Legislative Activity

This resolution officially recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2026. It celebrates the significant and growing contributions of these communities to American history, culture, and government. The resolution also acknowledges important anniversaries and ongoing challenges faced by the community.

This bill, the "No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act," amends federal law to require the forfeiture of government annuities and retired pay for federal employees and retirees convicted of specific sex crimes. The forfeiture applies to individuals convicted of these offenses on or after the date the Act is enacted. This legislation ensures that those convicted of serious sex offenses cannot receive taxpayer-funded retirement benefits.

The Prediction Market Act of 2026 establishes new rules and restrictions for "event contracts"—financial instruments based on future occurrences—under the oversight of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The bill grants the CFTC authority to prohibit contracts deemed contrary to the public interest and mandates enhanced disclosure and anti-money laundering requirements for contracts offered to retail customers. Furthermore, it creates an Advisory Council and an Office of the Retail Advocate within the CFTC to focus on consumer protection and transparency. The Act also bans Members of Congress and high-level executive officials from trading these contracts and authorizes funding for increased CFTC oversight.

The GUARD Act establishes federal guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence chatbots, particularly concerning minors. It mandates that companies operating these AI systems implement rigorous age verification processes for all users. Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for designing AI that solicits minors into explicit conduct or promotes violence, and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance with user protection and disclosure requirements.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act to prohibit U.S. foreign assistance funds from supporting programs that violate human rights or undermine public health, including those involving coercive family planning. It specifically nullifies three recent Department of State rules related to foreign assistance. The Secretary of State is required to issue compliance guidance and report annually to Congress on any violations.

This resolution commends the "Donut Dollies" for their patriotic service and steadfast support of U.S. servicemembers, particularly during the Vietnam War. It honors these American Red Cross volunteers for providing vital recreation and emotional support in combat zones. The bill recognizes their extraordinary contributions to troop morale and preserves the legacy of their courage and sacrifice.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2026 significantly strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by establishing rigorous new standards for dog dealers. This bill mandates substantial improvements to housing, nutrition, exercise, socialization, and veterinary care for dogs. Furthermore, it introduces strict regulations on breeding practices, including health screening and limits on female dog litters, while ensuring humane retirement for breeding dogs.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

This resolution designates April 2026 as "Financial Literacy Month." The designation aims to raise public awareness about the critical importance of personal financial education. It calls upon various sectors of society to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities promoting financial well-being.

The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for key Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and surety bonds. This change allows businesses majority-owned by certain immigrants, non-citizens lawfully present in the U.S., and even some individuals residing abroad to access federal support. The bill ensures that businesses meeting ownership and location criteria are not denied SBA financing solely because of the status of their eligible owners.

The Social Security Caregiver Credit Act of 2026 establishes a system of "deemed wages" to improve the retirement security of unpaid caregivers. This provision credits individuals who spend at least 80 hours per month caring for a dependent relative with notional earnings for Social Security benefit calculations. The goal is to recognize the value of caregiving and increase future benefits for those who provide essential, unpaid support.

The HELP Separated Children Act establishes comprehensive procedures to protect the rights and ensure the well-being of children when their parents are apprehended during immigration enforcement actions. It mandates that DHS officials identify detained parents, provide them with immediate access to make childcare arrangements, and facilitate ongoing communication and legal participation in child welfare and custody proceedings. The bill also requires mandatory training for personnel and extensive data collection to track the outcomes for these families.

This bill officially reauthorizes the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIP) for an additional seven years, extending its operation until 2034. It also updates the mandatory recoupment timelines for when the government recovers insurance payments following a covered terrorist act.

The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 establishes the Neighborhood Tree Fund to increase and improve urban tree canopies, prioritizing investments in underserved and high-heat communities. This legislation directs the Department of Agriculture to fund projects that enhance community health and climate resilience through tree planting and maintenance. The Act also updates the composition of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to better reflect community needs.

The Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 expands FEMA disaster assistance eligibility to include occupants without formal property ownership, such as those experiencing homelessness. It simplifies repair standards, allowing aid for any home "damaged by a major disaster," and mandates streamlined processes for self-certifying eligibility. The bill also requires FEMA to coordinate with HUD on joint temporary rental assistance programs following a disaster declaration.

This bill, the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, explicitly repeals Executive Order 14399, which attempted to regulate mail-in voting. It prohibits federal agencies, including the Postal Service, from using funds to create national voter/citizenship databases or interfere with state administration of absentee and mail-in ballots. The Act reaffirms that states, not the federal government, control federal election procedures.

The Speedy Tariff Refund Act of 2026 mandates the immediate, automatic refund of all duties unlawfully collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. This legislation requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to issue these refunds, with interest, within 30 days without requiring any formal request or documentation from importers. Congress strongly urges businesses that benefited from these duties to pass the refunds along to affected customers and families.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized the action. It asserts Congress's sole power to declare war and notes the current hostilities lack such authorization under the War Powers Resolution. The bill carves out exceptions for necessary self-defense, intelligence sharing, and assisting allies defensively.

The YouthBuild for the Future Act reauthorizes and updates the existing YouthBuild program to better prepare low-income young people (ages 16-24) for postsecondary education, apprenticeships, and careers in high-demand fields like clean energy. The bill expands authorized activities to include comprehensive support services and requires stronger performance accountability measures. Additionally, it establishes a new grant program to foster employer partnerships specifically designed to create employment and training opportunities for YouthBuild participants.

The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act repeals federal tax incentives that encourage private donations to scholarship granting organizations. Specifically, it eliminates the tax credit for contributions and the exclusion of certain scholarship amounts from gross income. This legislation aims to redirect financial support toward public education systems.