Legislative Activity

This bill nullifies a specific decision and order from the Endangered Species Committee regarding certain oil and gas activities. It also imposes a three-year ban on the Committee issuing new exemptions for these activities under the Endangered Species Act. Importantly, all pre-existing Endangered Species Act requirements remain fully in effect for these activities.

The IMPACT to Save Moms Act establishes a demonstration project for states to test alternative payment models for maternity care within Medicaid and CHIP programs. This project aims to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for high-risk groups, by considering factors like risk stratification and social determinants of health. The Secretary of HHS must evaluate the project's impact and report recommendations to Congress on potential national expansion.

The Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2026 establishes new federal loan forgiveness programs for teachers, school leaders, and early childhood educators serving in high-need schools or programs. Educators can achieve full loan forgiveness after five years of qualifying service, or receive monthly payment support during that time. The bill mandates the Secretary of Education to launch these programs within 270 days of enactment. It also includes specific provisions for Parent PLUS loan borrowers and ensures flexibility for educators whose school status changes.

The Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 significantly updates overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It establishes a phased-in, rising minimum salary threshold for executive, administrative, and professional employees to qualify for overtime exemption, eventually tying it to national earnings data. Additionally, the bill tightens the "duties test," reducing the amount of non-exempt work an employee can perform while remaining exempt from overtime pay. These changes aim to restore overtime eligibility to more salaried workers.

The Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act aims to improve early childhood education by ensuring school leaders have the necessary expertise. This legislation updates training requirements for principals and school leaders to include essential knowledge of child development and early childhood education best practices. The goal is to enable leaders to effectively support pre-kindergarten teachers and improve student outcomes.

The Lainie Jones Comprehensive Cancer Survivorship Act of 2026 aims to improve the full spectrum of care for cancer survivors, from diagnosis through the remainder of life. The bill establishes an Office of Cancer Survivorship, mandates Medicare coverage for care planning, and creates programs to support employment and comprehensive survivorship services. It also requires Medicaid to cover essential transition services for childhood cancer survivors and mandates fertility preservation coverage for all cancer patients.

The Moms Matter Act establishes two grant programs to improve maternal mental health. The first program funds initiatives to expand mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, prioritizing high-risk populations. The second program provides grants to grow and diversify the workforce of mental and behavioral health providers specializing in maternal health.

The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. It authorizes significant funding for enhanced data collection, surveillance, and research across various CDC programs. Furthermore, the bill mandates public data disclosure, requires public health communication campaigns, and establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for ensuring safe, respectful, and equitable maternity care during crises.

The GUARD Act expands the use of federal grant funds to help state, local, and tribal law enforcement investigate elder financial fraud, "pig butchering" scams, and general financial fraud. This legislation allows agencies to hire specialized staff, receive advanced training on emerging technologies, and acquire necessary investigative tools. Furthermore, the Act mandates comprehensive federal reports to Congress detailing the scope of these scams and the effectiveness of current enforcement efforts.

The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act authorizes competitive grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and similar institutions for long-term facility improvements, technology upgrades, and infrastructure modernization. Priority for these grants will be given to institutions demonstrating the greatest need, limited fundraising ability, and high percentages of Pell Grant recipients. The bill also mandates immediate forgiveness for certain outstanding balances on existing HBCU Capital Financing Program loans. Finally, it requires comprehensive reporting and studies to assess the program's impact and future funding needs.

The Respect Tribal IDs Act mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) develop and implement comprehensive training for its personnel on recognizing and accepting Native American tribal documents as proof of U.S. citizenship. This training will cover proper interaction protocols, document identification, and the U.S. government's trust responsibility to tribes. All immigration enforcement personnel must complete this mandatory training annually and upon regional assignment.

This resolution officially recognizes the week of May 3-9, 2026, as "National Postpartum Awareness Week for Communities of Color." It highlights the disproportionate maternal health crisis faced by communities of color and the critical need for respectful, culturally competent postpartum care. The bill supports efforts to eliminate racial disparities in maternal health outcomes by improving access to necessary resources and mental health services.

The Vote by Mail Protection Act of 2026 officially establishes its name and immediately repeals Executive Order 14399. This action cancels any existing contracts made under that order and prohibits the use of agency funds to support its related activities.

The Caregiver Access to Resources and Emotional Support Hotline Act (CARES Hotline Act) establishes a national, 24/7, toll-free hotline for caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities. This hotline will provide emotional support, brief intervention, and referrals to mental health and local support resources. The Department of Health and Human Services is tasked with establishing and maintaining this vital service, supported by authorized funding through 2032.

This resolution establishes a formal "Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights" to protect the fundamental civil and human rights of unhoused individuals, explicitly banning discrimination based on housing status. It outlines specific rights, such as access to housing, public services, and safety from harassment or property destruction. Furthermore, the bill commits to massive federal funding allocations and policy changes, prioritizing a "Housing First" approach to end homelessness.

The Clean Energy Workforce Act establishes grant programs to bolster career and technical education for jobs in clean energy and related fields. These grants will support the development of specialized curricula and the modernization of educational facilities to align with renewable energy practices. The goal is to prepare students for in-demand careers in climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sectors.

The Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act establishes a new federal grant program to help expand child care facilities in rural communities through construction, renovation, and equipment purchases. It also creates a low-interest loan program, administered by the USDA, to help existing rural providers renovate or expand their structures, particularly in designated "child care deserts." The goal of both provisions is to significantly increase the availability of licensed child care slots across rural America.

This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and reaffirms Congress's commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on the modern environmental movement and calls for continued action against threats like climate change and pollution. The bill urges immediate steps to reduce emissions, address environmental injustices, and ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

The Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to address how climate change risks, like extreme heat and pollution, harm maternal and infant health. The bill establishes grant programs to support local efforts and education, and mandates research and strategies to identify high-risk zones for pregnant individuals and young children. Its goal is to reduce adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality linked to climate change.

This resolution directs the President, under the War Powers Resolution, to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving Iran. The order mandates withdrawal unless forces are necessary for imminent self-defense of the U.S. or its allies. Any continued defensive action must comply with existing War Powers reporting requirements.