Legislative Activity

The ACTION for National Service Act restructures the existing national service agency by establishing the **AmeriCorps Administration** as a new Executive department, replacing the Corporation for National and Community Service. The bill significantly expands national service by increasing educational award amounts, raising participant living allowances, and setting a goal to serve one million participants by 2036. It also creates an outreach program to inform young adults about service opportunities and makes national service educational awards and living allowances tax-exempt.

This resolution formally honors the life and enduring legacy of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Louis Burns Jackson, Sr. It recognizes his significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, including his work with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his founding of Operation PUSH. The bill specifically urges the President to order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in his memory.

This bill directs the President to remove all U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran within 30 days, utilizing the authority granted by the War Powers Resolution. Congress asserts this action is necessary as it has not formally declared war or authorized military force against Iran. The resolution explicitly preserves the ability of the U.S. to defend itself, its allies, and its facilities from imminent attack, and does not interfere with intelligence-gathering activities.

The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency and security in U.S. elections. It closes loopholes to ban foreign national spending in elections, mandates disclosure for "dark money" political spending, and requires clear funding disclosures on political ads. The bill also centralizes legal challenges to campaign finance laws in Washington, D.C., for faster resolution.

The Direct File Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, free, government-owned online tax filing system within the IRS, ensuring taxpayers have a simplified and accessible way to file their returns. The bill prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that restrict the government's ability to provide these services and mandates the integration of state tax filing options. Additionally, it streamlines the tax process by setting new filing deadlines for employer information returns to improve efficiency for all taxpayers.

The Save Medicare Act renames the Medicare Advantage program to the "Alternative Private Health Plan program." It also establishes a significant civil money penalty of \$100,000 for any entity that advertises a Part C plan using the term "Medicare" in its title. The bill mandates an orderly transition to the new program name by October 15, 2023.

This bill authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony commemorating the Days of Remembrance of victims of the Holocaust. The specified date for this event is April 14, 2026. Any necessary physical preparations for the ceremony must adhere to the conditions set by the Architect of the Capitol.

The Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act amends federal law to expand the definition of unlicensed money transmitting businesses. This legislation establishes criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly manage or control unlicensed operations involving currency or digital value substitutes.

The African American History Act of 2026 authorizes the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop and expand educational resources, curricula, and digital programming for students and educators nationwide. By providing $10 million in annual funding through 2030, the Act aims to promote a deeper understanding of African American history through a social justice and anti-bias lens. Additionally, the legislation encourages the development of similar educational initiatives across other Smithsonian museums dedicated to diverse American histories.

The Supreme Court Ethics and Investigations Act establishes two independent offices within the Supreme Court to enhance judicial accountability. The Office of Ethics Counsel will provide guidance and mandatory training for justices on conduct and financial disclosures, while the Office of Investigative Counsel will be empowered to investigate and report on ethics complaints filed against justices.

This resolution officially recognizes Black History Month and adopts "A Century of Black History Commemorations" as the theme for 2026. It honors the contributions of Black Americans by establishing categories for "Unsung Souls" and "Righteous Intercessors." Ultimately, the bill affirms that Black history commemorations are essential for a complete national narrative and inspiring future progress toward liberty and justice for all.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick leave. Employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, usable for personal or family health needs, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act prohibits employer retaliation for using this leave and ensures existing, more generous leave policies are not diminished.

This bill provides the funding and establishes the operational rules for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2026 across all major components, including intelligence, security operations, emergency management, and research. It allocates billions for agencies like TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and CISA while imposing strict new requirements for congressional oversight, spending transparency, and management of federal grants. The legislation also includes specific policy directives, such as mandating security screening for senior officials and restricting certain intelligence and contracting activities.

The Patient Debt Relief Act establishes new standards for hospitals participating in Medicare regarding financial assistance and medical debt collection practices, including limits on liens and wage garnishment. It also creates a grant program for eligible nonprofits to purchase and eliminate the medical debt of low-income individuals. These provisions aim to protect patients from aggressive debt collection and provide avenues for debt relief.

This resolution officially recognizes January 2026 as National Mentoring Month to honor the dedicated staff and volunteers in mentoring programs. It highlights the significant benefits of mentoring, such as boosting educational achievement and reducing juvenile delinquency. The bill encourages the growth of quality mentoring programs nationwide to ensure more young people have supportive adult connections.

This bill immediately halts all hiring and transfers of personnel to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) using federal funds. The hiring freeze will remain in effect until Congress passes and enacts a new law specifically designed to supersede this provision.

This resolution supports the goals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by recognizing the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black Americans. It encourages testing, commends organizations providing culturally competent care, and supports the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce disparities. The bill also calls for prioritizing funding for minority-led agencies and addressing systemic barriers to care.

The **Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026** establishes major federal funding streams, including grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide from 2027 through 2031. The legislation prioritizes districts with the greatest need, focusing on improving student health, safety, and environmental conditions in school buildings. It also mandates increased transparency through public databases tracking facility conditions and requires specific labor and "Buy America" standards for funded construction projects.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees and certain contract employees receive their full pay and benefits during any government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. It also mandates retroactive contract price adjustments to compensate contractors for costs incurred during previous shutdowns. Furthermore, the bill prohibits federal agencies from implementing workforce reductions or placing employees on extended administrative leave during funding lapses.

The AI for Secure Networks Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to study the impact of artificial intelligence on telecommunications network security. This study will examine how AI can enhance network security, resiliency, and efficiency, including its application with Open RAN and virtualized technologies. The resulting report, submitted to Congress, will detail findings and may include legislative recommendations.