly disclose negotiated rates, cash prices, and standard charges in standardized, machine-readable formats. Additionally, it empowers patients with real-time cost-estimation tools and requires providers to issue detailed, itemized bills before initiating any collection actions.

The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now Act of 2026 aims to lower insulin costs by capping out-of-pocket expenses for insured patients and increasing transparency for pharmacy benefit managers. The bill also fosters competition by accelerating the approval of generic and biosimilar drugs and establishes new support programs to provide affordable insulin access for uninsured individuals.

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.

This Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for expanding the Lewis Clark Regional Water System across Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The study will evaluate the project's engineering, economic, and environmental aspects, culminating in a report to Congress with a construction recommendation. The federal government will cover up to 50% of the study's cost, which is authorized up to $10 million.

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.

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 **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.

The Cameras in the Courtroom Act mandates that the Supreme Court allow television coverage of all its open sessions. This requirement can only be overridden if a majority of the justices vote to block coverage in a specific case due to due process concerns.

The SABER Act of 2026 amends the Ukraine Support Fund to grant the Ukrainian government greater flexibility in its use of seized assets. This legislation authorizes the use of these funds for the procurement of defense articles and services necessary to respond to and recover from Russian aggression.