Legislative Activity

This resolution designates August 1, 2026, as "Gold Star Children’s Day" to honor the sacrifices and unique hardships faced by children who have lost a parent in military service. It serves as a formal expression of national gratitude, encouraging Americans to recognize and support these children.

This act officially redesignates the Chiricahua National Monument as the Chiricahua National Park, maintaining its existing boundaries. It ensures the continued protection of traditional cultural and religious sites within the new park. The Secretary of the Interior is mandated to consult with Indian Tribes regarding these sites and facilitate tribal access for traditional uses.

The Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes a federal right to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) by overriding restrictive state laws. The bill further expands family-building support by mandating comprehensive fertility coverage for military service members, veterans, federal employees, and those enrolled in private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. These measures aim to ensure equitable, affordable access to fertility treatments nationwide.

This resolution reaffirms the fundamental right of individuals with disabilities to live independently in their communities, as established by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the *Olmstead* decision. It condemns recent efforts to weaken integration mandates and calls on federal agencies to prioritize accessible housing, employment, and community-based services. Furthermore, the bill advocates for the protection of Medicaid funding and the removal of barriers to ensure full equality and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities.

The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2026 strengthens the nursing profession by expanding grant eligibility for advanced education and modernizing training resources, including simulation and telehealth technologies. The bill addresses critical workforce shortages by increasing funding for nursing faculty and student programs while broadening support for specialized care, such as services for sexual assault survivors. These updates ensure that nursing education remains robust and responsive to the evolving needs of the healthcare system through 2030.

The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 prohibits the sale or importation of connected vehicles, their parts, and related software originating from or controlled by covered adversarial countries (North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran). Enforced by the Secretary of Commerce, this law aims to mitigate national security risks associated with foreign adversary access to sensitive vehicle data and control systems. The Act establishes phased bans starting in 2027 for vehicles and software, and 2030 for hardware, while setting up processes for compliance, authorization, and enforcement.

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.

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It details the economic impact of this disparity and reaffirms Congress's commitment to achieving pay equity through systemic change.

The Clarifying Law Around Insurance of Marijuana (CLAIM) Act establishes a federal safe harbor to protect insurers who provide coverage to state-legal cannabis businesses from federal penalties or liability. The bill ensures that insurance providers can serve the cannabis industry without fear of federal interference while preserving existing state-level insurance regulations. Additionally, it mandates a GAO study to identify and address barriers to entry for minority- and women-owned cannabis businesses.

The Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 updates the EPA’s formula for distributing federal clean water funding to states, territories, and Indian tribes. By prioritizing infrastructure needs, population data, and poverty levels, the bill ensures a more equitable and modern allocation of resources. Additionally, it streamlines administrative requirements and expands the eligible uses of state capitalization grants to better support water infrastructure projects.

The McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act directs the FAA to conduct a comprehensive review of low-altitude airspace safety policies, with a specific focus on mitigating risks posed by temporary obstructions like slacklines. The bill mandates stakeholder consultation and requires the FAA to improve aeronautical data, interagency coordination, and public outreach. Ultimately, it ensures that necessary regulatory updates are implemented to enhance safety for pilots operating in low-altitude environments.

The Wildfire Prevention and Recovery Act authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct comprehensive wildfire risk assessments for federal dams and reservoirs in Arizona. This initiative aims to protect critical water infrastructure by identifying potential vulnerabilities, evaluating post-wildfire impacts like sedimentation, and developing effective mitigation strategies to ensure community safety and operational continuity.

The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act establishes federal minimum wage and fringe benefit standards for a wide range of service workers at small, medium, and large hub airports. By mandating that employers provide competitive compensation based on prevailing-wage methodologies, the bill aims to ensure fair pay for essential airport personnel. It also includes robust enforcement mechanisms, including monthly certification requirements and provisions for private civil actions to ensure compliance.

The Western Water Infrastructure Fairness Act increases federal cost-sharing support for rural water projects in the Western United States. By covering 90 percent of project costs for economically disadvantaged communities, the bill aims to improve water infrastructure accessibility and affordability in these regions.

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.

This joint resolution disapproves a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that would have implemented prior authorization for certain Medicare services under the WISeR model. The rule aimed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring pre-approval for specific procedures. Due to this congressional disapproval, the CMS rule will not take effect.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the Department of Health and Human Services' rule titled "Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)." By nullifying this rule, the resolution prevents the proposed relaxation of federal child care subsidy requirements from taking effect.

This resolution officially designates July 15, 2026, as "Glioblastoma Awareness Day." It seeks to raise public awareness about glioblastoma, the most aggressive and deadliest form of malignant brain tumor. The bill supports increased research efforts and better treatments to improve the outlook and quality of life for those affected by this devastating disease.

The Protect Our Polls Act requires explicit Congressional approval before federal troops or armed personnel can be deployed to polling places, even to repel armed enemies. This bill establishes a mandatory 48-hour notification process and an expedited review timeline for Congress to authorize such a deployment. Additionally, it prohibits using federal funds to allow the military access to election records, with these specific provisions expiring in 2029.

The PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs for researching and developing next-generation firefighter turnout gear that is free of harmful PFAS chemicals. These grants will support the creation of safer protective clothing and the development of training programs for first responders on its proper use and decontamination. The ultimate goal is to prevent occupational illness and injury among firefighters by advancing safer alternatives.