Legislative Activity

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, recognizing his significant contributions as a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow over his passing and offers condolences to his family. The resolution directs that this tribute be communicated to the House and his family, and the Senate will adjourn in his memory.

The Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025 establishes a new, rigorous vetting process for entities seeking federal high-cost universal service funding to build rural broadband networks. This legislation directs the FCC to ensure applicants possess the necessary technical, financial, and operational capabilities through detailed proposal evaluations. The Act also sets minimum penalties for applicants who default on their commitments before receiving authorization.

This bill aims to improve the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by requiring telecommunications providers to transmit precise, **dispatchable location information** for all calls made to the service. It mandates the FCC to initiate an inquiry into the technical and privacy challenges of this requirement. Additionally, the GAO must report to Congress on the feasibility and implications of using geolocation technology for 988 callers.

This bill reauthorizes and strengthens existing law to accelerate access to ALS therapies by extending program deadlines to 2031. It improves grant renewal processes by requiring review of clinical trial enrollment data and clarifies the definition of a Phase 3 trial. Furthermore, the legislation mandates an updated FDA action plan for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases, alongside a required GAO report assessing progress.

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.

The Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act revises federal law regarding motor vehicle theft by lowering the required mental state for the basic offense to "knowingly." This change broadens the scope of federal jurisdiction over carjacking incidents. The bill also establishes a specific aggravating factor if death results when a vehicle is taken with the intent to cause serious harm.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It aims to promote employment opportunities for people with criminal records by advocating for the removal of barriers to fair-chance hiring. The bill supports expanding workforce programs and fostering collaboration to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure stable jobs and successfully reenter society.

The Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026 establishes federal grant programs managed by the FCC to increase enrollment in the Lifeline program. These grants will fund state outreach efforts to inform eligible low-income individuals about the service discounts. Additionally, the bill provides funding for states to better connect their benefit databases with the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to streamline the enrollment process.

The Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 expands FEMA disaster assistance eligibility to include occupants without formal property ownership, such as those experiencing homelessness. It simplifies repair standards, allowing aid for any home "damaged by a major disaster," and mandates streamlined processes for self-certifying eligibility. The bill also requires FEMA to coordinate with HUD on joint temporary rental assistance programs following a disaster declaration.

The HELP Separated Children Act establishes comprehensive procedures to protect the rights and ensure the well-being of children when their parents are apprehended during immigration enforcement actions. It mandates that DHS officials identify detained parents, provide them with immediate access to make childcare arrangements, and facilitate ongoing communication and legal participation in child welfare and custody proceedings. The bill also requires mandatory training for personnel and extensive data collection to track the outcomes for these families.

This resolution designates April as Community College Month to honor the vital role community colleges play in providing accessible higher education and workforce training nationwide. It recognizes these institutions for supporting over 10 million students and significantly advancing the economic prosperity of the United States.

This bill, the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, explicitly repeals Executive Order 14399, which attempted to regulate mail-in voting. It prohibits federal agencies, including the Postal Service, from using funds to create national voter/citizenship databases or interfere with state administration of absentee and mail-in ballots. The Act reaffirms that states, not the federal government, control federal election procedures.

This resolution supports designating a week in April 2026 as "Black Maternal Health Week" to focus national attention on the severe maternal health crisis impacting Black women and birthing people. It highlights the unacceptable rates of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity due to structural racism and inadequate care. The resolution calls for investments in community-led maternity care, extended postpartum health coverage, and comprehensive, non-discriminatory maternal health policies.

The Hemp Safety Enforcement Act allows states and Indian tribes to self-regulate their hemp production and derived products by submitting a simple notice to the Secretary of Agriculture, rather than adhering to the full federal plan. This grants them primary regulatory authority, provided they enforce a minimum purchase age. The bill also clarifies that self-regulating jurisdictions are not barred from interstate commerce, though products crossing between them must meet both sets of local laws.

The Stop CHEATERS Act aims to prevent tax avoidance by large corporations and high-income individuals. It provides significant, multi-year appropriations to the IRS for increased enforcement, improved taxpayer services, and technology modernization. Furthermore, the bill mandates regular reporting from the IRS and the Treasury Inspector General to Congress detailing efforts to audit high-earners and large businesses.

The Consumer Protection Remedies Act of 2026 significantly expands the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) power to protect consumers. This legislation authorizes the FTC to seek court orders against companies that have violated consumer protection laws, not just those currently violating them. Crucially, it grants the FTC new equitable remedies, including the ability to demand restitution, contract changes, and disgorgement of ill-gotten profits from violators. These new enforcement tools apply to legal actions initiated after the bill is enacted.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish a committee to review and recommend updates to policies regarding the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions. The bill mandates regulatory updates to encourage aviation personnel to seek mental health care without fear of penalty. Furthermore, it allocates funding to enhance the FAA's capacity to process reviews and launches a public campaign to reduce mental health stigma within the industry.

The No Fentanyl on Social Media Act requires the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and report on how minors access and purchase fentanyl through social media platforms. This report, developed with key agencies, will detail the risks, marketing tactics used by sellers, and platform design impacts. Ultimately, the legislation seeks recommendations for Congress on how to prevent minors from obtaining dangerous drugs online.

The Alex Gate Safety Act of 2025 mandates the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to establish new mandatory safety standards for various types of gates, incorporating current industry benchmarks. This legislation also requires the CPSC to launch a national education and awareness campaign detailing the risks associated with covered gates and best prevention practices. Furthermore, the Act clearly defines key terms like "covered gate" and establishes a process for updating mandatory safety rules when voluntary industry standards change.