Legislative Activity

The Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to ensure home care workers receive essential minimum wage and overtime protections. By narrowing existing exemptions, the bill clarifies that these labor standards apply to professional caregivers, distinguishing them from casual, non-professional babysitting services.

The Proprietary Education Oversight Task Force Act establishes a specialized task force and interagency committee to enhance the oversight, transparency, and accountability of for-profit colleges. This legislation mandates the creation of a centralized student complaint system, requires comprehensive annual reporting on institutional performance and marketing practices, and directs the publication of a "Warning List" to protect students and taxpayers from deceptive practices.

This concurrent resolution recognizes March 10, 2026, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor the courage and essential care provided by abortion clinic staff. The measure condemns recent legal and political restrictions on abortion access and affirms a commitment to protecting the safety of providers and the reproductive rights of patients.

The Support for Astrophysical Observatories and National High-Energy Astrophysics Hubs Act of 2026 establishes a national program to maintain U.S. leadership in high-energy astrophysics. The bill directs NASA to designate and support specialized research hubs that foster workforce development, mission planning, and technological innovation. These hubs will serve as collaborative resources for academic, governmental, and commercial partners to ensure the continued success of major space missions.

The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act aims to increase competition in the meat industry by breaking up large, multi-category, and foreign-controlled meatpacking conglomerates. The legislation directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce divestitures, limit market concentration, and prevent unfair pricing practices. Additionally, it establishes support programs to help farmers' cooperatives and small businesses acquire meatpacking assets, ultimately seeking to lower consumer prices and empower independent producers.

The **Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act of 2026** aims to increase transparency and accountability in U.S. elections by closing loopholes that allow foreign spending and requiring greater disclosure of political donors. The legislation mandates that organizations report significant political expenditures, forces leaders to take personal responsibility for political advertisements, and streamlines the legal process for campaign finance challenges. Ultimately, these reforms seek to provide voters with clearer information about who is funding political campaigns and judicial nominations.

The PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026 mandates comprehensive insurance coverage for HIV prevention services—including medication, lab tests, and clinical monitoring—without cost-sharing or preauthorization requirements across private, federal, and state health programs. The bill also prohibits insurance discrimination against individuals taking HIV prevention medication, establishes national public and provider education campaigns, and creates grant programs to expand access for uninsured and underinsured populations. Additionally, it ensures patient confidentiality for those on family health plans and provides a private right of action to enforce these coverage protections.

This resolution officially designates **March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day."** The day aims to recognize the essential role of speech and debate in developing vital 21st-century skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration. It encourages the entire nation to celebrate and promote the lifelong impact of this education.

The Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act of 2026 mandates that digital content and applications used by employers, government agencies, and public accommodations be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. The bill directs federal agencies to establish and enforce clear accessibility standards, provides a private right of action for non-compliance, and offers grant support to help small entities meet these requirements. Ultimately, the legislation ensures that emerging technologies do not exclude people with disabilities from participating in all aspects of society.

The Smarter Sentencing Act of 2026 reduces mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain federal drug offenses and creates a specific sentencing category for low-level drug couriers. The bill applies these reforms to both future and past cases, directs the Sentencing Commission to update its guidelines, and mandates new reporting requirements to increase transparency regarding federal criminal offenses and corrections spending.

The Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act strengthens Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by improving the bond guarantee program and establishing new liquidity and capitalization initiatives. The bill also creates a dedicated relending program to expand homeownership opportunities within Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it mandates increased congressional oversight and reporting regarding the effectiveness of these federal financial programs.

The Nurses Belong in Nursing Homes Act establishes mandatory minimum nurse staffing levels for nursing homes, including 24-hour registered nurse coverage. It also permanently funds the inspection and certification program for healthcare facilities. Finally, the bill directs states to use a portion of collected civil money penalties to fund nursing home workforce recruitment, education, and retention programs.

The **BE HEARD in the Workplace Act** comprehensively strengthens federal workplace protections by requiring new anti-discrimination policies, expanding legal rights for employees, and phasing out the tipped minimum wage. It aims to prevent harassment through mandated training, broadens protections to nearly all workers, and restricts employers' use of secrecy agreements. The Act also establishes grants to increase access to legal aid and worker advocacy nationwide.

The Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act of 2026 establishes a pilot program offering competitive grants to local entities in high-unemployment areas to create guaranteed jobs for all eligible adult residents. These guaranteed jobs must meet strict standards for wages, benefits, and working conditions, while also providing supportive services for participants. The bill mandates rigorous reporting and evaluation to assess the program's impact on employment, poverty, and economic indicators.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick time, accruing at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked. This protected leave can be used for the employee's or a family member's illness, medical care, or for reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act strictly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for using or requesting this time and mandates clear notice requirements regarding these new rights.

The Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026 prohibits retail food stores from charging grossly excessive prices and bans the use of surveillance technology to set customized prices for individual consumers. The law mandates that all prices must be displayed using clear, non-digital methods like physical labels, and it grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) authority to enforce these provisions. Violators face significant civil penalties, and consumers are granted the right to sue for damages.

The ICE Accountability Act establishes an independent Commission for Independent Monitoring of Immigration Enforcement to oversee and investigate immigration agencies like ICE and CBP for compliance with civil rights and civil liberties requirements. This Commission will have broad access to agency records and facilities, issue public reports on its findings, and can initiate civil actions for serious violations. The Act also establishes whistleblower protections and mandates that the Commission terminate operations once agencies demonstrate sustained compliance.

The Responsible Firearms Marketing Act directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and regulate unfair or deceptive advertising and marketing practices related to firearms. This includes examining materials that may appeal to minors or encourage illegal use, particularly concerning semiautomatic assault weapons. Following the study, the FTC must issue rules to prohibit these deceptive practices, enforced under the existing Federal Trade Commission Act.

The Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 2026 amends tax law to prevent U.S. companies from avoiding domestic taxation by relocating their headquarters overseas. It tightens the definition of an "inverted corporation" by lowering the ownership threshold and establishing new criteria based on where management, control, and business activities are located. This legislation ensures that corporations maintaining significant U.S. operations and shareholder ties are treated as domestic entities for tax purposes.

This resolution calls for the Federal Government to establish a comprehensive Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender and nonbinary people. It mandates federal action to ensure equal access to medical care, safety, employment, housing, and legal recognition. The bill aims to eliminate discrimination across various sectors and strengthen protections against violence and abuse.