Legislative Activity

The AI Grand Challenges Act of 2026 establishes a new prize competition program managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to spur AI research and development addressing major national problems. This program will award significant cash prizes for solutions in critical areas like national security, health, and energy. The Act also mandates the coordination of federal agencies to publish foundational datasets to support these AI challenges.

This resolution officially designates the week beginning February 2, 2026, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It encourages the nation to observe this week with activities that celebrate and demonstrate support for the vital contributions of Tribal Colleges and Universities.

The Stronger Engagement for Indian Health Needs Act of 2026 renames the head of the Indian Health Service from "Director" to "Assistant Secretary for Indian Health." This change elevates the position, requiring the Assistant Secretary to report directly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Act also makes conforming updates across federal law to reflect this new title and structure.

The YALI Act of 2025 formally establishes and strengthens the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) program, overseen by the Secretary of State. This legislation aims to invest in sub-Saharan Africa's next generation of leaders by enhancing their skills in business, civic engagement, and public administration. The bill mandates an increase in Mandela Washington Fellows and the establishment of regional leadership centers across Africa to expand training and networking opportunities. The program will be implemented through public-private partnerships and requires regular reporting to Congress on its progress and impact on U.S.-Africa relations.

This resolution supports designating 2026 as the "International Year of the Woman Farmer." It recognizes the vital and critical role women play in agriculture both in the United States and globally. The designation aims to honor their contributions to food systems and encourage future participation in the agricultural workforce.

The Sanctioning Harborers And Dodgers Of Western Sanctions Act of 2026 significantly tightens U.S. sanctions against Russia to cut off war funding by targeting its "shadow fleet" and entities evading oil price caps. The bill imposes penalties on foreign ports and individuals in countries like China and India that facilitate sanctioned Russian energy trade. Furthermore, it enhances U.S. sanctions enforcement capabilities and streamlines military assistance reporting to Ukraine.

This bill, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE America Act), mandates that individuals must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It also establishes a federal requirement for voters to present a photo ID containing a citizenship indicator when casting a ballot in federal elections. Furthermore, the legislation requires states to implement ongoing programs to verify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls.

The SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2026 aims to prohibit the FDA from approving any new abortion drugs and severely restrict the use of previously approved ones. This legislation mandates strict in-person administration, rigorous safety protocols, and enhanced reporting requirements for existing abortion-inducing medications. The bill seeks to ensure comprehensive medical oversight and patient safety measures surrounding the use of these drugs.

The Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act expands federal support for pollinator-friendly practices along highways. This bill increases grant funding amounts and authorizes higher overall program funding through 2031. It also broadens eligibility for grants and refines consultation requirements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Indian Tribes during vegetation management planning.

The SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 establishes the Strategic Resilience Reserve Corporation to secure U.S. supply chains for critical minerals through domestic investment and the creation of a national stockpile. This new government entity will set specific production goals to reduce reliance on foreign adversaries while managing a reserve of vital materials. The Act mandates strict oversight, public transparency, and regular audits to ensure responsible management of this strategic national asset.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. It recognizes his distinguished service in the Air Force, his Olympic athletic career, and his historic tenure in the U.S. Congress. The resolution specifically highlights his landmark legislative accomplishments, including establishing the National Museum of the American Indian. The Senate expresses its sorrow and will recess as a mark of respect for his memory.

The Increasing Investor Opportunities Act aims to expand investment options for closed-end funds by limiting the SEC's authority to restrict these funds from investing in private funds. This legislation prevents the SEC and national securities exchanges from imposing limitations solely based on a closed-end company's investment in private funds. The bill seeks to increase market flexibility without altering existing fiduciary or valuation requirements.

This bill mandates the Department of Defense to develop and report on a new, comprehensive cyber workforce strategy by January 2027. The strategy must assess progress on the existing framework, detail workforce size and goals, and outline resource requirements. It also requires identifying roadblocks and opportunities for leveraging external partnerships and commercial tools to improve talent acquisition and development.

This resolution commends the successful execution of Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture and transport of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores to the U.S. to face federal charges. It praises the operation for its precision, lack of American casualties, and its role in promoting liberty and democratic transition in Venezuela. The bill further recognizes the action's positive impact on regional stability in Latin America.

The CLEAR Act of 2025 invalidates a specific Forest Service rule concerning criminal prohibitions. This legislation strips the rule of all legal force and explicitly prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from enforcing it or any substantially similar future rule.

The BADGES for Native Communities Act aims to improve safety and data collection in Native communities through two main approaches. Title I focuses on enhancing data reporting for missing persons and death investigations by establishing a Tribal facilitator within the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and requiring detailed reports on law enforcement resources in Indian country. Title II supports safety through demonstration programs for BIA background checks, a grant program to coordinate responses to missing or murdered cases, and studies on evidence handling and officer counseling resources.

The Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025 (ARCA Act) fundamentally reorganizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acquisition structure to improve oversight and efficiency for major programs. It establishes a new Chief Acquisition Officer and an Office of Acquisition to centralize control over procurement and logistics. The bill also mandates independent verification, validation, and rigorous cost assessment for all major VA acquisition programs exceeding specified financial thresholds. Finally, it improves hiring for the acquisition workforce and standardizes the requirements development process to ensure better program outcomes.

This bill, the Ensuring VetSuccess On Campus Act of 2025, mandates the expansion of the VetSuccess on Campus program to ensure at least one location and counselor is present in every state. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must prioritize schools with the largest populations of students utilizing VA educational benefits when selecting program sites. This ensures broader access to support services for student veterans nationwide.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to immediately improve financial and healthcare access for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This legislation eliminates the standard five-month waiting period for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Furthermore, it waives the 24-month waiting period required before these patients become eligible for Medicare coverage.

The Back the Blue Act of 2025 establishes new federal crimes and harsher penalties for killing or assaulting law enforcement officers and other public safety officials. The bill also creates specific aggravating factors for the federal death penalty in such cases and places new restrictions on federal habeas corpus relief for related state convictions. Finally, it expands federal protections allowing active and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in various federal locations.