Legislative Activity

The Fundamental Immigration Fairness Act aims to limit the detention of aliens deemed to have good moral character before a removal order is issued. It clarifies that unlawful presence or entry alone cannot disqualify an individual from this determination. Additionally, the bill prohibits the public display of names of parties involved in immigration proceedings.

This bill establishes the Mental Health Career Promotion Grant Program to address workforce shortages in mental and behavioral health. The program awards grants to partnerships between schools, community colleges, and local health providers. These funds support activities designed to encourage students in grades 9 through college to pursue careers in mental and behavioral health.

This bill recognizes the historic 1960 Greensboro Four sit-in, honoring the students whose peaceful protest launched a nationwide movement against segregation. It designates February 1, 2026, as the 66th anniversary, coinciding with the start of Black History Month. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to include the Greensboro Four's contributions in educational curricula.

The Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act ensures that Federally-qualified health centers (FQHCs) receive the full 340B discounted price for drugs at the point of purchase. This legislation prohibits manufacturers from requiring FQHCs to pay more than the established ceiling price upfront, regardless of any later rebates or reimbursements. The goal is to guarantee immediate, upfront savings for these vital health centers.

The Vote by Mail Tracking Act mandates that all mail-in ballot envelopes for federal elections starting in 2026 must include a U.S. Postal Service barcode for tracking. This ensures enhanced transparency and traceability for every mailed ballot. The bill also requires the Postal Service to provide necessary compliance information to election officials annually.

The Stop Inhumane Conditions in ICE Detention Act of 2026 mandates minimum health, safety, and legal standards for all ICE detention facilities, prohibiting funding for non-compliant sites. It establishes rigorous, real-time health reporting systems and requires unannounced inspections with penalties, including contract termination, for facilities that fail to meet these standards. Furthermore, the bill creates anonymous complaint channels and mandates annual audits focusing on gender-related health protections.

The End Prison Gerrymandering Act changes how incarcerated individuals are counted in the U.S. Census, requiring them to be counted at their last known home address before incarceration, starting with the 2030 census. This change mandates that states must use this pre-incarceration residence when drawing congressional districts. The goal is to prevent prison populations from artificially inflating the political power of districts where prisons are located.

The Drain ICE Act of 2026 aims to fundamentally reform immigration enforcement by repealing specific sections of a prior law (Public Law 11921) and rescinding associated funding. This legislation is introduced in response to Congressional findings detailing concerns over mass deportation policies, inhumane detention conditions, and the detention of non-criminal individuals under the Trump Administration. The bill seeks to end practices deemed contrary to constitutional protections and human rights in immigration enforcement.

This resolution supports the goals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by recognizing the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black Americans. It encourages testing, commends organizations providing culturally competent care, and supports the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce disparities. The bill also calls for prioritizing funding for minority-led agencies and addressing systemic barriers to care.

The Growing Reputable Academic Departments (GRAD) Act expands eligibility for existing federal grant programs benefiting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). This expansion specifically targets institutions offering qualified master's degree programs. The bill also updates the formula for distributing leftover funds within these grant programs.

The ICE Out of Our Faces Act prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from using biometric surveillance systems, such as facial recognition, to monitor individuals at public assemblies. This legislation bans the acquisition and use of this technology and mandates the deletion of any previously collected biometric data within 30 days of enactment. Violations can lead to evidence being inadmissible in court and allow harmed individuals to sue the responsible federal agencies.

The **Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026** establishes major federal funding streams, including grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide from 2027 through 2031. The legislation prioritizes districts with the greatest need, focusing on improving student health, safety, and environmental conditions in school buildings. It also mandates increased transparency through public databases tracking facility conditions and requires specific labor and "Buy America" standards for funded construction projects.

The Prevent Presidential Profiteering Act imposes a 100% tax on certain civil damages received by a sitting U.S. President or their related persons from lawsuits filed against the United States during their term in office. This tax is levied on the "qualified civil action amount" received from such litigation. These damages are specifically excluded from regular gross income for standard income tax purposes.

The PrEP Assistance Program Act establishes federal grant funding to support organizations providing HIV prevention medication (PrEP) and related services. It also creates a reimbursement program to ensure uninsured individuals can receive these essential HIV prevention items and services at no cost through a "PrEP Pass" card. The legislation aims to expand access to PrEP by supporting community programs and eliminating financial barriers for the uninsured.

This bill prohibits the use of hydrofluoric acid (hydrogen fluoride) in all petroleum refineries, citing its extreme danger to surrounding communities. It immediately bans its use in any new refinery and mandates that existing refineries phase out its use within five years. The legislation aims to prevent mass casualty events by requiring the adoption of safer, commercially available alternative technologies.

This resolution condemns current and proposed staffing cuts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), arguing they undermine national preparedness and disaster response capabilities. It highlights that workforce reductions endanger the ability to effectively manage increasingly severe disasters and critical counterterrorism programs. The bill expresses concern that these cuts compromise institutional knowledge and slow vital assistance to communities recovering from events like recent hurricanes. Ultimately, it commits Congress to supporting a stable and adequately resourced FEMA workforce.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands critical federal programs to improve services and prevention for victims of domestic and dating violence through 2031. It significantly increases funding and broadens support, especially for Tribal communities and underserved populations, by allowing for culturally specific and digital services. Additionally, the bill enhances efforts to prevent teen dating violence through increased funding for broader educational programs.

The More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2026 aims to increase the availability of mental health and substance use disorder services in shortage areas. It achieves this by amending the Medicare health professional shortage area bonus program to offer a higher 15% payment incentive for these specific services. This increased bonus will apply to eligible practitioners furnishing mental health and substance use disorder care in designated shortage areas starting in 2027.

The Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act establishes minimum standards for health screening, nutrition, sanitation, and shelter for individuals detained by ICE and CBP. This bill mandates specific protocols for medical care, facility conditions, and personnel training to ensure humane treatment. It also requires regular inspections and public reporting on compliance and sexual abuse complaints.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees and certain contract employees receive their full pay and benefits during any government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. It also mandates retroactive contract price adjustments to compensate contractors for costs incurred during previous shutdowns. Furthermore, the bill prohibits federal agencies from implementing workforce reductions or placing employees on extended administrative leave during funding lapses.