Legislative Activity

The Veterans’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026 formally establishes a comprehensive set of rights for all veterans interacting with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This bill mandates that the VA clearly inform veterans of their rights regarding health care, benefits, and services. It requires the VA Secretary to integrate these rights into all policies, training, and public-facing materials to ensure consistent, respectful, and transparent administration nationwide.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. It recognizes his distinguished service in the Air Force, his Olympic athletic career, and his historic tenure in the U.S. Congress. The resolution specifically highlights his landmark legislative accomplishments, including establishing the National Museum of the American Indian. The Senate expresses its sorrow and will recess as a mark of respect for his memory.

The Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act establishes mandatory minimum health and safety standards for all military family housing, addressing issues like mold contamination and poor maintenance. It institutes rigorous independent inspection, reporting, and enforcement requirements for privatized housing providers. Furthermore, the bill mandates financial accountability for contractors regarding remediation and relocation expenses, aiming to improve living conditions for service members and their families.

This act reauthorizes funding for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System. It extends the authorization of appropriations deadlines from fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2028.

The Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act establishes a new FEMA grant program to help communities develop plans and fund projects that reduce wildfire risk. Grants will support activities like public outreach, infrastructure hardening, and creating defensible space around homes. The bill also mandates studies and reports on federal wildfire programs, insurance incentives, and radio communication interoperability for fire management.

The Fraud Accountability Act makes fraud a deportable offense for non-citizens, regardless of the loss threshold. This legislation also mandates detention for non-citizens convicted of these fraud crimes. Furthermore, it establishes a process for the automatic revocation of citizenship for naturalized citizens convicted of certain serious crimes, including fraud.

This Senate resolution strongly condemns the recent rise in ideologically motivated attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions across the United States, including specific violent incidents in Colorado and Washington, D.C. It reaffirms the Senate's commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence. The resolution calls for thorough investigation of these acts and urges leaders to speak out against all forms of religious and political intimidation.

The Upward Mobility Act of 2026 authorizes a five-year pilot program allowing up to five states to consolidate funding from major federal antipoverty programs into a single "Upward Mobility Grant." This allows states to streamline benefits, reduce work disincentives ("benefit cliffs"), and test innovative approaches to increase employment and earnings for low-income residents. Approved states must adhere to strict evaluation requirements focused on improving participant outcomes and reducing dependence on assistance.

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding programs for counties containing federal lands through fiscal year 2026. This legislation ensures the continuation of secure payments and resource advisory committee authorities established under the original 2000 Act. It also streamlines payment elections for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 by carrying over the previous year's choice. Finally, the bill includes technical corrections to improve the administration of these rural support programs.

This act streamlines federal oversight by automatically deeming State Veterans Homes certified by the VA as meeting Medicare and Medicaid nursing facility requirements. This automatic qualification is contingent upon the VA sharing inspection data and aligning its standards with federal requirements. The bill also mandates that VA inspection data for these homes be publicly reported to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act establishes a timeline and a dedicated team to finalize the continuous route of the Trail within ten years. It mandates the creation of a comprehensive development plan detailing necessary land acquisition, easements, and construction costs. The Act also encourages partnerships with non-profit groups to aid in completion and ongoing management, while clarifying that it does not expand existing federal land acquisition authority.

The American Franchise Act aims to clarify the legal relationship between franchisors and franchisees by defining when a franchisor can be considered a joint employer of a franchisee's staff. This legislation specifies that joint employer status only applies if the franchisor exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential terms of employment, such as wages, hours, and discipline. The Act provides detailed examples of what actions do and do not constitute this level of direct control over the franchisee's employees. This clarification is intended to stabilize the franchising business model against inconsistent legal interpretations.

The American Voices in Federal Lands Act revises public involvement procedures for rulemaking on federal lands managed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service. This bill mandates that only comments from U.S. citizens be considered for new Bureau of Land Management regulations. Additionally, it requires the use of CAPTCHA technology to prevent automated submissions during the public comment period for these lands.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate the tax-exempt status of organizations designated as "terrorist supporting organizations." It defines such organizations as those providing material support to designated terrorist groups within the last three years. The legislation establishes a process for designation, including prior notice and an opportunity for the organization to cease support and avoid losing tax-exempt status.

This act reauthorizes and updates the Wildlife Road Crossing Program, ensuring continued federal funding through 2031. It removes the "pilot" designation and makes key changes to support tribal participation, including 100% federal cost-sharing for tribal grants. The legislation also allocates funds for technical assistance to tribes and covers administrative costs for program management.

The Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 establishes a resident's right to designate at least one "essential caregiver" who must be granted in-person access to the resident in healthcare facilities, even during periods of restricted visitation. This right is designed to prevent the isolation and decline seen during the COVID-19 pandemic by ensuring family support remains available. Facilities can only deny access under strict, time-limited conditions if the caregiver violates agreed-upon safety protocols.

This resolution designates December 6th of each year as "National Miners Day." The day will honor the contributions and sacrifices of miners across the United States. It also commemorates the tragic Monongah mining disaster of 1907, which spurred significant improvements in miner safety.

This Act amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to update the financial management and implementation structure for the Tribe's water settlement. It restructures the Crow Settlement Fund into new dedicated accounts, including the MRI Projects Account, to fund specific water infrastructure and land acquisition priorities. The legislation clarifies that the Tribe retains ownership of projects built with these funds, while also specifying the Secretary of the Interior's role in managing the new accounts.

The Safeguarding U.S. Rulemaking Act amends the Administrative Procedure Act to restrict participation in federal agency public comment periods. This legislation specifically prohibits foreign adversaries, their nationals, and related entities from submitting comments on proposed rules. The goal is to ensure that the rulemaking process is exclusively open to U.S. citizens and domestic entities.

This Act formally establishes permanent federal responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and funding of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. It explicitly prohibits transferring any financial or operational duties for the channel, which aids native fish like the pallid sturgeon, to the local Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District. The legislation also authorizes dedicated federal funding for the channel's upkeep and ensures local irrigation operations remain unaffected.