Legislative Activity

This joint resolution disapproves of the District of Columbia Council's temporary law regarding arrest reporting. Congress is exercising its oversight authority to overturn the D.C. Council's enactment of the Full Accountability in Arrest Reporting Temporary Amendment Act of 2026. If passed, this resolution will prevent the D.C. law from taking effect.

This joint resolution disapproves the District of Columbia Council's temporary amendment regarding body-worn camera transparency for use of force incidents. By passing this resolution, Congress is exercising its authority under the Home Rule Act to overturn the local D.C. legislation before it takes effect.

This resolution honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for Michigan. It recognizes his decades in Congress, highlighting key legislative achievements such as co-sponsoring the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and leading significant banking reforms. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow and adjourns in his memory.

The Protect Domestic Oil and Gas Small Business Act of 2026 exempts small-scale "marginal wells" from specific Clean Air Act emission standards and regulatory requirements set by the EPA. This legislation removes obligations like monitoring, reporting, and leak detection for these low-production oil and gas sites. Furthermore, it prevents the EPA from requiring states to include these standards in their air quality plans.

The SILVER Act aims to enhance the resilience and liquidity of precious metals markets by addressing the systemic risks associated with geographically concentrated storage. It mandates that derivatives clearing organizations diversify and transparently select precious metals depositories across different U.S. time zones. This legislation requires objective criteria for depository selection, considering factors like geographic diversity, competition, and cost efficiency while maintaining high security standards.

The Safe Cloud Storage Act amends existing law to establish a secure framework for law enforcement agencies to utilize approved cloud service providers for storing child pornography and related materials. This legislation sets strict cybersecurity and evidence handling requirements for these vendors while granting them limited liability protections for their contractual duties. The bill ensures data remains secure, primarily within the U.S., and mandates regular audits and notifications to the Department of Justice.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late former United States Senator John Seymour of California. It recognizes his extensive public service, highlighting his career in business, local government, and his tenure in the U.S. Senate. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow and directs that official copies of this resolution be delivered to his family.

The Blocking Leaks Undermining Enforcement (BLUE) Act creates new federal penalties for knowingly sharing the personal information of federal law enforcement officers with the intent to obstruct their duties or retaliate against them. This legislation expands existing prohibitions to specifically protect officers by criminalizing the disclosure of their sensitive personal details, including physical locations. The bill aims to prevent unauthorized disclosures that undermine ongoing law enforcement activities.

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.

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.

The Federal Carjacking Enforcement Act revises federal law regarding motor vehicle theft by lowering the required mental state for the basic offense to "knowingly." This change broadens the scope of federal jurisdiction over carjacking incidents. The bill also establishes a specific aggravating factor if death results when a vehicle is taken with the intent to cause serious harm.

The Safeguarding The Overall Protection of Minors Act (STOP Act) prohibits the use of federal funds for gender transition procedures on minors under 18, with specific medical exceptions. It establishes civil penalties for performing these procedures and creates a private right of action for individuals harmed by violations. Furthermore, the Act establishes a grant program to support organizations that assist individuals seeking to reverse prior gender transition procedures.

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.

The Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 prohibits state and local governments from imposing liability on energy businesses for climate change-related harms through lawsuits or new penalty laws. This legislation asserts that the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of federal law. Consequently, all pending "qualified liability actions" in state or federal court must be dismissed.

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.

This bill prohibits all future United States financial contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It also restricts the use of federal funds for U.S. delegations to UN bodies chaired by countries deemed to repeatedly support international terrorism. Furthermore, the legislation revokes all privileges and immunities for UNRWA officials and employees.

The Prioritizing the Warfighter in Defense Contracting Act of 2026 mandates that large defense contractors prioritize long-term performance over short-term financial gains. The bill prohibits these contractors from using short-term financial metrics to determine employee compensation, bans stock buy-backs and dividend distributions, and caps executive compensation. Additionally, it establishes strict compliance reporting and enforcement mechanisms, while allowing for performance-based waivers for contractors that consistently meet delivery and technical requirements.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act aims to eliminate delays in certifying the deaths of veterans who pass away from natural causes. This bill mandates that VA physicians or nurse practitioners must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours, or a local official can step in. The legislation also requires the VA Secretary to annually report on compliance with this new timely certification standard.

The Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026 strengthens privacy protections by requiring warrants for most government surveillance of U.S. persons and prohibiting the purchase of personal data from commercial brokers. The bill mandates increased transparency, stricter court oversight, and enhanced accountability for intelligence agencies while reauthorizing key surveillance programs for four years. These reforms aim to close legal loopholes and ensure that digital information—including vehicle and communication data—remains protected under the Fourth Amendment.