Legislative Activity

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 Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act proposes ending federal cannabis prohibition by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act and transferring regulatory oversight to health and revenue agencies. The bill establishes a comprehensive framework for taxation, product safety, and restorative justice, including the expungement of past federal cannabis convictions and increased investment in communities impacted by the War on Drugs. Additionally, it provides states with the authority to manage their own cannabis policies while creating new federal standards for research, workplace safety, and banking access.

The Crystal Reservoir Conveyance Act transfers federal land, including Crystal Reservoir and the Full Moon Dam, to the City of Ouray, Colorado. In exchange, the City assumes all maintenance responsibilities for the infrastructure and must keep the land open for public recreation without charging fees. The transfer is conditioned on the City maintaining the land as open space and prohibiting new development beyond necessary water infrastructure operations.

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.

The Small County PILT Parity Act seeks to update the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program by adjusting population thresholds for qualifying local governments. By lowering these figures and introducing a new payment calculation table, the bill aims to better support the unique financial needs of the nation's smallest counties.

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 EBOLA Act mandates that the United States rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO) within 30 days to restore international cooperation on public health. The legislation authorizes the necessary funding to resume membership and support global efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa.

This resolution officially recognizes June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month to celebrate the history, contributions, and ongoing fight for equality of the LGBTQ community. It acknowledges the systemic discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ individuals both domestically and globally. The resolution supports equal rights and treatment for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, encouraging education and celebration of the community's resilience.

This resolution expresses support for designating **July 10, 2026, as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day**. It honors the critical and often dangerous work these individuals perform to maintain the nation's electric grid, especially during emergencies. The day also commemorates the anniversary of the first IBEW president's line-of-duty death while restoring power.

The Right to Vote Act establishes a fundamental federal right to vote and prohibits government actions that make voting more difficult or substantially impair the ability to cast a ballot. It provides a clear legal framework for citizens to challenge restrictive voting policies in federal court and ensures that any government-imposed burdens on voting must be justified by a significant, specific interest.

The Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act strengthens protections for workers by mandating transparent pay disclosures, ensuring timely final paychecks, and increasing penalties for wage violations. The bill extends the statute of limitations for filing claims, bans forced arbitration, and establishes a grant program to support community-based efforts in preventing wage theft. These measures aim to hold employers accountable and provide workers with more robust legal tools to recover unpaid wages.

The SAFER Health Act of 2026 protects patient privacy by prohibiting healthcare providers and their associates from disclosing information regarding pregnancy termination or loss in legal proceedings without the individual's valid authorization. This legislation mandates updates to federal health IT and privacy regulations to ensure this sensitive data remains secure and segregated. Additionally, the Act preempts conflicting state laws while allowing for stronger privacy protections at the state level.

The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act protects health care providers and their patients from state-level interference, ensuring the legal provision of reproductive health services across state lines. The bill establishes federal legal protections, prohibits the use of federal funds for enforcement actions against providers, and creates grant programs to support legal defense and facility security. Additionally, it prevents professional liability insurers from penalizing providers for offering lawful reproductive care.

The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act honors the U.S. and Filipino service members and civilians who fought in the Pacific theater during World War II. This legislation authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of those who defended Bataan and Corregidor and endured imprisonment by Imperial Japanese forces. The medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution to ensure their legacy is preserved and shared with the public.

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the right to community-based services for individuals eligible for long-term supports and services (LTSS), ensuring they can live in the most integrated setting of their choice. It prohibits discrimination by states and LTSS providers against individuals seeking community living over institutionalization. The Act mandates comprehensive planning, self-evaluation, and enforceable objectives to transition people out of institutions and address disparities in service delivery.

The CHILE Act of 2026 establishes a permanent federal framework to provide direct financial assistance to specialty crop producers following adverse events. This framework requires the Secretary of Agriculture to calculate payments based on pre-disaster sales and the determined loss factor, taking into account the unique costs of specialty crops. The bill also sets specific payment caps, with exceptions for high-income farming operations, and appropriates \$5 billion for fiscal year 2027 to fund this assistance.

The PASTEUR Act of 2026 aims to combat antimicrobial resistance by creating a novel federal subscription contract program to ensure the availability of critical new antibiotics. This program will provide substantial annual payments to drug sponsors in exchange for guaranteed access to their life-saving medicines. The Act also establishes an advisory group, funds grants for antimicrobial stewardship in healthcare settings, and enhances national surveillance of resistance data.

The Earth MRI Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the authorization for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) through fiscal year 2031. This legislation updates the initiative by incorporating advanced data collection technologies, such as digital geochemistry, to better characterize critical subsurface resources. It also integrates data from the 3D Hydrography Program into the Earth MRI framework.

The DNII Act of 2026 establishes a strict, mandatory order of succession for temporarily filling the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) position. This new order prioritizes the Senate-confirmed Principal Deputy Director and other Senate-confirmed ODNI officials before allowing the use of the Federal Vacancies Reform Act as a last resort. The Act ensures continuity in the leadership of the Intelligence Community by setting clear, high-level qualifications for any acting DNI.

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.