Legislative Activity

The Puppy Protection Act of 2026 significantly strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by establishing rigorous new standards for dog dealers. This bill mandates substantial improvements to housing, nutrition, exercise, socialization, and veterinary care for dogs. Furthermore, it introduces strict regulations on breeding practices, including health screening and limits on female dog litters, while ensuring humane retirement for breeding dogs.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It aims to promote employment opportunities for people with criminal records by advocating for the removal of barriers to fair-chance hiring. The bill supports expanding workforce programs and fostering collaboration to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure stable jobs and successfully reenter society.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act to prohibit U.S. foreign assistance funds from supporting programs that violate human rights or undermine public health, including those involving coercive family planning. It specifically nullifies three recent Department of State rules related to foreign assistance. The Secretary of State is required to issue compliance guidance and report annually to Congress on any violations.

The Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026 establishes federal grant programs managed by the FCC to increase enrollment in the Lifeline program. These grants will fund state outreach efforts to inform eligible low-income individuals about the service discounts. Additionally, the bill provides funding for states to better connect their benefit databases with the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier to streamline the enrollment process.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for key Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and surety bonds. This change allows businesses majority-owned by certain immigrants, non-citizens lawfully present in the U.S., and even some individuals residing abroad to access federal support. The bill ensures that businesses meeting ownership and location criteria are not denied SBA financing solely because of the status of their eligible owners.

This resolution designates April 2026 as "Second Chance Month." It aims to raise public awareness about the collateral consequences faced by millions of Americans with criminal records long after their sentences are served. The designation encourages communities to support efforts that remove unnecessary barriers to employment, housing, and education, promoting successful reentry and reducing recidivism.

This resolution formally welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States for His Majesty's address to a joint meeting of Congress. It recognizes the deep, historic partnership between the U.S. and U.K. across security, innovation, and shared democratic values. The bill reaffirms the enduring friendship and encourages deeper cooperation on strategic global issues.

The **Protecting America’s Workers Act** significantly expands workplace safety protections by extending OSHA coverage to all public employees and strengthening whistleblower rights against retaliation. The bill increases penalties for safety violations, grants victims' families more rights during investigations, and improves federal oversight of state-run safety programs. Overall, it aims to create a more comprehensive, transparent, and punitive system to prevent workplace injuries and hold employers accountable.

This bill aims to protect U.S. individuals and companies from foreign lawsuits seeking to penalize them for complying with U.S. sanctions and export control laws. It specifically bans the enforcement of foreign court rulings or arbitration awards in U.S. courts if those rulings stem from actions taken to follow U.S. sanctions. The legislation ensures that good-faith compliance with U.S. economic restrictions cannot be used as grounds for liability in American courts.

This resolution expresses strong support for library staff across the United States and the vital community services libraries provide. It advocates for adequate funding commensurate with the broad social support roles libraries now fill and defends the civil rights and union organizing efforts of library workers against threats like censorship. Ultimately, the bill calls for prioritizing funding to ensure all citizens maintain free access to information and resources.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to establish and protect the fundamental right to vote for every eligible U.S. citizen. It sets a strict standard requiring any voting restrictions to serve a compelling government interest using the least restrictive means. Furthermore, the amendment would repeal language in the 14th Amendment that allows states to deny voting rights for reasons other than rebellion and grants Congress enforcement power.

This bill officially reauthorizes the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program (TRIP) for an additional seven years, extending its operation until 2034. It also updates the mandatory recoupment timelines for when the government recovers insurance payments following a covered terrorist act.

The Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 expands FEMA disaster assistance eligibility to include occupants without formal property ownership, such as those experiencing homelessness. It simplifies repair standards, allowing aid for any home "damaged by a major disaster," and mandates streamlined processes for self-certifying eligibility. The bill also requires FEMA to coordinate with HUD on joint temporary rental assistance programs following a disaster declaration.

This resolution designates April as Community College Month to honor the vital role community colleges play in providing accessible higher education and workforce training nationwide. It recognizes these institutions for supporting over 10 million students and significantly advancing the economic prosperity of the United States.

This resolution supports designating a week in April 2026 as "Black Maternal Health Week" to focus national attention on the severe maternal health crisis impacting Black women and birthing people. It highlights the unacceptable rates of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity due to structural racism and inadequate care. The resolution calls for investments in community-led maternity care, extended postpartum health coverage, and comprehensive, non-discriminatory maternal health policies.

The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a grant program administered by the Attorney General to fund library services within correctional facilities. This initiative aims to support incarcerated individuals' reintegration, reduce recidivism, and expand educational opportunities. Grants will support modern library resources, qualified staffing, and diverse programming, while prohibiting fees for core library services.

The Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026 establishes a formal process for banning books in federal prisons, requiring approval from a newly created Publication Review Committee. This committee must include diverse members, such as an incarcerated individual and a professional librarian. The Act also mandates annual reporting to Congress on all banned books and the status of related appeals.

This resolution supports the goals of the 2026 Day of Silence to highlight the bullying and discrimination faced by LGBTQI+ students in schools. It calls on communities to act to ensure equal educational opportunities and civil rights protections for all students. The bill affirms the importance of safe, inclusive learning environments free from harassment and victimization.

The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act repeals federal tax incentives that encourage private donations to scholarship granting organizations. Specifically, it eliminates the tax credit for contributions and the exclusion of certain scholarship amounts from gross income. This legislation aims to redirect financial support toward public education systems.