Legislative Activity

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a feasibility study for designating the Bonneville Shoreline Trail under the National Trails System Act. The proposed trail would stretch approximately 280 miles along the ancient Lake Bonneville shoreline from the Idaho-Utah border to Nephi, Utah. This study will determine the viability of officially recognizing this significant natural feature as a national trail.

The Rural Emergency Response Support Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to provide overtime pay exemptions for emergency medical technicians and paramedics working in small, rural jurisdictions. This legislation aims to support public agencies and private contractors serving populations of fewer than 100,000 residents by easing federal labor compliance requirements.

The Smarter Sentencing Act of 2026 reduces mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain federal drug offenses and creates a specific sentencing category for low-level drug couriers. The bill applies these reforms to both future and past cases, directs the Sentencing Commission to update its guidelines, and mandates new reporting requirements to increase transparency regarding federal criminal offenses and corrections spending.

The Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act of 2026 amends federal law to reform pretrial detention procedures for drug-related offenses. This legislation streamlines Section 3142 of Title 18 by removing specific provisions to update the criteria for release and detention in federal criminal cases.

The TAP Promotion Act mandates the inclusion of a standardized, one-hour presentation on veterans' benefits within the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) preseparation counseling. This legislation ensures service members receive expert guidance on navigating VA benefits with the support of recognized veterans service organizations. Additionally, it establishes annual reporting requirements to track participation and ensure the program's ongoing effectiveness.

The Home School Graduation Recognition Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to formally recognize home school graduates as high school graduates for federal education purposes. This legislation ensures that students completing secondary education in state-recognized home school settings are treated equitably under federal law.

The Government Surveillance Transparency Act of 2026 mandates greater public oversight of criminal surveillance by requiring courts to maintain searchable, online dockets for surveillance orders and limiting the government's ability to keep these records sealed. The bill establishes stricter notice requirements for individuals targeted by surveillance and mandates that courts be notified if data is collected beyond authorized limits. Additionally, it introduces comprehensive reporting requirements for government surveillance activities and provides grant funding to help state and tribal courts implement these transparency measures.

This resolution expresses strong support for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams competing in the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. It applauds the athletes for their dedication and sportsmanship while recognizing the historical significance of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to hosting safe and successful Games in Los Angeles (2028) and Utah (2034).

The Payment Integrity Act amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act to require states to pay child care providers based on verified attendance rather than enrollment. This legislation clarifies that payments can be made after services are delivered, ensuring funds align with actual care provided.

The Pay Less at the Pump Act of 2026 terminates the Hazardous Substance Superfund financing tax effective January 1, 2026. This bill also accelerates the repayment schedule for prior advances made from the Superfund to the General Fund. The overall goal is to remove this specific tax burden.

The End the Vaccine Carveout Act aims to remove existing legal protections for vaccine manufacturers and administrators. This change would allow individuals to directly sue these parties in state or federal court for vaccine-related injuries or deaths. The bill also specifically repeals liability shields for COVID-19 vaccines under the PREP Act.

The FENCES Act amends the Clean Air Act to protect states from certain regulatory consequences when air quality standards are unmet due to emissions originating outside the United States. Specifically, it prohibits nonattainment designations if pollution is caused by foreign emissions. Furthermore, the bill exempts severely polluted areas from sanctions and fees if they can demonstrate that compliance failure is due to uncontrollable external emissions or exceptional events. States must still implement all authorized control measures and periodically renew their demonstration to the EPA.

The CLEAR LABELS Act mandates new, comprehensive labeling requirements for both finished drugs and their active pharmaceutical ingredients. This legislation requires manufacturers to disclose the original source and supply chain information for these components, either directly on the label or via an accessible electronic portal. The goal is to enhance accountability and transparency regarding the origin of pharmaceutical products.

The Drone Espionage Act strengthens federal law to explicitly prohibit the unauthorized recording or transmission of video of sensitive defense information. This amendment updates existing statutes to specifically cover video recordings, addressing modern surveillance capabilities.

The Safe Cloud Storage Act establishes strict cybersecurity and operational requirements for technology companies storing child sexual abuse material for law enforcement investigations. It grants limited liability protections to approved vendors who comply with these rigorous standards, including NIST-level security and U.S.-only data storage. The bill also sets clear evidence retention rules for law enforcement agencies utilizing these cloud services.

The Moab UMTRA Project Transition Act of 2025 establishes the process for transferring ownership of the completed cleanup site in Moab, Utah, from the U.S. government to Grand County, Utah, at no cost. This transfer is contingent upon the Secretary of Energy determining cleanup is complete and is subject to necessary health and safety restrictions. Crucially, the U.S. government retains necessary water rights for any ongoing environmental responsibilities, and Grand County is permanently restricted from selling the land to private entities.

The No Climate Treaties Act of 2026 mandates that any international climate agreement involving legally binding U.S. emissions reductions must be submitted to the Senate for treaty ratification. This ensures that such agreements, including the Paris Agreement, require the Senate's advice and consent to take effect. Furthermore, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to implement any unratified agreement that mandates domestic emissions cuts.

This resolution officially designates the week of January 25 through January 31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week." It expresses support for the week, recognizing the importance of diverse K-12 education options for empowering parents. The bill encourages all Americans to learn more about the educational choices available to families.

The SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2026 aims to prohibit the FDA from approving any new abortion drugs and severely restrict the use of previously approved ones. This legislation mandates strict in-person administration, rigorous safety protocols, and enhanced reporting requirements for existing abortion-inducing medications. The bill seeks to ensure comprehensive medical oversight and patient safety measures surrounding the use of these drugs.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. It recognizes his distinguished service in the Air Force, his Olympic athletic career, and his historic tenure in the U.S. Congress. The resolution specifically highlights his landmark legislative accomplishments, including establishing the National Museum of the American Indian. The Senate expresses its sorrow and will recess as a mark of respect for his memory.