Legislative Activity

The HEAR Act of 2026 generally prohibits the manufacture, transfer, and possession of firearm silencers and mufflers, with specific exceptions for government, law enforcement, and nuclear security personnel. The bill removes silencers from the federal definition of a "firearm" while simultaneously establishing penalties for violating the new ban. It also mandates the Attorney General to create a 90-day nationwide buy-back program for surrendered silencers using Byrne grant funds.

The "Gig Is Up Act" amends the tax code to require payroll tax withholding for independent contractors of very large businesses that rely heavily on them. For qualifying large businesses, payments to these contractors will be treated as wages subject to standard payroll taxes, and the employer's Social Security tax rate will be doubled. These changes are designed to ensure workers receive proper credit toward their Social Security earnings.

This bill reauthorizes the Minority Fellowship Program through 2032, ensuring continued funding for health professions students from minority backgrounds. It authorizes $27 million annually for the program from Fiscal Year 2028 through 2032.

The **Stay Cool Act** is a comprehensive bill designed to combat the dangers of extreme heat through coordinated federal response, improved public warnings, and direct aid to vulnerable seniors. It establishes significant grant programs to fund community cooling centers, upgrade public housing with air conditioning, and develop urban green spaces and water features for neighborhood cooling. Overall, the legislation aims to increase community resilience, protect residents in federally assisted housing, and ensure more equitable access to safe, cool environments during heat emergencies.

The Worker Rights and Support Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to establish new mandatory meal, rest, restroom, and medical break requirements for employees. This legislation ensures employees receive specific paid and unpaid break times based on hours worked or medical necessity. Violations of these new break provisions are subject to enforcement actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

This bill reauthorizes the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection program, ensuring its continued operation to gather historical documents related to unsolved civil rights investigations. It strengthens the Civil Rights Cold Case Review Board's authority to obtain and expedite the public release of federal, state, and local records, removing previous opt-out exceptions for state and local entities. Furthermore, the legislation extends the tenure of the Review Board from seven to eleven years to complete its review process.

The Traumatic Births Research Act of 2026 aims to significantly increase research into the causes and impacts of traumatic birth experiences and associated Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) on mothers, infants, and families. The bill establishes new grant programs for this research, requiring data to be broken down by race and ethnicity. It also creates a pilot project to study how midwife-driven care models compare to standard medical models in affecting birth trauma and maternal mental health outcomes.

The New Pathways Act amends the Second Chance Act to require the Bureau of Prisons to assist certain returning citizens in obtaining crucial identification documents before their release. This includes providing U.S. citizens with a REAL ID-compliant identification card and helping noncitizens secure proof of lawful status. The goal is to ensure individuals have necessary documentation for successful reentry into their communities.

This Act establishes a commission to address racial and gender disparities in school discipline by promoting restorative justice practices. The commission will develop training materials, define restorative practices, and recommend improved ratios for school psychologists and counselors. Its primary goal is to support the mental health of students of color and create more equitable learning environments.

The Filer Voter Act requires professional tax preparers to provide their clients with easy access to voter registration forms. By integrating these resources into both in-person and online tax services, the bill aims to increase civic participation during the tax filing process.

This resolution recognizes the Girl Scouts of the United States of America on its 114th birthday and designates March 12, 2026, as "Girl Scouts of the United States of America Day." It celebrates the organization's legacy of empowering girls through leadership, character development, and community service. Additionally, the bill honors the 2025 Gold Award recipients and encourages the continued support of future women leaders.

This bill expands TRICARE coverage to include wigs and medical treatment for traction alopecia. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Defense establish new grooming standards and training materials by September 2026 to educate service members on the health risks associated with certain hairstyles and hair treatments.

The Data Center Community Impact Act establishes a federal fund to provide grants to state, local, and tribal governments for infrastructure, housing, and environmental projects in communities affected by data center operations. The bill prioritizes support for low-income communities and communities of color, which are often disproportionately impacted by the energy and water demands of these facilities. Additionally, the Act mandates a comprehensive federal study to assess the long-term environmental, economic, and public health effects of data centers on these vulnerable populations.

The Welcoming International Success Act invalidates the September 19, 2025, presidential proclamation that restricted H-1B visa eligibility and wage levels. This legislation ensures the proclamation has no legal force or effect and prohibits the use of federal funds for its implementation.

The Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act of 2026 establishes a pilot program to combat high unemployment by awarding competitive grants for local job guarantee initiatives. These local programs must offer employment to all applicants in the area, providing wages and benefits meeting specific federal standards. The Act also creates a dedicated trust fund and expands tax credits to incentivize the hiring of former program participants.

The WORK to Save Lives Act aims to combat opioid overdoses by requiring federal agencies to stock overdose reversal medication and provide voluntary training. For private employers, the bill establishes non-mandatory guidance on acquiring medication and offering similar voluntary employee training. This legislation focuses on increasing the availability and knowledge surrounding life-saving overdose reversal tools in workplaces.

The Fundamental Immigration Fairness Act aims to limit the detention of aliens deemed to have good moral character before a removal order is issued. It clarifies that unlawful presence or entry alone cannot disqualify an individual from this determination. Additionally, the bill prohibits the public display of names of parties involved in immigration proceedings.

The PrEP Assistance Program Act establishes federal grant funding to support organizations providing HIV prevention medication (PrEP) and related services. It also creates a reimbursement program to ensure uninsured individuals can receive these essential HIV prevention items and services at no cost through a "PrEP Pass" card. The legislation aims to expand access to PrEP by supporting community programs and eliminating financial barriers for the uninsured.

The Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act of 2026 establishes new federal requirements for the sale and transfer of ammunition. This includes mandating federal licensing for all ammunition dealers and requiring all sales to be conducted face-to-face with ID verification. The bill also institutes recordkeeping for large-quantity sales and restricts interstate ammunition shipments that violate local laws.

The Customer Non-Discrimination Act amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to explicitly prohibit discrimination in public accommodations based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This expansion covers a wide range of establishments, including retailers, service providers, and transportation services. The bill also provides clear definitions for these protected characteristics and clarifies that existing federal sex discrimination laws already cover these areas.