Legislative Activity

The Medicare Cost Cap Act of 2026 establishes a new annual out-of-pocket spending limit for Medicare Part A and Part B beneficiaries, ensuring that seniors and individuals with disabilities are protected from catastrophic healthcare costs. Additionally, the bill expands access to low-income assistance programs by eliminating asset tests, raising income eligibility thresholds, and streamlining the enrollment process between Medicare and Medicaid.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the Department of Health and Human Services' rule titled "Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)." By nullifying this rule, the resolution prevents the proposed relaxation of federal child care subsidy requirements from taking effect.

The Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act strengthens protections for workers by mandating transparent pay disclosures, ensuring timely final paychecks, and increasing penalties for wage violations. The bill extends the statute of limitations for filing claims, bans forced arbitration, and establishes a grant program to support community-based efforts in preventing wage theft. These measures aim to hold employers accountable and provide workers with more robust legal tools to recover unpaid wages.

This Senate resolution recognizes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States by reaffirming the nation's founding ideals of liberty and equality for all. It highlights the vital contributions of immigrant communities while acknowledging the barriers they face. The resolution commits the Senate to advancing systemic change to ensure inclusion, equity, and opportunity for every resident, regardless of immigration status.

The SAFER Health Act of 2026 protects patient privacy by prohibiting healthcare providers and their associates from disclosing information regarding pregnancy termination or loss in legal proceedings without the individual's valid authorization. This legislation mandates updates to federal health IT and privacy regulations to ensure this sensitive data remains secure and segregated. Additionally, the Act preempts conflicting state laws while allowing for stronger privacy protections at the state level.

The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act protects health care providers and their patients from state-level interference, ensuring the legal provision of reproductive health services across state lines. The bill establishes federal legal protections, prohibits the use of federal funds for enforcement actions against providers, and creates grant programs to support legal defense and facility security. Additionally, it prevents professional liability insurers from penalizing providers for offering lawful reproductive care.

The "Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act" establishes a national technical assistance center and a grant program to improve the recruitment, training, and retention of direct care professionals. By providing funding for education, career advancement, and supportive services, the bill aims to strengthen the workforce that supports older adults and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the legislation provides resources to assist both paid and unpaid family caregivers in their essential roles.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and shifting the program to mandatory funding. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell eligibility semesters, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress rules to better support students. Overall, it seeks to stabilize and increase financial support for millions of postsecondary students, particularly those with high financial need.

The CHILE Act of 2026 establishes a permanent federal framework to provide direct financial assistance to specialty crop producers following adverse events. This framework requires the Secretary of Agriculture to calculate payments based on pre-disaster sales and the determined loss factor, taking into account the unique costs of specialty crops. The bill also sets specific payment caps, with exceptions for high-income farming operations, and appropriates \$5 billion for fiscal year 2027 to fund this assistance.

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the right to community-based services for individuals eligible for long-term supports and services (LTSS), ensuring they can live in the most integrated setting of their choice. It prohibits discrimination by states and LTSS providers against individuals seeking community living over institutionalization. The Act mandates comprehensive planning, self-evaluation, and enforceable objectives to transition people out of institutions and address disparities in service delivery.

The Air Carrier Access Amendments Act seeks to modernize disability protections in air travel by strengthening enforcement against discrimination and holding airlines accountable for damaged assistive devices or inadequate passenger assistance. The bill establishes mandatory civil penalties for specific violations and grants individuals the right to sue airlines directly in federal court. These measures aim to ensure equitable access to air transportation and provide meaningful legal remedies for passengers with disabilities.

The PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish grant programs for researching and developing next-generation firefighter turnout gear that is free of harmful PFAS chemicals. These grants will support the creation of safer protective clothing and the development of training programs for first responders on its proper use and decontamination. The ultimate goal is to prevent occupational illness and injury among firefighters by advancing safer alternatives.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and modifies the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its authorized funding to \$2.0 billion. This legislation broadens eligible lands for maintenance projects and prioritizes those receiving significant private donations. It also enhances transparency by requiring multi-year project lists and actively encouraging public contributions to address deferred maintenance across federal lands.

The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to support the Iranian people by expanding access to uncensored information and countering regime-imposed internet blackouts. The bill mandates the development of new communication technologies, increases funding for digital freedom programs, and requires the identification and sanctioning of individuals complicit in human rights abuses. Additionally, it strengthens support for independent media and provides cybersecurity training to Iranian journalists and civil society activists.

This joint resolution seeks to block a recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rule that established the 2027 benefit and payment parameters for Affordable Care Act health insurance plans. If passed, the resolution would nullify the rule, preventing its implementation and ensuring it has no legal force or effect.

This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to promoting the safety and well-being of refugees globally and domestically. It highlights the severe worldwide displacement crisis and criticizes the current suspension and low caps of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The bill calls for the full restoration of asylum protections and refugee resettlement to uphold U.S. legal obligations and humanitarian leadership.

This bill mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until early 2029. TPS provides individuals from designated countries with the ability to temporarily live and work in the U.S. due to unsafe conditions in their home nation.

The Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act mandates sanctions against foreign individuals and entities involved in forced organ harvesting within the People’s Republic of China. The bill requires the President to maintain a list of those responsible, imposing asset freezes and visa bans on listed parties. Additionally, it directs the Secretary of State to submit a comprehensive report evaluating China’s organ transplant policies and practices.

The Children Harmed In Life-threatening or Dangerous Labor (CHILD) Labor Act strengthens federal protections against child labor by expanding the definition of hazardous work and increasing corporate accountability across supply chains. The bill imposes significantly tougher financial and criminal penalties for violations, grants the Department of Labor enhanced enforcement tools, and mandates stricter child labor standards for federal contractors. Additionally, it requires annual reporting on workplace injuries to ensure greater transparency and safety for young workers.

The Saving the OOI Act of 2026 prohibits the National Science Foundation (NSF) from scaling back or decommissioning critical Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments. This measure ensures the continued operation of these vital coastal and deep-sea monitoring assets until the NSF completes a comprehensive review with community input. The bill mandates the full maintenance of the initiative throughout the review period.