Legislative Activity

The State-Based Education Loan Awareness Act amends the Higher Education Act to define and regulate state-based education loan programs. It ensures that students are fully informed of their federal loan eligibility and the associated benefits before opting for state-sponsored private loans. The bill also mandates that these state programs offer interest rates and fees that are at least as favorable as federal alternatives.

This resolution designates July 2026 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month" to celebrate the vital contributions of domestic floral farmers to the U.S. economy. It encourages consumers to support local agriculture and small businesses by choosing flowers and foliage grown within the United States.

This bill, the Geese House Site Conveyance Act, directs the Secretary of the Interior to transfer approximately 21,578 acres of federal land within Denali National Park and Preserve to Doyon, Limited. The transfer is subject to specific restrictions, including prohibitions on selling the land to non-U.S. entities and limits on mining and development that could harm cultural sites. The Act also requires the corresponding boundary adjustment of Denali National Park and Preserve.

The Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act establishes a new civilian leadership structure for the U.S. Coast Guard by creating the positions of Secretary and Under Secretary of the Coast Guard. This legislation shifts oversight responsibilities from the Secretary of Homeland Security to these new civilian roles, while redefining the Commandant’s reporting structure to ensure streamlined management. These changes aim to enhance administrative efficiency and clarify the chain of command within the service.

The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 prohibits the sale or importation of connected vehicles, their parts, and related software originating from or controlled by covered adversarial countries (North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran). Enforced by the Secretary of Commerce, this law aims to mitigate national security risks associated with foreign adversary access to sensitive vehicle data and control systems. The Act establishes phased bans starting in 2027 for vehicles and software, and 2030 for hardware, while setting up processes for compliance, authorization, and enforcement.

The Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act aims to streamline the federal licensing process for hydropower projects by narrowing the scope of regulatory requirements. It mandates that conditions imposed for Indian reservations and fishway prescriptions must be directly linked to mitigating the specific adverse effects of the project in question.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 imposes sweeping economic sanctions and trade restrictions to isolate Russia and penalize those supporting its military efforts. The bill targets Russian financial institutions, energy sectors, and leadership while penalizing foreign entities that facilitate sanctions evasion. It aims to cripple Russia’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine through severe tariffs, asset freezes, and restricted access to U.S. markets.

The Alaska Native Landless Equity Act aims to correct an omission in the original Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) by granting eligibility to Native residents in five southeastern Alaska communities: Haines, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Tenakee, and Wrangell. This legislation authorizes these residents to form Urban Corporations and receive specific settlement lands and stock shares previously denied to them. The Act also mandates the transfer of approximately 23,040 acres of federal land to each new corporation, ensuring they receive their final ANCSA entitlement while protecting existing land rights and distribution rules for other Native Corporations.

The Small County PILT Parity Act seeks to update the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program by adjusting population thresholds for qualifying local governments. By lowering these figures and introducing a new payment calculation table, the bill aims to better support the unique financial needs of the nation's smallest counties.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham, recognizing his decades of dedicated military service and his impactful career in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. It pays tribute to his commitment to national security, the rule of law, and the people of South Carolina. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow for his passing and extends its deepest condolences to his family.

This resolution expresses support for designating **July 10, 2026, as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day**. It honors the critical and often dangerous work these individuals perform to maintain the nation's electric grid, especially during emergencies. The day also commemorates the anniversary of the first IBEW president's line-of-duty death while restoring power.

This bill mandates annual, standardized point-in-time counts of homeless individuals each April to improve data accuracy and consistency across the country. It requires the use of Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) for year-round tracking and directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and recommend modernizations for HUD’s counting methodology. Additionally, the legislation provides increased support and guidance for rural and resource-limited areas to ensure comprehensive data collection.

The SAFE Banking Act of 2026 creates a federal safe harbor for depository institutions and insurers that provide financial services to state-sanctioned marijuana and hemp-related businesses. By prohibiting federal regulators from penalizing financial institutions for serving these legal entities, the bill aims to improve industry transparency and public safety. Additionally, the Act establishes protections for mortgage lenders and clarifies requirements for suspicious activity reporting and account termination procedures.

The North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends critical U.S. programs aimed at promoting human rights, freedom of information, and humanitarian assistance in North Korea through 2030. The bill strengthens support for North Korean refugees, mandates reporting on the Special Envoy for North Korean human rights, and introduces new sanctions against those involved in the forced repatriation of refugees. Additionally, it requires increased transparency regarding the impact of sanctions on humanitarian aid delivery to ensure support reaches the North Korean people without exploitation by the regime.

The Saving the OOI Act of 2026 prohibits the National Science Foundation (NSF) from scaling back or decommissioning critical Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments. This measure ensures the continued operation of these vital coastal and deep-sea monitoring assets until the NSF completes a comprehensive review with community input. The bill mandates the full maintenance of the initiative throughout the review period.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and modifies the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its authorized funding to \$2.0 billion. This legislation broadens eligible lands for maintenance projects and prioritizes those receiving significant private donations. It also enhances transparency by requiring multi-year project lists and actively encouraging public contributions to address deferred maintenance across federal lands.

The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to support the Iranian people by expanding access to uncensored information and countering regime-imposed internet blackouts. The bill mandates the development of new communication technologies, increases funding for digital freedom programs, and requires the identification and sanctioning of individuals complicit in human rights abuses. Additionally, it strengthens support for independent media and provides cybersecurity training to Iranian journalists and civil society activists.

The UNLOCK AUKUS Act streamlines defense cooperation by amending the Arms Export Control Act to remove specific regulatory barriers. This legislation facilitates the seamless transfer of defense articles and services among AUKUS partners, strengthening collaborative security efforts.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment collectively. This recognition honors the regiment's crucial and heroic service during the Revolutionary War, notably as one of the first integrated military units in American history. The original medal will be displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, and bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs.

The Protecting U.S. Fishers from Illegal Foreign Flags Act of 2026 strengthens measures against illegal fishing by expanding criteria for identifying nations that fail to regulate foreign vessels operating under their flag. This bill mandates updating the regulatory definition of "illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing" to align with existing federal law. Ultimately, it aims to ensure better accountability for flag states regarding illegal fishing activities.