Legislative Activity

This resolution formally acknowledges and apologizes for the decades of federal discrimination and mistreatment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served in the U.S. military, Foreign Service, and civil service. It condemns past anti-LGBT policies that led to wrongful terminations and exclusions based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill commits the government to pursuing equal rights, protections, and respect for all current and former LGBT federal employees and service members. It explicitly states that this apology does not authorize or settle any legal claims against the United States.

This resolution commemorates the 10th anniversary of the tragic Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, honoring the 49 lives lost and expressing support for all affected. It recognizes the bravery of first responders and reaffirms the nation's unity against hate and terrorism. The bill also highlights ongoing efforts toward gun safety and mental health legislation.

The **Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act** amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to significantly improve services for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. The bill mandates better identification, specialized instruction—including access to American Sign Language and Braille—and increased training for qualified personnel across all three disability areas. It ensures these students receive comprehensive support tailored to their unique communication and access needs from early intervention through school age.

This act, the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, prohibits the construction of any new triumphal arches in Lady Bird Johnson Park. It also restricts the building of any triumphal arch over 50 feet tall on other National Park Service land within the capital region unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The legislation aims to protect the visual landscape surrounding Arlington National Cemetery.

The American High-Speed Rail Act significantly expands federal support for high-speed and higher-speed rail development by increasing funding limits, broadening eligibility for public-private partnerships, and establishing new planning and safety requirements. The bill authorizes substantial funding through 2031 for corridor development and planning, while also creating pathways for acquiring necessary right-of-way property and ensuring labor protections on federally-funded infrastructure. It also refines definitions, setting the threshold for true "high-speed rail" at 186 mph or more, and introduces a new category for "higher-speed rail."

This act officially establishes the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and designates its location on the National Mall, requiring the transfer of land jurisdiction to the Smithsonian Institution. The museum is mandated to preserve and present the history and achievements of biological women in the United States. Furthermore, the legislation requires that exhibits and programs reflect diverse political viewpoints and authentic experiences of women, as guided by a broad array of knowledgeable sources.

This bill seeks to disapprove the Department of Education's final rule regarding the "Reimagining and Improving Student Education-Federal Student Loan Program." By utilizing the Congressional Review Act, this legislation prevents the new regulations from taking legal effect. Consequently, the Department of Education cannot implement the changes outlined in that specific rule.

The Worker Rights and Support Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to establish new mandatory meal, rest, restroom, and medical break requirements for employees. This legislation ensures employees receive specific paid and unpaid break times based on hours worked or medical necessity. Violations of these new break provisions are subject to enforcement actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative gold and silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and survivors, with designs selected in consultation with the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges from the sale of these coins will be paid directly to the Memorial and Museum to support its operations and maintenance.

This Act prohibits the use of federal funds for specific settlement payments, including those related to the *Trump, et al. v. IRS, et al.* case. It places new restrictions on the Judgment Fund, barring payments to high-ranking officials, their relatives, and certain entities for specific types of claims. The bill also establishes strict reporting and notification requirements for large government compromise settlements.

The IMPACT to Save Moms Act establishes a demonstration project for states to test alternative payment models for maternity care within Medicaid and CHIP programs. This project aims to improve maternal health outcomes, particularly for high-risk groups, by considering factors like risk stratification and social determinants of health. The Secretary of HHS must evaluate the project's impact and report recommendations to Congress on potential national expansion.

This resolution expresses support for designating the last full week of May as "Wildfire Preparedness Week." The initiative aims to raise public awareness about the growing threat of wildfires and promote essential educational programs on fire safety and community preparedness. It encourages preventative measures, such as evacuation planning and responsible land management, to reduce human-caused fires.

The Maternal Health Pandemic Response Act aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes during public health emergencies. It authorizes significant funding for enhanced data collection, surveillance, and research across various CDC programs. Furthermore, the bill mandates public data disclosure, requires public health communication campaigns, and establishes a task force to develop federal recommendations for ensuring safe, respectful, and equitable maternity care during crises.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 establishes permanent, universal free breakfast and lunch programs for all enrolled students at participating schools, eliminating income tests and meal debt collection. The bill significantly updates federal funding mechanisms by replacing reliance on free and reduced-price lunch data with new measures for identifying economically disadvantaged students across various education and social programs. Furthermore, it expands access to summer and afterschool meals while making technical amendments across several federal education and nutrition laws.

The EV Charging Accessibility Act mandates the Access Board to finalize accessibility standards for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations based on existing proposed guidelines within 18 months. If the deadline is missed, the proposed rule automatically becomes law. Following finalization, relevant agencies must adopt these accessibility guidelines into their regulations.

This resolution expresses the Sense of Congress that medication abortion is a safe treatment approved by the FDA. It further declares that federal approval preempts state laws attempting to restrict dispensing medication abortion in person or via telehealth.

This resolution supports designating May 10, 2026, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day." It aims to raise awareness about the significant mental health challenges and barriers to care faced by the AANHPI community. The bill encourages improving mental health literacy, increasing culturally competent providers, and adopting policies to better serve these diverse populations.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 4 through May 8, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Week. It recognizes the vital role of public school teachers and highlights their key priorities, including support for existing federal protections and funding. Furthermore, the bill encourages leaders to engage directly with teachers to ensure their expertise informs education policy.

The CHARTER Act ensures that federally funded charter schools adhere to nonprofit requirements by prohibiting them from contracting with for-profit entities to operate or manage the school's core operations. This legislation aims to prevent public education funds from being diverted as profit for private entities. It clarifies that while core management must remain nonprofit, charters can still contract for specific support services like food or transportation.

This bill officially designates May 2026 as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It calls for nationwide recognition and celebration of the significant contributions, achievements, and history of these communities to the United States. The measure emphasizes that these communities enhance the nation's diversity and strength.