Legislative Activity

This resolution officially recognizes Black History Month and adopts "A Century of Black History Commemorations" as the theme for 2026. It honors the contributions of Black Americans by establishing categories for "Unsung Souls" and "Righteous Intercessors." Ultimately, the bill affirms that Black history commemorations are essential for a complete national narrative and inspiring future progress toward liberty and justice for all.

The Students and Young Consumers Empowerment Act establishes an Office for Students and Young Consumers within the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to better advocate for and educate student loan borrowers. The bill mandates formal cooperation and data sharing between the Bureau and the Department of Education to streamline the resolution of student loan complaints. Additionally, it requires regular reporting to Congress on student loan market risks, campus banking practices, and the financial challenges facing young consumers.

This resolution establishes February 28th as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" to advocate for the decriminalization of HIV across the nation. It highlights outdated laws that unfairly criminalize people living with HIV based on their status, regardless of transmission risk. The day calls for action to repeal these scientifically inaccurate laws, which undermine public health efforts and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Ultimately, the resolution supports ending HIV criminalization to promote education, treatment, and justice.

The Healthy Hair Act prohibits the sale of hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing substances. Additionally, the bill mandates that the FDA and NIOSH conduct comprehensive studies on the health impacts of these chemicals, particularly for salon workers, to inform future regulatory actions.

The Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act of 2026 mandates that states develop and maintain a public, searchable directory of all career and technical education programs and pathways. This initiative aims to increase transparency by providing students and families with accessible information on course sequences, industry alignments, and available postsecondary credentials.

The "No Rewards for January 6 Rioters Act" prohibits the use of any federal funds to compensate individuals prosecuted for involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack. It also forbids the creation of any compensation fund for these individuals. Furthermore, the bill bars the U.S. Treasury from refunding court-ordered restitution, fines, or special assessments paid by those convicted for their role in the attack.

The Federal Retirement Safety Act amends federal retirement law to protect victims of domestic violence when accessing lump-sum retirement benefits. This legislation allows eligible employees to waive or bypass the standard spousal notification and consent requirements for lump-sum withdrawals if providing notice or seeking consent poses a safety risk. Victims can prove eligibility through self-certification regarding recent domestic violence crimes committed by the spouse or former spouse.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the U.S. Postal Service should issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley. Earley was the first Black officer in the Women's Army Corps and commanded the distinguished 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. The bill urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend this honor for her significant military and community service.

This bill authorizes the Pride flag to be displayed at all units of the National Park System. Additionally, it expresses the sense of Congress that the Pride flag should be restored and prominently displayed at the Stonewall National Monument in New York.

The Military Family Diaper Partnership Act establishes a federal fund to provide diapers and essential supplies to military families in need. Through a partnership with the National Diaper Bank Network, the Department of Defense will provide $1 million annually from 2027 to 2030, which must be matched by non-federal contributions. These resources will be distributed through local diaper banks located near military installations to support service members and their families.

This resolution recognizes the historic desegregation efforts at Girard College in Philadelphia and honors the African-American leaders and civil rights activists involved. It establishes the Cecil B. Moore Philadelphia Freedom Fighters Memorial at a specific location in Philadelphia to commemorate their contributions. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of preserving diversity and protecting student civil rights in higher education nationwide.

The Freedom House Ambulance Service Congressional Gold Medal Act honors the pioneering Pittsburgh-based service that established the model for modern emergency medical care. As the nation’s first paramedic program, Freedom House revolutionized life-saving techniques while providing vital job training to the Black community. This legislation awards a Congressional Gold Medal to the service to commemorate its enduring contributions to both medical innovation and civil rights.

The "Head Start for America’s Children Act" updates and expands the federal Head Start program to better support the developmental, mental health, and educational needs of infants, toddlers, and children. The bill increases funding for core operations and specialized initiatives, establishes new requirements for staff compensation and professional development, and introduces pilot programs to improve access in high-poverty areas and on college campuses. Additionally, it strengthens support for Native American and migrant/seasonal programs, enhances services for children with disabilities, and mandates new standards to prevent the use of seclusion and restraint.

The Southeast Asian Deportation Relief Act of 2026 provides significant relief for long-term residents from Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam facing deportation. It prohibits the detention and removal of eligible individuals who entered the U.S. before 2008 and grants them permanent work authorization. Furthermore, the Act establishes a streamlined process for those previously ordered removed to reopen and terminate their immigration cases, effectively vacating past removal orders.

This bill, the Stop ICE Election Militarization Act, prohibits immigration officers from interfering with federal elections, such as intimidating voters or serving as election officials. It also restricts immigration enforcement and removal operations in the four weeks leading up to a federal election, except in cases involving specific criminal probable cause or to prevent imminent harm.

The RELIEF Act mandates that U.S. Customs and Border Protection refund all tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act since January 1, 2025. These refunds will be processed automatically for importers of record without the need for a formal application or protest. The agency is required to complete all disbursements within 90 days of the bill's enactment.

The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act mandates that states develop and implement comprehensive concussion safety and management plans for all public schools. These plans require immediate removal from play for suspected concussions and written medical clearance before a student can return to athletics. The bill also establishes annual training requirements and supports for students returning to academics after a concussion, with federal funding tied to state compliance.

The Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2026 establishes a federal process for issuing Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) that temporarily prohibit individuals deemed a danger from possessing firearms. The bill allows family members or law enforcement to petition federal courts for temporary or long-term orders based on evidence of imminent risk of harm. Furthermore, it creates a federal grant program to incentivize and support states and tribes in implementing their own qualifying ERPO laws. Finally, it mandates that individuals subject to these federal orders surrender their firearms and ensures these orders are recognized across state lines.

The Secure Firearm Storage and Suicide Prevention Act of 2026 aims to reduce firearm-related injuries and suicides, particularly among youth. It directs the Secretary of Education to develop national best practices for secure firearm storage and suicide prevention education. Local educational agencies must then create and distribute tailored guidance incorporating these federal standards to students and parents annually.

The **BE HEARD in the Workplace Act** comprehensively reforms workplace protections by mandating new anti-discrimination policies and training, while strengthening federal laws to explicitly protect LGBTQ+ individuals and expand filing deadlines for all workers. The bill also phases out the lower federal minimum wage for tipped employees and restricts employers' use of mandatory arbitration and non-disclosure agreements. Finally, it establishes federal grant programs to fund education, legal assistance, and state-level advocacy systems to combat workplace discrimination.