Legislative Activity

This bill amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to mandate that voters provide valid photo identification for all federal elections. It establishes specific requirements for both in-person and mail-in voting, while outlining acceptable forms of identification and providing limited exceptions. Additionally, the legislation requires states to assist voters in meeting these requirements by providing access to document-copying services and ensuring clear notification of the new rules.

The Fisheries Science Modernization Act of 2026 directs NOAA to integrate environmental DNA (eDNA) technology into federal fish stock assessments and ecosystem monitoring to improve data accuracy and efficiency. The bill also establishes a multi-agency National Aquatic Biomolecular Coordination Network to standardize eDNA practices, foster technological innovation, and strengthen the U.S. workforce. Together, these measures aim to modernize fisheries management while enhancing national competitiveness in aquatic monitoring services.

The Permitting Transparency and Accountability Act mandates that government agencies provide a public, online status tracker for all permit applications. This tracker must detail every step of the review process, the time taken for each stage, current status, and contact information for all involved personnel. The goal is to increase accountability and provide applicants with clear timelines for final decisions.

The **Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Modernization Act of 2026** updates and streamlines federal housing programs for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. The bill simplifies environmental review processes, expands eligibility for homeownership and student housing assistance, and increases the maximum leasehold interest on trust lands to 99 years. Additionally, it establishes new grant programs to address homelessness among veterans and tribal populations while strengthening tribal self-determination in housing administration and procurement.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of an EPA rule that granted California a waiver to set its own greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles. If enacted, the resolution would nullify this waiver, effectively stripping the rule of its legal force and effect.

This joint resolution seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency rule that granted California a waiver to enforce its own stricter vehicle emission standards. By disapproving this rule, the resolution prevents California from implementing the Advanced Clean Car Program and ensures that federal emission requirements remain the standard.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

The State-Based Education Loan Awareness Act amends the Higher Education Act to formally define and integrate state-based education loan programs into existing financial aid frameworks. This legislation ensures that these state-sponsored, non-federal loans meet specific consumer protection standards and interest rate caps. Additionally, it permits higher education institutions to enter into formal arrangements to offer these loans, provided students are first fully informed of their federal loan eligibility and benefits.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.