Legislative Activity

The Farmers and Ranchers Relief Act of 2026 aims to reduce regulatory burdens by expanding permit exemptions for routine agricultural activities under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. The bill directs that these exemptions be interpreted broadly and removes restrictive provisions that previously required permits for certain farming and ranching operations.

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 **Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act** directs the Secretary of Agriculture to identify and report on the specific barriers that certified organic and transitioning farms face when accessing Department of Agriculture programs. This legislation requires the Department to provide Congress with actionable recommendations and administrative plans to improve program accessibility. Additionally, the bill mandates annual progress reports for three years to ensure ongoing efforts to remove these obstacles and support the organic farming community.

This concurrent resolution calls for a joint session of Congress to convene in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 2, 2026. The session is designated to honor the semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) of the Declaration of Independence. The resolution highlights Philadelphia's critical role in the founding of the United States.

The **American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act of 2026** aims to accelerate energy and infrastructure development by streamlining federal permitting processes. The bill establishes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for natural gas pipeline reviews, sets strict timelines for interagency coordination, and limits the scope of environmental reviews under NEPA. Additionally, it reforms water quality certification requirements and restricts judicial review to prevent project delays, fostering a more predictable regulatory environment for energy and mining projects.

This Act restricts U.S. nonmilitary foreign assistance from supporting organizations that promote abortion, gender ideology, or discriminatory equity ideology. It places specific requirements on foreign and domestic organizations receiving these funds to ensure separation from prohibited activities. The bill also includes narrow exceptions for life-saving medical situations and allows the Secretary of State to waive provisions for national security interests.

The Pacific POWER Act aims to strengthen U.S. national security and economic interests by promoting geothermal energy development with key international allies, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. The bill directs the State Department to establish an international program that fosters public-private partnerships, provides technical and financial assistance, and reduces reliance on energy exports from geopolitical adversaries. By leveraging U.S. expertise and technology, the Act seeks to expand global geothermal capacity while creating new market opportunities for American companies.

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.

This bill amends the Passport Act of 1920 to authorize qualifying public libraries to serve as official passport acceptance facilities. Under this legislation, eligible libraries are permitted to collect and retain passport execution fees. Additionally, the bill mandates the reauthorization of libraries that previously served in this capacity and were in compliance with federal regulations.

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.

The Regional Export Promotion Act of 2026 establishes a permanent program requiring the Export-Import Bank to partner with regional economic development organizations to expand U.S. exports. It also creates a five-year pilot program specifically designed to increase export opportunities for small businesses in underserved areas. This pilot will prioritize partnerships with entities like CDFIs and HUBZone agencies, offering tailored training and simplified credit insurance products. The Bank must report annually on the pilot's success in reaching and supporting small businesses.

The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act establishes the Eastern Mediterranean as a critical strategic hub within the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). The legislation directs the U.S. to prioritize energy security, defense cooperation, and regional integration through enhanced multilateral strategic dialogues. By fostering deeper ties with key partners like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt, the Act aims to strengthen connectivity and stability across three continents.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment collectively. This recognition honors the regiment's crucial and heroic service during the Revolutionary War, notably as one of the first integrated military units in American history. The original medal will be displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, and bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs.

The Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act grants federal agencies and the Treasury Department the authority to temporarily pause or condition payments when there is an elevated risk of fraud or improper payment. This pause must be based on objective indicators and last only as long as necessary to verify the payment details. The bill establishes strict timelines for notifying payees and resolving paused payments, ensuring routine transactions continue moving while high-risk payments are reviewed.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the volunteers and communities that supported the North Platte Canteen during World War II. The Canteen was a massive, entirely volunteer-run operation that fed approximately six million service members traveling across the country. The original gold medal will be permanently displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska. The bill also allows the U.S. Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.

The Encouraging Public Offerings Act of 2026 expands access to key pre-offering tools for all companies, not just emerging growth companies. This bill allows any issuer to confidentially submit draft registration statements to the SEC for review. Furthermore, it permits all companies to "test the waters" by communicating with potential investors before filing a registration statement.

The Destroying Unnecessary, Misaligned, and Prohibitive Red Tape Act (DUMP Red Tape Act) establishes a dedicated Red Tape Hotline managed by the Small Business Administration's Chief Counsel for Advocacy. This hotline allows small entities to submit complaints regarding burdensome federal agency rules and guidance. The Chief Counsel must report annually to Congress and the SBA on hotline activity, identifying problem areas and recommending specific actions to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses.

This resolution supports designating May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the critical mental health challenges faced by farmers and farmworkers, who experience disproportionately high suicide rates. This day aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness within the agricultural industry.

This resolution honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for Michigan. It recognizes his decades in Congress, highlighting key legislative achievements such as co-sponsoring the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and leading significant banking reforms. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow and adjourns in his memory.

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026 establishes automatic, 14-day continuing appropriations to prevent federal operations from halting when regular funding lapses. This mechanism funds programs at the previous rate until Congress enacts a full budget or continuing resolution. The bill also imposes strict limitations on official travel and congressional business during these funding gaps. Finally, it classifies the costs of this Act as discretionary spending subject to existing budget enforcement rules.