Legislative Activity

The Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Authorization Act strengthens the oversight and authority of the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. This legislation ensures the Office has the necessary resources, access, and independence to integrate civil rights protections into all Department policies, investigate potential abuses, and provide transparent reporting to Congress and the public.

The Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act establishes a federal pilot program that provides $60 in monthly benefits to low-income households for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. By awarding grants to states, the program aims to increase food security, expand access to healthy produce, and support local retailers in underserved communities.

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 Save MEDICARE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency and accountability within the Medicare Advantage program by reforming payment methodologies, tightening oversight of diagnosis coding, and accelerating audit processes. The bill also enhances the Department of Veterans Affairs' ability to recover healthcare costs from private insurers and empowers states to enforce federal requirements for Medicare Advantage plans. These measures are designed to ensure more accurate payments, reduce deceptive practices, and protect resources for all Medicare enrollees.

The Original LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Resolution of 2026 honors the history, contributions, and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community. The resolution reaffirms that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights and emphasizes the necessity of ensuring equality for all citizens. By documenting key civil rights milestones and current challenges, it encourages the nation to celebrate Pride Month as a time to reflect on the progress made and the work still required to achieve full equality.

This bill, the Diversity Visa Protection and Modernization Act, aims to prevent the executive branch from indefinitely or broadly suspending the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. It reaffirms that only Congress can halt the entire program, while allowing for narrowly tailored, temporary, or country-specific restrictions under strict transparency and notification requirements. The Act protects eligible visa selectees from losing their opportunities due to unexplained administrative pauses.

The Federal Workforce Reproductive Rights Protection Act restricts federal agencies from relocating operations to states with restrictive abortion laws. It also provides federal employees with travel allowances and administrative leave to access out-of-state reproductive healthcare services. Furthermore, the bill prohibits using reproductive health decisions as a factor in security clearance determinations or other personnel actions.

This bill, the Great American Outdoors Act 250, significantly reforms and renames the existing public lands restoration fund to the America’s Legacy Restoration Fund. It secures dedicated funding streams, primarily from energy revenues and new fees on foreign visitors, to address critical deferred maintenance across the National Park Service, Forest Service, and other public land agencies. The legislation establishes strict spending priorities for infrastructure repair while also creating pilot programs for enhancing outdoor recreation and sportsmen's access. Finally, it mandates increased transparency and accountability through standardized metrics and public reporting on all funded projects.

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of women enrolling in U.S. military service academies, recognizing their significant growth and distinguished achievements since 1976. It honors the thousands of women graduates who have served with distinction across all branches of the armed forces and in national service. The bill also expresses support for designating a "50 Years of Women at the Service Academies Day."

The VA Home Loan Navigator Act establishes a new, free program to provide comprehensive housing loan support services to veteran borrowers. This program will offer education, guidance, and assistance navigating all aspects of their VA home loan benefits, from eligibility to foreclosure prevention. Services will be delivered by independent, neutral third-party organizations approved by the VA and HUD. Participation is entirely voluntary for the borrower.

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.

The Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026 establishes new protections for unaccompanied alien children encountered in the U.S. It mandates a judicial warrant for the arrest or detention of these children away from the border and prohibits the use of military assets for immigration enforcement, except during natural disasters. Furthermore, the bill ensures children cannot be coerced into signing legal documents affecting their status without first having a confidential consultation with a lawyer.

The "Hands Off Elections Act of 2026" prohibits federal executive agency employees from intervening in or directing the administration of federal elections. This ban includes exceptions for specific authorized federal duties and cybersecurity assistance. State chief law enforcement officers are empowered to seek court injunctions to enforce this prohibition.

This bill, the "Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act," amends existing law to mandate six specific fee-free days annually for entry to federal recreational lands and waters. These free admission days are set to coincide with significant holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veterans Day. The goal is to promote national pride and encourage public volunteerism by increasing access to these public lands.

The DASH Act is a comprehensive legislative effort to combat homelessness and expand housing affordability through increased federal funding, tax incentives, and zoning reform. The bill establishes new rental voucher programs, funds the construction of affordable units, and provides tax credits for both renters and first-time homebuyers. Additionally, it incentivizes local governments to remove restrictive zoning barriers to increase housing supply and density.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to speed up the process of securing a first collective bargaining agreement after a union is certified. It establishes a mandatory timeline, including mediation and binding arbitration, if an agreement is not reached within 90 days of bargaining. This process is designed to prevent lengthy delays that currently weaken the union's position. The bill also requires a GAO report on current time-to-contract averages.

The Double the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to increase the required overtime pay rate for covered employees from time-and-a-half to double their regular rate of pay. This means employees will earn twice their normal hourly wage for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. This change will take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

The Federal Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention Act of 2026 prohibits federal agencies from awarding contracts or grants to individuals convicted of specific federal fraud and corruption felonies for three years following their conviction. This ban also extends to businesses substantially owned or controlled by the convicted individual. The law mandates updating the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) upon conviction, though agency heads retain limited authority to issue case-by-case waivers.

This bill reauthorizes the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Act, updating its structure and goals for another seven years. It establishes a diverse 14-member Commission to protect and restore the marine waters, habitats, and species of the Northwest Straits region. The Commission will focus on science-based projects, collaboration with local and Tribal governments, and advising on ecosystem health without issuing regulations.

The Celiac Safety Act of 2026 amends federal law to officially classify gluten-containing grains (wheat, rye, and barley) as a major food allergen. This change mandates that foods containing these grains must be clearly labeled as such, similar to existing major allergens like peanuts or milk. This new labeling requirement will take effect 18 months after the Act's enactment.