Legislative Activity

The MAP Roads Act establishes a federal pilot program to provide grants to states for the digitization of county road records. By converting paper maps into standardized, publicly accessible geospatial datasets, the program aims to improve rural commerce, enhance public safety, and ensure county road information is easily integrated into modern mapping platforms.

The Water Security and Drought Resilience Act aims to enhance water availability across Reclamation States through federal financial assistance. It expands funding for water storage projects and reauthorizes and modifies the small storage grant program. Additionally, the Act establishes a new grant program to support natural water retention and release projects within critical watersheds.

This act officially designates the historic paths of US Highway 66, spanning from Chicago to Santa Monica, as the Route 66 National Historic Trail within the National Trails System. The Secretary of the Interior will manage the trail while respecting its historic character and consulting with affected Indian Tribes. Importantly, this designation prohibits the use of eminent domain for land acquisition and does not impose new regulatory requirements or buffer zones around the route.

The Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends and enhances federal support for local watershed restoration efforts through 2031. This legislation expands grant eligibility to include Indian tribes, increases funding caps for planning projects, and prioritizes communities facing significant impacts from drought and wildfires. Additionally, the bill streamlines program administration to improve access to technical assistance and project funding.

This resolution commemorates June 19, 2026, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day," honoring the historical significance of the end of slavery in the United States. It celebrates the resilience of African Americans and encourages nationwide reflection on the history and heritage that have shaped our democracy.

The Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes a federal right to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) by overriding restrictive state laws. The bill further expands family-building support by mandating comprehensive fertility coverage for military service members, veterans, federal employees, and those enrolled in private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. These measures aim to ensure equitable, affordable access to fertility treatments nationwide.

The Lunar Landing Day Act officially designates July 20 as a national day of observance to commemorate the historic 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing. This legislation encourages citizens, organizations, and government entities to honor this milestone through educational activities and celebrations that inspire future leadership in space exploration.

The PATH Act (Promoting Access to Transit in High-Growth Communities Act) updates the criteria for federal transit capital investment grants to better support rapidly developing areas. It allows applicants to incorporate population growth and density into ridership forecasts, ensuring that projects in high-growth communities are evaluated more favorably. By modernizing these requirements, the bill aims to improve access to public transportation funding for expanding regions.

The "Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act" strengthens existing bans on foreign influence by prohibiting domestic business entities with significant foreign ownership or control from contributing to federal elections. The bill also mandates strict certification requirements for corporations and PACs to ensure that decision-making processes remain free from foreign interference. Additionally, it expands these protections to cover state and local ballot initiatives and Super PACs.

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 Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2026 strengthens the nursing profession by expanding grant eligibility for advanced education and modernizing training resources, including simulation and telehealth technologies. The bill addresses critical workforce shortages by increasing funding for nursing faculty and student programs while broadening support for specialized care, such as services for sexual assault survivors. These updates ensure that nursing education remains robust and responsive to the evolving needs of the healthcare system through 2030.

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 Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now Act of 2026 aims to lower insulin costs by capping out-of-pocket expenses for insured patients and increasing transparency for pharmacy benefit managers. The bill also fosters competition by accelerating the approval of generic and biosimilar drugs and establishes new support programs to provide affordable insulin access for uninsured individuals.

The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act of 2026 streamlines the regulatory process for states to manage air quality data affected by prescribed fires, recognizing their role in wildfire prevention. Additionally, the bill establishes the "Smoke Ready Communities Program" to provide competitive grants for projects that mitigate wildfire smoke hazards in schools and other community buildings.

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It details the economic impact of this disparity and reaffirms Congress's commitment to achieving pay equity through systemic change.

The Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 updates the EPA’s formula for distributing federal clean water funding to states, territories, and Indian tribes. By prioritizing infrastructure needs, population data, and poverty levels, the bill ensures a more equitable and modern allocation of resources. Additionally, it streamlines administrative requirements and expands the eligible uses of state capitalization grants to better support water infrastructure projects.

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 McCarty and Heideman Air Safety Enhancement Act directs the FAA to conduct a comprehensive review of low-altitude airspace safety policies, with a specific focus on mitigating risks posed by temporary obstructions like slacklines. The bill mandates stakeholder consultation and requires the FAA to improve aeronautical data, interagency coordination, and public outreach. Ultimately, it ensures that necessary regulatory updates are implemented to enhance safety for pilots operating in low-altitude environments.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that because Congress has not declared war or provided specific authorization for these military actions, the President is legally required to terminate the use of force. The bill includes provisions to ensure the continued defense of U.S. personnel, intelligence operations, and support for partner nations during the withdrawal process.

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.