First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.
This Senate resolution formally acknowledges and apologizes for the decades of discrimination and wrongful termination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served in the U.S. military, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. The measure highlights historical policies, such as the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule and the "Lavender Scare," which forced hundreds of thousands of service members to leave their jobs or hide their identities, while also noting recent executive actions that have rescinded protections for gender identity. While the resolution reaffirms a commitment to equal rights and respect for all LGBT government employees, it explicitly states that it does not create any legal claims or settlements for affected individuals.
This resolution honors the victims and survivors of a mass shooting that occurred at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, on December 13, 2025. It specifically acknowledges the two students who lost their lives and the nine others who were injured during the incident. The text also expresses condolences to the families of the deceased, commends the various first responders who assisted, and offers solidarity to the university community and the state. Finally, the resolution condemns the act of violence and recognizes that ending gun violence requires action from Congress.
This bill, known as the Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act, aims to repeal specific restrictions on how the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives manages gun-related data. By removing these limits, the legislation would allow federal agencies to keep instant background check records longer than the current 24-hour requirement and enable the ATF to conduct annual inventory audits of gun dealers. Additionally, the bill would permit the consolidation of firearms records and allow for more Freedom of Information Act requests regarding gun traces. These changes are intended to help law enforcement track illegal firearms more effectively and support research into gun trafficking patterns.
The Fraudulent Artificial Intelligence Regulations (FAIR) Elections Act of 2026 prohibits individuals from knowingly distributing false AI-generated media about federal elections or election officials if the intent is to impede voting or harass officials, while allowing news organizations to report on such content as long as they clearly label it as false. The bill also restricts states from removing voters from official registration lists unless the data comes from government sources approved by the Attorney General and updated at least monthly. Additionally, it bars the federal government from comparing its own databases with state or local records to determine voter eligibility and establishes a private right of action for citizens to sue if the government violates this rule. To further ensure accuracy, the Act requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the impact of using federal databases like SAVE for voter removals and submit its findings to Congress within 180 days.
The American Innovation and Choice Online Act targets large online platforms that dominate the U.S. market by prohibiting them from unfairly favoring their own products, restricting competitors' access to platform features, or using competitor data to compete against them. Specifically, the bill defines "systemically important platforms" as those with over $175 billion in annual revenue and at least 34 percent of U.S. users or households, placing them under strict rules against practices like tying services, manipulating search rankings, or forcing users to stay on the platform. The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice are authorized to enforce these rules through civil penalties and injunctions, with a requirement that legal cases against these major platforms be resolved within one year. Additionally, the law includes specific exemptions to protect national security interests and intellectual property rights, ensuring that platforms are not required to share trade secrets or assist foreign adversaries.
HR 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, requires employers to begin negotiating a first contract with a newly certified union within 10 days of written request. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties must seek mediation, and if unresolved after 30 days of mediation, the dispute moves to binding arbitration by a three-member panel. The arbitration decision, based on factors like employer finances, industry standards, and cost of living, becomes binding for two years. This bill directly affects newly certified unions and their employers during initial contract negotiations, aiming to reduce delays that currently average 465 days.
This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct a study within 180 days to determine if smaller aircraft, designed for 10 to 19 passengers, can be safely used for scheduled commercial flights. The investigation must examine how allowing these planes in commercial service would affect the economics for airlines serving small communities, review regulations in other countries, and gather input from manufacturers, rural communities, and safety experts. Once the study is finished, the FAA Administrator will submit a report detailing the findings to both the House and Senate committees.
North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the individuals and communities that provided financial and other support for the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II.
This resolution formally recognizes June 8, 2026, as World Oceans Day to honor the ocean's historical and economic importance to the United States. It celebrates the contributions of fishermen, maritime workers, scientists, and coastal communities while acknowledging key milestones such as the 50th anniversary of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the 20th anniversary of the Marine Debris Program. The measure serves as a commemorative statement that reaffirms national commitment to ocean stewardship and maritime leadership without altering existing laws or creating new regulations.
This Senate resolution expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The bill calls on people across the United States to promote awareness of gun violence and safety, wear orange on the designated day to honor victims, and encourage community leaders to discuss ways to make neighborhoods safer. While the resolution highlights statistics on gun-related deaths and injuries, it does not create new laws or change existing policies. Instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to raise public attention about the issue during a specific time period.
The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Defense Act of 2026 establishes a new framework for the U.S. Department of Defense to develop and deploy autonomous weapon systems and artificial intelligence capabilities. It requires the Secretary of Defense to maintain continuous human oversight, ensuring that operators can intervene to stop systems acting illegally or unexpectedly. The bill mandates rigorous testing, cybersecurity reviews, and legal assessments before these technologies are prototyped or fielded, while also creating a working group to advise on safety standards. Specific prohibitions prevent the use of AI for nuclear launch decisions or warrantless surveillance of individuals within the United States. Additionally, the act defines different risk levels for these systems and requires annual reports to Congress on their administration.
