Legislative Activity

The REPORTS Act mandates that federal agencies analyze the potential impact of proposed major rules on individuals living in poverty and on racial inequity. It also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to periodically report on the effects of specific federal programs on these same populations. This legislation aims to ensure a thorough review of how federal actions affect vulnerable communities.

This bill reauthorizes the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection program, ensuring its continued operation to gather historical documents related to unsolved civil rights investigations. It strengthens the Civil Rights Cold Case Review Board's authority to obtain and expedite the public release of federal, state, and local records, removing previous opt-out exceptions for state and local entities. Furthermore, the legislation extends the tenure of the Review Board from seven to eleven years to complete its review process.

The IMPACT to Save Moms Act establishes a demonstration project for states to test alternative payment models for maternity care within Medicaid and CHIP programs. This project aims to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for high-risk groups, by considering factors like risk stratification and social determinants of health. The Secretary of HHS must evaluate the project's impact and report recommendations to Congress on potential national expansion.

The Traumatic Births Research Act of 2026 aims to significantly increase research into the causes and impacts of traumatic birth experiences and associated Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on mothers, infants, and families. The bill establishes new grant programs for this research, requiring data to be broken down by race and ethnicity. It also creates a pilot project to study how midwife-driven care models compare to standard medical models in affecting birth trauma and maternal mental health outcomes.

The Amtrak Grant Flexibility Act amends existing federal rail grant programs to allow Amtrak to use certain federal grant funds to meet non-federal cost-sharing requirements. This flexibility applies under specific conditions across several key infrastructure and partnership grant programs. The goal is to streamline how Amtrak can utilize federal funding for eligible projects.

The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. It authorizes significant funding for enhanced data collection, surveillance, and research across various CDC programs. Furthermore, the bill mandates public data disclosure, requires public health communication campaigns, and establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for ensuring safe, respectful, and equitable maternity care during crises.

This resolution acknowledges the Black Women Best (BWB) framework, which seeks to empower and improve life for all through policies like guaranteed income, expanded tax credits, and equitable healthcare access. It supports centering the lived experiences of Black women in policymaking to ensure a more just future for everyone. The bill encourages using the BWB framework as a guideline for creating better public policies. Finally, it considers legislative proposals aimed at repairing historical disparities Black women face.

The **Protecting Our Democracy Act** imposes sweeping reforms across the executive branch to strengthen accountability and restore checks and balances. It restricts presidential pardon power, closes loopholes to ensure no President is above the law, and enforces constitutional emoluments clauses to prevent self-enrichment. Furthermore, the Act enhances congressional oversight by strengthening subpoena enforcement, increasing transparency around White House visitors and tax returns, and protecting federal whistleblowers from retaliation.

The Moms Matter Act establishes two grant programs to improve maternal mental health. The first program funds initiatives to expand mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum individuals, prioritizing high-risk populations. The second program provides grants to grow and diversify the workforce of mental and behavioral health providers specializing in maternal health.

The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act authorizes competitive grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and similar institutions for long-term facility improvements, technology upgrades, and infrastructure modernization. Priority for these grants will be given to institutions demonstrating the greatest need, limited fundraising ability, and high percentages of Pell Grant recipients. The bill also mandates immediate forgiveness for certain outstanding balances on existing HBCU Capital Financing Program loans. Finally, it requires comprehensive reporting and studies to assess the program's impact and future funding needs.

This resolution celebrates the 75th anniversary of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). It recognizes ACOG's critical role in advancing women's health through excellence in clinical practice, education, advocacy, and research. The bill honors ACOG's dedication to improving maternal health and supporting obstetrician-gynecologists nationwide.

The Let Kids Play Act prohibits "vulture investors"—private equity firms with harmful track records—from investing in youth sports entities. It bans covered firms from using specific predatory business tactics, such as imposing junk fees or restricting competition, when involved in youth sports. The bill mandates that designated vulture investors must fully divest from these entities within two years. Enforcement is granted to the FTC and the Department of Justice, and the Act also allows private lawsuits for damages.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 establishes permanent, universal free breakfast and lunch programs for all enrolled students at participating schools, eliminating income tests and meal debt collection. The bill significantly updates federal funding mechanisms by replacing reliance on free and reduced-price lunch data with new measures for identifying economically disadvantaged students across various education and social programs. Furthermore, it expands access to summer and afterschool meals while making technical amendments across several federal education and nutrition laws.

This resolution reaffirms the foundational U.S. commitment to the Taiwan Relations Act and longstanding bipartisan policy toward Taiwan. It underscores that peace and stability in the region are vital to U.S. interests and opposes any non-peaceful efforts to determine Taiwan's future. The bill affirms the U.S. commitment to providing Taiwan with defensive arms and maintaining the capacity to resist coercion.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 4 through May 8, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Week. It recognizes the vital role of public school teachers and highlights their key priorities, including support for existing federal protections and funding. Furthermore, the bill encourages leaders to engage directly with teachers to ensure their expertise informs education policy.

This resolution establishes a formal "Unhoused Persons Bill of Rights" to protect the fundamental civil and human rights of unhoused individuals, explicitly banning discrimination based on housing status. It outlines specific rights, such as access to housing, public services, and safety from harassment or property destruction. Furthermore, the bill commits to massive federal funding allocations and policy changes, prioritizing a "Housing First" approach to end homelessness.

The New Pathways Act amends the Second Chance Act to require the Bureau of Prisons to assist certain returning citizens in obtaining crucial identification documents before their release. This includes providing U.S. citizens with a REAL ID-compliant identification card and helping noncitizens secure proof of lawful status. The goal is to ensure individuals have necessary documentation for successful reentry into their communities.

The Special Election Timeliness (SET) Act mandates that states hold special elections to fill vacancies in the House of Representatives within 180 days of the vacancy occurring, unless a general election is already scheduled during that period. This ensures timely representation for affected districts. The bill provides enforcement mechanisms, allowing the Attorney General or affected parties to sue to compel compliance.

The Housing FIRST Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to establish formal standards for tenant screening reports, treating them similarly to employment reports. This bill strictly limits the types of criminal and financial history landlords can use when evaluating rental applicants. Furthermore, it mandates specific disclosure and adverse action notification requirements for landlords using these reports.

The Living Wage For All Act establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, ultimately aiming to tie it to two-thirds of the national median hourly wage. It creates differentiated wage schedules, requiring large corporations to reach higher minimums sooner than other employers. Furthermore, the bill phases out subminimum wages for tipped workers and workers with disabilities, and extends federal wage protections to incarcerated workers.