Legislative Activity

The Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025 mandates that state child welfare agencies develop comprehensive "family partnership plans" focused on identifying, recruiting, and supporting foster and adoptive families. These plans must utilize data to improve placement stability, increase kinship care, and better match families with children's needs, especially for teens and sibling groups. Furthermore, the bill enhances federal reporting by requiring detailed, state-by-state data on foster family capacity and recruitment challenges to be submitted to Congress annually.

The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act increases the penalty for providing a phone or voice communication device to a federal inmate from one year to two years in prison. The bill also mandates that the Director of the Bureau of Prisons review and update policies related to prohibited objects within federal prisons. This legislation aims to enhance security by specifically targeting the supply of contraband communication devices.

The Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 addresses the high rates of PTSD and acute stress disorder among public safety officers and telecommunicators. This bill directs the Attorney General to study and report on options for providing state-of-the-art, confidential mental health treatment and preventative care to these essential personnel. The resulting report will outline proposed programs, necessary legislative language, and funding estimates for implementation across all levels of government.

This bill, the "Intelligence Community Inspector General Parity Act of 2026," grants the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community (IC IG) full law enforcement authority. This authority mirrors that held by other federal Inspectors General, enabling IC IG investigators to carry firearms, make arrests, and execute warrants. The purpose is to ensure parity in the investigative powers of the IC IG.

The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act aims to strengthen protections and increase fairness for individuals reporting tax fraud. It grants the Tax Court the authority to conduct a fresh, independent review of denied whistleblower awards and mandates that awards are protected from federal budget sequestration cuts. Furthermore, the bill enhances whistleblower privacy by allowing anonymity in Tax Court proceedings and requires the IRS to pay interest on awards delayed beyond a specified timeframe.

This bill reauthorizes and extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program through fiscal year 2030. The program allows eligible small, rural hospitals to receive Medicare payments based on reasonable costs for inpatient services to promote financial stability. It maintains participation limits and requires a report evaluating the program's impact on rural access to care and costs.

The Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026 strengthens requirements for children in foster care by mandating comprehensive case plans that integrate transition services and provide crucial records. This legislation ensures youth aged 14 and older receive a written list of their rights, annual credit reports, and essential identity documents upon discharge. The bill focuses on expanding personalized transition planning to better prepare older youth for independence in areas like housing, health insurance, and employment.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week." It serves to recognize and honor the service, sacrifice, and valor of law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of their essential mission.

This resolution designates May 2026 as National Foster Care Month to raise awareness about the challenges faced by children in the foster care system. It honors the resilience of foster youth and expresses gratitude for foster parents, social workers, and advocates. Ultimately, the measure encourages Congress to implement policies that improve outcomes for children in foster care, from prevention to successful transition to adulthood.

This resolution supports the goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2026 by emphasizing the urgent need to raise public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. It highlights the devastating impact these fake medications have on families and young people across the nation. The resolution specifically designates April 29, 2026, as the official awareness day.

This resolution designates April 2026 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month to recognize the widespread impact of sexual violence across the United States. It highlights the need to support survivors, prevent future assaults, and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. The Senate supports efforts to educate the public, improve treatment for victims, and commend the professionals and organizations dedicated to this cause.

The TEACH Improvement Act of 2026 reauthorizes and modifies the TEACH Grant Program, which provides financial aid to students who commit to teaching in high-need fields at low-income schools. The bill sets new grant amounts, revises academic eligibility standards, and strengthens counseling requirements for recipients. It also introduces penalties for institutions whose former grant recipients frequently fail to complete their required teaching service, leading to loan conversion.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 20 through April 24, 2026, as "National Home Visiting Week." It recognizes the vital role of home visiting programs in supporting families with young children, promoting healthy development, and preventing abuse and neglect. The bill highlights the extensive reach and impact of these evidence-based services across the nation.

This bill extends the surveillance authority granted under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) for an additional 18 months. It specifically amends the expiration date for this critical national security tool to October 20, 2027.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month. It officially designates March as the month dedicated to raising awareness about DVT and PE, which are serious and often preventable conditions. The measure highlights the significant impact these blood clots have on public health and medical costs.

The Whistleblower Anti-Gag Act of 2026 protects federal employees by prohibiting agencies from enforcing nondisclosure agreements that require prior approval for protected disclosures. This legislation ensures that workers can report misconduct without being restricted by internal agency policies.

This bill amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to strengthen whistleblower protections for federal employees. It clarifies that individuals whose primary job responsibilities involve investigating and reporting wrongdoing are legally protected when making disclosures as part of their normal duties.

This resolution officially designates **March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day."** The day aims to recognize the essential role of speech and debate in developing vital 21st-century skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. It encourages the entire nation to celebrate and promote the lifelong impact of this education.

The Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act of 2026 modifies the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to increase the debt limits for filing certain bankruptcies. Specifically, it raises the maximum debt threshold for small business bankruptcy eligibility to \$7.5 million and increases the consumer debt limit for Chapter 13 filings to \$2.75 million. These changes apply to all bankruptcy cases filed on or after the date the Act is enacted.

The Litigation Funding Transparency Act of 2026 mandates new disclosure requirements for third-party litigation funders in large federal class and mass actions. This law requires parties to reveal the identity of funders, including any foreign state or sovereign wealth fund involvement, and produce funding agreements for court inspection. The legislation also prohibits funders from influencing litigation strategy and restricts their access to certain discovery materials.