Legislative Activity

The LIFT the BAR Act repeals decades-old restrictions that barred many lawfully present noncitizens from accessing essential federal public benefits. This legislation restores eligibility for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and housing assistance for qualified noncitizens. The bill also updates terminology, replacing "alien" with "noncitizen" throughout relevant statutes.

The Right to Vote Act establishes the fundamental right of every citizen to vote in federal elections and prohibits governments from imposing undue burdens on this right. It sets strict standards for when a government action that diminishes or substantially impairs voting can be upheld, requiring it to be the least restrictive means of furthering an important governmental interest. The Act also authorizes private citizens to bring civil actions in federal court to challenge violations, with expedited proceedings and provisions for awarding attorney's fees.

This bill, the Great American Outdoors Act 250, significantly reforms and renames the existing public lands restoration fund to the America’s Legacy Restoration Fund. It secures dedicated funding streams, primarily from energy revenues and new fees on foreign visitors, to address critical deferred maintenance across the National Park Service, Forest Service, and other public land agencies. The legislation establishes strict spending priorities for infrastructure repair while also creating pilot programs for enhancing outdoor recreation and sportsmen's access. Finally, it mandates increased transparency and accountability through standardized metrics and public reporting on all funded projects.

This resolution expresses the House's urgent call for Congress to restore and strengthen civil rights and fair political representation for all Americans. It specifically condemns recent Supreme Court decisions that have weakened the Voting Rights Act and enabled partisan gerrymandering. The bill asserts that Congress must act boldly, including considering Senate and Supreme Court reforms, to protect multiracial democracy.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and funding it through mandatory appropriations. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell Grant eligibility for students with certain scholarships, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) rules to make regaining aid easier after academic setbacks. These changes are designed to stabilize and expand access to postsecondary education for millions of students.

The Safeguarding American Families and Expanding Social Security Act of 2026 makes several key changes to Social Security. It temporarily taxes high earners above the current wage cap and modifies the benefit calculation formula to increase replacement rates for lower earners while adding a small component based on previously untaxed high earnings. Finally, the bill mandates that future cost-of-living adjustments will be based on a new index reflecting the spending patterns of elderly consumers.

This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to refugee protection both domestically and globally, condemning recent policy actions that suspended refugee admissions. It calls for the immediate restoration of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and stronger support for displaced persons worldwide. The bill emphasizes the legal, moral, and economic benefits of robust refugee resettlement policies.

This bill, the "Find Our Families Act of 2026," mandates the creation of a public, online detainee locator system for individuals in CBP and ICE custody, accessible in multiple languages. It requires timely posting of custody and location information, along with new notification requirements for medical transfers to family members. Additionally, the bill requires the public reporting of detailed information regarding CBP arrests and ongoing enforcement operations.

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 Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 aims to redirect funding by eliminating federal tax incentives for private school scholarships. Specifically, it repeals the tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations and removes the income exclusion for certain scholarship amounts received. These changes are set to take effect starting in 2027.

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.

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 bill seeks to disapprove the Department of Education's final rule regarding the "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program." By utilizing the Congressional Review Act, this legislation prevents the new regulations from taking legal effect. Consequently, the Department of Education cannot implement the changes outlined in that specific rule.

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.