Legislative Activity

This resolution formally recognizes the historical significance of the *Clotilda*, the last known slave ship to arrive in the U.S. in 1860. It condemns the role of the United States in the Atlantic slave trade and acknowledges the lasting, intergenerational impact of this crime on African Americans, particularly the descendants who founded Africatown. The resolution encourages the establishment of a memorial on Capitol Grounds to honor the victims.

The African American History Act of 2026 authorizes the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop and expand educational resources, curricula, and digital programming for students and educators nationwide. By providing $10 million in annual funding through 2030, the Act aims to promote a deeper understanding of African American history through a social justice and anti-bias lens. Additionally, the legislation encourages the development of similar educational initiatives across other Smithsonian museums dedicated to diverse American histories.

The Healthy Hair Act prohibits the sale of hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing substances. Additionally, the bill mandates that the FDA and NIOSH conduct comprehensive studies on the health impacts of these chemicals, particularly for salon workers, to inform future regulatory actions.

The Military Family Diaper Partnership Act establishes a federal fund to provide diapers and essential supplies to military families in need. Through a partnership with the National Diaper Bank Network, the Department of Defense will provide $1 million annually from 2027 to 2030, which must be matched by non-federal contributions. These resources will be distributed through local diaper banks located near military installations to support service members and their families.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 16, 2026, as "International Black Aviation Professionals Day." It honors the significant historical and ongoing contributions of Black Americans across all sectors of aviation and aerospace. The bill encourages the President to issue a proclamation recognizing these pioneers and supporting greater opportunities for Black Americans in the field.

This bill establishes the National Council on African American History and Culture within the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council will consist of 12 presidentially appointed members tasked with advising on national policy related to preserving and celebrating African American history and culture. Its duties include monitoring relevant efforts, evaluating NEH programs, and submitting annual reports. The Council is set to terminate ten years after the law's enactment.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick leave. Employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, usable for personal or family health needs, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act prohibits employer retaliation for using this leave and ensures existing, more generous leave policies are not diminished.

The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026 reauthorizes the WISEWOMAN program through fiscal year 2031, securing significant funding for women's health initiatives. This legislation allows for supplemental grants to expand preventive health services, such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, to low-income women. These services will be integrated with existing breast and cervical cancer screening programs.

This bill recognizes the historic 1960 Greensboro Four sit-in, honoring the students whose peaceful protest launched a nationwide movement against segregation. It designates February 1, 2026, as the 66th anniversary, coinciding with the start of Black History Month. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to include the Greensboro Four's contributions in educational curricula.

The PASTEUR Act of 2026 aims to combat antimicrobial resistance by creating a subscription-style contract program to incentivize the research and development of new, life-saving antibiotics. This program will provide substantial annual payments to drug sponsors for ensuring the availability and appropriate use of eligible antimicrobials targeting urgent threats. The bill also establishes grants to promote stewardship programs in healthcare facilities and enhance national surveillance of resistance data.

The TANF Hygiene Access Act establishes a demonstration program to test innovative ways to help low-income households access essential hygiene materials like soap, diapers, and feminine hygiene products. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will award competitive grants to states and tribes to implement these initiatives. Recipients must report on their performance, and the Secretary will ultimately assess the program's feasibility for nationwide expansion.

The **Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026** establishes major federal funding streams, including grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide from 2027 through 2031. The legislation prioritizes districts with the greatest need, focusing on improving student health, safety, and environmental conditions in school buildings. It also mandates increased transparency through public databases tracking facility conditions and requires specific labor and "Buy America" standards for funded construction projects.

This resolution seeks to disapprove the Department of Veterans Affairs' final rule concerning "Reproductive Health Services" issued in September 2024. If enacted, this disapproval, made under the Congressional Review Act, would prevent the VA rule from taking legal effect.

The Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026 aims to improve access to care for new and expecting mothers. This legislation prohibits certain health plans from charging out-of-pocket costs for in-network mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Furthermore, it updates continuity of care protections to explicitly cover postpartum individuals receiving ongoing mental health or substance use disorder treatment. These provisions will also apply to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2026 establishes the Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit to incentivize the use of U.S.-grown cotton in products sold domestically. This new business tax credit is calculated based on the volume of U.S. cotton used, the market price, and where the product was processed. The bill mandates digital tracing to verify the supply chain and offers significantly increased credit multipliers for products containing U.S.-made cotton yarn or fabric.

The Fair Legal Access Grants Act establishes a grant program to provide legal assistance and resources for individuals seeking extreme risk protection orders. This funding will help ensure petitioners have access to lawyers, translation services, and educational resources regarding the order process. Additionally, the bill protects individuals who file these petitions from being sued in federal court, unless the petition is false or harassing.

The Destroy Zombie Guns Act establishes federal requirements for businesses that destroy firearms, making it a crime to fail to completely destroy every component of a firearm. This legislation defines who is considered to be in the business of firearm destruction and sets penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and potential license revocation for dealers, for non-compliance.

The DHS Use of Force Oversight Act establishes a comprehensive, department-wide policy for the use of force by all DHS law enforcement personnel. This policy mandates de-escalation as the preferred approach, prohibits chokeholds, and requires extensive training. Furthermore, the bill mandates regular public reporting of use-of-force data and requires timely briefings to Congress following serious incidents.

This resolution initiates impeachment proceedings against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Lynn Arnold Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors. The articles of impeachment charge her with willfully refusing to comply with Congressional oversight laws and violating the Impoundment Control Act by improperly withholding funds. Further articles allege she directed widespread misconduct by ICE agents that violated federal law and constitutional rights, and misused taxpayer funds for personal gain through improper contracting.

This resolution recognizes and honors Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, on its 113th anniversary. It celebrates the sorority's founding by 22 women at Howard University and commends its legacy of service through its Five-Point Program Thrust. The bill further acknowledges the organization's vast global impact and commitment to democratic participation and humanitarian efforts.