Legislative Activity

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 imposes sweeping economic and financial sanctions on Russia to isolate its economy and disrupt its defense and energy sectors. The bill further mandates the extension of existing sanctions against Iran through 2031 to maintain ongoing diplomatic and economic pressure. Together, these measures aim to penalize foreign aggression and restrict access to U.S. capital and markets.

This resolution designates August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week" to celebrate the vital role these markets play in our economy and public health. It recognizes how farmers markets bridge the gap between urban and rural communities while promoting sustainable agriculture and increasing access to fresh, nutritious food.

The FASTER Act of 2026 expands food labeling requirements to include barley, rye, and oats as major food allergens, ensuring greater transparency for consumers. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive federal report on Celiac disease to improve data collection, diagnostic testing, and the development of new treatments.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 2026 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month." It highlights the economic importance of the domestic floral industry and encourages consumers to choose U.S.-grown products to support American farmers, small businesses, and jobs.

The Green New Deal for Public Schools Act provides comprehensive federal funding to modernize school infrastructure, transition to zero-carbon facilities, and expand educational staffing. The bill establishes grant programs to improve school climate resiliency, increase support for special education, and provide targeted aid to high-poverty districts. By prioritizing environmental justice communities and community-based planning, the legislation aims to create safer, more equitable learning environments while preparing schools to serve as hubs during climate-related disasters.

The Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes a nationwide statutory right to access assisted reproductive technology (ART) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) while prohibiting states from imposing restrictive barriers. The bill further expands family-building support by mandating comprehensive fertility coverage across private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and federal employee health plans. Additionally, it guarantees expanded access to fertility services and preservation for military service members and veterans.

The Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends vital funding for ALS research and clinical trial programs through 2031. This legislation strengthens oversight by enhancing grant review processes, improving safety reporting requirements, and mandating a comprehensive five-year FDA action plan to accelerate the development of treatments for rare neurodegenerative diseases.

The Get Foreign Money Out of United States Elections Act strengthens existing laws to prevent foreign influence in American elections. It expands the ban on foreign contributions to include domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control and mandates strict certification requirements for corporate political action committees. These measures ensure that foreign entities cannot influence federal, state, or local elections through direct spending, ballot initiatives, or Super PACs.

The Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2026 mandates that all state Medicaid programs provide comprehensive dental and oral health coverage for adults beginning January 1, 2027. To support this transition, the bill provides three years of 100% federal funding for these core services and establishes new national quality and equity reporting standards. Additionally, the legislation requires federal outreach programs to improve access to care and mandates a comprehensive report on the state of adult oral health in the United States.

The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to broaden the definition of "renewable biomass." By including forest manufacturing by-products, wildfire risk-reduction materials, and vegetation from defensible spaces, the bill incentivizes the removal of hazardous fuels from public and private lands. This legislation streamlines the certification process to support sustainable forest management and expand the market for renewable energy feedstocks.

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It calls attention to the systemic racial and gender-based barriers contributing to this disparity and reaffirms a commitment to achieving true pay equity.

The MARA Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive federal framework to coordinate and regulate the sustainable development of offshore aquaculture in U.S. waters. The bill creates a dedicated office within NOAA to streamline permitting, mandate rigorous environmental best practices, and ensure meaningful input from coastal communities and Tribal governments. Additionally, it supports industry growth through technical assistance and marketing initiatives while commissioning independent scientific and regulatory studies to guide long-term policy.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons Voting Assistance Act of 2026 mandates that the Bureau of Prisons provide eligible inmates with the necessary information and resources to register and vote in federal, state, and local elections. The bill requires the distribution of voter registration materials, instructions for absentee ballots, and direct assistance for inmates with disabilities. These resources will be made available through digital systems, physical postings, and dedicated facility coordinators to ensure inmates residing in jurisdictions that allow prisoner voting can exercise their rights.

The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding and support for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory through 2031. This legislation modernizes the management of cord blood supplies by prioritizing clinical utility, genetic diversity, and the use of the latest scientific standards. By streamlining inventory operations, the bill ensures that life-saving transplant resources remain accessible and effective for patients in need.

The Kay Hagan Tick Act reauthorization extends federal funding and support for vector-borne disease initiatives through 2030. This legislation updates national strategy requirements and enhances the capacity of regional centers and health departments to identify, prevent, and respond to tick-borne and other vector-borne illnesses.

The Interagency Council on Affordable Housing Act of 2026 establishes a new independent federal agency tasked with coordinating a national strategy to increase the supply of affordable housing and improve rental market fairness. The Council will unite various federal departments to streamline housing programs, provide technical assistance to state and local governments, and ensure better access to housing resources for low-income populations. Through research, reporting, and interagency collaboration, the Council aims to foster a unified national approach to addressing homelessness and housing affordability.

The Surviving Widow(er) Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) Act of 2026 aims to strengthen financial security for surviving spouses by expanding eligibility for disability-based benefits and increasing the age limit for child-in-care benefits to 18. The bill also introduces new delayed retirement credits for survivors and updates benefit calculation rules to ensure fairer compensation for those who wait to claim. Additionally, it mandates improved outreach and educational resources to ensure survivors are fully informed of their benefit options.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Advancing Water Research and Collaboration (AWRC) Act of 2025 updates the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to formally integrate the artificial intelligence industry into national water research efforts. The bill authorizes $16 million annually from 2026 through 2029 to support regional and interstate water research initiatives. Additionally, it restructures funding allocations to prioritize collaborative projects that address complex, multi-state water challenges.

This bill establishes a federal framework to support the development of a sustainable offshore aquaculture industry through the creation of a dedicated Office of Aquaculture and a commercial-scale demonstration program. It streamlines the permitting process while mandating rigorous environmental oversight, safety standards, and public reporting. Additionally, the legislation invests in workforce development and research through new grant programs and partnerships with minority-serving and Tribal institutions.