Legislative Activity

This resolution establishes the first full week of February each year as "Career and Technical Education Educator and Work-Based Learning Coordinator Appreciation Week." It recognizes the vital role these educators play in preparing students for the workforce and supporting critical economic sectors. The bill calls upon the President and local entities to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies.

The Chesapeake WATERS Act reauthorizes and strengthens the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to serve as the lead representative for the agency within the watershed. This legislation enhances scientific research, environmental monitoring, and habitat restoration efforts while expanding educational programs for students and teachers. By fostering collaboration across federal, state, and local partners, the Act aims to improve the management and long-term health of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.

This resolution officially recognizes the annual Army-Navy football game as "America's Game" due to its deep patriotic tradition and role in inspiring military service. It urges that the game maintain its exclusive television time slot on the second Saturday of December to maximize national attention. The resolution calls on networks and associations to avoid scheduling competing games during this time to honor the service members involved.

This resolution celebrates Black History Month by recognizing the profound history and enduring contributions of African Americans to the United States. It acknowledges past injustices while honoring the achievements across all fields that have shaped the nation. The resolution encourages continued reflection and unity as we move forward with liberty and justice for all.

The ROTOR Act focuses on enhancing aviation safety and transparency, primarily by reforming exceptions that allow aircraft to disable their ADS-B Out tracking systems. It mandates that the FAA require most aircraft to install and use ADS-B In technology for improved situational awareness. Furthermore, the bill establishes new coordination offices and requires comprehensive safety reviews of airspace operations, particularly around major airports, involving both civil and military aviation.

The Tariff Refund Act of 2026 mandates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection issue interest-bearing refunds for import duties collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act that were subsequently ruled unlawful. The bill prioritizes small businesses in the refund process and requires that larger entities pass these savings on to their customers. All refunds must be processed within 180 days of enactment, with regular progress reports provided to Congress.

The American Homeownership Act aims to increase housing affordability by restricting tax incentives for large-scale corporate investors and prohibiting federal agencies from financing their real estate acquisitions. The bill redirects savings from these tax changes to fund affordable housing construction and provide down payment assistance to first-generation homebuyers. Additionally, it strengthens antitrust oversight to prevent excessive market concentration in the residential real estate sector.

This resolution marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It condemns Russia's ongoing aggression, including attacks on civilians and the forced abduction of children. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the critical need for robust, sustained U.S. and transatlantic security guarantees to ensure Ukraine's long-term defense and stability.

The FUTURES Act of 2026 establishes a joint initiative between the U.S. and Israeli defense departments to accelerate and expand cooperation on defense technology research, development, and industrial integration. This program focuses on rapidly incorporating jointly developed and Israeli-origin technologies into U.S. military systems across critical domains like AI, counter-drone systems, and directed energy. The Act authorizes funding for these efforts and mandates regular reporting to Congress on progress and technology transition.

The **BE HEARD in the Workplace Act** comprehensively strengthens federal workplace protections by requiring new anti-discrimination policies, expanding legal rights for employees, and phasing out the tipped minimum wage. It aims to prevent harassment through mandated training, broadens protections to nearly all workers, and restricts employers' use of secrecy agreements. The Act also establishes grants to increase access to legal aid and worker advocacy nationwide.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick time, accruing at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked. This protected leave can be used for the employee's or a family member's illness, medical care, or for reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act strictly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for using or requesting this time and mandates clear notice requirements regarding these new rights.

The FAA SMS Compliance Review Act of 2026 establishes an independent expert panel to conduct a comprehensive review of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Safety Management System (SMS). This panel will assess the SMS's effectiveness, compliance, and integration across the agency. The FAA Administrator is required to act on the panel's findings and report progress on implementation to Congress.

The After Hours Child Care Act establishes the Child Care and Development Innovation Fund to improve access to child care for parents working nontraditional hours. This pilot grant program will provide funding to expand or create child care options for those working evenings, nights, or weekends. The goal is to support workforce participation and economic stability for these parents.

This resolution strongly condemns the Government of Iran for its violent suppression of peaceful protests and widespread human rights abuses against its citizens. It highlights the regime's use of deadly force, internet blackouts, and severe persecution in response to demonstrations sparked by economic hardship. The resolution commends the courage of the Iranian people and calls for free and fair elections.

The FAIR Act establishes pay increases for federal employees in calendar year 2027. This legislation mandates a 3.1 percent increase to the basic pay rates for General Schedule and similar employees. Additionally, it provides a 1 percent adjustment to federal locality pay rates for the same year.

This resolution officially recognizes January 2026 as National Mentoring Month to raise awareness and encourage the expansion of quality mentoring programs nationwide. It highlights the significant benefits mentoring provides for youth development, academic success, and community strength. The bill also acknowledges the vital role of volunteer mentors and supports efforts to close the gap for the millions of young people currently without one.

This concurrent resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson, Arizona, shooting. It honors the six individuals who lost their lives and recognizes the survivors, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The resolution reaffirms the importance of civility in democracy and Congress's dedication to preventing gun violence.

The Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 establishes major federal funding streams, primarily through grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide. This legislation prioritizes improvements focused on health, safety, and energy efficiency, directing significant resources toward districts serving low-income students. The Act also mandates transparency through public reporting and requires local districts to develop long-term facility master plans.

The Federal Grant Neutrality Act prevents the Department of Justice from conditioning the award of its grants on an entity's compliance with specific presidential directives or certain sections of immigration law. This legislation ensures that eligibility for DOJ funding is not tied to adherence to presidential memoranda or Executive orders.

The United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act establishes a strategy to combat illicit gold mining and trafficking in the Western Hemisphere, which fuels criminal organizations and harms the environment. It mandates the creation of a multi-year plan to disrupt criminal financing, promote responsible sourcing, and build legitimate gold value chains through public-private partnerships. The bill also requires specific investigations and classified briefings concerning illicit gold trade linked to the Venezuelan regime. Finally, it enhances the Treasury Department's ability to flag financial institutions involved in sanctioned precious metal transactions.