Legislative Activity

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.

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 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 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.

This bill officially designates the week of February 2, 2026, through February 6, 2026, as National School Counseling Week. It aims to honor school counselors and encourage public recognition of their vital contributions to student success. The observance promotes awareness of the crucial role counselors play in preparing students for fulfilling lives.

The Opportunities in Organic Act renames and significantly expands the existing organic certification cost-share program. This new program will provide financial assistance for organic certification costs, while also offering crucial support and technical assistance for farmers transitioning to organic management. The bill directs funding to eligible nonprofits to build capacity, offer direct producer support during transition, and strengthen the organic supply chain. Finally, it mandates increased reporting to Congress on program outcomes and barriers faced by participants.

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.

This bill, the SUPPLIES Act, mandates the Department of State and USAID to establish and publish clear procedures for managing leftover supplies when foreign aid projects conclude. The primary goal is to prevent the loss, destruction, or expiration of these unused commodities. These new guidelines must prioritize the proper disposition of residual supplies.

This bill, the Emergency Medical Services Reimbursement for On-Scene and Support Act, amends Medicare rules to ensure payment for certain ambulance services even when the patient is not transported. Beginning in 2026, Medicare will cover these on-scene or support services provided by qualified suppliers at a rate comparable to standard transport reimbursement.

The Cost of Police Misconduct Act of 2026 establishes a national system for tracking and publicly reporting all financial judgments and settlements related to law enforcement misconduct. This requirement applies to federal, state, and local agencies, mandating detailed annual data collection on allegations, officer demographics, and payment sources. The collected information will be compiled into a public, searchable database maintained by the Department of Justice. Non-compliant state and local jurisdictions face potential reductions in federal grant funding.

The Justice for Shireen Act mandates that the FBI Director and Secretary of State submit a comprehensive, unclassified report to Congress within 30 days regarding the death of Shireen Abu Akleh. This report must identify responsible parties and any U.S. materials implicated in the incident. The findings will also be made publicly available on the Department of State's website.

The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program, administered by the Attorney General, to fund essential library services for incarcerated individuals. These grants aim to reduce recidivism and boost reintegration efforts by supporting education, job training, and access to modern library materials. States and territories can apply for these renewable, multi-year grants, which must be used strictly for library-related activities and cannot charge inmates for access to resources.

This resolution seeks to disapprove the Department of Veterans Affairs' final rule concerning "Reproductive Health Services" issued in September 2024. If enacted, this disapproval, made under the Congressional Review Act, would prevent the VA rule from taking legal effect.

This bill, the Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act, amends existing law to restrict the imagery allowed on the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. Specifically, it prohibits the use of images of any living current or former elected official or living political figure on the pass.

This bill establishes the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services to investigate and document the history of racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ discrimination within the U.S. military since 1775. The Commission is tasked with holding hearings, gathering testimony, and developing recommendations for remedies, including apologies, compensation, and policy changes. It must submit a final report to Congress and the President detailing its findings and proposed actions within 18 months of its first meeting.

This bill mandates the President to withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Venezuela. This action is required unless Congress has formally declared war or passed specific legislation authorizing the use of military force in that country.

The Language Access for All Act of 2026 mandates that federal agencies provide meaningful access to programs and services for individuals with limited English proficiency. The bill requires agencies to implement comprehensive language access plans, establish technical standards for translation and interpretation, and appoint dedicated coordinators to ensure compliance. Additionally, it creates a public complaint system and sets strict guidelines for the use of AI in language services to ensure accuracy and accountability.

This bill establishes strict procedures, including public notification and hearings, that the Social Security Administration must follow before closing or reducing access to any field office. It mandates that field offices maintain adequate staffing and operating hours to ensure comprehensive and convenient public services. Furthermore, the legislation requires the Inspector General to review and approve any proposed office closure actions.

The Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026 aims to improve access to care for new and expecting mothers. This legislation prohibits certain health plans from charging out-of-pocket costs for in-network mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. Furthermore, it updates continuity of care protections to explicitly cover postpartum individuals receiving ongoing mental health or substance use disorder treatment. These provisions will also apply to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

This resolution asserts that advancing the rights of women and girls in Haiti is crucial for the nation's stability and successful transition from crisis. It condemns the widespread gender-based violence and the exclusion of women from leadership roles in the transitional government. The bill calls for urgent measures to center women's needs, ensure their representation in government, and prioritize funding for survivor services and accountability for violence.