Legislative Activity

The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 aims to support the Iranian people by expanding access to uncensored internet and communication technologies. The bill strengthens U.S. policy against regime repression by mandating investigations into human rights abuses and establishing a new Treasury initiative to combat corruption and money laundering by Iranian officials. Additionally, it enhances congressional oversight of sanctions and promotes independent media to counter state-sponsored censorship.

The "Head Start for America’s Children Act" updates and expands the federal Head Start program to better support the developmental, mental health, and educational needs of infants, toddlers, and children. The bill increases funding for core operations and specialized initiatives, establishes new requirements for staff compensation and professional development, and introduces pilot programs to improve access in high-poverty areas and on college campuses. Additionally, it strengthens support for Native American and migrant/seasonal programs, enhances services for children with disabilities, and mandates new standards to prevent the use of seclusion and restraint.

The Secure Firearm Storage and Suicide Prevention Act of 2026 aims to reduce firearm-related injuries and suicides, particularly among youth. It directs the Secretary of Education to develop national best practices for secure firearm storage and suicide prevention education. Local educational agencies must then create and distribute tailored guidance incorporating these federal standards to students and parents annually.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick leave. Employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, usable for personal or family health needs, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act prohibits employer retaliation for using this leave and ensures existing, more generous leave policies are not diminished.

The Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026 mandates that Medicaid programs cover up to 12 mental health telehealth visits annually for certain individuals recently released from incarceration and placed under home confinement. This provision aims to improve access to crucial mental health services during the critical transition period following release.

This bill officially recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year, specifically in 2026, the Year of the Horse. It expresses deep respect for Asian American communities and all who celebrate this important occasion. The resolution concludes by offering wishes for a happy and prosperous new year to all observers.

This resolution establishes a comprehensive Transgender Bill of Rights to codify and protect the rights of transgender and nonbinary people across the United States. It mandates federal action to ensure equal access to healthcare, employment, housing, legal recognition, and safety. The bill aims to eliminate discrimination and affirm bodily autonomy by amending existing federal civil rights laws.

The Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to enhance access to evidence-based trauma support and mental health services for students and school staff. This funding aims to foster stronger connections between schools and community mental health systems through collaboration, professional development, and direct student services. The bill authorizes $50 million annually from FY 2027 through 2031 to support these critical initiatives.

The FAIR Act establishes a 3.1% pay increase for General Schedule and prevailing rate federal employees in 2027. Additionally, the bill mandates a 1% increase to federal locality pay rates for the same year.

This resolution officially recognizes January 2026 as National Mentoring Month to honor the dedicated staff and volunteers in mentoring programs. It highlights the significant benefits of mentoring, such as boosting educational achievement and reducing juvenile delinquency. The bill encourages the growth of quality mentoring programs nationwide to ensure more young people have supportive adult connections.

The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026 reauthorizes the WISEWOMAN program through fiscal year 2031, securing significant funding for women's health initiatives. This legislation allows for supplemental grants to expand preventive health services, such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, to low-income women. These services will be integrated with existing breast and cervical cancer screening programs.

This bill recognizes the historic 1960 Greensboro Four sit-in, honoring the students whose peaceful protest launched a nationwide movement against segregation. It designates February 1, 2026, as the 66th anniversary, coinciding with the start of Black History Month. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to include the Greensboro Four's contributions in educational curricula.

The Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act establishes a program to counter Iranian government censorship by providing technologies and support to help citizens access the open internet. It directs the Secretary of State to coordinate efforts, update strategies to ensure sanctions don't block access tools, and safeguard satellite coverage over Iran. The bill authorizes significant funding to support these initiatives, including cybersecurity training for Iranian civil society.

The **Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026** establishes major federal funding streams, including grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide from 2027 through 2031. The legislation prioritizes districts with the greatest need, focusing on improving student health, safety, and environmental conditions in school buildings. It also mandates increased transparency through public databases tracking facility conditions and requires specific labor and "Buy America" standards for funded construction projects.

The PASTEUR Act of 2026 aims to combat antimicrobial resistance by creating a subscription-style contract program to incentivize the research and development of new, life-saving antibiotics. This program will provide substantial annual payments to drug sponsors for ensuring the availability and appropriate use of eligible antimicrobials targeting urgent threats. The bill also establishes grants to promote stewardship programs in healthcare facilities and enhance national surveillance of resistance data.

The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 mandates the Department of Transportation to establish new federal safety standards requiring comprehensive front, rear, and side underride protection systems on all new commercial motor vehicles. These standards must ensure guards prevent passenger vehicles and vulnerable road users from sliding under trucks in crashes up to 40 mph. The bill also reconvenes an advisory committee, funds new research studies, and requires the creation of a public website dedicated to underride crash information.

The Empowering Young Readers Act of 2026 establishes a pilot program to improve children's access to books through competitive grants. These grants, up to $200,000, will be awarded to eligible organizations for purchasing, distributing, or hosting literacy programming related to books. The Secretary of Education will administer the program and report to Congress on its impact on book access and community literacy rates.

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.

The Defense Technology Hubs Act of 2026 establishes a program to create at least 10 regional defense technology hubs across the U.S. These hubs will foster collaboration between universities, industry, and government to accelerate the development of critical defense technologies. The Secretary of Defense is authorized to provide funding and support to these consortia to enhance national security and strengthen the defense industrial base.

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.