Legislative Activity

The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026 aims to make it easier for local farmers to sell directly to consumers through federal nutrition programs. This bill mandates the creation of a streamlined, single application process for farmers seeking authorization under SNAP, WIC, and other key nutrition initiatives. Furthermore, it requires the USDA to support the use of modern, mobile payment technology at farmers' markets.

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.

The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes strict new export controls on advanced integrated circuits to designated countries of concern, including China, Iran, and Russia. It mandates a rigorous licensing process requiring detailed Congressional certification before high-performance chips can be transferred. Furthermore, the bill temporarily halts all licenses for these chips while requiring the development of a comprehensive national strategy to secure U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

This Senate resolution declares the People's Republic of China (PRC) the foremost strategic competitor of the United States, citing threats across military, economic, and technological domains. It calls for countering these threats by making them a top foreign policy priority. The resolution urges strengthening deterrence, protecting U.S. economic interests against predatory practices, and reaffirming commitments to Indo-Pacific allies.

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 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.

This bill, the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, explicitly repeals Executive Order 14399, which attempted to regulate mail-in voting. It prohibits federal agencies, including the Postal Service, from using funds to create national voter/citizenship databases or interfere with state administration of absentee and mail-in ballots. The Act reaffirms that states, not the federal government, control federal election procedures.

The America Grows Act of 2026 establishes mandatory, inflation-adjusted funding for four key agricultural research agencies through 2036 and beyond. This legislation ensures consistent financial support by protecting these appropriations from automatic spending cuts (sequestration). Furthermore, the bill exempts its budgetary effects from standard PAYGO scorecards.

This bill reauthorizes the popular Breast Cancer Research Stamp program, extending the authority for the U.S. Postal Service to sell the special stamp until 2037. The stamp continues to raise crucial funds, with the additional purchase amount going directly to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DoD) for breast cancer research.

This resolution supports designating a week in April 2026 as "Black Maternal Health Week" to focus national attention on the severe maternal health crisis impacting Black women and birthing people. It highlights the unacceptable rates of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity due to structural racism and inadequate care. The resolution calls for investments in community-led maternity care, extended postpartum health coverage, and comprehensive, non-discriminatory maternal health policies.

The Stop the Scroll Act mandates that social media and anonymous content sharing platforms display conspicuous, hourly-refreshing mental health warning labels to users in the U.S. These labels must detail potential harms and provide access to federal resources like the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), in consultation with the Surgeon General, is tasked with writing and periodically updating the specific regulations for these warnings. Enforcement authority is granted to both the FTC and State Attorneys General, with significant civil penalties for knowing or repeated violations.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish a committee to review and recommend updates to policies regarding the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions. The bill mandates regulatory updates to encourage aviation personnel to seek mental health care without fear of penalty. Furthermore, it allocates funding to enhance the FAA's capacity to process reviews and launches a public campaign to reduce mental health stigma within the industry.

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 strengthens the ability of claimants to recover art looted by the Nazis by ensuring cases are decided on their legal merits rather than procedural technicalities. The bill prevents courts from dismissing claims based on the passage of time or other non-merits defenses and clarifies that these actions may proceed regardless of the victim's nationality. These updates aim to remove legal barriers and ensure that justice for victims of Nazi persecution is not frustrated by procedural delays.

The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act establishes a grant program to help states expand access to structured outdoor recreation activities for veterans. By funding programs that promote physical and mental well-being, this legislation aims to reduce financial barriers and foster community through nature-based therapeutic experiences.

The Livestock Consolidation Research Act of 2026 mandates that the Economic Research Service publish regular reports analyzing industry consolidation across the beef, dairy, pork, and poultry sectors. These reports will evaluate how changes in the size and location of farms and processing facilities impact producers, market accessibility, and consumers. By utilizing comprehensive agricultural data, this legislation aims to provide greater transparency into the financial and structural trends shaping the modern livestock industry.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

This resolution honors the historic and contemporary contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across all sectors of society, including military service, business, science, and public leadership. It celebrates their resilience and vital role in shaping the nation while calling for continued investment to address the unique challenges they face.

The CARING for Our Veterans Health Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) establish clear guidance and measurable goals for community care providers regarding timely and accurate submission of veteran medical records. This legislation requires the VA to set performance targets for medical centers to ensure proper follow-up on paperwork after veterans receive care outside the VA system. The VA must regularly report its progress on implementing these new coordination and training requirements to Congress.

The ASSIST Act of 2025 clarifies that medically necessary automobile adaptations for veterans, such as ramps and specialized seating, must be included in the Department of Veterans Affairs' definition of medical services. This ensures veterans receive necessary support for safe transportation related to service-connected disabilities. Additionally, the bill extends the expiration date for certain limits on veteran pension payments from late 2031 to September 30, 2032.

The Molly R. Loomis Research for Descendants of Toxic Exposed Veterans Act of 2025 mandates the establishment of federal, interagency task forces to conduct collaborative research on the health conditions affecting descendants of veterans exposed to toxic substances. This legislation updates reporting requirements, requiring an initial report within one year detailing research activities and subsequent annual reports summarizing findings. The law specifically requires the creation of a dedicated task force and a public website to share evidence reviews linking specific health conditions to toxic exposure risks for these descendants.