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 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 By eliminating this specific prohibition and an outdated special rule, the bill streamlines funding for incorporating art into public transportation systems.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.

This resolution supports the goals of Transgender Day of Remembrance by formally recognizing the epidemic of violence targeting transgender people. It specifically honors the lives lost to violence over the past year, particularly transgender women of color. The resolution calls on Congress and the executive branch to enact inclusive legislation and policies to protect transgender lives and ensure their dignity.

This resolution designates September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. The program provides crucial financial assistance to local school districts that educate students living on or whose parents work on federal property. This recognition highlights the federal government's ongoing commitment to ensuring quality education in these uniquely impacted communities.

This resolution formally recognizes October 2025 as Filipino American History Month to celebrate the rich history and culture of Filipino Americans. It highlights their significant and long-standing contributions across all sectors of American life, including military service, healthcare, and public office. The measure encourages all Americans to observe the month with appropriate programs to promote the study of this vital community's heritage.

The Protect Adoptees and American Families (PAAF) Act aims to clarify and secure automatic U.S. citizenship for certain internationally adopted individuals. This bill establishes clear pathways for adopted persons, regardless of when their adoption was finalized, to gain citizenship upon meeting specific residency and custody requirements. It also removes grounds of inadmissibility for those entering the U.S. to claim this citizenship, provided they pass a necessary criminal background check.

The Tropical Plant Health Initiative Act establishes a dedicated initiative to protect vital tropical crops from diseases and pests. This law authorizes new research and extension grants specifically targeting threats to plants like coffee, bananas, and mangoes. It extends the program's funding authorization through 2030 to support science-based pest management and plant health research.

This resolution expresses support for designating a week in September 2025 as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the vital role these institutions play in educating a significant portion of AANHPI students, many of whom are low-income and first-generation college attendees. The bill encourages these schools to seek funding for culturally relevant programs that boost student success. Ultimately, this measure celebrates the contributions of these institutions to American higher education and cultural diversity.

This resolution commemorates the 69th anniversary of the continuous operations of the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO). It recognizes the MLO as the premier global site for long-term atmospheric measurements, crucial for tracking climate-altering gases like carbon dioxide. The bill honors the dedicated workforce and reaffirms Congressional support for the observatory's vital scientific mission.