Legislative Activity

This Act redefines exemptions under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to clarify the rights of Alaska Natives to take marine mammals for subsistence and to create and sell authentic handicrafts made from marine mammal ivory and other materials. It establishes clear definitions for "authentic Alaska Native article of handicrafts and clothing" to ensure legitimacy in commerce. Furthermore, the bill prohibits states from banning the sale or transfer of these authentic Native handicrafts incorporating marine mammal parts.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment collectively. This recognition honors the regiment's crucial and heroic service during the Revolutionary War, notably as one of the first integrated military units in American history. The original medal will be displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, and bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs.

This resolution recognizes World Oceans Day and celebrates the vital role of the ocean in the history, economy, and security of the United States. It honors the contributions of maritime workers, the armed forces, and coastal communities. The resolution also highlights key anniversaries, including the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the 20th anniversary of the Marine Debris Program. Finally, it reaffirms the nation's commitment to ocean stewardship and leadership.

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 officially designates May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month. It recognizes the devastating impact of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and affirms the Senate's dedication to improving access to treatments and supports for those affected. The bill also commits to supporting research to find causes, risk factors, and a cure for ALS.

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 Legalizing Premium Health Care Act of 2026 fundamentally reforms Medicare by guaranteeing beneficiaries the freedom to choose any qualified provider. It allows Medicare recipients (excluding those also on Medicaid) to enter into private, written contracts with professionals for covered services, setting the terms of payment directly. This legislation also preempts state laws that limit the charges eligible professionals can set for services provided under these new contractual arrangements.

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 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 Nursing is a Professional Degree Act formally defines "professional degree" within federal law to explicitly include nursing degrees. This change ensures nursing education meets the statutory standard for professional degrees, recognizing the advanced academic and skill requirements necessary to practice.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week." It serves to recognize and honor the service, sacrifice, and valor of law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of their essential mission.

The Advancing Menopause Care and Mid-Life Women’s Health Act aims to significantly improve health outcomes for mid-life women by boosting federal research, public awareness, and professional training related to menopause. The bill establishes new programs for research funding, public education campaigns, and specialized training for healthcare providers. It also supports the creation of Centers of Excellence to advance evidence-based care and address disparities in treatment access.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2026, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." It aims to honor the lives of missing and murdered American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and girls and demonstrate solidarity with their families. The bill also calls for a new Department of Justice study to update statistics on this ongoing crisis.

This bill allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant licensees of certain hydropower projects, licensed before March 13, 2020, an extension of up to six additional years to begin construction. This extension is available upon request and demonstration of good cause. The legislation also addresses projects whose original deadlines expired recently, allowing for reinstatement of the license before the extension period begins.

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.

This bill strengthens oversight of nurse aide training programs in nursing facilities by removing outdated exceptions and allowing the government to temporarily disapprove programs at facilities with serious quality-of-care violations. It also expands access to the National Practitioner Data Bank, enabling more Medicare and Medicaid providers to conduct essential employee background checks. The goal is to ensure higher standards of care and safety for seniors in long-term care settings.

This resolution supports the designation of April 2026 as the "Month of the Military Child." It recognizes the more than 1.6 million children connected to the military across the United States. The bill encourages the public to observe this month with appropriate activities to honor the commitment, struggles, and support provided by military children.

This bill establishes the Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act to significantly advance geothermal energy technologies, including enhanced, closed-loop, and supercritical systems. It mandates expanded research, the creation of public subsurface data repositories, and the drilling of deep exploration boreholes to better characterize U.S. geothermal resources. The legislation also authorizes new grant programs to accelerate the commercial readiness of these next-generation systems.

This bill aims to combat domestic violence affecting pregnant and postpartum individuals by funding programs for screening, counseling, and support services. It also mandates a study on how various forms of violence impact maternal health risks, including suicide and homicide. Furthermore, the legislation establishes grants for innovative, culturally relevant approaches to improve maternal and child health outcomes for survivors. Finally, it requires the HHS Secretary to issue guidance on developing protocols for routine screening and establishing partnerships between healthcare providers and support organizations.

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.