Legislative Activity

The Judicial FOIA Expansion Act would extend the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act to the federal judiciary, requiring courts and related judicial entities to provide public access to administrative and operational records. The bill mandates that these disclosures be provided in machine-readable formats and establishes specific transparency requirements for judicial conduct, committee activities, and court administration.

The Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act proposes a new excise tax on large corporations that maintain extreme pay gaps between their highest-paid executives and their typical workers. By penalizing companies with excessive pay disparities, the bill aims to discourage runaway executive compensation and promote more equitable wage structures.

The Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act proposes ending federal cannabis prohibition by removing it from the Controlled Substances Act and transferring regulatory oversight to health and revenue agencies. The bill establishes a comprehensive framework for taxation, product safety, and restorative justice, including the expungement of past federal cannabis convictions and increased investment in communities impacted by the War on Drugs. Additionally, it provides states with the authority to manage their own cannabis policies while creating new federal standards for research, workplace safety, and banking access.

The Luxury JET Act prohibits the transfer of aircraft gifted by the Government of Qatar to the U.S. executive airlift fleet for the personal use of Presidents or their associates. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive Government Accountability Office review to investigate potential conflicts of interest, national security implications, and the full taxpayer cost associated with accepting these luxury aircraft.

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.

The Health and Location Data Protection Act of 2026 prohibits data brokers from selling or transferring sensitive health and location information. This legislation empowers the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and private individuals to enforce these protections through civil lawsuits and significant financial penalties. By restricting the trade of this personal data, the bill aims to enhance individual privacy and security.

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.

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.