Legislative Activity

This resolution commemorates the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (IPIF). It recognizes the Institute’s vital role in providing critical scientific research, conservation strategies, and wildfire mitigation for tropical ecosystems across the Pacific. Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms support for IPIF’s ongoing efforts to integrate indigenous perspectives and sustainable management practices to protect the region's unique biodiversity.

This resolution designates May 2026 as National Wildfire Preparedness Month to address worsening wildfire conditions across the nation. It aims to raise public awareness about increasing wildfire threats and promote essential education on lifesaving and fire-mitigation practices. The designation encourages governments and organizations to support initiatives focused on home hardening, land management, and improved evacuation planning. Ultimately, this effort seeks to reduce human-caused ignitions and lessen the significant health and economic impacts of wildfires.

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 Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and shifting the program to mandatory funding. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell eligibility semesters, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress rules to better support students. Overall, it seeks to stabilize and increase financial support for millions of postsecondary students, particularly those with high financial need.

This resolution celebrates the 54-year legacy of Title IX, recognizing its crucial role in expanding educational and athletic opportunities for women and girls. It reaffirms the law's purpose to prohibit sex discrimination in federally funded education while condemning recent actions that undermine protections for all students, including LGBTQIA+ individuals. The bill calls for continued efforts to eliminate remaining barriers to equality, such as sexual harassment and disparities in sports funding.

The Open Meetings Act of 2026 mandates increased transparency for meetings of federal judicial conferences and councils. This legislation requires these bodies to provide the public with advance notice and free, accessible live audio streaming of their proceedings. Archives of these meetings must also be made publicly available shortly after they occur, with specific exceptions for legally or sensitively confidential discussions.

The All Students Count Act of 2026 mandates that states disaggregate student performance data for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander subgroups. This change amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to reflect the diverse educational needs within these populations. The goal is to provide detailed, actionable data to better identify and support specific student groups often misrepresented as homogeneous.

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 resolution supports designating May 10, 2026, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day." It recognizes the critical need to address significant mental health disparities and barriers to care within the diverse AANHPI community. The bill calls for better data collection, increased provider diversity, and improved access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services.

This resolution expresses strong support for library staff across the United States and the vital community services libraries provide. It advocates for adequate funding commensurate with the broad social support roles libraries now fill and defends the civil rights and union organizing efforts of library workers against threats like censorship. Ultimately, the bill calls for prioritizing funding to ensure all citizens maintain free access to information and resources.

The Saving Transit Art Resources (STAR) Act amends federal transit law to explicitly allow for art in transit projects. This legislation removes a previous restriction that prohibited transit agencies from using certain federal funds for art installations. By eliminating this specific prohibition and an outdated special rule, the bill streamlines funding for incorporating art into public transportation systems.

This concurrent resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for an event celebrating the birthday of King Kamehameha I on June 7, 2026. The resolution ensures the event can take place while adhering to the conditions set by the Architect of the Capitol.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of a Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection action that withdrew guidance on unfair billing and collection practices regarding discharged student loan debts. If passed, this measure would nullify the withdrawal, effectively restoring the original protections outlined in Bulletin 2023-01.

This concurrent resolution recognizes Congress's duty to address the economic challenges and workplace barriers faced by women in the United States. It affirms a commitment to advancing gender equity through policies such as equal pay, workplace protections, access to healthcare, and support for caregiving. The resolution further calls for collaborative action to ensure all women can work with dignity, free from discrimination and harassment.

This concurrent resolution recognizes March 10, 2026, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor the courage and essential care provided by abortion clinic staff. The measure condemns recent legal and political restrictions on abortion access and affirms a commitment to protecting the safety of providers and the reproductive rights of patients.

This bill amends the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to formally establish and rename the Institutes of Tropical Forestry and Pacific Islands Forestry. It mandates minimum staffing levels for both institutes, requiring at least 50 staff for the Puerto Rico institute and 30 for the Pacific Islands institute. The legislation ensures both facilities receive adequate resources to advance critical forestry science and research in their respective regions.

The Improving Reporting to Prevent Hate Act of 2026 requires the Attorney General to evaluate whether local governments with over 100,000 residents are credibly reporting hate crime data to the FBI. Jurisdictions found to be failing to report hate crimes may lose eligibility for certain federal funding. An exception to this penalty exists if the jurisdiction demonstrates significant community education and awareness initiatives regarding hate crimes.

This bill establishes the **Hawai‘i National Cemetery Act** to address the critical lack of burial options for veterans in Hawaii. It mandates the construction of a new national cemetery in the state due to the current facility being nearly full. The legislation requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to select a site, prioritize accessibility, and regularly report on the progress toward opening the new cemetery.

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of Southeast Asian refugee resettlement in the United States. It honors the immense sacrifices and significant contributions of Southeast Asian Americans across all sectors of American life. The bill also acknowledges the challenges these communities have faced since arriving. Finally, it reaffirms the nation's commitment to supporting these vibrant communities.

The Reuniting Families Act is comprehensive legislation designed to significantly reform U.S. immigration by drastically reducing visa backlogs and prioritizing family unity across various immigration categories. It achieves this by recapturing unused visas, reclassifying immediate relatives, and extending spousal immigration rights to permanent partners. Furthermore, the bill enhances diversity visa opportunities and establishes time-bound processes to ensure refugee families can reunite more quickly.