Legislative Activity

The Protecting Student Privacy Act amends the Higher Education Act to safeguard student financial aid information from being used for immigration enforcement purposes by federal, state, or local agencies. This bill specifically prohibits the sharing of this personally identifiable data with immigration enforcement entities unless compelled by a court order or with voluntary, uncoerced consent from the individual. Furthermore, the Act mandates reporting to Congress if any violations of this privacy protection occur.

The Know Your Rights Act establishes an Office of Legal Access Programs to educate noncitizens about their legal rights and administrative procedures under U.S. immigration law. This office will develop and administer legal orientation programs for detained individuals to promote informed decision-making and increase efficiency in immigration proceedings. The goal is to ensure timely access to essential legal information for noncitizens in custody.

The Promoting Authenticity with Influencer Disclaimers Act mandates that political committees clearly disclose when they have paid an individual to post content online. This ensures that consumers can easily identify paid political messaging across digital platforms. The law sets standards for conspicuous disclaimers and establishes an effective date of January 1, 2027.

The **SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026** strengthens protections for veterans by reinstating and expanding penalties against unaccredited representatives who charge unauthorized fees for VA benefit claims assistance. The bill mandates increased transparency by requiring the VA to maintain searchable lists of accredited representatives and improve public warnings about predatory practices on all VA websites. Furthermore, it requires new data collection on paid assistance and establishes a high-availability accreditation system for recognized agents and attorneys.

The DHS Release Transparency Act requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to offer detained individuals the option to designate a point of contact for release notifications. If designated, the Department of Homeland Security must notify this contact before releasing the individual, ensuring translation services are provided throughout the process. Crucially, the collected contact information cannot be used for any enforcement actions.

The Residential AED and CPR Preparedness Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to increase access to Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) and CPR training in eligible federally assisted multifamily housing complexes. This funding allows housing owners, in partnership with healthcare entities, to purchase equipment, develop emergency response plans, and train residents and staff. The goal is to enhance cardiac emergency readiness in these communities through comprehensive preparedness programs.

The Celiac Safety Act of 2026 amends federal law to officially classify gluten-containing grains (wheat, rye, and barley) as a major food allergen. This change mandates that foods containing these grains must be clearly labeled as such, similar to existing major allergens like peanuts or milk. This new labeling requirement will take effect 18 months after the Act's enactment.

The Postal Data Privacy Act of 2026 significantly restricts the government's ability to use mail covers. This act mandates that federal entities must obtain a court order based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity before accessing mail information. Furthermore, it establishes clear requirements for preserving mail records once a legal process is initiated.

This act, the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, prohibits the construction of any new triumphal arches in Lady Bird Johnson Park. It also restricts the building of any triumphal arch over 50 feet tall on other National Park Service land within the capital region unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The legislation aims to protect the visual landscape surrounding Arlington National Cemetery.

This concurrent resolution marks the U.S. 250th anniversary by reaffirming a national commitment to reducing gun violence and strengthening public safety. It recognizes the devastating impact of gun violence and supports evidence-informed measures like community intervention and universal background checks. The resolution calls for prioritizing support for law enforcement, investing in proactive violence prevention, and ensuring robust funding for victim services. Ultimately, it commits the nation to making gun violence prevention a priority for the next 250 years.

The Harry Lew and Danny Chen Military Justice Reform Act directs the Secretary of Defense to study the feasibility of creating a separate, specific criminal offense for hazing within the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This analysis must include developing a proposed definition of hazing. The Secretary is required to submit a report detailing these findings and recommendations to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

The RESTORE Third Spaces Act of 2026 establishes a three-year pilot grant program to renovate and develop vital community gathering places, known as "third spaces," outside of homes and workplaces. Administered by the Secretary of Commerce, the program prioritizes projects in underserved communities that strengthen local economies and combat social isolation. Grantees must ensure the resulting spaces remain free or low-cost to the public to foster social cohesion and civic engagement.

The Young Adult Tax Credit Act establishes a refundable $500 monthly tax credit for qualifying individuals aged 18 to 24. Taxpayers can elect to receive this benefit as monthly advance payments instead of waiting for an annual refund. The bill also mandates an outreach campaign to ensure eligible young adults are informed about and assisted in claiming this new credit.

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."

This bill formally recognizes the 1885 Rock Springs Chinese Massacre as a deadly act of anti-Chinese violence in U.S. history. It honors the murdered Chinese immigrant workers and condemns the racist mob violence and subsequent failure to hold perpetrators accountable. Furthermore, the resolution encourages education and the preservation of the massacre site to ensure this history is not erased.

The Affordable Housing and Area Median Income Fairness Act of 2026 authorizes $15 billion annually for ten years to support affordable housing infrastructure specifically in high-cost areas. The bill also mandates the Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a comprehensive assessment of how Area Median Income (AMI) is calculated and used in federal housing programs. This assessment aims to find ways to optimize AMI calculations to make housing more affordable for low-income families in urban areas.

The **BUILD America 250 Act** is a comprehensive, multi-title bill authorizing federal surface transportation programs through 2031. It focuses on rebuilding highways and bridges, modernizing public transit, enhancing rail safety, and improving freight movement nationwide. Key provisions include new fees for electric vehicles, significant investments in accessibility for older transit stations, and stricter safety standards for commercial motor carriers.

This resolution strongly condemns the President's use of racist rhetoric targeting Indian and Chinese Americans. It reaffirms the vital contributions of immigrants from all backgrounds to the United States. Finally, the bill calls on all elected officials to cease using language that promotes racial or ethnic division.

The **Stay Cool Act** is a comprehensive bill designed to combat the dangers of extreme heat through coordinated federal response, improved public warnings, and direct aid to vulnerable seniors. It establishes significant grant programs to fund community cooling centers, upgrade public housing with air conditioning, and develop urban green spaces and water features for neighborhood cooling. Overall, the legislation aims to increase community resilience, protect residents in federally assisted housing, and ensure more equitable access to safe, cool environments during heat emergencies.

This bill expresses support for designating May as "National Menstrual Health Awareness Month." It recognizes the significant impact of menstruation stigma on health, education, and economic opportunity for women and girls. The resolution aims to normalize menstruation, improve education, and expand access to menstrual health care and research.