Legislative Activity

This bill prohibits the Department of Education from transferring the functions or operations of four key offices—Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Postsecondary Education, Indian Education, and Elementary and Secondary Education—to other federal agencies. It restricts the Secretary of Education from entering into interagency agreements to outsource the management, grant administration, or enforcement duties of these specific offices. The legislation ensures these core educational functions remain under the direct authority of the Department of Education.

The Fast Tracking European Investment in Ukraine’s Defense Act creates an expedited process for key U.S. allies to purchase specific munitions for transfer to Ukraine. By bypassing standard congressional review requirements for these select defense articles, the bill aims to accelerate the delivery of critical military support to Ukraine. This initiative reinforces the U.S. commitment to facilitating international contributions to Ukraine's defense against the ongoing Russian invasion.

The Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to issue a specific right-of-way for an emergency exit from the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 9.6. This issuance is conditional upon the Secretary certifying that alternative non-federal routes have been evaluated, a fire behavior analysis is complete, and all necessary environmental reviews are finalized. This legislation aims to secure a vital emergency egress route for the Wintergreen area.

The Advancing Research for Chronic Pain Act of 2026 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a national information system and public web hub dedicated to chronic pain research. This initiative aims to standardize data collection, identify research gaps, and provide clinicians and the public with evidence-based resources for pain management. By aggregating federal data and fostering collaboration, the bill seeks to improve the understanding, treatment, and outcomes of chronic pain conditions nationwide.

The "Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act" authorizes federal grants to help internationally educated health care professionals integrate into the U.S. workforce. By funding both system-level improvements and individual support services, the bill aims to address critical staffing shortages and improve health care access in underserved and rural communities.

The Securing Partner Supply Chains Act establishes a State Department initiative to help partner countries develop and strengthen their own foreign investment screening mechanisms. By providing technical assistance and sharing expertise, the program aims to mitigate national security risks related to critical infrastructure, sensitive technology, and supply chain vulnerabilities.

The "Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act" establishes a national technical assistance center and a grant program to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of direct care professionals. By providing funding for education, career advancement, and supportive services, the bill aims to strengthen the workforce that supports older adults and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation provides resources to assist both paid and unpaid family caregivers in their essential roles.

The North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends critical U.S. programs aimed at promoting human rights, freedom of information, and humanitarian assistance in North Korea through 2030. The bill strengthens support for North Korean refugees, mandates reporting on the Special Envoy for North Korean human rights, and introduces new sanctions against those involved in the forced repatriation of refugees. Additionally, it requires increased transparency regarding the impact of sanctions on humanitarian aid delivery to ensure support reaches the North Korean people without exploitation by the regime.

The Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act aims to combat transnational criminal networks driving deforestation and environmental degradation in the region. The legislation directs U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance and law enforcement support to Brazil, while promoting sustainable economic development and protecting the rights of Indigenous communities. Additionally, the bill mandates increased oversight of supply chains and requires the U.S. to leverage its influence in international financial institutions to prioritize environmental sustainability.

This bill, the **Venezuela Democratic Transition Act**, directs the Secretary of State to develop a strategy supporting free and fair elections in Venezuela. It also mandates the imposition of sanctions, including asset blocking and visa restrictions, on Venezuelan individuals complicit in gross human rights violations. The legislation affirms U.S. support for Venezuela's democratic opposition and legitimate President-elect.

This bill establishes the annual Esther Coopersmith Award to recognize U.S. diplomatic personnel who significantly advance the goals of women's participation in peace and security efforts. The award specifically honors contributions that sustainably prevent or resolve conflict by promoting women's leadership and economic empowerment. Recipients will meet with the Secretary of State and attend a major global security conference. This Act is set to expire five years after enactment.

This resolution formally acknowledges and apologizes for the decades of discrimination and mistreatment faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served in the U.S. military, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. It condemns past and recent discriminatory policies that led to wrongful terminations and exclusions. The resolution commits the nation to pursuing equal rights, protections, and respect for all LGBT servicemembers and federal employees moving forward.

This bill, the "Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act," establishes a federal grant program to support high-quality, two-year induction and mentoring programs for new teachers and school leaders in public schools. The goal is to combat high turnover rates, improve student learning, and address disparities in teacher experience, particularly in high-need and rural schools. Grants will prioritize local educational agencies serving high concentrations of economically disadvantaged students and require recipients to provide matching funds unless waived.

The State Department Integrity and Transparency Act aims to strengthen U.S. foreign policy by ensuring senior State Department officials possess deep expertise and experience. The bill mandates that a majority of Assistant Secretaries must come from the career Foreign or Senior Executive Service and enhances disclosure requirements for all high-level nominees. Furthermore, it increases transparency by requiring the public posting of nominee reports and certifying that political contributions did not influence appointments. The legislation also places limits on the duration of certain short-term, politically appointed positions at diplomatic missions abroad.

This bill designates the General George C. Marshall House in Virginia as an affiliated area of the National Park System. This designation aims to promote public appreciation for the historic contributions of George C. Marshall. The George C. Marshall International Center will serve as the management entity, with the Secretary of the Interior authorized to provide technical and financial support through cooperative agreements. The bill specifically clarifies that the Secretary will not assume overall financial responsibility for the site's operation or maintenance.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Cuba that have not been specifically authorized by Congress. It asserts that only Congress has the constitutional power to declare war or authorize military force. The bill mandates this removal unless the action is in self-defense against an armed attack or for lawful counternarcotics operations.

This act aims to support the mental health and resilience of educators and school staff across the nation. It mandates the sharing of best practices, launches a national awareness campaign to encourage help-seeking, and establishes grant programs to fund direct mental health services and training. The legislation also requires federal reviews to assess the impact of these efforts and identify ongoing needs.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove a specific rule from the Executive Office for Immigration Review concerning the appellate procedures of the Board of Immigration Appeals. By utilizing the Congressional Review Act, this measure invalidates the recently published rule, preventing it from taking effect.

This Senate resolution expresses strong support for free and fair general elections in Venezuela, recognizing the democratic will of the Venezuelan people. It affirms that the current regime lacks legitimacy and declares it in the U.S. national interest to support a democratic transition. The resolution urges the United States to use diplomatic tools to back internationally monitored elections.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized such military action. It reaffirms Congress's constitutional authority to declare war. The resolution maintains exceptions for necessary self-defense and providing specific defensive support to allies attacked by Iran.