Legislative Activity

The Stock Buyback Accountability Act of 2026 significantly increases the excise tax on corporate stock repurchases from 1% to 4%. It also tightens the rules for calculating this tax by preventing corporations from offsetting the tax liability with the value of stock issued to highly compensated executives and certain top earners. This legislation aims to discourage excessive stock buybacks by increasing the cost and limiting available deductions.

The **Make More in America Act of 2026** fundamentally expands the mission of the Export-Import Bank to actively finance the domestic development, commercialization, and production of critical technologies, aiming to counter foreign competition, particularly from China. It establishes the new "Make More in America Program" to support U.S. manufacturing projects in strategic industries, requiring job creation commitments and prevailing wage standards. Furthermore, the bill creates an Investment Committee to develop a 10-year national investment roadmap and enhances interagency coordination to align federal resources supporting domestic industrial growth.

The Child Safety and Well-Being Act of 2026 establishes an independent Children’s Commission to examine and advocate for the interests of all children and marginalized youth across the nation. This Commission is tasked with raising awareness, reviewing policies, conducting research, and advising Congress and agencies on matters affecting child well-being. It is designed to operate continuously, ensuring children's voices are incorporated into federal decision-making processes.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment collectively. This recognition honors the regiment's crucial and heroic service during the Revolutionary War, notably as one of the first integrated military units in American history. The original medal will be displayed at the Rhode Island State Library, and bronze duplicates may be sold to cover production costs.

The Natural Climate Solutions Research and Extension Act of 2026 establishes natural climate solutions as a priority for USDA research and extension grants. This legislation directs funding toward land management practices that enhance carbon storage and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across agricultural lands, forests, and wetlands. The supported practices will emphasize biodiversity, climate resilience, and the incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge.

The Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2026 affirms the fundamental right of individuals to travel across state lines to receive reproductive health care that is legal in the destination state. This bill prohibits any government or person from restricting, sanctioning, or discriminating against individuals who travel for such care or those who assist them. It preempts conflicting state laws and establishes robust federal enforcement mechanisms, including civil actions for individuals and the Attorney General, while removing common immunity defenses for violators.

The Complete America’s Great Trails Act establishes a new federal tax credit for landowners who donate property that includes a designated National Scenic Trail and a specified surrounding corridor. This credit is equal to the fair market value of the donated land, encouraging private conservation efforts to complete and expand these national trails. The bill also mandates a study on the credit's effectiveness and potential future modifications, such as making the credit refundable.

This resolution honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for Michigan. It recognizes his decades in Congress, highlighting key legislative achievements such as co-sponsoring the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and leading significant banking reforms. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow and adjourns in his memory.

The Homeowners’ Escrow Savings Act aims to protect homeowners by requiring mortgage servicers to pay interest on escrow account balances, calculated based on the yield of one-year U.S. Treasury securities. This legislation also mandates that servicers use more comprehensive and accurate factors when estimating future property tax obligations. The bill ensures greater transparency and fairness in how homeowner escrow accounts are managed.

This resolution officially designates May 2026 as "Older Americans Month." It recognizes the significant growth, contributions, and ongoing value of older Americans to the nation. The designation encourages public recognition of their achievements and opportunities for them to share their wisdom with younger generations.

This bill amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to grant the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) the authority to enter into land leases of up to 99 years. This update aligns these two tribes with the leasing privileges already granted to other federally recognized tribes.

The Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act bans the imposition and carrying out of the death penalty for any federal crime after the date of enactment. This legislation mandates that all individuals currently under a federal death sentence must be resentenced.

The All Students Count Act of 2026 mandates that states disaggregate student performance data for Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander subgroups. This change amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to reflect the diverse educational needs within these populations. The goal is to provide detailed, actionable data to better identify and support specific student groups often misrepresented as homogeneous.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late former United States Senator John Seymour of California. It recognizes his extensive public service, highlighting his career in business, local government, and his tenure in the U.S. Senate. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow and directs that official copies of this resolution be delivered to his family.

This bill, the Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act, invalidates mandatory arbitration agreements and class action waivers for Amtrak passengers involved in consumer or civil rights disputes. It ensures that passengers alleging personal injury, discrimination, or other civil rights violations can pursue their claims in court. These new rules do not apply to disputes covered under the Railway Labor Act.

This joint resolution expresses Congressional disapproval of a new rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would have required prior authorization for specific services under the WISeR Model. By disapproving the rule, Congress ensures that this CMS requirement will not take effect.

The Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 significantly updates federal overtime exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees. It establishes a phased-in increase to the minimum salary threshold required for these "white-collar" roles to be exempt from overtime pay, eventually tying the threshold to national earnings data. Furthermore, the bill tightens the duties test by lowering the allowed percentage of time spent on non-exempt work from 40% to 20%.

The Strength in Diversity Act of 2026 establishes a competitive grant program to support schools in developing and implementing strategies that increase racial and socioeconomic diversity. This funding aims to reduce racial isolation and concentrated poverty in public elementary, secondary, and early childhood education programs. Grantees must report on measurable improvements in student outcomes and progress toward increasing school diversity.

The Scientific Integrity Act aims to safeguard the role of science in federal policymaking by requiring agencies that fund or conduct research to adopt and enforce strict scientific integrity policies. These policies must prohibit political interference, data suppression, and retaliation against scientists. The legislation establishes Scientific Integrity Officers within agencies and mandates regular training and public reporting on policy implementation to ensure public trust in government science.

The Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act aims to eliminate barriers to sexual and reproductive health care for individuals with disabilities. It establishes grant programs to train the healthcare workforce, expand the number of providers with disabilities, and fund accessible health education. The bill also creates a National Technical Assistance Center and mandates a study to identify effective care models and coordination gaps.