Legislative Activity

This bill amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to streamline the federal appropriations process. It establishes a 20-hour debate cap for appropriation bills in the Senate and prohibits the House from adjourning for more than three days in July until all annual spending bills have been approved.

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 Trade Deficit Elimination Act of 2026 mandates the identification of trading partners with which the United States maintains a bilateral goods trade deficit. To address these imbalances, the Act authorizes the President and the U.S. Trade Representative to impose additional import duties or negotiate bilateral agreements aimed at reducing the deficit. The legislation includes specific provisions to exempt critical goods and requires consultation with Congress to ensure national economic stability.

The Make State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs) Efficient Act of 2026 streamlines the federal approval process for state wildlife conservation programs by establishing a mandatory 180-day review deadline. This legislation ensures states can access critical restoration funds more quickly by requiring the Secretary of the Interior to provide timely approvals or report delays directly to Congress.

The **Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act** strengthens protections for small businesses, nonprofits, and tribal organizations by requiring federal agencies to conduct more rigorous analyses of the economic impacts of proposed regulations. The bill expands the scope of rules subject to these reviews, mandates greater transparency and public input, and empowers the Small Business Administration’s Chief Counsel for Advocacy to intervene in regulatory and judicial proceedings. Additionally, it establishes a policy to waive civil fines for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses, provided the violation does not pose a serious threat to public health or safety.

The American Hiring Transparency Act introduces a mandatory fee for employers filing for permanent labor certification, starting at $10,000 in fiscal year 2027 with annual inflation adjustments. These funds will be split between the U.S. Treasury and a dedicated account to support labor market testing and the modernization of the USAJOBS platform. This legislation ensures that no waivers or reductions are permitted for these required filing fees.

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 CLEAR LABELS Act enhances pharmaceutical transparency by requiring drug labels to clearly identify the original manufacturers of both active ingredients and finished products. It mandates that this supply chain information be accessible through digital tools like QR codes or barcodes, while ensuring paper copies remain available upon request. Additionally, the bill streamlines regulatory compliance by exempting these products from redundant customs country-of-origin marking requirements.

The Service Academy Parity Act establishes a formal, merit-based nomination and appointment process for the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, aligning it with the procedures used by other federal service academies. Beginning in 2029, this legislation creates a structured allocation of cadet positions for congressional and military nominations, ensuring a competitive selection system for all applicants.

The Honoring the Victims of Communist China’s Tyranny Act directs the Secretary of State to establish a memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor victims of human rights abuses and political persecution under the Chinese Communist Party. The memorial will serve as an educational site highlighting the struggle for liberty in China while expressing the American people's solidarity with those seeking fundamental freedoms. Construction will be funded primarily through private donations, with federal spending capped at $500,000.

The Clean Water Allotment Modernization Act of 2026 updates the EPA’s formula for distributing federal clean water funding to states, territories, and Indian tribes. By prioritizing infrastructure needs, population data, and poverty levels, the bill ensures a more equitable and modern allocation of resources. Additionally, it streamlines administrative requirements and expands the eligible uses of state capitalization grants to better support water infrastructure projects.

The Safeguard Kids Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to address the impact of artificial intelligence in schools. It authorizes federal funding for mental health counseling to support students affected by AI chatbots and provides resources for schools to teach students about the responsible use, limitations, and dangers of AI technologies.

This resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the July 11, 2021, pro-democracy protests in Cuba by honoring the bravery of those who stood against the regime's totalitarian oppression. It condemns the Cuban government’s ongoing human rights abuses, including the imprisonment and torture of activists, and demands the immediate release of political prisoners. Furthermore, the bill calls on the international community to hold the regime accountable and urges the U.S. to maintain a policy centered on democracy, civil liberties, and robust sanctions.

This resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the tragic Champlain Towers South building collapse in Surfside, Florida, on June 24, 2021. It honors the 98 lives lost and offers condolences to the survivors and their families. The resolution also recognizes the dedicated efforts of the local, state, national, and international first responders involved in the rescue and recovery operations.

The Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026 strengthens federal oversight and transparency of state Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) programs. The bill mandates the inclusion of managed care plans in audit efforts, establishes a uniform four-year look-back period for payment reviews, and requires annual reporting to Congress on program effectiveness. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to study barriers to program participation and launch a demonstration project to improve state audit outcomes.

The Prioritizing American Talent Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using funds to process or approve work authorizations for foreign students on F or M visas, unless explicitly permitted by Congress. The bill also mandates the rescission of any unspent fees collected specifically for these unauthorized student work applications. This measure aims to restrict employment authorization for foreign students funded by existing immigration fee accounts.

This resolution strongly condemns Chinese dictator Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party for a pattern of deceit, undermining global peace, and orchestrating widespread crimes against humanity. It details abuses ranging from health misinformation and trade cheating to genocide in Xinjiang and military aggression. The Senate stands in solidarity with victims and encourages the use of sanctions against CCP officials.

This resolution designates June 6, 2026, as National Naloxone Awareness Day to increase public understanding and access to naloxone, the life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses. The day aims to educate the public on how to use naloxone and reduce the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. It encourages broad support for expanding the availability and distribution of this critical medication.

The Protecting Asylum Integrity Act establishes a mandatory fee, starting at a minimum of $100, for credible fear interviews conducted during the asylum process. This fee must be paid prior to the interview and will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in fiscal year 2027. Collected funds will be split, with half supporting USCIS operations and the other half going to the Treasury's general fund.

The Illegal Immigration Cost Recovery Act significantly increases civil penalties for employers who hire unauthorized aliens. It also raises the fines imposed on aliens who fail to depart after a removal order or who enter the U.S. improperly. Furthermore, this Act mandates annual inflation adjustments for all these increased civil penalties starting in 2027.