Legislative Activity

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials into U.S. waters from industrial facilities. This requires the EPA to swiftly issue a rule banning these discharges from facilities involved in the manufacturing, use, packaging, or transport of these plastics. The prohibition will be enforced through existing permitting and regulatory systems under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick leave. Employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, usable for personal or family health needs, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act prohibits employer retaliation for using this leave and ensures existing, more generous leave policies are not diminished.

This bill officially recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year, specifically in 2026, the Year of the Horse. It expresses deep respect for Asian American communities and all who celebrate this important occasion. The resolution concludes by offering wishes for a happy and prosperous new year to all observers.

This bill aims to defend the human rights of Palestinian children and families living under Israeli military occupation. It establishes policy prohibiting U.S. assistance funds from supporting specific Israeli actions, including the military detention of Palestinian children and the seizure of Palestinian property in violation of international law. The legislation also mandates annual reporting and oversight requirements regarding these activities and U.S. defense assistance to Israel.

The Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2026 addresses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by eliminating a specific work requirement exemption and related state funding provisions. Congress finds that existing SNAP work requirements are ineffective at reducing poverty and create significant barriers to food assistance, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This legislation aims to streamline access to benefits by removing these administrative hurdles.

The U.S. Farmworker Protection Act aims to address the rapid growth of the H-2A agricultural guestworker program, which Congress finds threatens U.S. farmworker wages and employment. This bill establishes an annual cap of 400,000 H-2A worker certifications per fiscal year. However, any positions filled by workers represented by a certified bargaining representative (union) will not count toward this annual limit.

This resolution establishes a comprehensive Transgender Bill of Rights to codify and protect the rights of transgender and nonbinary people across the United States. It mandates federal action to ensure equal access to healthcare, employment, housing, legal recognition, and safety. The bill aims to eliminate discrimination and affirm bodily autonomy by amending existing federal civil rights laws.

The Responsible Firearms Marketing Act directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and regulate unfair or deceptive advertising and marketing practices related to firearms. This includes examining advertising that targets minors, encourages illegal use, or involves semiautomatic assault weapons. The FTC must issue regulations prohibiting these practices and enforce them using existing authority under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Firearm Safety Act of 2025 removes the existing exclusion for firearms under the Consumer Product Safety Act. This action subjects firearms to regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as consumer products.

The Patient Debt Relief Act establishes new standards for hospitals participating in Medicare regarding financial assistance and medical debt collection practices, including limits on liens and wage garnishment. It also creates a grant program for eligible nonprofits to purchase and eliminate the medical debt of low-income individuals. These provisions aim to protect patients from aggressive debt collection and provide avenues for debt relief.

The FAIR Act establishes a 3.1% pay increase for General Schedule and prevailing rate federal employees in 2027. Additionally, the bill mandates a 1% increase to federal locality pay rates for the same year.

This resolution calls for the formal annulment of the historical Monroe Doctrine, citing decades of U.S. interventionism in Latin America and the Caribbean. It proposes replacing this doctrine with a "New Good Neighbor" policy focused on fostering genuine partnership and cooperation. Key elements include ending unilateral sanctions, reforming international financial institutions, and respecting regional sovereignty.

The PETSAFE Act of 2026 allows states, local, and tribal governments to use federal emergency preparedness grants to support companion animals during disasters. This funding can cover essential supplies, veterinary care, and emergency sheltering equipment. Furthermore, the bill increases the federal cost share for these specific animal preparedness activities to 90 percent.

This resolution officially recognizes January 2026 as National Mentoring Month to honor the dedicated staff and volunteers in mentoring programs. It highlights the significant benefits of mentoring, such as boosting educational achievement and reducing juvenile delinquency. The bill encourages the growth of quality mentoring programs nationwide to ensure more young people have supportive adult connections.

This bill recognizes the historic 1960 Greensboro Four sit-in, honoring the students whose peaceful protest launched a nationwide movement against segregation. It designates February 1, 2026, as the 66th anniversary, coinciding with the start of Black History Month. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to include the Greensboro Four's contributions in educational curricula.

The Stop Inhumane Conditions in ICE Detention Act of 2026 mandates minimum health, safety, and legal standards for all ICE detention facilities, prohibiting funding for non-compliant sites. It establishes rigorous, real-time health reporting systems and requires unannounced inspections with penalties, including contract termination, for facilities that fail to meet these standards. Furthermore, the bill creates anonymous complaint channels and mandates annual audits focusing on gender-related health protections.

The Drain ICE Act of 2026 aims to fundamentally reform immigration enforcement by repealing specific sections of a prior law (Public Law 11921) and rescinding associated funding. This legislation is introduced in response to Congressional findings detailing concerns over mass deportation policies, inhumane detention conditions, and the detention of non-criminal individuals under the Trump Administration. The bill seeks to end practices deemed contrary to constitutional protections and human rights in immigration enforcement.

The Vote by Mail Tracking Act mandates that all mail-in ballot envelopes for federal elections starting in 2026 must include a U.S. Postal Service barcode for tracking. This ensures enhanced transparency and traceability for every mailed ballot. The bill also requires the Postal Service to provide necessary compliance information to election officials annually.

The Growing Reputable Academic Departments (GRAD) Act expands eligibility for existing federal grant programs benefiting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). This expansion specifically targets institutions offering qualified master's degree programs. The bill also updates the formula for distributing leftover funds within these grant programs.

The ICE Out of Our Faces Act prohibits U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers from using biometric surveillance systems, such as facial recognition, to monitor individuals at public assemblies. This legislation bans the acquisition and use of this technology and mandates the deletion of any previously collected biometric data within 30 days of enactment. Violations can lead to evidence being inadmissible in court and allow harmed individuals to sue the responsible federal agencies.