Legislative Activity

This resolution honors the life, leadership, and enduring legacy of Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr. It recognizes his pivotal role as a civil rights leader, his groundbreaking political campaigns, and his global advocacy for human rights and equality. The measure encourages all Americans to continue his work by moving forward with hope rather than fear and division.

The African American History Act of 2026 authorizes the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop and expand educational resources, curricula, and digital programming for students and educators nationwide. By providing $10 million in annual funding through 2030, the Act aims to promote a deeper understanding of African American history through a social justice and anti-bias lens. Additionally, the legislation encourages the development of similar educational initiatives across other Smithsonian museums dedicated to diverse American histories.

This resolution formally recognizes the historical significance of the *Clotilda*, the last known slave ship to arrive in the U.S. in 1860. It condemns the role of the United States in the Atlantic slave trade and acknowledges the lasting, intergenerational impact of this crime on African Americans, particularly the descendants who founded Africatown. The resolution encourages the establishment of a memorial on Capitol Grounds to honor the victims.

This resolution formally recognizes the vital historical significance and contributions of Black history museums and cultural institutions across the United States. It affirms that these essential pillars correct historical omissions by preserving irreplaceable records and telling a full, accurate American story. The bill encourages federal agencies and the public to support these institutions, especially as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

The Healthy Hair Act prohibits the sale of hair straightening and smoothing products that contain formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing substances. Additionally, the bill mandates that the FDA and NIOSH conduct comprehensive studies on the health impacts of these chemicals, particularly for salon workers, to inform future regulatory actions.

This resolution officially recognizes Black History Month and adopts "A Century of Black History Commemorations" as the theme for 2026. It honors the contributions of Black Americans by establishing categories for "Unsung Souls" and "Righteous Intercessors." Ultimately, the bill affirms that Black history commemorations are essential for a complete national narrative and inspiring future progress toward liberty and justice for all.

The "No Rewards for January 6 Rioters Act" prohibits the use of any federal funds to compensate individuals prosecuted for involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack. It also forbids the creation of any compensation fund for these individuals. Furthermore, the bill bars the U.S. Treasury from refunding court-ordered restitution, fines, or special assessments paid by those convicted for their role in the attack.

This resolution establishes February 28th as "HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day" to advocate for the decriminalization of HIV across the nation. It highlights outdated laws that unfairly criminalize people living with HIV based on their status, regardless of transmission risk. The day calls for action to repeal these scientifically inaccurate laws, which undermine public health efforts and disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Ultimately, the resolution supports ending HIV criminalization to promote education, treatment, and justice.

The Ceasefire Compliance Act of 2026 establishes U.S. policy to uphold the October 2025 ceasefire and peace plan in Gaza while prohibiting the transfer of U.S. defense articles to Israel for use in Gaza or the West Bank unless specific humanitarian and diplomatic conditions are met. The bill mandates regular reporting to Congress to certify Israel's compliance with these requirements and establishes an end-use monitoring group to track the deployment of U.S.-provided weapons. While restricting offensive arms transfers, the Act preserves U.S. support for Israeli missile defense systems and ongoing humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The "Head Start for America’s Children Act" updates and expands the federal Head Start program to better support the developmental, mental health, and educational needs of infants, toddlers, and children. The bill increases funding for core operations and specialized initiatives, establishes new requirements for staff compensation and professional development, and introduces pilot programs to improve access in high-poverty areas and on college campuses. Additionally, it strengthens support for Native American and migrant/seasonal programs, enhances services for children with disabilities, and mandates new standards to prevent the use of seclusion and restraint.

The Secure Firearm Storage and Suicide Prevention Act of 2026 aims to reduce firearm-related injuries and suicides, particularly among youth. It directs the Secretary of Education to develop national best practices for secure firearm storage and suicide prevention education. Local educational agencies must then create and distribute tailored guidance incorporating these federal standards to students and parents annually.

This resolution formally censures and condemns President Donald Trump for repeatedly making derogatory statements and, specifically, for reposting a racist social media image depicting former President and Mrs. Obama as primates. The bill asserts this action violates the President's oath of office and calls for a public apology.

The Second Chance Mental Health Access Act of 2026 mandates that Medicaid programs cover up to 12 mental health telehealth visits annually for certain individuals recently released from incarceration and placed under home confinement. This provision aims to improve access to crucial mental health services during the critical transition period following release.

This bill officially recognizes the cultural and historical significance of Lunar New Year, specifically in 2026, the Year of the Horse. It expresses deep respect for Asian American communities and all who celebrate this important occasion. The resolution concludes by offering wishes for a happy and prosperous new year to all observers.

This bill establishes the National Council on African American History and Culture within the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council will consist of 12 presidentially appointed members tasked with advising on national policy related to preserving and celebrating African American history and culture. Its duties include monitoring relevant efforts, evaluating NEH programs, and submitting annual reports. The Council is set to terminate ten years after the law's enactment.

The Audit the Pentagon Act of 2026 addresses the Department of Defense's repeated failure to pass a financial audit. This bill establishes automatic spending reductions for any DoD component that fails to receive a clean audit opinion after fiscal year 2025. It also outlines Congressional priorities regarding protecting wounded warrior accounts and maintaining financial controls for classified programs.

The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act prohibits the discharge of plastic pellets and other pre-production plastic materials into U.S. waters from industrial facilities. This requires the EPA to swiftly issue a rule banning these discharges from facilities involved in the manufacturing, use, packaging, or transport of these plastics. The prohibition will be enforced through existing permitting and regulatory systems under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

This bill aims to defend the human rights of Palestinian children and families living under Israeli military occupation. It establishes policy prohibiting U.S. assistance funds from supporting specific Israeli actions, including the military detention of Palestinian children and the seizure of Palestinian property in violation of international law. The legislation also mandates annual reporting and oversight requirements regarding these activities and U.S. defense assistance to Israel.

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.

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.