Legislative Activity

The Second Look Act of 2026 establishes a process for individuals serving long federal prison sentences to petition a court for a sentence reduction after serving at least 10 years. Courts must consider factors like rehabilitation and community safety when deciding on a modification. The bill also creates a rebuttable presumption for release for defendants aged 50 and older and mandates annual reporting by the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and guarantees. It allows small businesses owned by certain lawfully present immigrants, refugees, and even some individuals residing outside the U.S. to qualify for covered loans. This legislation ensures that businesses meeting specific ownership and location criteria are not denied SBA assistance solely based on the immigration status of their eligible owners.

The One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2026 establishes federal grant programs to fund community reentry centers and statewide assistance hotlines. These initiatives aim to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed services to individuals post-conviction or incarceration to reduce recidivism. The Act prioritizes hiring formerly incarcerated individuals and mandates rigorous evaluation and reporting on program outcomes.

The Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act amends federal juvenile justice laws to raise the minimum age for prosecution as an adult and limits murder convictions for those under 18 to intentional killings. The bill also mandates comprehensive federal data collection on incarcerated youth and authorizes grants to improve collaboration between state child welfare and juvenile justice systems. These measures aim to prioritize rehabilitation and better address the needs of children in the justice system.

This bill officially designates the week of April 24th through April 30th as "National Reentry Week." It recognizes the challenges of mass incarceration and the high rates of recidivism facing formerly incarcerated individuals. The legislation encourages increased support and investment in programs that promote successful reentry, including access to housing, education, job training, and mental health services. Ultimately, the goal is to foster safer communities by supporting the stability and success of those returning to society.

The Living Wage For All Act establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, ultimately aiming to tie it to two-thirds of the national median hourly wage. It creates differentiated wage schedules, requiring large corporations to reach higher minimums sooner than other employers. Furthermore, the bill phases out subminimum wages for tipped workers and workers with disabilities, and extends federal wage protections to incarcerated workers.

The SEED Act (Supporting Early-childhood Educators Deductions Act) expands the existing federal educator expense deduction to include early childhood educators. This legislation allows childcare providers and preschool teachers to claim tax deductions for out-of-pocket classroom expenses, mirroring the benefit currently available to K-12 teachers. The change is set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Clean Energy Workforce Act establishes grant programs to bolster career and technical education for jobs in clean energy and related fields. These grants will support the development of specialized curricula and the modernization of educational facilities to align with renewable energy practices. The goal is to prepare students for in-demand careers in climate change mitigation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sectors.

The Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 restricts foreign and corporate ownership of U.S. agricultural land, generally limiting ownership to actively engaged natural persons or small, farmer-controlled entities. The bill mandates divestiture for current unauthorized owners and establishes a new Department of Agriculture program to assist beginning farmers and ranchers in purchasing farmland. Enforcement includes civil and criminal penalties, with states authorized to enact equally or more restrictive regulations.

This bill prohibits the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from establishing or operating any new models of immigration detention facilities, such as converting warehouses or using temporary structures. It specifically bans entering into new contracts for these alternative detention setups. Furthermore, any funds already allocated for these new models must be transferred to support services like affordable housing and healthcare.

The Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act establishes the new Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) plan for federal student loans. This income-driven option features low monthly payments calculated based on a percentage of income above 250% of the federal poverty line. The plan offers loan forgiveness after 10 or 15 years, depending on whether the borrower has undergraduate or graduate loans. Additionally, 50% of each payment is applied directly to the loan principal.

This resolution expresses support for honoring Earth Day and reaffirms Congress's commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day on the modern environmental movement and calls for continued action against threats like climate change and pollution. The bill urges immediate steps to reduce emissions, address environmental injustices, and ensure a healthy planet for future generations.

The Water Infrastructure Sustainability and Efficiency (WISE) Act requires states receiving federal water infrastructure grants to dedicate at least 20% of those funds toward projects focused on green infrastructure, water or energy efficiency, or other innovative environmental solutions. This mandate applies as long as sufficient eligible project applications are available.

This Act aims to significantly bolster the nation's preparedness against seasonal and pandemic influenza threats. It establishes ambitious goals for rapid vaccine development, strengthens domestic manufacturing and supply chains for vaccines and diagnostics, and funds key public health programs. Furthermore, the bill focuses on increasing public access to vaccines and treatments while combating misinformation to build confidence in public health measures.

The Securing the Rights our Veterans Earned Act (SERVE Act) extends eligibility for key Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits to former service members who were discharged based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This includes access to hospital care, mental health services, national cemetery burial, Post-9/11 GI Bill education assistance, and housing loans. The bill also mandates the VA Secretary to conduct outreach regarding these newly available benefits.

The Crime Survivor Support and Stability Act of 2026 encourages states to adopt comprehensive rights for crime survivors, ensuring access to trauma recovery, housing stability, and financial relief. The bill establishes a federal grant program to provide flexible, direct cash assistance to survivors through community-based organizations, minimizing bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, it funds state-level surveys to better understand the unmet needs of survivors, particularly those who interact with the justice system.

This resolution affirms that stable housing is a fundamental human right essential for all families, regardless of immigration status. It strongly condemns a proposed rule that would force families with mixed immigration status to separate or lose vital housing assistance. The bill calls for protecting families in federal housing programs and demands increased investment to address the national housing crisis.

This resolution expresses support for designating April as National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM). It recognizes the profound and diverse contributions of Arab Americans throughout U.S. history, spanning science, public service, culture, and more. The designation aims to celebrate this heritage while countering misconceptions and discrimination.

This resolution impeaches Secretary of Defense Peter B. Hegseth for high crimes and misdemeanors. The charges primarily involve the unauthorized initiation of military hostilities against Iran, endangering service members, and violating the laws of armed conflict. Furthermore, the articles accuse him of gross negligence with classified information, obstructing Congressional oversight, and abusing his office for political purposes, including undermining military readiness and personnel protections.

The Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency Act of 2026 mandates significant safety upgrades across both civilian and military aviation to prevent midair collisions. It requires the FAA to implement advanced collision avoidance systems and new air traffic controller training, while also compelling the Department of Defense to equip most military helicopters with transponders for increased visibility. The bill establishes new transparency measures, including public tracking of safety rule implementation and enhanced reporting on near-miss incidents, particularly around major airports like Reagan National.