Legislative Activity

The Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2026 addresses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by eliminating a specific work requirement exemption and related state funding provisions. Congress finds that existing SNAP work requirements are ineffective at reducing poverty and create significant barriers to food assistance, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This legislation aims to streamline access to benefits by removing these administrative hurdles.

This bill establishes the Office of Small Farms within the Department of Agriculture to better support small farm, ranch, and forest operations, defined by specific acreage and income thresholds. The Office will coordinate support, review programs for disadvantages to small farms, and develop new initiatives, including grants up to $25,000. It also mandates the creation of State small farms coordinators to ensure effective, localized technical assistance and program access for these operations.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick leave. Employees will accrue a minimum of one hour of paid time for every 30 hours worked, usable for personal or family health needs, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act prohibits employer retaliation for using this leave and ensures existing, more generous leave policies are not diminished.

The Supporting Trauma-Informed Education Practices Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to enhance access to evidence-based trauma support and mental health services for students and school staff. This funding aims to foster stronger connections between schools and community mental health systems through collaboration, professional development, and direct student services. The bill authorizes $50 million annually from FY 2027 through 2031 to support these critical initiatives.

This bill provides the funding and establishes the operational rules for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2026 across all major components, including intelligence, security operations, emergency management, and research. It allocates billions for agencies like TSA, Coast Guard, FEMA, and CISA while imposing strict new requirements for congressional oversight, spending transparency, and management of federal grants. The legislation also includes specific policy directives, such as mandating security screening for senior officials and restricting certain intelligence and contracting activities.

This resolution establishes a comprehensive Transgender Bill of Rights to codify and protect the rights of transgender and nonbinary people across the United States. It mandates federal action to ensure equal access to healthcare, employment, housing, legal recognition, and safety. The bill aims to eliminate discrimination and affirm bodily autonomy by amending existing federal civil rights laws.

The "Give America a Raise Act" significantly increases the federal minimum wage, phasing it up to $20.00 per hour over three years, followed by annual adjustments tied to CPI or GDP growth. This legislation also phases out the subminimum wage for tipped employees and workers with disabilities, ultimately requiring both groups to receive the full federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it establishes new requirements for publishing wage increase notices and eliminates the special minimum wage category for young new hires after 90 days of employment.

The TEMP Act mandates the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to research and develop a new, nationwide index-based insurance policy to protect crops against losses caused by frost or severe cold weather. This research must evaluate the effectiveness of index-based risk management for catastrophic weather events. A report detailing the findings and recommendations is required one year after enactment.

The Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act of 2026 reauthorizes the WISEWOMAN program through fiscal year 2031, securing significant funding for women's health initiatives. This legislation allows for supplemental grants to expand preventive health services, such as blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, to low-income women. These services will be integrated with existing breast and cervical cancer screening programs.

The Disaster Zone Energy Affordability and Investment Act allows businesses in federally or state-declared disaster areas to transfer certain unused general business tax credits from prior years. This provision is designed to help affected taxpayers by converting these credits into usable funds based on their eligible operating expenditures within the disaster zone. The credits apply to investments made following disasters declared after December 31, 2023.

This bill recognizes the historic 1960 Greensboro Four sit-in, honoring the students whose peaceful protest launched a nationwide movement against segregation. It designates February 1, 2026, as the 66th anniversary, coinciding with the start of Black History Month. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to include the Greensboro Four's contributions in educational curricula.

The **Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026** establishes major federal funding streams, including grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide from 2027 through 2031. The legislation prioritizes districts with the greatest need, focusing on improving student health, safety, and environmental conditions in school buildings. It also mandates increased transparency through public databases tracking facility conditions and requires specific labor and "Buy America" standards for funded construction projects.

This resolution supports the goals of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day by recognizing the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black Americans. It encourages testing, commends organizations providing culturally competent care, and supports the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to reduce disparities. The bill also calls for prioritizing funding for minority-led agencies and addressing systemic barriers to care.

The Family Violence Prevention and Services Improvement Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands critical federal programs to improve services and prevention for victims of domestic and dating violence through 2031. It significantly increases funding and broadens support, especially for Tribal communities and underserved populations, by allowing for culturally specific and digital services. Additionally, the bill enhances efforts to prevent teen dating violence through increased funding for broader educational programs.

The Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in ICE and CBP Custody Act establishes minimum standards for health screening, nutrition, sanitation, and shelter for individuals detained by ICE and CBP. This bill mandates specific protocols for medical care, facility conditions, and personnel training to ensure humane treatment. It also requires regular inspections and public reporting on compliance and sexual abuse complaints.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees and certain contract employees receive their full pay and benefits during any government shutdown in fiscal year 2026. It also mandates retroactive contract price adjustments to compensate contractors for costs incurred during previous shutdowns. Furthermore, the bill prohibits federal agencies from implementing workforce reductions or placing employees on extended administrative leave during funding lapses.

The Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026 repeals Section 642 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. This action aims to restore constitutional balance by limiting federal intrusion into state and local control over their public institutions and internal operations. The bill respects state and local authority while affirming the federal government's exclusive role in civil immigration enforcement.

The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program, administered by the Attorney General, to fund essential library services for incarcerated individuals. These grants aim to reduce recidivism and boost reintegration efforts by supporting education, job training, and access to modern library materials. States and territories can apply for these renewable, multi-year grants, which must be used strictly for library-related activities and cannot charge inmates for access to resources.

This resolution seeks to disapprove the Department of Veterans Affairs' final rule concerning "Reproductive Health Services" issued in September 2024. If enacted, this disapproval, made under the Congressional Review Act, would prevent the VA rule from taking legal effect.

This bill establishes the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services to investigate and document the history of racial, ethnic, and LGBTQ+ discrimination within the U.S. military since 1775. The Commission is tasked with holding hearings, gathering testimony, and developing recommendations for remedies, including apologies, compensation, and policy changes. It must submit a final report to Congress and the President detailing its findings and proposed actions within 18 months of its first meeting.