Legislative Activity

This resolution officially designates May 10–16, 2026, as the 27th Annual National Charter Schools Week. It congratulates the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of public charter schools nationwide for their contributions to education. The bill highlights the growth, accountability, and positive academic impact of these tuition-free public schools. It encourages communities to hold events supporting high-quality charter schools during that week.

This bill, the "Right to Try for Individualized Treatments Act," expands existing "Right to Try" laws to allow patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses access to investigational, individualized medical treatments based on their unique genetic profile. It establishes new requirements for patient eligibility, informed consent, and physician certification for these custom-made treatments. The legislation also extends liability protections to manufacturers providing these specialized therapies.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the volunteers and communities that supported the North Platte Canteen during World War II. The Canteen was a massive, entirely volunteer-run operation that fed approximately six million service members traveling across the country. The original gold medal will be permanently displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska. The bill also allows the U.S. Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.

This resolution honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for Michigan. It recognizes his decades in Congress, highlighting key legislative achievements such as co-sponsoring the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and leading significant banking reforms. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow and adjourns in his memory.

The Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, mandatory electronic employment verification system for all U.S. employers, building upon the existing E-Verify program. This legislation phases in requirements for all businesses to use the system to confirm employee work authorization, imposing significantly enhanced civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance or hiring unauthorized workers. The Act also establishes an individual self-check tool and mandates federal agencies to share necessary records to ensure system accuracy and security.

This resolution officially designates May 2026 as "Older Americans Month." It recognizes the significant growth, contributions, and ongoing value of older Americans to the nation. The designation encourages public recognition of their achievements and opportunities for them to share their wisdom with younger generations.

Lulu's Law mandates that the FCC classify shark attacks as an event eligible for Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). This ensures that alerts regarding shark attacks can be broadcast to the public via emergency messaging systems.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late former United States Senator John Seymour of California. It recognizes his extensive public service, highlighting his career in business, local government, and his tenure in the U.S. Senate. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow and directs that official copies of this resolution be delivered to his family.

The Student Aid Fraud Oversight and Accountability Act of 2026 mandates the Secretary of Education to prioritize program reviews for institutions that disburse federal financial aid to students whose applications show a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud. This ensures heightened scrutiny of schools where potential fraud is detected, unless the institution can prove it followed strict identity verification procedures before disbursing the aid. The identification serves as a flag for oversight activities and is not a standalone determination of non-compliance.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week." It serves to recognize and honor the service, sacrifice, and valor of law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of their essential mission.

The Blocking Leaks Undermining Enforcement (BLUE) Act creates new federal penalties for knowingly sharing the personal information of federal law enforcement officers with the intent to obstruct their duties or retaliate against them. This legislation expands existing prohibitions to specifically protect officers by criminalizing the disclosure of their sensitive personal details, including physical locations. The bill aims to prevent unauthorized disclosures that undermine ongoing law enforcement activities.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, recognizing his significant contributions as a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow over his passing and offers condolences to his family. The resolution directs that this tribute be communicated to the House and his family, and the Senate will adjourn in his memory.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

The Connected Vehicle Security Act of 2026 prohibits the sale or importation of connected vehicles, their parts, and related software originating from or controlled by covered adversarial countries (North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran). Enforced by the Secretary of Commerce, this law aims to mitigate national security risks associated with foreign adversary access to sensitive vehicle data and control systems. The Act establishes phased bans starting in 2027 for vehicles and software, and 2030 for hardware, while setting up processes for compliance, authorization, and enforcement.

The Heat Workforce Standards Act of 2026 prohibits the Department of Labor from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing OSHA's proposed 2024 heat safety standard. Congress finds the proposed rule too rigid, burdensome, and confusing for both businesses and workers across diverse industries. This legislation prevents the adoption of that specific, prescriptive standard or any substantially similar regulation.

The No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026 mandates the Secretary of Education to implement an identity fraud detection system for all federal student aid applications starting October 1, 2026. If fraud is suspected, applicants will be notified and institutions must verify identity in person or via live video before disbursing any federal aid. This legislation aims to prevent the fraudulent receipt of student financial assistance.

This resolution designates April 2026 as "Financial Literacy Month." The designation aims to raise public awareness about the critical importance of personal financial education. It calls upon various sectors of society to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities promoting financial well-being.

The ADVICE Act establishes an advisory committee within the Department of Labor to improve the standardization and integration of registered apprenticeship data across various state and federal systems. This committee will provide recommendations on how to better track apprenticeship outcomes, reduce reporting burdens, and increase data interoperability. Following the committee's report, the Secretary of Labor must develop a policy plan and seek funding to help states implement these data improvements.

The INSIGHT Act mandates the Department of Labor to submit an annual report to Congress detailing the status of employee benefit plan investigations. It also establishes new requirements for when the Department provides "adverse assistance" to individuals for use in lawsuits against plan fiduciaries, requiring written agreements and subsequent reporting to Congress. Finally, the bill amends ERISA to reinforce the policy of promoting the voluntary sponsorship of private pension plans.

The FLEX Act revises federal funding distribution for charter schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. It expands allowable uses for grant funds to support new programs within high-quality charter schools and increases minimum funding reservations for development, replication, and facilities assistance. The bill also streamlines application requirements and clarifies rules regarding advance payments and technical assistance for charter school grantees.