Legislative Activity

This bill ensures that veterans' disability compensation and related benefits receive a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026. The increase will match the percentage increase applied to Social Security benefits taking effect on December 1, 2026. This adjustment applies to various compensation and dependency/indemnity payments administered by the VA.

The Strengthening Educator Workforce Data Act mandates the Department of Education to collect and publish detailed data on the civil rights aspects of the educator workforce, including teachers and principals. This data will be broken down by race, ethnicity, sex, and years of experience to provide a clearer picture of the profession. The resulting reports will be made publicly available to ensure transparency regarding educator qualifications and experience levels across school districts.

The Firearm Safety Act of 2026 amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include firearms under the definition of a "consumer product." This action brings firearms under the regulatory authority of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

This resolution supports the goals of National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6th to May 12th. It recognizes the vital contributions of nurses across patient care, public health, and research. The bill encourages the nation to observe this week with appropriate recognition for the importance of nurses in everyday lives.

This bill combines two major components: the **Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act**, which reforms and extends key surveillance authorities like Section 702 of FISA with new privacy protections and criminal penalties for misuse, and the **Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act**, which explicitly prohibits the Federal Reserve from creating or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to the public. In essence, the legislation tightens oversight on foreign intelligence gathering while blocking the creation of a government-controlled digital currency.

The CLEAN Mergers Act imposes strict new divestiture requirements on large mergers completed between January 20, 2025, and January 19, 2029. It mandates the immediate divestiture of completed threshold transactions (valued at $10 billion or more) unless specific competitive conditions are proven in court. Furthermore, the Act allows federal agencies and state attorneys general to review smaller "enforcement-lapse transactions" for evidence of misconduct or improper influence, potentially leading to required divestiture. Finally, it extends the statute of limitations for antitrust lawsuits from four years to ten years.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It aims to promote employment opportunities for people with criminal records by advocating for the removal of barriers to fair-chance hiring. The bill supports expanding workforce programs and fostering collaboration to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure stable jobs and successfully reenter society.

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.

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.

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 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 joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to establish and protect the fundamental right to vote for every eligible U.S. citizen. It sets a strict standard requiring any voting restrictions to serve a compelling government interest using the least restrictive means. Furthermore, the amendment would repeal language in the 14th Amendment that allows states to deny voting rights for reasons other than rebellion and grants Congress enforcement power.

The Climate Change Education Act establishes a federal program, managed by NOAA, to fund comprehensive climate change education for all ages. This initiative aims to increase climate literacy through formal schooling and nonformal programs, focusing on solutions, adaptation, and climate justice. The Act authorizes grants to K-12 systems, higher education, professional associations, and youth corps to develop and implement climate-focused learning and applied research.

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.

This resolution designates April as Community College Month to honor the vital role community colleges play in providing accessible higher education and workforce training nationwide. It recognizes these institutions for supporting over 10 million students and significantly advancing the economic prosperity of the United States.

The Drug Deal Disclosure Act mandates the public release of all federal government agreements with drug manufacturers concerning pricing, sales, and import conditions. This transparency requirement applies to specific existing deals and any future agreements made after enactment. The law strictly limits what information can be withheld, preventing redactions based on political embarrassment. Finally, it requires analyses from the CBO and GAO on the economic and budgetary effects of these disclosed deals.

This bill reauthorizes the popular Breast Cancer Research Stamp program, extending the authority for the U.S. Postal Service to sell the special stamp until 2037. The stamp continues to raise crucial funds, with the additional purchase amount going directly to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD) for breast cancer research.

The Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026 establishes a formal process for banning books in federal prisons, requiring approval from a newly created Publication Review Committee. This committee must include diverse members, such as an incarcerated individual and a professional librarian. The Act also mandates annual reporting to Congress on all banned books and the status of related appeals.

The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney General to fund library services within correctional facilities. This initiative aims to support incarcerated individuals' reintegration, reduce recidivism, and expand educational opportunities. Grants will support modern library resources, qualified staffing, and diverse programming, while prohibiting fees for core library services.

The Faster Department of Veterans Affairs Construction Act of 2026 aims to streamline the construction and alteration of VA facilities. This bill directs the VA to utilize recognized commercial building codes and standards instead of federal ones where appropriate. It mandates at least three annual pilot projects to test this new approach between 2027 and 2031, with required reporting to Congress.