Legislative Activity

The Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026 establishes new protections for unaccompanied alien children encountered in the U.S. It mandates a judicial warrant for the arrest or detention of these children away from the border and prohibits the use of military assets for immigration enforcement, except during natural disasters. Furthermore, the bill ensures children cannot be coerced into signing legal documents affecting their status without first having a confidential consultation with a lawyer.

This bill outlines four distinct, mutually exclusive pathways for determining Puerto Rico's future political status: Independence, Commonwealth, Statehood, or Free Association with the United States. Each title establishes a detailed, step-by-step process for transition, including constitutional requirements, transfer of federal property, and the future status of citizenship and federal benefits, contingent upon voter approval for the chosen option. The legislation aims to provide a clear, democratic mechanism for resolving the island's territorial status.

The BLANCHE Act of 2026 strictly regulates and prohibits any settlement where the federal government pays the sitting President or a third party at the President's direction to resolve a claim against the United States. Any such agreement must be reviewed and explicitly approved by a federal court after a public hearing to ensure the parties are truly adverse and the settlement is in the interest of justice. These rigorous standards apply retroactively to all existing and future agreements between the President and the United States.

This resolution invokes the War Powers Resolution to mandate the withdrawal of all United States Armed Forces from Lebanon. It directs the President to complete this removal within seven days of the resolution's adoption.

The Department of Homeland Security Accountability Act of 2026 mandates that the DHS notify Congress and local representatives within 72 hours of any serious injury or death occurring in its custody or resulting from personnel actions. The bill requires independent investigations into these incidents, establishes strict evidence preservation protocols, and enforces administrative leave for employees involved in lethal force incidents. These measures aim to increase transparency and ensure rigorous oversight of DHS operations.

The American High-Speed Rail Act significantly expands federal support for high-speed and higher-speed rail development by increasing funding limits, broadening eligibility for public-private partnerships, and establishing new planning and safety requirements. The bill authorizes substantial funding through 2031 for corridor development and planning, while also creating pathways for acquiring necessary right-of-way property and ensuring labor protections on federally-funded infrastructure. It also refines definitions, setting the threshold for true "high-speed rail" at 186 mph or more, and introduces a new category for "higher-speed rail."

The Provider Reimbursement Stability Act of 2026 aims to improve the accuracy and predictability of Medicare physician payments. The bill reforms budget neutrality calculations, mandates periodic updates to practice expense cost data, and establishes a 2.5% cap on annual conversion factor fluctuations. These measures are designed to ensure more stable reimbursement rates for healthcare providers.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

This Act prohibits the use of federal funds for specific settlement payments, including those related to the *Trump, et al. v. IRS, et al.* case. It places new restrictions on the Judgment Fund, barring payments to high-ranking officials, their relatives, and certain entities for specific types of claims. The bill also establishes strict reporting and notification requirements for large government compromise settlements.

This bill directs the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities involving Iran, as authorized under the War Powers Resolution. The only exception allows the President to maintain forces necessary for self-defense or the defense of allies against an imminent attack, provided specific reporting requirements are met. Any continued military engagement without a declaration of war requires explicit congressional authorization.

This Act, the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act, immediately bans the imposition of the death penalty for all federal crimes upon enactment. It also mandates that individuals previously sentenced to death for federal offenses must be resentenced.

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 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 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.

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.

The Securing the Rights our Veterans Earned Act (SERVE Act) extends eligibility for key Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to former service members who were discharged based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes access to hospital care, mental health services, national cemetery burial, Post-9/11 GI Bill education assistance, and housing loans. The bill also mandates the VA Secretary to conduct outreach regarding these newly available benefits.

The Ultra-Millionaire Tax Act of 2026 proposes a new annual federal wealth tax on individuals with a net worth exceeding $50 million, with rates ranging from 2% to 3% based on total assets. The legislation includes robust enforcement measures, such as increased IRS funding and mandatory audit requirements, to ensure compliance among the ultra-wealthy. Additionally, it strengthens foreign asset disclosure requirements to prevent tax avoidance.

The Energy Bills Relief Act is a comprehensive bill designed to lower energy costs for American families, accelerate the deployment of low-cost, clean energy, and modernize the nation's electricity grid. It achieves this by reversing harmful policies against renewables, expanding energy assistance programs, streamlining grid connection processes, and increasing transparency in utility regulation. Ultimately, the legislation aims to create a more reliable, affordable, and cleaner energy system while ensuring communities have a stronger voice in energy development.

This bill imposes a 50% excise tax on the windfall profits of major oil companies when crude oil prices exceed a 2025 average benchmark. Revenue generated funds a new trust, which is then used to provide quarterly, refundable gasoline price rebates to eligible individuals. The rebate amount is subject to income phase-outs and requires a valid Social Security number for full credit.

The Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency and security in U.S. elections. It closes loopholes to ban foreign national spending in elections, mandates disclosure for "dark money" political spending, and requires clear funding disclosures on political ads. The bill also centralizes legal challenges to campaign finance laws in Washington, D.C., for faster resolution.