Legislative Activity

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act significantly updates existing law to expand online privacy protections for individuals aged 13 to 16. It broadens the definition of personal information collected online and imposes stricter requirements on operators regarding notice, verifiable consent, and data use for advertising. The bill also mandates studies on application oversight and the privacy risks associated with teens using financial technology products.

The Connect the Grid Act of 2026 brings the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) under federal regulatory oversight and mandates the expansion of transmission capacity between the Texas grid and neighboring regions. The bill establishes new reliability standards for inter-regional power transfer, prioritizes sustainable infrastructure development, and significantly increases funding for the Transmission Facilitation Program. Additionally, it commissions a study to evaluate the benefits of interconnecting the U.S. and Mexican electric grids.

The SPARK Act establishes two new Small Business Administration (SBA) programs—the Spark Program and the Spark Financing Program—to boost economic growth in underserved communities. These programs aim to increase access to capital and support for small businesses owned by women, minorities, and those in rural areas through funding for local accelerators, incubators, and direct grant/loan assistance. The legislation seeks to close existing gaps in funding and resources that hinder success for entrepreneurs in economically distressed areas.

This bill establishes the Small Business ICE Disruption Fund with $200 million to provide grants to small businesses. These grants are specifically for eligible small businesses that suffered at least a 25% revenue loss due to disruptions from a federal immigration enforcement action in their area within the last year. The Administrator of the SBA will manage the fund, ensuring grants are awarded based on verified revenue loss, up to a maximum of $1,000,000 per business.

This resolution calls for the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people. It mandates federal action to ensure equal access to medical care, safety, employment, housing, and legal recognition. The bill aims to eliminate discrimination across various sectors and strengthen protections against violence and abuse.

This resolution denounces any stated intent by the President to nationalize or assume direct control over federal elections. It affirms that the Constitution grants primary authority over elections to state legislatures and Congress, not the President. The resolution declares that any unilateral attempt by the President to take over election processes would be unconstitutional and unlawful.

The ICE Out of Our Faces Act prohibits immigration officers from using biometric surveillance systems, such as facial recognition or voice analysis, for identifying or tracking individuals. This ban covers acquiring, possessing, accessing, or using such technology or any information derived from it. The bill mandates the deletion of existing biometric surveillance data and establishes penalties, including civil fines and private rights of action, for violations.

The AV Safety Data Act establishes new, detailed monthly reporting requirements for manufacturers and operators of vehicles equipped with autonomous driving systems or advanced driver assistance systems. This legislation mandates that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collect comprehensive data on vehicle operations, crashes involving vulnerable road users, and "unplanned stoppage events." NHTSA is required to make this submitted data publicly available in a machine-readable format.

The Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems Act of 2026 requires federal agencies using complex automated systems to establish dedicated civil rights offices focused on algorithmic bias. These offices must employ experts to assess risks related to discrimination based on protected characteristics. Furthermore, agencies must submit biennial reports detailing their efforts to mitigate harms from these covered algorithms and engage with relevant stakeholders.

The Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026 eliminates qualified immunity as a legal defense for law enforcement officers in civil rights lawsuits. This legislation prevents officers from claiming good faith or unclear law as justification when facing claims of constitutional rights violations. Furthermore, it establishes a direct civil cause of action against federal law enforcement officers who violate constitutional rights while acting under federal authority.

The Public Health Nursing Act establishes a new federal program to strengthen the public health nursing workforce. This initiative provides grants to state, local, and territorial health departments to recruit, hire, and train registered nurses for public health roles, especially in underserved areas. Funds will support direct nursing services, necessary supplies, and administrative costs, prioritizing areas with high rates of chronic disease and poor maternal/infant outcomes.

The Naturalization and Oath Ceremony Protection Act establishes a clear right for approved citizenship applicants to complete their naturalization process by taking the oath of allegiance. This bill strictly limits the circumstances under which an approved applicant can be barred from their scheduled ceremony, requiring specific findings of ineligibility or fraud. It also prohibits exclusion based on nationality or categorical reviews, ensuring due process and judicial review for any denial or postponement.

This Act, titled the "States' Right to Regulate AI Act," prohibits the use of federal funds to implement or enforce a specific Executive Order concerning a national policy framework for Artificial Intelligence. Essentially, it prevents the federal government from using its money to enforce that particular AI regulation order.

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act directs the USDA to prioritize purchasing food that supports regional economies, worker well-being, environmental health, and equity for specific producers. The bill mandates detailed reporting on current spending and sets future targets to increase procurement in these four key areas. It also establishes pilot programs and grants to help smaller and underserved producers meet USDA standards and participate in federal food contracts.

The International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025 establishes a permanent program within the Department of State, led by a dedicated Special Envoy, to protect and promote the human rights of LGBTQI people globally. This bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive U.S. Global Strategy to address international discrimination and violence against this community. Furthermore, it authorizes foreign assistance to support local organizations and requires detailed reporting on LGBTQI human rights abuses in annual State Department reports.

The Hastening Arms Limitations Talks (HALT) Act of 2025 establishes a U.S. policy to lead international negotiations toward a comprehensive and verifiable global nuclear freeze on testing, production, and deployment of nuclear weapons. The bill outlines specific goals, including resuming inspections, negotiating future arms control agreements, and pursuing a Fissile Material Treaty. Furthermore, it prohibits the use of federal funds for nuclear test explosions beginning in fiscal year 2026 unless specific conditions regarding stockpile reporting and Congressional approval are met.

The Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive rules to prevent discrimination by automated decision-making systems in critical areas like hiring, housing, and credit. It mandates that companies rigorously test, audit, and report on their algorithms for fairness and safety before and after deployment. The bill empowers the FTC, state attorneys general, and private citizens to enforce these standards, while also creating a dedicated federal workforce to oversee AI compliance. Ultimately, this legislation aims to increase accountability and ensure fairness when algorithms make consequential decisions about people's lives.

The Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2025 establishes U.S. policy to impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities whose actions significantly worsen climate change, illegal deforestation, or harm environmental defenders. This authority allows the President to block assets and restrict visas for those undermining global climate goals or committing related corruption and human rights abuses. The Act emphasizes that these targeted measures are part of a broader strategy that also includes international cooperation and financing. It also directs the consideration of sanctions against those involved in environment-linked corruption and human rights violations against climate advocates.

The Respite CARE Act amends the Older Americans Act to establish grants for eligible organizations to create or expand integrated caregiver support services. These grants fund programs that combine respite care with other supportive services for family caregivers. Funds must ensure accessibility through technology, translation, and appropriate formats.

The Family Caregiver Peer Support Act establishes a grant program to develop and expand peer support services for family caregivers, available both in-person and virtually. These grants will fund programs that offer emotional support and assistance with administrative tasks, while prioritizing underserved populations. The legislation also supports training for peer support specialists and ensures language access for diverse caregiver communities.