Legislative Activity

The Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026 establishes an independent Children’s Commission to examine and advocate for the interests of all children and marginalized youth across the nation. This Commission is tasked with raising awareness, reviewing policies, conducting research, and advising Congress and agencies on matters affecting child well-being. It is designed to operate continuously, ensuring children's voices are incorporated into federal decision-making processes.

This bill establishes the Asal Sayas National Strategy on Young Adult Cancers to address the rising incidence and unique challenges of cancer in individuals aged 18 to 49. The strategy requires the NIH to develop a comprehensive plan focusing on research priorities, public and professional education campaigns, and improving early detection methods. It also mandates the creation of a federal online clearinghouse and a coordinating committee to oversee implementation and progress reporting.

The Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act of 2026 establishes natural climate solutions as a priority for USDA research and extension grants. This legislation directs funding toward land management practices that enhance carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across agricultural lands, forests, and wetlands. The supported practices will emphasize biodiversity, climate resilience, and the incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge.

The Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 addresses the growing energy and environmental challenges posed by rapidly expanding AI infrastructure. The bill mandates a comprehensive study by the EPA and other agencies on the full lifecycle impacts of AI, from hardware manufacturing to data center operation. It also establishes a stakeholder consortium to develop measurement standards and requires annual public reporting from AI data center operators on their resource consumption and pollution. Ultimately, this legislation aims to mitigate the negative environmental effects of AI while promoting its beneficial applications.

The Equal Remedies Act of 2026 significantly expands the types of damages available to victims in certain civil rights cases, including broader compensatory damages for non-economic harm. This legislation also guarantees the right to a jury trial in these cases. Furthermore, the Act allows victims of age discrimination to recover compensatory and punitive damages, aligning their remedies with those available under Title VII.

The Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to significantly strengthen services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, and deafblind. This legislation mandates that states accurately identify and evaluate these students to ensure they receive specialized instruction, including language and communication skills tailored to their specific needs. The bill aims to guarantee access to appropriate services, qualified personnel, and critical skills development for greater independence.

The Elder Pride Act amends the Older Americans Act to explicitly recognize and address the needs of LGBTQI and HIV-positive older adults. It establishes a new Office of LGBTQI Inclusion within the Administration on Aging to coordinate services and promote access. Furthermore, the Act creates a dedicated grant program to fund rural outreach initiatives specifically targeting LGBTQI older individuals and those in other protected classes.

This bill amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to grant the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) the authority to enter into land leases of up to 99 years. This update aligns these two tribes with the leasing privileges already granted to other federally recognized tribes.

The Reactors at Risk Act of 2026 mandates a joint report from the Department of Defense and the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security assessing the national security and civilian risks posed by nuclear reactors located in or near areas prone to armed conflict. This report must detail potential dangers and outline steps the U.S. and its allies can take to prevent and mitigate these risks. The assessment covers reactors in regions with recent conflict, contested areas, or potential flashpoints like Taiwan or the Korean Peninsula.

The Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025 significantly boosts support for small businesses seeking contract bonds. This legislation raises the maximum bond guarantee amount the SBA can offer from $6.5 million to $18 million. It also establishes new reporting requirements and limits administrative spending from the program's revolving fund.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It aims to promote employment opportunities for people with criminal records by advocating for the removal of barriers to fair-chance hiring. The bill supports expanding workforce programs and fostering collaboration to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure stable jobs and successfully reenter society.

The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for key Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and surety bonds. This change allows businesses majority-owned by certain immigrants, non-citizens lawfully present in the U.S., and even some individuals residing abroad to access federal support. The bill ensures that businesses meeting ownership and location criteria are not denied SBA financing solely because of the status of their eligible owners.

This resolution designates April 22, 2026, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day." It recognizes the critical role assistive technology plays in enabling millions of Americans with disabilities and older adults to participate fully in education, employment, and community life. The day aims to highlight the necessity of these devices and services, which are vital for independence and economic self-sufficiency.

The Youth Climate Leadership Act of 2026 mandates that five key federal agencies establish formal Youth Advisory Councils. These councils, composed of members aged 16 to 29, will provide recommendations on climate change, environmental justice, and pollution reduction. The Act ensures young people have a structured voice in federal environmental decision-making, particularly concerning disadvantaged communities. Funding is authorized for these activities through fiscal year 2037.

The Climate Change Education Act establishes a federal program, managed by NOAA, to fund comprehensive climate change education for all ages. This initiative aims to increase climate literacy through formal schooling and nonformal programs, focusing on solutions, adaptation, and climate justice. The Act authorizes grants to K-12 systems, higher education, professional associations, and youth corps to develop and implement climate-focused learning and applied research.

This resolution designates April as Community College Month to honor the vital role community colleges play in providing accessible higher education and workforce training nationwide. It recognizes these institutions for supporting over 10 million students and significantly advancing the economic prosperity of the United States.

The Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act establishes a federal grant program to provide financial compensation to essential, non-remote healthcare workers for hazardous duty performed during declared emergencies or disasters. These grants will fund supplemental pay, capped at \$13 per hour and \$25,000 annually per worker, for duties deemed hazardous by the Secretary. Funds may also be used by facilities to implement safety measures for these frontline workers.

The SAFE through Medicare Act expands Medicare Part B coverage to include medically necessary "home resiliency services" for individuals at risk during climate or manmade disasters. These services, effective January 1, 2027, include items like heat pumps or solar batteries for those reliant on electricity or sensitive to extreme weather. The bill mandates establishing a process to identify medically at-risk individuals based on geography, disaster history, and medical needs.

The Home Modifications for the Climate Crisis Act establishes federal grants to help low- and moderate-income households fund crucial home improvements against climate disasters like floods and wildfires. It also expands services under the Older Americans Act to improve indoor air quality, cooling, and energy efficiency for older individuals. The bill authorizes $500 million annually to support these resilience and health-focused modifications.

The Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act aims to safeguard maternal and infant health from climate-related risks like extreme heat and air pollution. It establishes grant programs to fund community initiatives and professional education focused on mitigating these dangers for vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of a research consortium and a national strategy to identify high-risk zones for pregnant individuals and young children.