Legislative Activity

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.

The Right to Vote Act establishes a fundamental federal right to vote and prohibits government actions that make voting more difficult or substantially impair the ability to cast a ballot. It provides a clear legal framework for citizens to challenge restrictive voting policies in federal court and ensures that any government-imposed burdens on voting must be justified by a significant, specific interest.

The Medicare Cost Cap Act of 2026 establishes a new annual out-of-pocket spending limit for Medicare Part A and Part B beneficiaries, ensuring that seniors and individuals with disabilities are protected from catastrophic healthcare costs. Additionally, the bill expands access to low-income assistance programs by eliminating asset tests, raising income eligibility thresholds, and streamlining the enrollment process between Medicare and Medicaid.

The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to provide financial assistance for travel and practical support to individuals seeking abortion services. By authorizing $350 million annually, the bill helps community-based organizations cover costs such as transportation, lodging, childcare, and doula services for those traveling to access care. Additionally, the legislation includes protections to ensure these funds can be utilized regardless of restrictive state laws.

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 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.

This joint resolution disapproves a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that would have implemented prior authorization for certain Medicare services under the WISeR model. The rule aimed to reduce wasteful spending by requiring pre-approval for specific procedures. Due to this congressional disapproval, the CMS rule will not take effect.

This resolution condemns the People's Republic of China's Ethnic Unity and Progress Law for institutionalizing forced assimilation and cultural erasure against ethnic and religious minorities like Tibetans and Uyghurs. It highlights the law's extraterritorial reach, which threatens the rights and safety of people, including U.S. citizens, who challenge Beijing's narrative. The Senate calls on China to repeal the law and urges the Administration to work with allies to monitor its impacts and consider targeted sanctions.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the Department of Health and Human Services' rule titled "Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)." By nullifying this rule, the resolution prevents the proposed relaxation of federal child care subsidy requirements from taking effect.

The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act protects health care providers and their patients from state-level interference, ensuring the legal provision of reproductive health services across state lines. The bill establishes federal legal protections, prohibits the use of federal funds for enforcement actions against providers, and creates grant programs to support legal defense and facility security. Additionally, it prevents professional liability insurers from penalizing providers for offering lawful reproductive care.

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.

The Small Farm Conservation Act establishes a dedicated Small Farm EQIP subprogram to provide enhanced financial and technical conservation assistance to small-scale agricultural producers. This subprogram mandates minimum payments, offers increased incentives for soil health management on smaller farms, and reserves significant funding for tailored support. It aims to streamline the application process and ensure equitable access for historically underserved groups, including beginning and limited-resource farmers.

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the right to community-based services for individuals eligible for long-term supports and services (LTSS), ensuring they can live in the most integrated setting of their choice. It prohibits discrimination by states and LTSS providers against individuals seeking community living over institutionalization. The Act mandates comprehensive planning, self-evaluation, and enforceable objectives to transition people out of institutions and address disparities in service delivery.

The CHILE Act of 2026 establishes a permanent federal framework to provide direct financial assistance to specialty crop producers following adverse events. This framework requires the Secretary of Agriculture to calculate payments based on pre-disaster sales and the determined loss factor, taking into account the unique costs of specialty crops. The bill also sets specific payment caps, with exceptions for high-income farming operations, and appropriates \$5 billion for fiscal year 2027 to fund this assistance.

The PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs for researching and developing next-generation firefighter turnout gear that is free of harmful PFAS chemicals. These grants will support the creation of safer protective clothing and the development of training programs for first responders on its proper use and decontamination. The ultimate goal is to prevent occupational illness and injury among firefighters by advancing safer alternatives.

The Uyghur Policy Act of 2026 addresses the ongoing human rights abuses and systemic repression of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) by the People’s Republic of China. The bill mandates increased diplomatic coordination, requires the State Department to prioritize the protection of Uyghur human rights, and establishes mechanisms to combat transnational repression. Additionally, it calls for greater international accountability and provides resources to amplify the voices of Uyghur advocates on the global stage.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and modifies the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its authorized funding to \$2.0 billion. This legislation broadens eligible lands for maintenance projects and prioritizes those receiving significant private donations. It also enhances transparency by requiring multi-year project lists and actively encouraging public contributions to address deferred maintenance across federal lands.

The Strengthening the Rule of Law in the Brazilian Amazon Act aims to combat transnational criminal networks driving deforestation and environmental degradation in the region. The legislation directs U.S. agencies to provide technical assistance and law enforcement support to Brazil, while promoting sustainable economic development and protecting the rights of Indigenous communities. Additionally, the bill mandates increased oversight of supply chains and requires the U.S. to leverage its influence in international financial institutions to prioritize environmental sustainability.

The Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act mandates sanctions against foreign individuals and entities involved in forced organ harvesting within the People’s Republic of China. The bill requires the President to maintain a list of those responsible, imposing asset freezes and visa bans on listed parties. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive report evaluating China’s organ transplant policies and practices.