Legislative Activity

The Guaranteed Paid Vacation Act mandates that employers provide covered employees with at least one hour of paid annual leave for every 25 hours worked, up to a maximum of 80 hours per year. The bill establishes clear requirements for leave usage, notice, and carryover, while prohibiting employer interference or retaliation against employees exercising these rights. It also grants the Secretary of Labor enforcement authority and allows for private legal action to ensure compliance.

The Pathways to Health Careers Act establishes a competitive grant program to provide low-income individuals with training and support for high-demand careers in the healthcare sector. The legislation funds comprehensive career pathways, including case management, childcare, and transportation assistance, to help participants earn recognized credentials and secure well-paying jobs. Additionally, the bill mandates specific demonstration projects focused on individuals with past criminal records and maternal health professionals, such as doulas and midwives.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that because Congress has not declared war or provided specific authorization for military force, the current deployment violates the War Powers Resolution. The bill mandates a withdrawal of forces while still allowing for defensive actions to protect U.S. personnel, intelligence operations, and support for partner nations.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

The College Transparency Act establishes a secure, privacy-protected federal data system to track postsecondary student outcomes, including enrollment, completion, and post-college earnings. By repealing the existing ban on a national student-level database, the bill aims to provide students and families with transparent, customizable information to help them make informed educational decisions. The system is designed to streamline institutional reporting requirements while strictly prohibiting the use of personal data for law enforcement, immigration, or federal ranking purposes.

The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from forcing workers to sign away their right to pursue legal claims in court or join class-action lawsuits as a condition of employment. The bill bans mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreements and ensures that any agreement to arbitrate or waive collective action rights made after a dispute arises is strictly voluntary and informed. By amending the National Labor Relations Act and the Federal Arbitration Act, this legislation protects workers' rights to act collectively and seek justice for workplace violations.

The Audit the Pentagon Act mandates financial accountability by imposing a 2 percent funding reduction on any Department of Defense component that fails to achieve a clean audit opinion. These withheld funds are then redirected to the U.S. Treasury to be used exclusively for deficit reduction.

The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act strengthens federal law by closing loopholes that allow abusive dating partners and individuals subject to emergency protective orders to possess firearms. The bill expands the definition of prohibited domestic abusers and establishes a federal grant program to assist state, tribal, and local governments in the safe removal and storage of firearms from those under domestic violence restraining orders. By setting a national standard, this legislation aims to reduce intimate partner homicides and enhance protections for survivors of domestic violence.

This resolution commemorates 35 years of independence for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, marking the end of Soviet rule in the region. It reaffirms the strategic importance of the United States' partnership with these nations in promoting regional stability, economic modernization, and global security. Furthermore, the bill underscores a commitment to supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these Central Asian countries.

This resolution reaffirms the fundamental right of individuals with disabilities to live independently in their communities, as established by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the *Olmstead* decision. It condemns recent efforts to weaken integration mandates and calls on federal agencies to prioritize accessible housing, employment, and community-based services. Furthermore, the bill advocates for the protection of Medicaid funding and the removal of barriers to ensure full equality and self-sufficiency for all people with disabilities.

The Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes a federal right to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) by overriding restrictive state laws. The bill further expands family-building support by mandating comprehensive fertility coverage for military service members, veterans, federal employees, and those enrolled in private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. These measures aim to ensure equitable, affordable access to fertility treatments nationwide.

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It details the economic impact of this disparity and reaffirms Congress's commitment to achieving pay equity through systemic change.

The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act establishes federal minimum wage and fringe benefit standards for a wide range of service workers at small, medium, and large hub airports. By mandating that employers provide competitive compensation based on prevailing-wage methodologies, the bill aims to ensure fair pay for essential airport personnel. It also includes robust enforcement mechanisms, including monthly certification requirements and provisions for private civil actions to ensure compliance.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham, recognizing his decades of dedicated military service and his impactful career in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. It pays tribute to his commitment to national security, the rule of law, and the people of South Carolina. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow for his passing and extends its deepest condolences to his family.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran. It asserts that because Congress has not declared war or provided specific authorization for these military actions, the President is legally required to terminate the use of force. The bill includes provisions to ensure the continued defense of U.S. personnel, intelligence operations, and support for partner nations during the withdrawal process.

The Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Congressional Gold Medal Act honors the U.S. and Filipino service members and civilians who fought in the Pacific theater during World War II. This legislation authorizes the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of those who defended Bataan and Corregidor and endured imprisonment by Imperial Japanese forces. The medal will be housed at the Smithsonian Institution to ensure their legacy is preserved and shared with the public.

The Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act strengthens protections for workers by mandating transparent pay disclosures, ensuring timely final paychecks, and increasing penalties for wage violations. The bill extends the statute of limitations for filing claims, bans forced arbitration, and establishes a grant program to support community-based efforts in preventing wage theft. These measures aim to hold employers accountable and provide workers with more robust legal tools to recover unpaid wages.

This resolution officially recognizes June 2026 as LGBTQ Pride Month to celebrate the history, contributions, and ongoing fight for equality of the LGBTQ community. It acknowledges the systemic discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ individuals both domestically and globally. The resolution supports equal rights and treatment for all regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, encouraging education and celebration of the community's resilience.

The EBOLA Act mandates that the United States rejoin the World Health Organization (WHO) within 30 days to restore international cooperation on public health. The legislation authorizes the necessary funding to resume membership and support global efforts to contain the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Central and Eastern Africa.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and shifting the program to mandatory funding. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell eligibility semesters, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress rules to better support students. Overall, it seeks to stabilize and increase financial support for millions of postsecondary students, particularly those with high financial need.