Ayanna Pressley

This bill requires the nation's largest banks—those with $50 billion or more in assets—to develop plans for eliminating their financing of fossil fuel projects, with a mandate to stop funding thermal coal and new fossil fuel ventures immediately and phase out all fossil fuel financing by 2035, ultimately reaching zero emissions by 2050. Banks must also eliminate financing for commodities linked to deforestation and cannot use carbon offsets to meet these goals, with penalties for non-compliance including forced asset sales and loss of federal deposit insurance. The Federal Reserve must report to Congress within 180 days on the financial sector's current emissions levels, regulatory gaps, and the economic impacts of this transition, followed by updated reports every two years on progress toward the targets and efforts to support workers and communities affected by the shift away from fossil fuel financing. The legislation aims to align the banking system's investment decisions with climate goals while ensuring that the transition to clean energy is managed fairly for affected workers and communities.

The Affordability is Access Act of 2026 requires health insurance plans, both group and individual, to cover over-the-counter contraceptives without cost-sharing to patients, meaning no copays or deductibles. The bill applies to any contraceptive product approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale without a prescription, expanding on existing contraceptive coverage requirements under the Affordable Care Act. The legislation directs the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury to clarify that insurance coverage includes these over-the-counter methods even without a doctor's prescription, while also requiring retailers that stock over-the-counter contraceptives to not interfere with customers' access to or purchase of these products. The bill does not establish new funding or timelines but emphasizes congressional support for making over-the-counter birth control both accessible and affordable by removing cost barriers to individuals who want to use it.

H.Res. 1554 is a resolution recognizing the federal government's duty to establish a national job guarantee program. The bill proposes guaranteeing employment to all willing adults at a minimum wage of $25 per hour with federal employee-level benefits, creating positions in areas like care work, infrastructure, environmental conservation, affordable housing, and public art. The program would be administered by the Department of Labor working with state and local governments while preserving existing safety net programs and workers' rights to organize. The resolution grounds this proposal in historical precedent including FDR's Economic Bill of Rights and the 1963 March on Washington, arguing such a program is necessary to address stagnant wages, poverty, underemployment, and economic inequality including racial and gender wealth gaps.

The Survivors' Rights Restitution Act of 2026 establishes a new compensation program for victims of sexual assault, abuse, sex trafficking, or exploitation by Jeffrey Epstein or Ghislaine Maxwell, as well as victims of federal sexual offenses where the government failed to provide legally required victim rights. Eligible survivors file petitions documenting their harm and losses with the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, where a new Office of Special Adjudicators for Survivors Restitution will review claims through a streamlined, trauma-informed process designed to reach decisions within 120 days. The office will employ at least six adjudicators, with at least four being licensed mental health professionals with trauma-informed care experience, to ensure claims are evaluated with appropriate sensitivity and expertise. The bill uses flexible evidence rules and allows survivors to present their cases without formal adversarial proceedings, with decisions subject to limited review by the Court of Federal Claims and potential appeal to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026 would guarantee that people convicted of criminal offenses can vote in federal elections, regardless of when their conviction occurred. Currently, many states restrict voting rights for people with felony convictions, but this bill would eliminate those restrictions and establish voting rights as a guaranteed protection at the federal level. The legislation affects incarcerated individuals, people on probation or parole, and formerly incarcerated citizens by requiring states and federal facilities to notify them of their voting rights and provide access to voter registration and absentee ballots. The bill mandates that prisons and jails offer voter registration forms within 90 days of enactment, transmit completed applications to election officials within 10 days, and allow incarcerated voters to cast absentee ballots by mail with prepaid postage. States would also be required to accept late voter registration and absentee ballot applications if they were mailed within two days of the deadline, and the Election Assistance Commission would conduct a national public awareness campaign within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The legislation includes enforcement mechanisms allowing the Attorney General and private citizens to file lawsuits to remedy violations, with accelerated timelines for complaints filed close to elections.

Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act or the MOMMIES Act This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) relating to maternal health. For example, the bill expands eligibility for coverage under Medicaid and CHIP from 60 days to one year after the last day of pregnancy and requires such coverage to include oral health services. The bill also establishes a demonstration program in which states receive grants to implement or expand models for maternity care homes that provide services to Medicaid or CHIP beneficiaries. The Government Accountability Office must report on (1) gaps in coverage under Medicaid and CHIP for pregnant and postpartum women, and (2) the use of telehealth by state Medicaid programs to increase access to maternity care.

The Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act addresses the medical and safety needs of pregnant and postpartum women in the U.S. prison and jail system. The bill prohibits the shackling of pregnant individuals during incarceration and creates federal incentives for states to adopt similar protections by reducing Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grants by 25 percent for non-compliant states. The legislation establishes model maternal health programs in at least six federal Bureau of Prisons facilities and provides grants of $10 million annually through 2031 to states and local jurisdictions to develop or expand pregnancy and postpartum care programs in their facilities, which may include perinatal health workers, mental health counseling, nutrition support, officer training, and assistance maintaining contact between mothers and newborns. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study maternal and infant health outcomes among incarcerated women, with particular attention to racial and ethnic disparities, within two years of enactment.

The FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from requiring prior authorization, prescription approval, or medical documentation before covering repairs to complex rehabilitation technology, primarily wheelchairs and related accessories. The restriction applies to plan years beginning January 1 after the bill is enacted, streamlining the repair approval process for Medicare beneficiaries who use these mobility devices. Prior authorization may still be required for initial medical necessity evaluations, technology replacements due to loss or damage, or when equipment reaches five years of use or the end of its useful life. The bill affects Medicare Advantage plan enrollees who depend on power wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, and related accessories for mobility. By removing administrative barriers to repairs, the legislation aims to reduce delays in getting essential mobility equipment serviced while allowing insurers to maintain oversight of major replacements and new equipment purchases.

The Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act would ban the federal government from imposing or carrying out the death penalty for any federal crime. The bill affects anyone currently on federal death row as well as anyone prosecuted for federal crimes in the future, requiring that those already sentenced to death under federal law be resentenced to a different punishment. The legislation contains no specific funding provisions or implementation timelines beyond stating that the prohibition takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill was introduced in May 2026 with support from a bipartisan group of 22 House members, primarily from the Democratic caucus, and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee.

The Renter Resource Center Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a toll-free hotline and website within 180 days where renters of large institutional investors can report disputes and potential legal violations. Large institutional investors—defined as entities controlling 350 or more single-family homes—must notify tenants annually about this resource and provide contact information for their dispute resolution contacts. HUD will investigate complaints involving federal law violations, share information with relevant agencies, and refer state law violations to appropriate state authorities while providing written responses to renters about actions taken. The bill exempts certain purchases by large investors, including those for affordable housing, foreclosure-related acquisitions, senior housing, disability care facilities, and home-ownership programs that give renters first refusal rights. HUD must submit annual reports to Congress analyzing the types and outcomes of disputes while protecting renters' personal information through anonymization.

The Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act establishes three federally-funded initiatives to improve reproductive health services for people with disabilities. First, the bill creates a $10 million annual grant program (2027-2031) to train healthcare professionals in disability-competent reproductive care through health centers, universities, and disability-led organizations. Second, it authorizes $15 million annually (2027-2031) to support individuals with disabilities in nursing education and help nursing schools develop curricula for serving disabled patients. Third, the bill directs a three-year research study funded at $15 million in fiscal year 2027 to evaluate existing sexual and reproductive health programs for people with disabilities and examine how federal, state, and tribal partnerships can better coordinate these services. Overall, the legislation aims to increase both the availability of trained providers and the quality of reproductive health care accessible to Americans with disabilities.

This joint resolution would block a decision by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to withdraw a rule that protected consumers from deceptive and unfair debt collection practices involving medical debt. The rule in question, known as Regulation F, was originally designed to regulate how debt collectors treat people with medical debts. The CFPB attempted to withdraw this protection in 2025, but this resolution would prevent that withdrawal from taking effect, meaning the consumer protections would remain in place. The measure uses the Congressional Review Act, a process that allows Congress to disapprove federal agency rules. If passed by both the House and Senate and signed into law, the resolution would invalidate the CFPB's withdrawal decision and keep medical debt collection protections active.

The Housing FIRST Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to restrict what information can appear in tenant screening reports used by landlords to evaluate rental applicants. Under the bill, consumer reporting agencies would be prohibited from including arrest records, juvenile convictions, misdemeanor citations, cases resolved through diversion programs, completed sentences, and expunged or sealed records in tenant screening reports. The legislation also requires landlords who deny housing based on these reports to notify applicants within three days and provide specific reasons for the denial, ensuring transparency in rental decisions. The bill aims to reduce barriers to housing for formerly incarcerated individuals and those with prior criminal records by preventing outdated or resolved legal matters from automatically disqualifying rental applicants. No specific funding or implementation timeline is included in the legislation.

The Books Save Lives Act requires public libraries receiving federal funding and school libraries to maintain diverse book collections that include works written or illustrated by authors from underrepresented communities and books about such communities. The bill defines underrepresented communities to include racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ individuals, religious minorities, and people with disabilities. It also mandates that schools maintain libraries staffed by trained librarians and establishes that the exclusion of books by or about underrepresented communities can constitute discrimination under existing civil rights laws. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to submit a report within 180 days of enactment examining how recent book ban campaigns in public libraries and schools have affected underrepresented communities. The legislation applies to schools and libraries that receive any federal financial assistance.

The HELP Act of 2026 is legislation designed to combat evictions and protect low-income renters in federally assisted housing. The bill creates a comprehensive eviction database requiring housing authorities to report detailed information about evictions to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including reasons for evictions, tenant income, disability status, race and ethnicity, and whether tenants had legal representation. It establishes a competitive grant program to fund legal assistance organizations that provide free eviction prevention and legal aid services to low-income tenants, with preference given to organizations serving areas with high eviction rates and rural communities. The bill also amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit credit bureaus from including eviction records or rent arrears on consumer credit reports, protecting renters' financial futures. Additionally, the legislation requires housing providers to inform tenants annually of their rights and responsibilities, mandates that eviction notices explain the reason for eviction, and directs the HUD Secretary to establish a hotline providing information and resources to tenants facing eviction within one year of the bill's enactment. The bill authorizes necessary funding for grants and legal assistance programs but does not specify a dollar amount.

The SPARK Act creates a new federal program administered by the Small Business Administration to increase access to capital and business support in underserved communities, including minority-owned businesses, women entrepreneurs, and rural areas that currently face significant funding gaps. The bill establishes cooperative agreements with nonprofits, community development financial institutions, and minority-focused lenders to provide grants of up to $20,000 per business and low-interest loans to eligible small business owners, with annual funding capped at $1 million for established participants and $500,000 for new applicants. The SBA must prioritize projects serving economically distressed areas and conduct annual financial examinations and provide technical assistance to participating businesses. Participating entities are required to track and report annually to Congress on key metrics including participant demographics, capital access, job creation, and business survival rates. The bill addresses documented disparities in entrepreneurship funding, noting that minority-owned startups face twice the loan denial rate, women founders receive only 2 percent of venture capital, and rural areas receive less than 1 percent of venture capital funding.

This concurrent resolution expresses congressional support for designating March 10, 2026, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day." The resolution honors abortion providers and clinic staff for delivering essential healthcare services and recognizes March 10 specifically because Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider, was murdered on that date in 1993. The measure addresses concerns about the impact of state abortion bans and restrictions since the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, noting that clinic closures, increased patient hardship, and harassment of providers have intensified. The resolution calls on Congress to affirm its commitment to protecting abortion provider safety, ensuring patient access to abortion care regardless of location, and condemning restrictions on abortion services. As a concurrent resolution, this measure expresses the sense of Congress but does not create law, appropriate funds, or carry binding legal authority.

The Better Labor Statistics Act modernizes how the federal government collects and reports labor statistics by requiring the Secretary of Labor to publish detailed employment data online by the first Friday of each month, rather than just annually. The bill mandates that all labor statistics reports include demographic breakdowns by geography, race, ethnicity, and gender, making it easier for the public to understand how employment varies across different populations. This legislation affects workers, job seekers, policymakers, and researchers who rely on labor data to understand economic conditions and identify disparities in employment outcomes. The bill updates outdated language in labor law dating back to 1913 to reflect modern reporting standards and transparency requirements. No specific funding amount is mentioned in the bill, and it does not establish a deadline for implementation beyond the monthly reporting requirement.

H.Res. 1088 is a symbolic resolution that recognizes and celebrates the importance of Black history museums and cultural institutions across the United States. The resolution acknowledges that 2026 marks both the 100th anniversary of Black History Month and the nation's 250th anniversary, and it emphasizes that these institutions are essential to telling America's complete and accurate history. The resolution affects all Americans by calling on federal agencies like the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and the National Park Service to strengthen their support and partnerships with Black museums and cultural institutions. The measure also encourages the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to work with these institutions in planning 250th anniversary celebrations, and it calls on all Americans to visit these museums, support them through attendance and donations, and recognize them as authoritative sources for historical truth. There is no funding amount or specific timeline mentioned in the resolution, as it is primarily a statement of congressional recognition and values rather than appropriations legislation.

The BE HEARD in the Workplace Act is comprehensive federal legislation designed to strengthen workplace protections against discrimination and harassment. The bill expands civil rights protections to explicitly cover sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy-related conditions, and other previously underprotected categories; lowers the employer size threshold from 15 to 1 employee; and establishes clearer standards for proving harassment by requiring only that a protected characteristic be "a motivating factor" in adverse employment decisions. The bill also raises the tipped minimum wage gradually to match the federal minimum wage, extends the statute of limitations for filing discrimination complaints from 180-300 days to 4 years, prohibits employers from using nondisclosure and nondisparagement clauses to silence workers reporting harassment, and bans mandatory arbitration clauses for workplace disputes. To support implementation, the legislation creates federal grant programs for legal assistance to low-income workers and workplace discrimination prevention efforts, establishes state-based worker advocacy systems with independent governance, requires federal contractors to disclose labor violations, and mandates comprehensive research including triennial national harassment surveys and studies by the Merit Systems Protection Board, Commission on Civil Rights, and National Academies of Sciences. The bill authorizes whatever federal funding is necessary to implement these programs and applies retroactively to all pending discrimination claims.

This bill requires large, systemically important banks to submit detailed annual reports to the Federal Reserve that go well beyond current financial disclosures. The reports would cover a wide range of topics including the banks' size and complexity, enforcement actions against them, employee misconduct and dismissals, trading activities, compensation practices and pay equity, diversity efforts, cybersecurity measures, climate risk and fossil fuel financing, environmental justice impacts, and artificial intelligence use. The legislation also mandates disclosure of whistleblower complaints, merger activities, and changes in these areas over the past decade. All reports would be made publicly available on the Federal Reserve's website, giving regulators and the public much greater insight into how the largest financial institutions operate and manage risks.

The Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026 eliminates qualified immunity, a legal defense that currently protects law enforcement officers from civil lawsuits. Under existing law, officers can avoid liability if they were acting in good faith or if the rights they violated were not "clearly established" at the time. This bill removes those protections, allowing people to sue federal, state, and local law enforcement officers for constitutional violations regardless of whether the officers believed their conduct was lawful or whether legal precedent clearly prohibited it. The bill applies to all cases pending or filed after its enactment and extends the same liability standards to federal law enforcement officers. The legislation was introduced in January 2026 but does not specify funding amounts or implementation timelines, as it primarily restructures existing civil rights law rather than creating new programs.

This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 1689) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to designate Haiti for temporary protected status.

This resolution expresses support for the designation of National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month.

The Appraisal Modernization Act would give homebuyers new rights to challenge potentially flawed or discriminatory property appraisals in mortgage transactions. Under the bill, borrowers could request that lenders review an appraisal if they believe it contains unsupported conclusions, relies on incomplete data, uses inappropriate comparison properties, or reflects discrimination. Lenders would be required to establish clear procedures for handling these requests, provide borrowers with written disclosure forms, and in cases where serious problems are identified, order a new appraisal at the lender's expense. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study the feasibility of creating a publicly searchable national database of appraisal data within 240 days, which could help policymakers and the public assess whether appraisers are treating all borrowers and communities fairly and consistently. The actual implementation of the appraisal database would require future congressional action, but the Federal Housing Finance Agency must issue rules within one year to enforce the new borrower protections.