Legislative Activity

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 establishes free breakfast and lunch for all students in participating schools, eliminating income-based eligibility and school meal debt. It also updates federal funding metrics by replacing free/reduced lunch data with new measures of economically disadvantaged students across various education and nutrition programs. This comprehensive bill aims to ensure universal access to nutrition while streamlining administrative requirements related to poverty tracking.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, recognizing his significant contributions as a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow over his passing and offers condolences to his family. The resolution directs that this tribute be communicated to the House and his family, and the Senate will adjourn in his memory.

The Supporting Urban and Innovative Farming Act of 2026 aims to bolster urban and controlled-environment agriculture by expanding the USDA's Office of Urban Agriculture. This legislation establishes a new competitive grant program to support producers and prioritizes improving local food access in underserved areas. It also mandates dedicated funding and expands research opportunities for innovative farming technologies.

This resolution officially recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2026. It celebrates the significant and growing contributions of these communities to American history, culture, and government. The resolution also acknowledges important anniversaries and ongoing challenges faced by the community.

This resolution recognizes the escalating global threats to press freedom and reaffirms the vital role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and informing the public. It condemns actions that suppress journalism and endangers journalists worldwide, especially in conflict zones. The resolution calls for the immediate release of wrongfully detained journalists and reaffirms press freedom as a priority of U.S. foreign policy.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized the action. It asserts Congress's constitutional authority over declaring war and cites the War Powers Resolution regarding unauthorized military engagements. The bill permits necessary defensive actions, intelligence sharing, and support for attacked allies.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Robert S. Mueller III, recognizing his distinguished career in public service, from his military service to his roles as FBI Director and Special Counsel. It commends his dedication to the rule of law and the defense of the United States Constitution. The resolution also extends condolences to his family upon his passing.

This bill combines two major components: the **Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act**, which reforms and extends key surveillance authorities like Section 702 of FISA with new privacy protections and criminal penalties for misuse, and the **Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act**, which explicitly prohibits the Federal Reserve from creating or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) to the public. In essence, the legislation tightens oversight on foreign intelligence gathering while blocking the creation of a government-controlled digital currency.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act to prohibit U.S. foreign assistance funds from supporting programs that violate human rights or undermine public health, including those involving coercive family planning. It specifically nullifies three recent Department of State rules related to foreign assistance. The Secretary of State is required to issue compliance guidance and report annually to Congress on any violations.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2026 significantly strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by establishing rigorous new standards for dog dealers. This bill mandates substantial improvements to housing, nutrition, exercise, socialization, and veterinary care for dogs. Furthermore, it introduces strict regulations on breeding practices, including health screening and limits on female dog litters, while ensuring humane retirement for breeding dogs.

The Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act directs the Secretary of State to support the development of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). This legislation focuses on strengthening economic and energy cooperation between IMEC nations and key Eastern Mediterranean countries like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and Egypt. The Act authorizes funding to facilitate critical infrastructure projects and promotes private sector investment in energy and technology across this strategic corridor.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

The CHATBOT Act establishes comprehensive rules for artificial intelligence chatbot providers, focusing heavily on protecting children and teens. It mandates family account requirements for users under 13 and verifiable parental consent for teens (13-17) accessing these services. Furthermore, the Act prohibits targeted advertising based on the personal data of minors and requires robust parental controls within designated family accounts.

This resolution formally welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States for His Majesty's address to a joint meeting of Congress. It recognizes the deep, historic partnership between the U.S. and U.K. across security, innovation, and shared democratic values. The bill reaffirms the enduring friendship and encourages deeper cooperation on strategic global issues.

The **Protecting America’s Workers Act** significantly expands workplace safety protections by extending OSHA coverage to all public employees and strengthening whistleblower rights against retaliation. The bill increases penalties for safety violations, grants victims' families more rights during investigations, and improves federal oversight of state-run safety programs. Overall, it aims to create a more comprehensive, transparent, and punitive system to prevent workplace injuries and hold employers accountable.

This bill makes technical amendments to the Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Act of 2023. It corrects statutory references and formatting errors within the original law. Additionally, it clarifies the definition of the Band's reservation lands and expands the allowable uses for the Pechanga Water Quality account. These changes confirm and support the existing water rights settlement without altering substantive water rights.

The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for key Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and surety bonds. This change allows businesses majority-owned by certain immigrants, non-citizens lawfully present in the U.S., and even some individuals residing abroad to access federal support. The bill ensures that businesses meeting ownership and location criteria are not denied SBA financing solely because of the status of their eligible owners.

The No Passes for Polluters Act of 2026 establishes a rigorous new process requiring explicit congressional approval via a joint resolution before the President can utilize specific exemptions under the Clean Air Act. This bill targets exemptions related to federal agency emissions, fleet vehicle requirements, and ozone-depleting substances. Furthermore, it repeals a specific exemption that allowed certain sources to delay compliance with hazardous air pollutant standards.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized such military action. It reaffirms Congress's constitutional authority to declare war. The resolution maintains exceptions for necessary self-defense and providing specific defensive support to allies attacked by Iran.

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Water Rights Settlement Act ratifies a comprehensive agreement to finally settle all water rights claims for the Tribe in California. The bill confirms the Tribe's quantified water right, establishes a multi-million dollar settlement trust fund for water infrastructure and management projects, and addresses related tax issues on the Reservation. Furthermore, it authorizes the transfer of federal land into trust for the Tribe and the conveyance of specific federal land to the Coachella Valley Water District.