Legislative Activity

The AFFIRM Act of 2026 aims to reform the federal crop insurance program by increasing transparency and implementing fiscal responsibility measures. The bill mandates public disclosure of subsidy data, establishes income and payment caps for participants, and limits profit rates and administrative reimbursements for insurance providers. Additionally, it eliminates premium subsidies for harvest price policies to ensure more efficient use of taxpayer funds.

The Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act increases and restructures FDA user fees for tobacco manufacturers to ensure all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, contribute to regulatory costs. The bill also mandates enhanced reporting on how these funds are utilized, specifically requiring the FDA to demonstrate how fee revenue supports public education campaigns aimed at preventing youth vaping.

The End Veterans Overdose Act of 2026 mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provide opioid overdose rescue medications, such as naloxone, free of charge and without a prescription to eligible veterans and their caregivers. This legislation ensures vital overdose prevention tools are readily accessible while establishing strict privacy protections for recipients. The VA is also required to report annually to Congress on the program's implementation and potential expansions.

The Student Protection and Success Act aims to improve higher education outcomes by holding colleges accountable for student loan repayment rates. Starting in fiscal year 2028, institutions with low repayment rates risk losing eligibility for federal student aid, while those with high success rates become eligible for bonus grants. The bill also introduces a risk-sharing program requiring colleges to contribute financially when their students fail to pay down loan balances, incentivizing institutions to better support student success.

This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to International Women's Day by recognizing the fundamental human rights and essential contributions of women and girls worldwide. It highlights the critical need to address global challenges such as violence, systemic inequality, and barriers to education and economic participation. Ultimately, the bill declares that empowering women is a strategic foreign policy priority essential for achieving global peace, security, and prosperity.

The DIABETES Act aims to improve health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries by expanding access to essential diabetes technologies, such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, and ensuring their associated software is covered. The bill also enhances patient support by standardizing and increasing coverage for diabetes self-management training and medical nutrition therapy. Additionally, it mandates the creation of new billing codes for insulin pump education and establishes a pilot program to test virtual self-management training services.

The Supporting After-School STEM Educators Act establishes a federal grant program to strengthen the workforce of out-of-school time STEM educators. By providing funding to intermediary organizations, the bill supports professional development, technical assistance, and resource coordination for programs serving students in after-school and summer settings. This initiative aims to improve STEM engagement and achievement, particularly for students in underserved communities, while fostering a more robust and supported educator network.

The Fair Housing for Survivors Act of 2026 amends the Fair Housing Act to establish survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking as a protected class. This legislation prohibits housing discrimination against these individuals and ensures they are protected from intimidation or interference when seeking safe and stable housing.

The End Foreign Abuse of United States Courts Act establishes a legal mechanism to quickly dismiss frivolous lawsuits filed by foreign adversaries or their agents that target protected speech and political activity in the U.S. By creating an expedited motion to dismiss, the bill protects Americans from being silenced by foreign-backed litigation. It also allows for the recovery of attorney fees and punitive damages to deter such harassment.

This resolution marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It condemns Russia's ongoing aggression, including attacks on civilians and the forced abduction of children. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the critical need for robust, sustained U.S. and transatlantic security guarantees to ensure Ukraine's long-term defense and stability.

The Respect for Local Communities Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to obtain formal consent from local government officials and state leadership before acquiring, building, or modifying any immigration processing site or detention center. The bill mandates comprehensive impact assessments, public notice periods, and economic reviews to ensure transparency and local oversight. Ultimately, federal agencies are prohibited from proceeding with such projects without a signed agreement from the affected local jurisdiction.

This Senate resolution declares that protecting the rights of women and girls in Haiti is critical for the nation's stability and successful transition. It condemns the widespread gender-based violence and the exclusion of women from leadership roles in the transitional government. The resolution calls for urgent measures to center women's needs, ensure their meaningful participation, and fund programs to combat violence against them.

The Strategic Subsea Cables Act of 2026 aims to secure the global internet infrastructure by increasing U.S. international coordination and imposing sanctions on those who damage critical undersea cables. The bill mandates dedicated diplomatic expertise at the State Department and establishes an interagency committee to streamline construction, repair, and threat information sharing. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to enhance the resilience of the digital economy against disruption and sabotage.

The Mental Health and MAMA Act of 2026 aims to improve access to care for new and expecting mothers. This bill prohibits most health plans from charging out-of-pocket costs for in-network mental health and substance use disorder services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. It also extends continuity of care protections for these essential services following childbirth.

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.

The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special base pay system for Bureau of Prisons correctional officers, increasing their base pay by 35 percent. This pay increase applies to officers whose duties primarily involve inmate custody and supervision, and also grants a 35 percent wage increase to certain lower-graded hourly employees involved in inmate contact. The new pay authority is set to terminate after five years unless a review by the Department of Justice Inspector General shows measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive mandatory overtime.

The NATO Unity Protection Act aims to safeguard the strength and cohesion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It permanently restricts the use of Department of Defense and Department of State funds for any U.S. action, such as occupation or blockade, against the sovereign territory of a NATO ally. These restrictions only lift if the action is authorized by the affected ally or the North Atlantic Council, or in cases of self-defense against an armed attack.

The Better Care for PFAS Patients Act of 2026 directs the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to establish a process for assessing the health effects of PFAS chemicals. This process involves contracting with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to develop clinical recommendations based on scientific evidence and community input. The bill mandates the ATSDR to issue and regularly update clinical guidance for healthcare providers based on these findings.

This bill authorizes $74 million in U.S. funding for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Congress finds that UNFPA is essential for global sexual and reproductive health, preventing maternal deaths, and combating gender-based violence worldwide. The legislation affirms that supporting UNFPA is a strategic U.S. foreign policy priority that advances global health and stability.

The LAB Personnel Act of 2025 aims to protect the specialized workforce within the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) forensic laboratories. This bill specifically prohibits any hiring freezes or workforce reductions affecting these critical laboratory analysts and biometric personnel. However, the Act preserves the Attorney General's authority to manage personnel issues related to employee misconduct or poor performance.