Legislative Activity

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 No WAR Act establishes a procedural barrier, a "point of order," in Congress to prevent funding for unauthorized military action against Iran through the budget reconciliation process. This means that any reconciliation bill providing budget authority for hostilities against Iran will be out of order unless Congress has first formally authorized that military force. The Act ensures that funding for military conflict against Iran requires explicit prior congressional approval.

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.

This Act nullifies three specific Department of State rules concerning foreign assistance, effectively treating them as if they never existed. It prohibits any federal agency from implementing or enforcing these rules, or any substantially similar future policies. The legislation aims to prevent the enforcement of rules related to "Protecting Life," "Discriminatory Equity Ideology," and "Gender Ideology" in foreign aid.

The Housing FIRST Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to establish formal standards for tenant screening reports, treating them similarly to employment reports. This bill strictly limits the types of criminal and financial history landlords can use when evaluating rental applicants. Furthermore, it mandates specific disclosure and adverse action notification requirements for landlords using these reports.

The Clean Energy Workforce Act establishes grant programs to bolster career and technical education for jobs in clean energy and related fields. These grants will support the development of specialized curricula and the modernization of educational facilities to align with renewable energy practices. The goal is to prepare students for in-demand careers in climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sectors.

This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from establishing or operating any new models of immigration detention facilities, such as converting warehouses or using temporary structures. It specifically bans entering into new contracts for these alternative detention setups. Furthermore, any funds already allocated for these new models must be transferred to support services like affordable housing and healthcare.

This resolution expresses support for designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). It recognizes the profound and diverse contributions of Arab Americans throughout U.S. history, spanning science, public service, culture, and more. The designation aims to celebrate this heritage while countering misconceptions and discrimination.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, Illinois. The facility will now be known as the Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Post Office Building. This designation will apply to all official federal references to the building.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility located at 1300 East Northwest Highway in Palatine, Illinois. The facility will now be known as the "Bernie Bluestein Post Office Building." This designation will be used in all official records and documents pertaining to this location.

The Water Access and Affordability Act establishes a federal program to ensure low-income households can afford essential drinking water and wastewater services through direct financial assistance. It mandates the creation of Water Service Access Programs, administered by the EPA, with simplified enrollment and strong consumer protections against shutoffs and fees. Additionally, the bill increases transparency and public input requirements for how states manage their existing drinking water and pollution control revolving loan funds.

The Books Save Lives Act mandates that federally funded schools and public libraries maintain diverse book collections and employ trained library staff. It establishes a civil rights enforcement mechanism to address the discriminatory impact of book bans and requires a federal report on the effects of such campaigns on underrepresented communities.

This resolution formally recognizes International Transgender Day of Visibility to celebrate the achievements and bravery of the transgender community. It highlights the ongoing challenges of discrimination and legislative threats faced by transgender individuals while honoring their significant historical and contemporary contributions to society. The bill encourages all Americans to observe the day and reaffirms a commitment to the fight for equal dignity and respect.

This resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in Lebanon within seven days of its adoption. It asserts that Congress has not provided the necessary constitutional or statutory authorization for U.S. military involvement in the region. The bill reinforces Congress's exclusive authority to declare war and mandates the withdrawal of forces unless specific authorization is subsequently enacted.

This resolution formally recognizes the persistent gender wage gap in the United States and its significant negative impact on women, families, and the national economy. It highlights the systemic factors contributing to pay disparities across various demographics and occupations. Ultimately, the resolution reaffirms Congress's commitment to achieving equal pay for equal work.