Legislative Activity

This resolution designates August 1, 2026, as "Gold Star Children’s Day" to honor the sacrifices and unique hardships faced by children who have lost a parent in military service. It serves as a formal expression of national gratitude, encouraging Americans to recognize and support these children.

This resolution designates July 30, 2026, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day" to honor the historical importance of whistleblowers in protecting the public interest. It reaffirms the federal government's commitment to encouraging the reporting of waste, fraud, and abuse while recognizing the vital contributions whistleblowers make to government accountability.

The State-Based Education Loan Awareness Act amends the Higher Education Act to define and regulate state-based education loan programs. It ensures that students are fully informed of their federal loan eligibility and the associated benefits before opting for state-sponsored private loans. The bill also mandates that these state programs offer interest rates and fees that are at least as favorable as federal alternatives.

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 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 New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency (NO BOSS) Act expands access to self-employment assistance programs by removing the requirement that participants must be likely to exhaust their unemployment benefits. The bill modernizes program standards to prioritize entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and the development of formal business plans. These updates aim to provide greater flexibility and support for unemployed individuals looking to transition into business ownership.

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 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 **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.

This resolution commemorates the anniversary of the Supreme Court's *Dobbs* decision, celebrating the overturning of *Roe v. Wade* and the return of abortion regulation to elected representatives. It affirms the right to life for the unborn and commits to supporting families and expectant mothers. The resolution also recognizes the role of pregnancy centers and advocates for laws protecting unborn life.

The "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act" prohibits the use of federal education funds for programs, activities, or materials that expose children under 18 to sexually oriented content, including depictions of gender dysphoria or transgenderism. The bill includes specific exceptions for standard science curricula, religious texts, and designated classic works of literature and art.

The Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026 prohibits physicians from performing dismemberment abortions, except when necessary to save the life of the mother. The bill establishes criminal penalties for violators and provides civil remedies for patients or their parents to sue for damages. It explicitly excludes the woman undergoing the procedure from criminal prosecution or monetary liability.

This Act restricts U.S. nonmilitary foreign assistance from supporting organizations that promote abortion, gender ideology, or discriminatory equity ideology. It places specific requirements on foreign and domestic organizations receiving these funds to ensure separation from prohibited activities. The bill also includes narrow exceptions for life-saving medical situations and allows the Secretary of State to waive provisions for national security interests.

The NO FAKES Act of 2026 establishes a federal property right for individuals and right holders to control the use of their voice or visual likeness in unauthorized, highly realistic computer-generated digital replicas. This grants the right to authorize or prohibit such uses, both during life and for a term following death, creating civil liability for unauthorized distribution or the provision of tools primarily designed for creating such replicas. The Act includes specific liability standards, exclusions for uses like news and parody, and detailed safe harbor provisions for online services that comply with notification and removal procedures.

This bill reauthorizes and continues funding for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program. It also extends the authorization for the National Cord Blood Inventory program through 2031. The legislation supports vital stem cell therapies and research initiatives.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and modifies the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its authorized funding to \$2.0 billion. This legislation broadens eligible lands for maintenance projects and prioritizes those receiving significant private donations. It also enhances transparency by requiring multi-year project lists and actively encouraging public contributions to address deferred maintenance across federal lands.

This resolution designates June 6, 2026, as National Naloxone Awareness Day to increase public understanding and access to naloxone, the life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. The day aims to educate the public on how to use naloxone and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. It encourages broad support for expanding the availability and distribution of this critical medication.

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 Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act increases the penalty for providing a phone or voice communication device to a federal inmate from one year to two years in prison. The bill also mandates that the Director of the Bureau of Prisons review and update policies related to prohibited objects within federal prisons. This legislation aims to enhance security by specifically targeting the supply of contraband communication devices.

The "Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary of the Interior to regularly report to Congress on the state of global critical mineral and rare earth element resources, including identifying resources controlled by foreign entities of concern. It also requires establishing a process for U.S. individuals to notify the government when divesting stock in foreign critical mineral operations, and directs the development of a strategy to collaborate with allied countries on advanced mining and processing technologies. The goal is to ensure the U.S. and its allies have secure access to these critical resources.