Legislative Activity

The Second Look Act of 2026 establishes a process for individuals serving long federal prison sentences to petition a court for a sentence reduction after serving at least 10 years. Courts must consider factors like rehabilitation and community safety when deciding on a modification. The bill also creates a rebuttable presumption for release for defendants aged 50 and older and mandates annual reporting by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

The HCBS Access Act aims to fundamentally transform long-term care by mandating that all states provide home- and community-based services (HCBS) as a required Medicaid benefit, backed by 100% federal funding. This sweeping legislation seeks to eliminate waiting lists, end institutional bias, and ensure older adults and people with disabilities can receive care in their own homes. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to strengthen the direct care workforce through better classification, training, and grant funding, while also requiring comprehensive national evaluation of the changes.

The Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act aims to significantly improve the lives of direct care professionals by increasing their pay, benefits, and training opportunities through federal funding and grants. The bill establishes new labor protections, including fair scheduling, paid sick leave, and workplace violence prevention plans. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to stabilize the essential long-term care workforce to ensure better quality care for older adults and people with disabilities.

The Clean Energy Workforce Act establishes grant programs to bolster career and technical education for jobs in clean energy and related fields. These grants will support the development of specialized curricula and the modernization of educational facilities to align with renewable energy practices. The goal is to prepare students for in-demand careers in climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sectors.

The Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act establishes the new Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) plan for federal student loans. This income-driven option features low monthly payments calculated based on a percentage of income above 250% of the federal poverty line. The plan offers loan forgiveness after 10 or 15 years, depending on whether the borrower has undergraduate or graduate loans. Additionally, 50% of each payment is applied directly to the loan principal.

This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from establishing or operating any new models of immigration detention facilities, such as converting warehouses or using temporary structures. It specifically bans entering into new contracts for these alternative detention setups. Furthermore, any funds already allocated for these new models must be transferred to support services like affordable housing and healthcare.

This bill, the Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act, establishes a grant program to help health care facilities protect essential workers during declared emergencies or disasters. Funds can be used to provide eligible, non-remote health care workers with hazardous duty pay, up to $13 per hour, when their work or commute is deemed hazardous. Additionally, grants can cover safety measures like PPE and alternative transit for these essential personnel.

This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and reaffirms Congress's commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on the modern environmental movement and calls for continued action against threats like climate change and pollution. The bill urges immediate steps to reduce emissions, address environmental injustices, and ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

The Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to address how climate change risks, like extreme heat and pollution, harm maternal and infant health. The bill establishes grant programs to support local efforts and education, and mandates research and strategies to identify high-risk zones for pregnant individuals and young children. Its goal is to reduce adverse outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and maternal mortality linked to climate change.

This bill officially recognizes the vital contributions of care workers, including childcare and direct care providers, to families and the U.S. economy. It highlights the critical services they provide that enable others to work and support vulnerable populations. Furthermore, the resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Care Worker Recognition Month" to honor their essential role.

The Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026 significantly expands federal accessibility mandates across video programming, communication services, and customer support. This comprehensive bill requires closed captioning and audio description for online content, improves accessibility features on video playback devices, and mandates real-time sign language support for emergency services and customer assistance. Ultimately, the legislation aims to ensure that Americans with disabilities have equal access to modern communication and media technologies.

The YouthBuild for the Future Act reauthorizes and updates the YouthBuild program through 2030, providing education, job training, and leadership development for low-income young people, with a focus on green building skills. The bill increases funding authorization and expands allowable services, such as food assistance and help applying for benefits. It also establishes a new grant program to create employer partnerships that connect participants directly to local job opportunities.

This bill supports designating a week in April 2026 as "Black Maternal Health Week" to focus national attention on the severe maternal health crisis facing Black women. It highlights the unacceptable and unjust disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black women due to structural racism and inequities. The legislation urges Congress to invest in comprehensive maternal care and pass legislation, like the Momnibus Act, grounded in human rights and reproductive justice.

This resolution expresses support for designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). It recognizes the profound and diverse contributions of Arab Americans throughout U.S. history, spanning science, public service, culture, and more. The designation aims to celebrate this heritage while countering misconceptions and discrimination.

This resolution commemorates the five-year remembrance of the 2021 Indianapolis FedEx mass shooting, which tragically killed eight people, many of whom were Sikh. It strongly denounces all forms of anti-Asian hate, discrimination, and violence targeting South Asian communities. Furthermore, the resolution calls for strengthening federal programs to combat hate crimes and reaffirms the commitment to protecting the civil rights of all communities.

This resolution designates April 10 as "Dolores Huerta Day" to honor the enduring legacy of the trailblazing labor and civil rights leader. It recognizes her foundational role in the farm workers movement, her advocacy for equality, and her lifelong commitment to nonviolent activism. The bill celebrates her historic achievements and encourages the continued pursuit of civil rights for all.

The Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026 aims to significantly reduce food insecurity among older adults and adults with disabilities. It achieves this by strengthening and streamlining the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through simplified applications, extended certification periods, and new delivery options. The bill also expands eligibility for other nutrition programs and establishes grant programs to improve local food access infrastructure.

This bill establishes the Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office, a body tasked with evaluating the physical or mental fitness of the President. The Commission, composed of medical experts and former high-ranking officials, can be directed by Congress to examine the President. Its findings regarding the President's ability to execute their duties are then reported to Congress and the Vice President.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of Glisten’s 2026 Day of Silence, which seeks to highlight and combat the bullying, harassment, and discrimination faced by LGBTQI+ students in K-12 schools. It calls on communities and policymakers nationwide to demand equal educational opportunities and the implementation of inclusive policies that ensure all students can learn in a safe, affirming environment.

The Books Save Lives Act mandates that federally funded schools and public libraries maintain diverse book collections and employ trained library staff. It establishes a civil rights enforcement mechanism to address the discriminatory impact of book bans and requires a federal report on the effects of such campaigns on underrepresented communities.