Legislative Activity

This resolution designates August 22 through August 30, 2026, as "National Park Week" to honor the National Park Service’s history and ongoing contributions. It recognizes the vital role these parks play in recreation, education, and the economy while encouraging the public to celebrate and support the preservation of our national treasures.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

This joint resolution seeks to nullify an EPA rule that granted California a waiver to establish its own motor vehicle pollution standards. By disapproving this action, the resolution aims to invalidate the legal authority behind California’s Advanced Clean Car Program and related Zero Emission Vehicle amendments.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of an EPA rule that granted California a waiver to set its own greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles. If enacted, the resolution would nullify this waiver, effectively stripping the rule of its legal force and effect.

This joint resolution expresses congressional disapproval of an EPA rule that granted California the authority to enforce its own emission standards for small off-road engines, such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers. By passing this resolution, Congress effectively blocks the rule from taking effect.

The National Plan for Epilepsy Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive review of federal epilepsy programs, research, and care strategies. By collaborating with stakeholders and identifying knowledge gaps, the Act aims to improve health outcomes, enhance treatment, and better support individuals living with epilepsy. The resulting report will provide Congress with actionable recommendations to strengthen federal efforts and coordination in epilepsy prevention and care.

The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act directs the FCC to establish an interagency taskforce to develop strategies for combating unlawful robocalls originating outside the United States. The bill also strengthens enforcement by providing legal protections for call traceback efforts and authorizing the FCC to require bonds from certain voice service providers to ensure accountability. These measures aim to reduce international robocall volume and improve coordination between federal agencies and the private sector.

The College Transparency Act establishes a secure, privacy-protected federal data system to track postsecondary student outcomes, including enrollment, completion, and post-college earnings. By repealing the existing ban on a national student-level database, the bill aims to provide students and families with transparent, customizable information to help them make informed educational decisions. The system is designed to streamline institutional reporting requirements while strictly prohibiting the use of personal data for law enforcement, immigration, or federal ranking purposes.

The **Patients Deserve Price Tags Act** aims to increase healthcare affordability by mandating comprehensive price transparency across hospitals, laboratories, imaging centers, and ambulatory surgical centers. The bill requires these providers and health insurance plans to publicly disclose negotiated rates, cash prices, and standard charges in standardized, machine-readable formats. Additionally, it empowers patients with real-time cost-estimation tools and requires providers to issue detailed, itemized bills before initiating any collection actions.

The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 prohibits the sale or importation of connected vehicles, their parts, and related software originating from or controlled by covered adversarial countries (North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran). Enforced by the Secretary of Commerce, this law aims to mitigate national security risks associated with foreign adversary access to sensitive vehicle data and control systems. The Act establishes phased bans starting in 2027 for vehicles and software, and 2030 for hardware, while setting up processes for compliance, authorization, and enforcement.

The Safeguarding Against Fabricated Exploitation Through Artificial Intelligence Act of 2026 prohibits federal agencies from using AI models capable of generating child sexual abuse material or non-consensual intimate imagery. The bill mandates that NIST establish rigorous performance benchmarks and testing programs to ensure AI safety. Additionally, it creates a private right of action against those who manufacture or distribute tools designed to circumvent these essential safety controls.

The New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency (NO BOSS) Act expands access to self-employment assistance programs by removing the requirement that participants must be likely to exhaust their unemployment benefits. The bill modernizes program standards to prioritize entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and the development of formal business plans. These updates aim to provide greater flexibility and support for unemployed individuals looking to transition into business ownership.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 imposes sweeping economic sanctions and trade restrictions to isolate Russia and penalize those supporting its military efforts. The bill targets Russian financial institutions, energy sectors, and leadership while penalizing foreign entities that facilitate sanctions evasion. It aims to cripple Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine through severe tariffs, asset freezes, and restricted access to U.S. markets.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive legislative package designed to combat fraud, reduce government waste, and ensure the integrity of federal spending programs. The bill implements stricter oversight for child care and health care payments, permanently bars those convicted of pandemic-related fraud from future Small Business Administration assistance, and rescinds unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the national deficit. Additionally, it enhances whistleblower protections for government contractors, strengthens data-sharing to intercept improper payments, and establishes new safeguards against foreign influence and deep fake scams.

This bill strengthens the oversight and administration of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership by mandating stricter performance evaluations and financial monitoring. It establishes clear, non-discretionary procedures for placing underperforming centers on probation and requires the rapid selection of new operators if deficiencies are not corrected. These measures ensure greater accountability and fiscal responsibility across the program.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham, recognizing his decades of dedicated military service and his impactful career in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. It pays tribute to his commitment to national security, the rule of law, and the people of South Carolina. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow for his passing and extends its deepest condolences to his family.

The **American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026** aims to accelerate energy and infrastructure development by streamlining federal permitting processes. The bill establishes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for natural gas pipeline reviews, sets strict timelines for interagency coordination, and limits the scope of environmental reviews under NEPA. Additionally, it reforms water quality certification requirements and restricts judicial review to prevent project delays, fostering a more predictable regulatory environment for energy and mining projects.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and modifies the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its authorized funding to \$2.0 billion. This legislation broadens eligible lands for maintenance projects and prioritizes those receiving significant private donations. It also enhances transparency by requiring multi-year project lists and actively encouraging public contributions to address deferred maintenance across federal lands.

The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act establishes the Eastern Mediterranean as a critical strategic hub within the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The legislation directs the U.S. to prioritize energy security, defense cooperation, and regional integration through enhanced multilateral strategic dialogues. By fostering deeper ties with key partners like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, the Act aims to strengthen connectivity and stability across three continents.

The Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to strengthen agriculture and natural resources programs at community colleges. These competitive grants will help institutions expand workforce training, education, and research, prioritizing coordination with local industry for experiential learning. The Act also authorizes funding to designate regional or national Centers of Agriculture Advancement.