Legislative Activity

This resolution supports designating the second Friday in June as "National Service and Conservation Corps Day." It recognizes the vital work of over 140 Corps programs that engage young adults and veterans in conservation, community improvement, and workforce development. The bill highlights the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the readiness of modern Corps to address national needs ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary.

The Caja del Rio Protection Act establishes permanent protections for federal lands in New Mexico by creating the Caja del Rio Special Management Area and the Caja del Rio National Conservation Area. This legislation safeguards the region's cultural, spiritual, and ecological values while prioritizing Tribal consultation and management roles. The bill restricts new roads and motorized vehicle use while explicitly allowing existing grazing and protecting municipal water rights for Santa Fe. Finally, it withdraws an additional area from all forms of resource extraction and development.

The Physical Therapist Workforce and Patient Access Act of 2026 aims to increase patient access to physical therapy services in underserved areas. This bill expands the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program to include physical therapists, helping to address shortages. It also allocates dedicated funding for this expansion and ensures Medicare coverage for physical therapy services provided by Rural Health Clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers.

The No Immunity for Glyphosate Act aims to hold manufacturers of glyphosate-based herbicides and elemental phosphorus accountable for harm caused by their products. This legislation explicitly removes any existing legal immunities that shield these companies from civil liability. It establishes a clear right for injured individuals to sue manufacturers in federal court for damages related to exposure.

The WIPP Economic Assistance Assurance Act of 2026 ensures continued financial support for the region surrounding the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant. By removing the current 14-year payment cap, the bill authorizes economic assistance payments to continue annually until all transuranic waste shipments to and from the facility have officially concluded.

The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to transform school outdoor spaces into park-like, ecological learning environments. These grants support schools in creating sustainable, nature-based play and educational areas, with a focus on prioritizing underserved communities and schools vulnerable to extreme climate conditions. The Act also mandates the creation of a national clearinghouse to provide resources, best practices, and design models for outdoor learning spaces.

The Veteran Education Assistance Adjustment Act of 2026 increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, and equipment for veterans utilizing the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Additionally, the bill mandates that these stipend amounts be adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation, ensuring educational support remains consistent with rising costs.

The Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act proposes using revenue from specific foreign import tariffs to provide direct tax relief to eligible households. The bill establishes a refundable tax credit of $600 per adult and qualifying child, with advance payments scheduled to begin in 2025. This initiative aims to support working families through income-based tax credits while ensuring the funds are distributed efficiently to residents across the U.S. and its territories.

The Habitat Connectivity on Working Lands Act of 2026 expands federal conservation programs to better support wildlife migration corridors and habitat connectivity for native big game species. The bill increases financial incentives for landowners, integrates modern tools like virtual fencing into conservation standards, and prioritizes research to improve range health and habitat restoration.

The Promoting Reduction of Emissions through Landscaping Equipment Act establishes a federal income tax credit covering 40% of the cost of zero-emission electric landscaping equipment. Designed to incentivize sustainable practices, the credit applies to purchases made after December 31, 2024, and includes options for elective payment or transferability. This initiative supports the transition to cleaner technology by providing significant financial relief for businesses and individuals upgrading to electric lawn and garden tools.

This resolution officially designates the week beginning February 2, 2026, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It encourages the nation to observe this week with activities that celebrate and demonstrate support for the vital contributions of Tribal Colleges and Universities.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act establishes a timeline and a dedicated team to finalize the continuous route of the Trail within ten years. It mandates the creation of a comprehensive development plan detailing necessary land acquisition, easements, and construction costs. The Act also encourages partnerships with non-profit groups to aid in completion and ongoing management, while clarifying that it does not expand existing federal land acquisition authority.

This act reauthorizes and updates the Wildlife Road Crossing Program, ensuring continued federal funding through 2031. It removes the "pilot" designation and makes key changes to support tribal participation, including 100% federal cost-sharing for tribal grants. The legislation also allocates funds for technical assistance to tribes and covers administrative costs for program management.

The Indian Buffalo Management Act aims to strengthen the government-to-government relationship by promoting the capacity of Indian Tribes to manage and restore buffalo herds on Indian land. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to provide support, technical assistance, and surplus buffalo from federal lands to Tribes for cultural, subsistence, and economic purposes. The Act emphasizes Tribal involvement in decision-making and explicitly protects existing treaty rights.

The Native American Seeds Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to collect, produce, and preserve Native American seeds in consultation with Indian Tribes. This legislation mandates the development of seed banks and nurseries to support these culturally significant seeds. Furthermore, the Act requires collaboration with Tribes to identify and protect these seeds while ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive Tribal information.

The Albuquerque Indian School Act of 2025 establishes a process to transfer approximately 9.89 acres of former federal land in Albuquerque, New Mexico, into trust for the benefit of 19 specified New Mexico Pueblos. This land, historically part of the Albuquerque Indian School, will be held for the educational, cultural, and economic development of the Pueblos. The transfer requires the relocation of existing federal tenants before the Secretary of the Interior takes the land into trust. The use of the land for gaming is expressly prohibited.

The Anti-Cash Grab Act repeals a specific provision (Section 213 of division C of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026). This repeal effectively restores a previous law, Section 10 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005. The legislation is designed to take effect retroactively as if the repealed section had never been enacted.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating the second Monday in October 2025 as "Indigenous Peoples' Day." It formally recognizes the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the United States and encourages public observance to celebrate their history and culture. The measure also voices support for establishing this day as an official Federal holiday.

The Saving the Department of the Interior's Workforce Act places a moratorium on involuntary layoffs across all Department of the Interior agencies and bureaus. This freeze on reductions in force will remain in effect until Congress fully funds the Department for Fiscal Year 2026. Employees are protected from layoffs unless the separation is due to proven misconduct, delinquency, or poor performance.

The Saving the Department of Energy's Workforce Act prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from conducting any workforce reductions or layoffs until Congress enacts the full-year funding bills for fiscal year 2026. This moratorium protects most DOE employees from involuntary separation during this period. However, the Secretary retains the authority to terminate employees for cause, such as misconduct or poor performance.