Legislative Activity

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 Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026 aims to improve fairness and efficiency in immigration proceedings by expanding access to legal information and counsel. The bill specifically guarantees government-funded legal representation for all unaccompanied children throughout their immigration proceedings. It also mandates timely access to case files for all noncitizens and requires the establishment of pro bono representation systems for children.

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.

This resolution directs the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in Lebanon within seven days, utilizing authority under the War Powers Resolution. It explicitly clarifies that this action does not authorize the use of military force or limit security cooperation with Lebanese forces or the protection of diplomatic facilities.

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."

The Affordable Housing and Area Median Income Fairness Act of 2026 authorizes $15 billion annually for ten years to support affordable housing infrastructure specifically in high-cost areas. The bill also mandates the Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct a comprehensive assessment of how Area Median Income (AMI) is calculated and used in federal housing programs. This assessment aims to find ways to optimize AMI calculations to make housing more affordable for low-income families in urban areas.

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

The Worker Rights and Support Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to establish new mandatory meal, rest, restroom, and medical break requirements for employees. This legislation ensures employees receive specific paid and unpaid break times based on hours worked or medical necessity. Violations of these new break provisions are subject to enforcement actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

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.

This Act, the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act, immediately bans the imposition of the death penalty for all federal crimes upon enactment. It also mandates that individuals previously sentenced to death for federal offenses must be resentenced.

The REPORTS Act mandates that federal agencies analyze the potential impact of proposed major rules on individuals living in poverty and on racial inequity. It also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to periodically report on the effects of specific federal programs on these same populations. This legislation aims to ensure a thorough review of how federal actions affect vulnerable communities.

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.

The **Protecting Our Democracy Act** imposes sweeping reforms across the executive branch to strengthen accountability and restore checks and balances. It restricts presidential pardon power, closes loopholes to ensure no President is above the law, and enforces constitutional emoluments clauses to prevent self-enrichment. Furthermore, the Act enhances congressional oversight by strengthening subpoena enforcement, increasing transparency around White House visitors and tax returns, and protecting federal whistleblowers from retaliation.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 establishes permanent, universal free breakfast and lunch programs for all enrolled students at participating schools, eliminating income tests and meal debt collection. The bill significantly updates federal funding mechanisms by replacing reliance on free and reduced-price lunch data with new measures for identifying economically disadvantaged students across various education and social programs. Furthermore, it expands access to summer and afterschool meals while making technical amendments across several federal education and nutrition laws.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act aims to establish comprehensive standards for the care, health services, and housing of pregnant individuals in federal custody, including those held by the Bureau of Prisons, CBP, ICE, and ORR. The bill mandates extensive data collection on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women and strictly prohibits the use of restraints and restrictive housing during pregnancy, labor, and postpartum recovery, with very limited exceptions. Furthermore, it requires federal agencies to provide essential services like family unity programs, specialized medical care, and comprehensive education for pregnant and postpartum individuals.

The No Funds for Iran War Act prohibits the use of federal funds for military action in or against Iran through the end of 2026. This ban remains in effect unless Congress formally declares war or passes a specific authorization for military force. Exceptions are made only for actions consistent with the War Powers Resolution or necessary self-defense against an imminent attack.

The Reward Work Act aims to shift corporate focus from shareholder enrichment to worker investment. It achieves this by prohibiting publicly traded companies from conducting open market stock buybacks and mandating that large companies reserve at least one-third of their board seats for employee representatives. This legislation requires the SEC to establish regulations ensuring fair employee elections for these director positions.