Legislative Activity

This resolution formally recognizes the historical significance of the *Clotilda*, the last known slave ship to arrive in the U.S. in 1860. It condemns the role of the United States in the Atlantic slave trade and acknowledges the lasting, intergenerational impact of this crime on African Americans, particularly the descendants who founded Africatown. The resolution encourages the establishment of a memorial on Capitol Grounds to honor the victims.

This resolution formally recognizes the vital historical significance and contributions of Black history museums and cultural institutions across the United States. It affirms that these essential pillars correct historical omissions by preserving irreplaceable records and telling a full, accurate American story. The bill encourages federal agencies and the public to support these institutions, especially as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

The African American History Act of 2026 authorizes the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop and expand educational resources, curricula, and digital programming for students and educators nationwide. By providing $10 million in annual funding through 2030, the Act aims to promote a deeper understanding of African American history through a social justice and anti-bias lens. Additionally, the legislation encourages the development of similar educational initiatives across other Smithsonian museums dedicated to diverse American histories.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the U.S. Postal Service should issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley. Earley was the first Black officer in the Women's Army Corps and commanded the distinguished 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. The bill urges the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend this honor for her significant military and community service.

This resolution recognizes the historic desegregation efforts at Girard College in Philadelphia and honors the African-American leaders and civil rights activists involved. It establishes the Cecil B. Moore Philadelphia Freedom Fighters Memorial at a specific location in Philadelphia to commemorate their contributions. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of preserving diversity and protecting student civil rights in higher education nationwide.

The Ceasefire Compliance Act of 2026 establishes U.S. policy to uphold the October 2025 ceasefire and peace plan in Gaza while prohibiting the transfer of U.S. defense articles to Israel for use in Gaza or the West Bank unless specific humanitarian and diplomatic conditions are met. The bill mandates regular reporting to Congress to certify Israel's compliance with these requirements and establishes an end-use monitoring group to track the deployment of U.S.-provided weapons. While restricting offensive arms transfers, the Act preserves U.S. support for Israeli missile defense systems and ongoing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act aims to promote de-escalation by exempting specific, clearly defined less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal firearm restrictions and excise taxes. This legislation provides a formal process for determining which devices qualify for these exemptions under both federal law and the National Firearms Act. The bill also modernizes tax regulations by exempting qualifying less-than-lethal devices and their ammunition from federal excise taxes.

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 establishes the National Council on African American History and Culture within the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council will consist of 12 presidentially appointed members tasked with advising on national policy related to preserving and celebrating African American history and culture. Its duties include monitoring relevant efforts, evaluating NEH programs, and submitting annual reports. The Council is set to terminate ten years after the law's enactment.

This act establishes the "$2.50 for America's 250th Act" to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. It authorizes the Treasury to mint and issue special commemorative gold, silver, and clad $2.50 coins featuring designs from the 1926 Sesquicentennial coin. Additionally, the bill mandates a study on the feasibility of minting and issuing a $2.50 coin for wide circulation.

This bill establishes an Intelligence Transparency and Oversight Program Office within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), led by a dedicated Ombuds. The Office will review DHS intelligence activities to ensure they are timely, objective, and free from political influence. The Ombuds will advise on transparency, protect employees who raise concerns about politicization or civil liberties violations, and report annually to Congress.

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 **Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026** establishes major federal funding streams, including grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide from 2027 through 2031. The legislation prioritizes districts with the greatest need, focusing on improving student health, safety, and environmental conditions in school buildings. It also mandates increased transparency through public databases tracking facility conditions and requires specific labor and "Buy America" standards for funded construction projects.

This resolution supports the goals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by recognizing the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black Americans. It encourages testing, commends organizations providing culturally competent care, and supports the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce disparities. The bill also calls for prioritizing funding for minority-led agencies and addressing systemic barriers to care.

The PrEP Assistance Program Act establishes federal grant funding to support organizations providing HIV prevention medication (PrEP) and related services. It also creates a reimbursement program to ensure uninsured individuals can receive these essential HIV prevention items and services at no cost through a "PrEP Pass" card. The legislation aims to expand access to PrEP by supporting community programs and eliminating financial barriers for the uninsured.

The Justice for Shireen Act mandates that the FBI Director and Secretary of State submit a comprehensive, unclassified report to Congress within 30 days regarding the death of Shireen Abu Akleh. This report must identify responsible parties and any U.S. materials implicated in the incident. The findings will also be made publicly available on the Department of State's website.

The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program, administered by the Attorney General, to fund essential library services for incarcerated individuals. These grants aim to reduce recidivism and boost reintegration efforts by supporting education, job training, and access to modern library materials. States and territories can apply for these renewable, multi-year grants, which must be used strictly for library-related activities and cannot charge inmates for access to resources.

This bill mandates the President to withdraw all United States Armed Forces from Venezuela. This action is required unless Congress has formally declared war or passed specific legislation authorizing the use of military force in that country.

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2026 establishes the Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit to incentivize the use of U.S.-grown cotton in products sold domestically. This new business tax credit is calculated based on the volume of U.S. cotton used, the market price, and where the product was processed. The bill mandates digital tracing to verify the supply chain and offers significantly increased credit multipliers for products containing U.S.-made cotton yarn or fabric.

This resolution asserts that advancing the rights of women and girls in Haiti is crucial for the nation's stability and successful transition from crisis. It condemns the widespread gender-based violence and the exclusion of women from leadership roles in the transitional government. The bill calls for urgent measures to center women's needs, ensure their representation in government, and prioritize funding for survivor services and accountability for violence.