Legislative Activity

The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends the Education Amendments of 1972 to establish clear, biological definitions for the terms "sex," "female," and "male." These definitions are intended to provide legal clarity for educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance. The act takes effect immediately upon being signed into law.

This bill amends the Mineral Leasing Act to revise the payment structure for bonus payments on certain coal leases issued under a deferred payment system. It mandates that the bonus payment be made in 10 equal annual installments, with the first installment due at the time of the lease bid.

This resolution designates July 25, 2026, as "National Day of the American Cowboy" to honor the historical and cultural significance of cowboys and cowgirls. It recognizes their vital role in shaping the American West and celebrates the enduring values, economic contributions, and community spirit they continue to embody today.

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 Aviation Innovation and Global Competitiveness Act aims to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the FAA's aircraft certification process. It mandates the FAA to publish plans, establish standard expected timelines for certification milestones, and set clear criteria for issue papers. Furthermore, the bill updates guidance on delegating certification work and affirms Congress's support for U.S. leadership in aviation innovation.

The Digital Age Assurance Act of 2026 mandates that operating system providers verify user ages and share standardized age-bracket data with apps, browsers, and websites to enforce age-appropriate access. The bill prohibits targeted advertising and data monetization directed at children under 17 while establishing strict privacy protections and data minimization requirements. Enforcement is overseen by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general, with additional provisions to prevent anticompetitive practices in the digital marketplace.

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 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 Ban Birth Tourism Act of 2026 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the entry of foreign nationals traveling to the United States primarily to secure U.S. citizenship for their children through birth. The bill authorizes immigration officials to deny admission or initiate deportation proceedings against individuals determined to be engaging in this practice.

The TRUTH in Coverage Act of 2026 mandates that health insurance plans covering sex-rejecting procedures must also provide coverage for restorative care to address the resulting physical and psychological harms. The bill establishes that such restorative care must be subject to the same financial requirements and treatment limitations as other standard medical and surgical benefits. These requirements apply to group and individual health plans for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.

This resolution expresses the Senate's formal opposition to any presidential pardon, commutation, or clemency for Samuel Bankman-Fried following his conviction for massive financial fraud. It affirms that his 25-year prison sentence is a necessary measure of justice for his crimes and underscores the Senate's commitment to upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the U.S. financial system.

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 **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 mandates annual, standardized point-in-time counts of homeless individuals each April to improve data accuracy and consistency across the country. It requires the use of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) for year-round tracking and directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and recommend modernizations for HUD’s counting methodology. Additionally, the legislation provides increased support and guidance for rural and resource-limited areas to ensure comprehensive data collection.

The End EPA Abuse Act of 2026 seeks to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulatory authority under the Clean Air Act. The bill prohibits the EPA from issuing regulations that restrict internal combustion engines, mandate fuel switching for power plants, or threaten electric grid reliability. Additionally, it prevents the agency from requiring technologies that are deemed commercially unavailable, cost-prohibitive, or technically infeasible.

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 Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 mandates studies to improve education at Bureau-funded and tribally controlled schools. These studies will focus on the resources needed to offer competitive staff salaries and ensure high-quality education for students. Additionally, the Act requires an examination of potential revenue sources to align the funding, resources, and salaries of Bureau of Indian Education schools with other school systems. A key component includes updating the Indian School Equalization Formula to ensure equitable and adequate funding.

This bill, the "Free to Exit Administrative Tribunals Act" (FEAT Act), allows certain parties involved in specific Department of the Interior administrative proceedings to transfer their case to a federal district court. Once transferred, the district court will review the matter *de novo*, meaning they will examine the case from the beginning without deference to the agency's prior decision. This provides an expedited path for resolution outside of the Department of the Interior's internal appeals process.

The Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act significantly amends existing law to provide broad immunity to the firearms industry from civil lawsuits related to the criminal or unlawful use of their products. This legislation mandates the immediate dismissal of pending lawsuits against the industry and establishes strict definitions and procedural hurdles for any claims attempting to use statutory exceptions. Furthermore, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on manufacturers or sellers for harms resulting from criminal misuse of firearms.

The Let America Build Act of 2026 aims to significantly accelerate domestic energy and mineral development by streamlining federal permitting and limiting environmental reviews and legal challenges across oil and gas, mining, and electric transmission projects. The bill shifts oversight authority to states for certain drilling activities and imposes strict deadlines on federal agencies for project approvals. Ultimately, it reduces regulatory hurdles to boost resource production while curtailing the scope of environmental considerations and public litigation against development.