Legislative Activity

The Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust Act (BLAST Act) permanently prohibits former Members of Congress and certain elected officers from ever lobbying Congress after leaving office. This measure amends federal law to make it a crime for these former officials to attempt to influence congressional action on behalf of others. The Act also automatically classifies former Members engaged in lobbying activities as registered lobbyists.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 establishes free breakfast and lunch for all students in participating schools, eliminating income-based eligibility and school meal debt. It also updates federal funding metrics by replacing free/reduced lunch data with new measures of economically disadvantaged students across various education and nutrition programs. This comprehensive bill aims to ensure universal access to nutrition while streamlining administrative requirements related to poverty tracking.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, recognizing his significant contributions as a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow over his passing and offers condolences to his family. The resolution directs that this tribute be communicated to the House and his family, and the Senate will adjourn in his memory.

The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes strict new export controls on advanced integrated circuits to designated countries of concern, including China, Iran, and Russia. It mandates a rigorous licensing process requiring detailed Congressional certification before high-performance chips can be transferred. Furthermore, the bill temporarily halts all licenses for these chips while requiring the development of a comprehensive national strategy to secure U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

This resolution officially recognizes Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May 2026. It celebrates the significant and growing contributions of these communities to American history, culture, and government. The resolution also acknowledges important anniversaries and ongoing challenges faced by the community.

This resolution supports the goals of National Nurses Week, observed annually from May 6th to May 12th. It recognizes the vital contributions of nurses across patient care, public health, and research. The bill encourages the nation to observe this week with appropriate recognition for the importance of nurses in everyday lives.

This resolution supports designating May 10, 2026, as "National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day." It recognizes the critical need to address significant mental health disparities and barriers to care within the diverse AANHPI community. The bill calls for better data collection, increased provider diversity, and improved access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services.

The Firearm Safety Act of 2026 amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to include firearms under the definition of a "consumer product." This action brings firearms under the regulatory authority of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act to prohibit U.S. foreign assistance funds from supporting programs that violate human rights or undermine public health, including those involving coercive family planning. It specifically nullifies three recent Department of State rules related to foreign assistance. The Secretary of State is required to issue compliance guidance and report annually to Congress on any violations.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to celebrate the vital contributions and entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses across the United States. The bill recognizes the essential role these businesses play in the national economy and applauds their resilience.

The CLEAN Mergers Act imposes strict new divestiture requirements on large mergers completed between January 20, 2025, and January 19, 2029. It mandates the immediate divestiture of completed threshold transactions (valued at $10 billion or more) unless specific competitive conditions are proven in court. Furthermore, the Act allows federal agencies and state attorneys general to review smaller "enforcement-lapse transactions" for evidence of misconduct or improper influence, potentially leading to required divestiture. Finally, it extends the statute of limitations for antitrust lawsuits from four years to ten years.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It aims to promote employment opportunities for people with criminal records by advocating for the removal of barriers to fair-chance hiring. The bill supports expanding workforce programs and fostering collaboration to help formerly incarcerated individuals secure stable jobs and successfully reenter society.

The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for key Small Business Administration (SBA) loans and surety bonds. This change allows businesses majority-owned by certain immigrants, non-citizens lawfully present in the U.S., and even some individuals residing abroad to access federal support. The bill ensures that businesses meeting ownership and location criteria are not denied SBA financing solely because of the status of their eligible owners.

The **Protecting America’s Workers Act** significantly expands workplace safety protections by extending OSHA coverage to all public employees and strengthening whistleblower rights against retaliation. The bill increases penalties for safety violations, grants victims' families more rights during investigations, and improves federal oversight of state-run safety programs. Overall, it aims to create a more comprehensive, transparent, and punitive system to prevent workplace injuries and hold employers accountable.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to establish and protect the fundamental right to vote for every eligible U.S. citizen. It sets a strict standard requiring any voting restrictions to serve a compelling government interest using the least restrictive means. Furthermore, the amendment would repeal language in the 14th Amendment that allows states to deny voting rights for reasons other than rebellion and grants Congress enforcement power.

The HELP Separated Children Act establishes comprehensive procedures to protect the rights and ensure the well-being of children when their parents are apprehended during immigration enforcement actions. It mandates that DHS officials identify detained parents, provide them with immediate access to make childcare arrangements, and facilitate ongoing communication and legal participation in child welfare and custody proceedings. The bill also requires mandatory training for personnel and extensive data collection to track the outcomes for these families.

The Climate Change Education Act establishes a federal program, managed by NOAA, to fund comprehensive climate change education for all ages. This initiative aims to increase climate literacy through formal schooling and nonformal programs, focusing on solutions, adaptation, and climate justice. The Act authorizes grants to K-12 systems, higher education, professional associations, and youth corps to develop and implement climate-focused learning and applied research.

This bill, the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, explicitly repeals Executive Order 14399, which attempted to regulate mail-in voting. It prohibits federal agencies, including the Postal Service, from using funds to create national voter/citizenship databases or interfere with state administration of absentee and mail-in ballots. The Act reaffirms that states, not the federal government, control federal election procedures.

This bill establishes the Southeast New England Program within the EPA to protect, enhance, and restore coastal watersheds in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts. The program authorizes the EPA Administrator to award grants for projects focused on pollution reduction, habitat restoration, and water quality improvement. It also mandates federal agency coordination to improve resource management in the region, authorizing $30 million annually from 2027 through 2031.

The Hazard Pay for Health Care Heroes Act establishes a federal grant program to provide financial compensation to essential, non-remote healthcare workers for hazardous duty performed during declared emergencies or disasters. These grants will fund supplemental pay, capped at \$13 per hour and \$25,000 annually per worker, for duties deemed hazardous by the Secretary. Funds may also be used by facilities to implement safety measures for these frontline workers.