Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses support for designating May 2026 as "National Beef Month." It recognizes the significant economic contributions and nutritional value of the United States cattle and beef industry. The designation aims to honor the industry's role in the nation's agriculture and food supply.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2026, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." It aims to honor the lives of missing and murdered American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and girls and demonstrate solidarity with their families. The bill also calls for a new Department of Justice study to update statistics on this ongoing crisis.

This resolution formally recognizes the vital roles and significant contributions of teachers across the United States in shaping the nation's civic, cultural, and economic future. It specifically designates the week of May 4–8, 2026, as National Teacher Appreciation Week. The bill encourages widespread public recognition and respect for educators and the teaching profession.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, recognizing his significant contributions as a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow over his passing and offers condolences to his family. The resolution directs that this tribute be communicated to the House and his family, and the Senate will adjourn in his memory.

This bill repeals the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, eliminating the federal requirement for contractors on federally funded construction projects to pay locally prevailing wages. The repeal voids the requirement for the Department of Labor to set these minimum wage rates for federal contracts over $2,000. This change takes effect 30 days after the bill is enacted, with exceptions for existing contracts and open bids.

The GUARD Act establishes federal guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence chatbots, particularly concerning minors. It mandates that companies operating these AI systems implement rigorous age verification processes for all users. Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for designing AI that solicits minors into explicit conduct or promotes violence, and imposes civil penalties for non-compliance with user protection and disclosure requirements.

This bill combines two major components: the **Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act**, which reforms and extends key surveillance authorities like Section 702 of FISA with new privacy protections and criminal penalties for misuse, and the **Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act**, which explicitly prohibits the Federal Reserve from creating or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to the public. In essence, the legislation tightens oversight on foreign intelligence gathering while blocking the creation of a government-controlled digital currency.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

This bill amends federal law regarding beneficial ownership information reporting. It narrows the reporting requirement to apply only to foreign entities registered to do business in the U.S. The legislation specifically exempts U.S. persons from reporting their ownership information and mandates the deletion of existing U.S. person data from FinCEN records.

This resolution designates April 2026 as "Second Chance Month." It aims to raise public awareness about the collateral consequences faced by millions of Americans with criminal records long after their sentences are served. The designation encourages communities to support efforts that remove unnecessary barriers to employment, housing, and education, promoting successful reentry and reducing recidivism.

The Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026 aims to significantly enhance patient care and transparency within Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. This legislation mandates faster coverage decisions, including real-time authorizations for routine services, and tightens rules against retroactive claim denials. Furthermore, it establishes a new compliance and accountability program for MA organizations, imposing payment reductions for noncompliance and integrating compliance into the MA Star Ratings system. Finally, the bill aligns MA medical necessity criteria more closely with traditional Medicare standards.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing government waste, preventing fraud, and increasing financial transparency across federal programs. It targets improper payments in areas like child care and Medicare, permanently bars pandemic relief fraudsters from future SBA aid, and cancels unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the deficit. Additionally, the Act strengthens oversight of welfare programs, enhances fraud enforcement timelines, and expands whistleblower protections for federal contractors.

This bill prohibits federal family planning funds under Title X from being provided to any entity that performs, promotes, or refers for abortion. Entities receiving funds must certify they will not perform abortions or give funds to organizations that do, with limited exceptions for rape, incest, or life-threatening conditions. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must also submit annual reports to Congress detailing grant recipients and any abortions performed under the exceptions.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act clarifies that states may use federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to support pregnancy centers. It ensures that organizations providing resources and services to expectant mothers, fathers, and families cannot be discriminated against in the allocation of these grants.

The Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act of 2026 strengthens oversight of federal regulations by requiring agencies to conduct rigorous impact analyses and maximize net benefits for all "major rules." The bill expands stakeholder consultation requirements to include the private sector and ensures that independent regulatory agencies are held to these same transparency standards. Additionally, it empowers the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to enforce compliance and provides a pathway for judicial review of major rules.

The Cost Openness and Spending Transparency (COST) Act of 2026 mandates that recipients of federal funds clearly disclose the specific dollar amounts and percentages of federal versus non-governmental funding used for their projects. The bill establishes rigorous compliance oversight by the Office of Management and Budget, including annual audits and a public mechanism for reporting non-compliant communications.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2026 establishes a program allowing federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase their retired service firearms directly from their agencies. Under this legislation, eligible officers may acquire these surplus weapons at their designated salvage value.

The Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2026 allows married couples filing jointly to claim the student loan interest deduction separately for each spouse. This change effectively doubles the maximum annual deduction for eligible couples from $2,500 to $5,000. The act is set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends critical funding and support for life-saving medical programs through 2031. This legislation ensures the continued operation of the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and maintains the national cord blood inventory. These measures are essential for sustaining vital resources used in stem cell therapies and research.