Legislative Activity

The Water Project Navigators Act establishes a Department of the Interior program to provide grants for hiring "navigators." These navigators will assist communities and organizations in developing and applying for funding for multi-benefit water projects. The program prioritizes support for rural, Tribal, and disadvantaged communities to increase their capacity for securing water project funding.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the volunteers and communities that supported the North Platte Canteen during World War II. The Canteen was a massive, entirely volunteer-run operation that fed approximately six million service members traveling across the country. The original gold medal will be permanently displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska. The bill also allows the U.S. Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.

This resolution supports designating May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the critical mental health challenges faced by farmers and farmworkers, who experience disproportionately high suicide rates. This day aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness within the agricultural industry.

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.

This resolution supports designating May 2026 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes the significant role that renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel play in lowering consumer fuel prices and reducing carbon emissions. Furthermore, the bill highlights how these fuels bolster rural economies and decrease reliance on foreign energy sources.

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.

This bill reauthorizes and extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program through fiscal year 2030. The program allows eligible small, rural hospitals to receive Medicare payments based on reasonable costs for inpatient services to promote financial stability. It maintains participation limits and requires a report evaluating the program's impact on rural access to care and costs.

This act modifies percentage depletion rules for small oil and gas producers, specifically for marginal properties. It introduces a new calculation for the depletion rate, removes existing taxable income limits, and doubles the daily oil production eligible for the deduction. These changes are designed to support small producers and rural jobs, taking effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

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 ABLE MATCH Act establishes a federal program to match contributions made by individuals to their own ABLE accounts, offering a 100% match up to \$2,000, subject to an income-based phaseout. This new benefit aims to increase savings for people with disabilities, starting in tax years after 2026. The bill also mandates demographic reporting for ABLE account beneficiaries and authorizes grants to states to promote the use of these accounts and the new matching contribution.

This bill clarifies that direct deposit is a permissible method for making contributions to qualified ABLE programs. It explicitly prevents any existing law from being interpreted as a barrier to using direct deposit for these essential savings accounts.

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 America Grows Act of 2026 establishes mandatory, inflation-adjusted funding for four key agricultural research agencies through 2036 and beyond. This legislation ensures consistent financial support by protecting these appropriations from automatic spending cuts (sequestration). Furthermore, the bill exempts its budgetary effects from standard PAYGO scorecards.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish a committee to review and recommend updates to policies regarding the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions. The bill mandates regulatory updates to encourage aviation personnel to seek mental health care without fear of penalty. Furthermore, it allocates funding to enhance the FAA's capacity to process reviews and launches a public campaign to reduce mental health stigma within the industry.

The Sport Fish Restoration, Recreational Boating Safety, and Wildlife Restoration Act of 2026 extends the authorization for critical sport fish conservation and restoration programs through 2031. This legislation maintains essential funding for state-level projects while updating the allocation formulas for multistate conservation grants and the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.

The NASA UAS Detection Act grants NASA the authority to detect, identify, monitor, and track drones posing a credible threat to its facilities or assets. This power allows NASA personnel to intercept communications controlling such drones, provided they coordinate closely with the FAA and adhere to strict privacy protections. The law mandates risk assessments for all NASA sites and requires regular reporting to Congress on the use of these detection capabilities, which will terminate in 2031.

The Rural Hospital Revitalization Act of 2026 establishes a zero-percent interest loan program to help eligible rural hospitals construct, renovate, or replace their facilities. By providing essential financial support and technical assistance, this act aims to ensure long-term healthcare access and economic stability for isolated rural communities.

This resolution designates March 21, 2026, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to honor the vital contributions of women across the agricultural industry. It celebrates the essential roles women play as producers, educators, and leaders, while encouraging the nation to support and empower the next generation of female agricultural professionals.

This resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists." It highlights the vital ecological and economic contributions of rangelands while honoring the generations of ranchers and land managers who sustain them. The measure encourages nationwide efforts to promote education, research, and sustainable management practices for these essential landscapes.

The AADAPT Act aims to improve dementia care by expanding grant eligibility to a broader range of public and nonprofit health entities. By explicitly including dementia care in the scope of supported services, the bill seeks to increase provider training and enhance health outcomes for patients.