Legislative Activity

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.

The Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, expert-led Children’s Commission to advise Congress and federal agencies on policies affecting children and marginalized youth. This Commission will promote child well-being, review agency actions, and ensure the voices of children are incorporated into federal decision-making. It will be led by a Children's Commissioner and is authorized to receive funding through fiscal year 2034.

The "Hands Off Elections Act of 2026" prohibits federal executive agency employees from intervening in or directing the administration of federal elections. This ban includes exceptions for specific authorized federal duties and cybersecurity assistance. State chief law enforcement officers are empowered to seek court injunctions to enforce this prohibition.

This proposed constitutional amendment establishes a fundamental federal right to vote for all eligible U.S. citizens. It prohibits denying or restricting this right and mandates that states administer elections according to federal standards, including requiring same-day registration and voting. Congress is authorized to pass legislation to enforce these provisions.

This bill expresses the disapproval of Congress, under the Congressional Review Act, of a Department of Health and Human Services rule concerning the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF). Specifically, it rejects the rule that aimed to restore flexibility within the CCDF program. As a result, the rule published on May 12, 2026, will not take effect.

The Local Communities Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2025 establishes the voluntary Urban Bird Treaty Program to protect and improve bird habitats in city areas. This program directs the Secretary of the Interior to partner with local entities to restore habitats, reduce urban dangers to birds, and engage communities in conservation efforts. It also creates a competitive grant system, administered through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, to fund these local stewardship projects.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to speed up the process of securing a first collective bargaining agreement after a union is certified. It establishes a mandatory timeline, including mediation and binding arbitration, if an agreement is not reached within 90 days of bargaining. This process is designed to prevent lengthy delays that currently weaken the union's position. The bill also requires a GAO report on current time-to-contract averages.

The Double the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026 amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to increase the required overtime pay rate for covered employees from time-and-a-half to double their regular rate of pay. This means employees will earn twice their normal hourly wage for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. This change will take effect 180 days after the bill is enacted.

This bill, the "Right to Record Act of 2026," establishes an explicit federal right to record, observe, or peacefully protest federal law enforcement activities in public view. It creates a civil cause of action allowing individuals to sue officers and the United States for violations of this right, including provisions for statutory damages and attorney's fees. The Act mandates training for federal officers and requires courts to interpret its provisions broadly to protect these expressive activities.

This bill, the "Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026," mandates a comprehensive study by the EPA on the environmental and energy impacts of AI data centers and infrastructure. It also requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to establish a consortium to develop measurement standards for these impacts. Finally, the legislation establishes an annual public reporting system for large AI data centers detailing their environmental footprint.

This bill expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2026 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." The designations aim to honor the nearly 47,000 people killed by gunfire each year and raise public awareness about the devastating impact of gun violence. The resolution encourages the public to wear orange on that day and focus on community efforts to promote gun safety.

The Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act of 2026 aims to ensure low-income families with children have access to essential internet service. This bill amends public housing rules to include the cost of basic, high-speed internet within utility allowances. Eligibility is restricted to families whose children qualify for free or reduced-price school lunches, and the service must include content filtering for minors.