Legislative Activity

This resolution recognizes the history, cultural identity, and significant contributions of the Chicano and Chicana community to the United States. It designates August as "Chicano/Chicana Heritage Month" to celebrate the community's profound impact on science, labor, education, and the arts. Furthermore, the bill highlights the ongoing struggle for civil rights and encourages nationwide observance to honor the Mexican-American experience.

The Wildfire Response and Readiness Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to modernize federal wildfire management, enhance community resilience, and improve support for the wildland firefighting workforce. The bill expands the use of prescribed fire, increases funding for forest restoration and post-fire recovery, and streamlines federal grant programs for home hardening and community protection. Additionally, it establishes new health, safety, and retirement benefits for federal firefighters while investing in advanced wildfire detection technology and public health protections against smoke.

The Protect American Values Act seeks to block the implementation and enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security’s "Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility" rule. The bill asserts that this policy harms immigrant families and local economies by restricting access to essential food, housing, and medical care. Consequently, it prohibits the use of federal funds to carry out or administer the rule.

The Understanding AI in the Classroom Act directs the National Science Foundation to host workshops identifying critical research gaps regarding the impact of artificial intelligence on child development and learning. Following these sessions, the Foundation will publish a comprehensive report detailing how AI integration affects students' cognitive, social, and behavioral well-being. This legislation aims to ensure educators and policymakers better understand the potential risks and effects of AI in educational settings.

The "No TSA Data for ICE Act" prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from sharing sensitive passenger data from the TSA or private brokers with immigration enforcement agencies. Additionally, the bill protects participants in Trusted Traveler programs by preventing the government from suspending or denying enrollment based on an individual's participation in First Amendment-protected activities.

The Spotted Wing Abatement Trust (SWAT) Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated Department of Agriculture fund to combat the invasive spotted wing drosophila, which causes significant economic damage to U.S. fruit crops. The legislation authorizes $6.5 million annually for five years to support research and mitigation efforts aimed at controlling the pest.

The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Review Act strengthens oversight of government decisions to terminate TPS designations by reinstating judicial review and requiring that such decisions be supported by a comprehensive administrative record. The bill also subjects TPS terminations to congressional review under the Congressional Review Act, ensuring these decisions are subject to greater accountability. Additionally, it provides legal protections for beneficiaries by automatically staying terminations during the pendency of any legal challenges.

The Get Foreign Money Out of United States Elections Act strengthens existing laws to prevent foreign influence in American elections. It expands the ban on foreign contributions to include domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control and mandates strict certification requirements for corporate political action committees. These measures ensure that foreign entities cannot influence federal, state, or local elections through direct spending, ballot initiatives, or Super PACs.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act authorizes $6 million in annual grants over seven years to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. These funds will support the National Law Enforcement Museum’s public education, community outreach, and officer safety and wellness programs. As a condition of the grant, the museum must provide free admission to law enforcement officers and their families, as well as dedicated free hours for the general public.

The Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 amends the Clean Air Act to broaden the definition of "renewable biomass." By including forest manufacturing by-products, wildfire risk-reduction materials, and vegetation from defensible spaces, the bill incentivizes the removal of hazardous fuels from public and private lands. This legislation streamlines the certification process to support sustainable forest management and expand the market for renewable energy feedstocks.

The "Combating Illicit Xylazine Act" aims to combat the illegal use of xylazine by adding it to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, which would allow for increased regulation and tracking of the substance. The bill includes exemptions and delayed effective dates for certain requirements to ease the transition for legitimate users, such as veterinarians and animal handlers. It also directs the Sentencing Commission to review sentencing guidelines for xylazine-related offenses and mandates reports to Congress on the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use. Finally, it will include xylazine in Arcos tracking.

The Geo POWER Act aims to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation geothermal energy by establishing a Milestone-Based Geothermal Demonstration Program. This program will provide innovative, milestone-based financing to overcome high upfront costs for geothermal exploration and drilling in new regions. The goal is to generate public data and catalyze demonstration projects across diverse geologies to reduce risk and attract private investment.

This resolution recognizes July 21, 2026, as Black Women’s Equal Pay Day to highlight the persistent and significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men. It calls attention to the systemic racial and gender-based barriers contributing to this disparity and reaffirms a commitment to achieving true pay equity.

The Next-Generation Geothermal Research and Development Act modernizes federal geothermal energy programs by expanding research into advanced technologies like closed-loop and supercritical systems. The bill authorizes $150 million annually through 2031 to improve data collection, establish a center of excellence, and accelerate the commercial deployment of next-generation geothermal energy. Additionally, it mandates updated resource assessments and interagency cooperation to better map and utilize the nation's subsurface heat potential.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

This resolution designates July 10th as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day to honor the essential, high-risk work performed by these skilled professionals. It pays tribute to the lineworkers who provide critical service during emergencies and recognizes those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act establishes a federal pilot program that provides $60 in monthly benefits to low-income households for the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables. By awarding grants to states, the program aims to increase food security, expand access to healthy produce, and support local retailers in underserved communities.

The Original LGBTQIA+ Pride Month Resolution of 2026 honors the history, contributions, and ongoing struggles of the LGBTQIA+ community. The resolution reaffirms that LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights and emphasizes the necessity of ensuring equality for all citizens. By documenting key civil rights milestones and current challenges, it encourages the nation to celebrate Pride Month as a time to reflect on the progress made and the work still required to achieve full equality.

The CREATE AI Act of 2025 establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) to democratize access to the high-powered computing and data necessary for advanced AI research. This resource will be managed by a non-governmental Operating Entity overseen by a new Steering Subcommittee. The goal is to broaden participation in AI development beyond large tech companies to maintain U.S. leadership and ensure AI benefits all Americans. Access will be prioritized for U.S.-affiliated researchers, educators, and students, with specific provisions for ethics, security, and privacy reviews.

The NSF AI Education Act of 2025 significantly expands the National Science Foundation's role in bolstering the AI workforce through education and training. It establishes new scholarships and fellowships for students and professionals in AI-related fields, while also creating Centers of AI Excellence at community colleges and technical schools. Furthermore, the bill funds research awards to develop effective AI teaching methods and materials for K-12 education. Overall, this legislation aims to build a robust, skilled, and diverse AI talent pipeline across all educational levels.