Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as "Black Music Month" to celebrate the profound and enduring contributions of Black American music to the nation's culture. It recognizes Black music's shaping influence across virtually every genre and its central role in the struggle for Black freedom. The resolution calls on the nation to observe the month by elevating Black artistry, promoting diversity, and honoring this deep-rooted musical legacy.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to speed up the process of securing a first collective bargaining agreement after a union is certified. It establishes a mandatory timeline, including mediation and binding arbitration, if an agreement is not reached within 90 days of bargaining. This process is designed to prevent lengthy delays that currently weaken the union's position. The bill also requires a GAO report on current time-to-contract averages.

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 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.

This resolution directs the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon within seven days, utilizing authority under the War Powers Resolution. It explicitly clarifies that this action does not authorize the use of military force or limit security cooperation with Lebanese forces or the protection of diplomatic facilities.

The "Gig Is Up Act" amends the tax code to require payroll tax withholding for independent contractors of very large businesses that rely heavily on them. For qualifying large businesses, payments to these contractors will be treated as wages subject to standard payroll taxes, and the employer's Social Security tax rate will be doubled. These changes are designed to ensure workers receive proper credit toward their Social Security earnings.

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 resolution condemns the tragic mass shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on May 18, 2026, and honors the victims who lost their lives. It recognizes the attack as an act of domestic terrorism fueled by rising Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate. Congress affirms its responsibility to condemn such violence and stands in solidarity with the affected community.

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.

The Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 significantly updates overtime exemptions under the Fair Labor Standards Act. It establishes a phased-in, rising minimum salary threshold for executive, administrative, and professional employees to qualify for overtime exemption, eventually tying it to national earnings data. Additionally, the bill tightens the "duties test," reducing the amount of non-exempt work an employee can perform while remaining exempt from overtime pay. These changes aim to restore overtime eligibility to more salaried workers.

This resolution officially recognizes and commemorates the Palestinian Nakba, acknowledging the historical displacement of Palestinians and the ongoing nature of the crisis. It calls for the U.S. to support the rights of Palestinian refugees as established in UN Resolution 194. Furthermore, the bill demands the U.S. end its complicity by halting weapons transfers and diplomatic support that facilitate the ongoing displacement and destruction of Palestinian homes.

This resolution condemns the devastating attacks on civilians in the Sudanese civil war and calls for an immediate end to external support fueling the conflict. It urges all parties to cease hostilities and demands robust international efforts to negotiate a settlement leading to civilian-led democratic governance. The bill emphasizes the urgent need to address the massive humanitarian crisis and hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable.

The YALI Act of 2025 formally establishes and expands the Young African Leaders Initiative to invest in emerging African leaders across sub-Saharan Africa. This legislation mandates the creation of professional development, training, and networking opportunities focused on business, civic engagement, and public administration. The bill specifically supports the Mandela Washington Fellowship and requires the establishment of regional leadership centers and online networks to foster ongoing engagement and U.S.-Africa ties.

The Reward Work Act aims to shift corporate focus from shareholder enrichment to worker investment. It achieves this by prohibiting publicly traded companies from conducting open market stock buybacks and mandating that large companies reserve at least one-third of their board seats for employee representatives. This legislation requires the SEC to establish regulations ensuring fair employee elections for these director positions.

The No WAR Act establishes a procedural barrier, a "point of order," in Congress to prevent funding for unauthorized military action against Iran through the budget reconciliation process. This means that any reconciliation bill providing budget authority for hostilities against Iran will be out of order unless Congress has first formally authorized that military force. The Act ensures that funding for military conflict against Iran requires explicit prior congressional approval.

This Act nullifies three specific Department of State rules concerning foreign assistance, effectively treating them as if they never existed. It prohibits any federal agency from implementing or enforcing these rules, or any substantially similar future policies. The legislation aims to prevent the enforcement of rules related to "Protecting Life," "Discriminatory Equity Ideology," and "Gender Ideology" in foreign aid.

The Housing FIRST Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to establish formal standards for tenant screening reports, treating them similarly to employment reports. This bill strictly limits the types of criminal and financial history landlords can use when evaluating rental applicants. Furthermore, it mandates specific disclosure and adverse action notification requirements for landlords using these reports.

The Higher Education Marijuana Research Act of 2026 aims to significantly expand federally sanctioned marijuana research at colleges and universities. It prioritizes research licenses for institutions of higher education and allows them to legally obtain marijuana from state or tribal sources for approved studies. Furthermore, the bill establishes grant programs through the NIH and USDA to fund medical and agricultural marijuana research, while protecting student and researcher participation from federal penalties.

This bill supports designating a week in April 2026 as "Black Maternal Health Week" to focus national attention on the severe maternal health crisis facing Black women. It highlights the unacceptable and unjust disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black women due to structural racism and inequities. The legislation urges Congress to invest in comprehensive maternal care and pass legislation, like the Momnibus Act, grounded in human rights and reproductive justice.

This resolution expresses support for designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). It recognizes the profound and diverse contributions of Arab Americans throughout U.S. history, spanning science, public service, culture, and more. The designation aims to celebrate this heritage while countering misconceptions and discrimination.