Legislative Activity

This bill, the Health and Location Data Protection Act of 2026, prohibits data brokers from selling or transferring sensitive health and location data about individuals. It grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), state attorneys general, and private citizens. The FTC is tasked with issuing necessary regulations to implement these protections.

The Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act strengthens worker protections by amending the Fair Labor Standards Act to mandate pay transparency, guarantee timely final pay, and significantly increase penalties for wage theft. It also extends the statute of limitations for filing wage claims and establishes a federal grant program to support local efforts in preventing wage theft and assisting workers with recovery. Overall, the bill aims to ensure workers receive the full wages they are owed through stricter enforcement and greater accountability for employers.

The Federal Workforce Reproductive Rights Protection Act restricts federal agencies from relocating operations to states with restrictive abortion laws. It also provides federal employees with travel allowances and administrative leave to access out-of-state reproductive healthcare services. Furthermore, the bill prohibits using reproductive health decisions as a factor in security clearance determinations or other personnel actions.

The Right to Vote Act establishes the fundamental right of every citizen to vote in federal elections and prohibits governments from imposing undue burdens on this right. It sets strict standards for when a government action that diminishes or substantially impairs voting can be upheld, requiring it to be the least restrictive means of furthering an important governmental interest. The Act also authorizes private citizens to bring civil actions in federal court to challenge violations, with expedited proceedings and provisions for awarding attorney's fees.

The LIFT the BAR Act repeals decades-old restrictions that barred many lawfully present noncitizens from accessing essential federal public benefits. This legislation restores eligibility for programs like SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and housing assistance for qualified noncitizens. The bill also updates terminology, replacing "alien" with "noncitizen" throughout relevant statutes.

This Act imposes an immediate moratorium on the construction and upgrading of new or existing large-scale Artificial Intelligence Data Centers. The pause will remain in effect until Congress passes legislation that mandates federal safety reviews for AI products and ensures the economic benefits of AI are shared broadly. Upon lifting the moratorium, any new or upgraded facilities must meet strict environmental, community approval, and labor standards.

The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act establishes a federal grant program administered by the Attorney General to help states and tribal governments develop, improve, or evaluate their firearms dealer licensing programs. Eligible applicants must already have a law in place requiring state or tribal licensing for firearms dealers, which includes specific standards for application, inspection, and enforcement. Grant recipients must report annually on their licensing activities, and the Attorney General will report findings to Congress.

This resolution celebrates the 54th anniversary and historical achievements of Title IX in promoting educational equity for women and girls. It strongly criticizes recent executive actions that allegedly undermine the law's purpose by harming transgender and nonbinary students and neglecting core protections against sex discrimination. The bill calls for robust enforcement of Title IX to ensure fairness and safety for all students against all forms of sex-based discrimination and harassment.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and funding it through mandatory appropriations. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell Grant eligibility for students with certain scholarships, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) rules to make regaining aid easier after academic setbacks. These changes are designed to stabilize and expand access to postsecondary education for millions of students.

The FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act aims to speed up the repair process for essential mobility devices covered under Medicare Advantage. This bill prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from requiring prior authorization or extra documentation before covering necessary repairs to complex rehabilitation wheelchairs and related accessories. These new rules take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1st following the law's enactment.

This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to refugee protection both domestically and globally, condemning recent policy actions that suspended refugee admissions. It calls for the immediate restoration of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and stronger support for displaced persons worldwide. The bill emphasizes the legal, moral, and economic benefits of robust refugee resettlement policies.

This Act places an immediate moratorium on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarding new contracts for specific surveillance technologies used in immigration enforcement, such as facial recognition and location tracking. The freeze remains in place until the DHS Inspector General completes a comprehensive audit of these technologies and the Secretary reports on necessary safeguards. Upon completion of the audit and reporting requirements, DHS must issue annual public reports detailing the continued use of these surveillance tools.

The Water Access Act appropriates \$500 million to the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) for fiscal year 2027. This funding will help low-income households cover essential drinking water and wastewater utility costs.

This resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as "Black Music Month" to celebrate the profound and enduring contributions of Black American music to the nation's culture. It recognizes Black music's shaping influence across virtually every genre and its central role in the struggle for Black freedom. The resolution calls on the nation to observe the month by elevating Black artistry, promoting diversity, and honoring this deep-rooted musical legacy.

The Dignity and Due Process for Children Act of 2026 establishes new protections for unaccompanied alien children encountered in the U.S. It mandates a judicial warrant for the arrest or detention of these children away from the border and prohibits the use of military assets for immigration enforcement, except during natural disasters. Furthermore, the bill ensures children cannot be coerced into signing legal documents affecting their status without first having a confidential consultation with a lawyer.

This bill, the "Encouraging Public Service in Our National Parks and Public Land Act," amends existing law to mandate six specific fee-free days annually for entry to federal recreational lands and waters. These free admission days are set to coincide with significant holidays like Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Veterans Day. The goal is to promote national pride and encourage public volunteerism by increasing access to these public lands.

The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 aims to redirect funding by eliminating federal tax incentives for private school scholarships. Specifically, it repeals the tax credit for contributions to scholarship-granting organizations and removes the income exclusion for certain scholarship amounts received. These changes are set to take effect starting in 2027.

The Postsecondary Student Success Act of 2026 aims to boost participation, retention, and completion rates for high-need students in higher education. It authorizes competitive grants for eligible institutions to implement proven, evidence-based student success activities. The Act reserves funding specifically for Tribal Colleges and prioritizes grants for programs using the most rigorously evaluated reforms.

The PRIDE Act of 2026 officially renames the Offices of Minority and Women Inclusion at certain federal financial agencies to the Office of Minority, Women, and LGBTQI Inclusion. This expansion explicitly incorporates LGBTQI individuals and LGBTQI-owned businesses into existing diversity, inclusion, and contracting requirements. The bill adds specific definitions for "LGBTQI" and "LGBTQI-owned business" across relevant statutes.

This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to mandate state participation in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program starting in the summer of 2027. While participation is voluntary through 2026, all states operating the school lunch program must implement Summer EBT thereafter. The legislation also updates administrative deadlines for program management and coverage for Indian Tribal organizations.