Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution declares the People's Republic of China (PRC) the foremost strategic competitor of the United States, citing threats across military, economic, and technological domains. It calls for countering these threats by making them a top foreign policy priority. The resolution urges strengthening deterrence, protecting U.S. economic interests against predatory practices, and reaffirming commitments to Indo-Pacific allies.

This resolution designates the first Wednesday of May as Maternal Mental Health Day to raise critical awareness about maternal mental health conditions, which affect a significant number of new mothers. It recognizes these disorders as common but often untreated complications of pregnancy and childbirth that impact family well-being. The day aims to highlight the importance of support, research, and treatment for mothers across the country.

This bill combines two major components: the **Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act**, which reforms and extends key surveillance authorities like Section 702 of FISA with new privacy protections and criminal penalties for misuse, and the **Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act**, which explicitly prohibits the Federal Reserve from creating or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to the public. In essence, the legislation tightens oversight on foreign intelligence gathering while blocking the creation of a government-controlled digital currency.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act directs the Secretary of State to support the development of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This legislation focuses on strengthening economic and energy cooperation between IMEC nations and key Eastern Mediterranean countries like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt. The Act authorizes funding to facilitate critical infrastructure projects and promotes private sector investment in energy and technology across this strategic corridor.

This resolution formally welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States for His Majesty's address to a joint meeting of Congress. It recognizes the deep, historic partnership between the U.S. and U.K. across security, innovation, and shared democratic values. The bill reaffirms the enduring friendship and encourages deeper cooperation on strategic global issues.

The **Protecting American Taxpayers Act** is a comprehensive bill aimed at reducing government waste, preventing fraud, and increasing financial transparency across federal programs. It targets improper payments in areas like child care and Medicare, permanently bars pandemic relief fraudsters from future SBA aid, and cancels unspent COVID-19 relief funds to reduce the deficit. Additionally, the Act strengthens oversight of welfare programs, enhances fraud enforcement timelines, and expands whistleblower protections for federal contractors.

This bill allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant licensees of certain hydropower projects, licensed before March 13, 2020, an extension of up to six additional years to begin construction. This extension is available upon request and demonstration of good cause. The legislation also addresses projects whose original deadlines expired recently, allowing for reinstatement of the license before the extension period begins.

This resolution designates June 1, 2025, as National Mushroom Day to honor the significant contributions of the U.S. mushroom industry, especially in Chester and Berks Counties. It recognizes the industry's economic impact, employment figures, and the nutritional value of mushrooms. The bill supports celebrating this important agricultural sector and its role in healthy eating.

The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Deployment Act of 2026 aims to accelerate the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies. It expands the Department of Energy's authority over nuclear activities, particularly off federal sites, and establishes the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program to support private sector testing and demonstration. Additionally, the bill facilitates the use of surplus plutonium for advanced reactor fuel and allows federal power marketing administrations to purchase nuclear-generated electricity.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 aims to significantly expand and strengthen the U.S. national commitment to quantum information science, engineering, and technology. This bill reauthorizes and updates the existing initiative by bolstering workforce development, enhancing interagency coordination, and securing the quantum supply chain against foreign threats. It also establishes new programs for quantum testbeds, NIST research centers, and requires a review of regulatory barriers to accelerate domestic quantum innovation.

The No Fentanyl on Social Media Act requires the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and report on how minors access and purchase fentanyl through social media platforms. This report, developed with key agencies, will detail the risks, marketing tactics used by sellers, and platform design impacts. Ultimately, the legislation seeks recommendations for Congress on how to prevent minors from obtaining dangerous drugs online.

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 strengthens the ability of claimants to recover art looted by the Nazis by ensuring cases are decided on their legal merits rather than procedural technicalities. The bill prevents courts from dismissing claims based on the passage of time or other non-merits defenses and clarifies that these actions may proceed regardless of the victim's nationality. These updates aim to remove legal barriers and ensure that justice for victims of Nazi persecution is not frustrated by procedural delays.

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act formally defines xylazine and immediately places it into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. This legislation establishes specific rules for the legitimate veterinary use and possession of xylazine while mandating enhanced tracking and requiring the Sentencing Commission to review penalties for related offenses. Furthermore, the bill directs the Attorney General to report to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use.

The Safer Roads for Those Who Serve Act of 2026 aims to reduce injuries and fatalities among highway workers and roadside personnel through improved data collection, enhanced safety planning, and expanded public awareness campaigns. The bill mandates the integration of worker safety measures into federal grant applications and directs the Department of Transportation to invest in research and technology to better protect those working on or near our roadways.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated grant program and emergency response fund to support the rescue and rehabilitation of stranded sea turtles. This legislation provides critical federal funding through 2030 to enhance conservation efforts and ensure authorized facilities have the resources necessary to care for these protected species.

This resolution expresses the Senate's commitment to stabilizing the national debt by reducing the federal budget deficit to 3 percent or less of the gross domestic product (GDP) by fiscal year 2030. It calls for Congress and the President to implement fiscal policies and enforcement mechanisms that prioritize long-term deficit reduction and move toward a balanced budget.

The "Stop Insider Trading Act" prohibits Members of Congress and their immediate families from purchasing individual stocks and requires advanced public notice for any sale of existing holdings. The bill establishes strict financial penalties for violations, which must be paid personally by the Member of Congress. These measures aim to increase transparency and prevent conflicts of interest by restricting personal investment activities among federal lawmakers.

The PEARL Act establishes a three-year pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to adopt dogs from local animal shelters. These rescued dogs will be trained to serve as support animals within the agency's existing Support Canine Program.

The Polisario Front Terrorist Designation Act of 2026 mandates that the Secretary of State annually report on any military or intelligence cooperation between the Polisario Front and Iranian-affiliated terrorist organizations. If such cooperation is confirmed, the President is required to formally designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist organization and impose associated sanctions.