Kirsten Gillibrand

S. 5594 was introduced on September 29, 2026 by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) with no cosponsors. The text for this legislation has not yet been released. A summary will be generated when there is text available.

This bill would remove a 1948 federal law that gave New York State law enforcement jurisdiction over Seneca Nation territory in New York. Instead of state police handling law enforcement on Seneca lands, the bill would allow the Seneca Nation to exercise its own law enforcement authority on its territory. The change would take effect only if the U.S. Attorney General, the Seneca Nation, and New York State all agree in writing to the arrangement. The bill requires the Attorney General to consult with both the Seneca Nation and New York State before giving approval to restore tribal law enforcement control.

This Senate resolution formally marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, honoring the 2,977 people killed in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It expresses gratitude to first responders, military members, and volunteers who took part in rescue and recovery efforts, and specifically praises the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93 for their heroism. The resolution also recognizes ongoing efforts to support survivors and victims' families, including federal health programs like the World Trade Center Health Program and the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, as well as the charitable organizations that continue providing assistance. As a symbolic measure, it carries no funding or binding legal requirements but calls on Americans to observe the anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and to maintain the spirit of unity and service shown after the attacks. It affects the general public and honors those touched by 9/11, reaffirming the nation's commitment to remember the tragedy and its aftermath.

The BAD DEAL Act would repeal Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which gives the President authority to impose tariffs in response to discriminatory trade practices by foreign countries. The bill would eliminate this presidential power and nullify any tariffs imposed under this authority, affecting importers, businesses that rely on imports, and consumers who pay tariff-related costs. The legislation includes a retroactive provision requiring the government to refund all tariffs and duties that were collected under Section 338 authority before and after the bill's enactment, which could represent a substantial financial obligation. The bill was introduced in September 2026 by Senators Gillibrand, Welch, Rosen, and Klobuchar and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance for consideration. No specific timeline or funding amount is specified in the legislation.

This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reimburse public employee retirement systems for costs related to workers who became disabled or died while participating in rescue, recovery, and cleanup operations following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. The reimbursements would cover accidental disability retirements and accidental death benefits for public employees who were injured or killed during these operations. Any eligible public employee retirement system that had members involved in the 9/11 response efforts can receive these funds, which can only be used by the retirement system itself. The legislation authorizes $5.9 billion in funding for fiscal year 2027 to cover these reimbursements.

The FABRIC Act prohibits garment industry employers from paying workers based on piece rates, requiring them to pay at least the federal minimum wage by the hour instead, though production-based bonuses remain allowed. The legislation also holds brand companies and garment contractors jointly responsible for wage violations of workers making their products, unless they had no knowledge of the violations, with an exception for unionized workers covered by collective bargaining agreements. To enforce these standards, the bill creates a new Office of the Garment Industry within the Department of Labor, headed by an Undersecretary who will oversee garment manufacturer registration and administer support programs for domestic garment manufacturing. The bill authorizes $10 million for fiscal year 2027 to establish the office and begin operations, followed by $3 million annually through fiscal year 2032. The act includes a severability clause ensuring that if any provision is struck down in court, the remaining law will continue to take effect.

The Don't STEAL Act amends federal wage and hour laws to strengthen protections against wage theft by employers. The bill creates a new right for employees to receive compensation at the higher of either what their employment contract specifies or what federal and state law requires, and it significantly increases both criminal and civil penalties for willful violations. Employers who knowingly withhold wages or overtime compensation exceeding $1,000 would face fines and up to five years in prison, while violations of $1,000 or less would carry penalties of up to one year in prison, with courts considering factors like the number of affected employees and the company's size when determining fines. The legislation directs that criminal fines collected from wage theft violations be used to fund enforcement efforts by the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. These changes take effect 90 days after the bill becomes law.

The Hands Off Our Great Lakes Act would prohibit the President and federal officials from renaming any of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. The bill specifically nullifies Executive Order 14422, which was issued on August 27, 2026, and attempted to rename Lake Ontario as "Lake America." The legislation prevents the federal government from implementing, administering, or enforcing this executive order or any substantially similar action. Additionally, the bill bars the use of any federal funds to carry out the renaming effort. The bill affects the executive branch's authority over geographic naming of these major freshwater lakes, which are shared by the United States and Canada and are vital to the region's economy and ecosystem.

In the nature of a substitute.

The Clean Elections Act would establish a new public financing system for federal elections allowing eligible voters to direct "democracy dollars" vouchers to participating candidates for Congress and President. Starting in 2030, voters would receive $100 per election cycle to contribute to candidates of their choice in $10 increments through a set window ending 10 days before Election Day. Participating candidates must meet contribution thresholds ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000 depending on the office, agree to accept individual donations capped at declining limits ($1,000 down to $200), and limit their personal spending to $2,500 per election. The Federal Election Commission would distribute democracy dollars to candidate accounts within five business days, and the bill provides open-ended appropriations for the program while eliminating the existing presidential public financing system. The changes would take effect for federal elections after December 31, 2028.

The Protection of Kids in Immigrant Detention Act (PROKID Act) establishes an independent Office of the Ombudsperson for Immigrant Children in Immigration Custody within the Department of Health and Human Services to monitor and advocate for children detained or held by immigration authorities. The Ombudsperson will investigate complaints of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment; conduct frequent unannounced inspections of detention facilities; and work to ensure children are held in the least restrictive settings possible, with priority given to releasing children held with families within 72 hours of apprehension. The bill applies to all facilities where immigrant children are detained, including government facilities, private detention centers, and temporary emergency shelters. The Ombudsperson will have subpoena power, access to case files and facility records, and authority to make binding recommendations to immigration agencies. The legislation also requires the Office of Refugee Resettlement to collect and publicly publish detailed monthly data on immigrant children in custody, establishes an expert advisory committee to assist with compliance monitoring, and mandates coordination between the Ombudsperson and Department of Homeland Security. The bill does not specify dedicated funding but requires the Comptroller General to evaluate the memorandum of understanding between the Ombudsperson and Department of Homeland Security within two years of enactment.

# Summary of S. 5094: Real Courts, Rule of Law Act of 2026 This bill establishes an independent United States Immigration Courts system under Article I of the Constitution, removing immigration judges from the executive branch Department of Justice where they currently operate. The new court system would consist of three divisions: an appellate division with 21 judges appointed by the President with Senate confirmation, a trial division with immigration judges appointed by the appellate division, and an administrative division overseeing operations. Immigration judges would receive salaries equal to federal district court judges (appeals judges) or 92 percent thereof (trial judges), serve 15-year terms, and enjoy protections including removal only for cause after a hearing. The bill transfers all functions and personnel of the Executive Office for Immigration Review to the new independent court system and grants the immigration courts full budgetary independence—the court establishes its own budget without executive branch review. The courts would handle removal proceedings, asylum cases, bond determinations, and disciplinary matters for attorneys. Current immigration judges would be redesignated as "interim" judges during a four-year transition period, during which they may seek permanent appointment through a merit-based process. The legislation does not specify new funding but requires Congress to appropriate necessary funds for the independent court system. The bill becomes effective when at least three appellate judges have been appointed and either one full fiscal year passes after enactment (if that date is at least 180 days after passage) or two full fiscal years pass otherwise.

This bill allows employees to withdraw unused money from their employer-sponsored commuter benefits accounts as a one-time distribution without losing their tax benefits for future commuting expenses. Employees can take out up to the highest balance their account held between March 13, 2020 and the end of 2023, which was the period when many people stopped commuting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The withdrawn funds would be counted as taxable income for the year the distribution is made, but the account can continue to receive and use future commuter benefits tax-free. The bill applies to transportation fringe benefit accounts that allow unused monthly balances to carry forward to the next month. This legislation gives workers a way to access money that accumulated in these accounts during the pandemic when commuting patterns changed dramatically.

The Secure and Accountable Military AI Act of 2026 establishes comprehensive oversight and approval procedures for high-risk military artificial intelligence systems. The bill requires the Department of Defense to identify "high-consequence" AI applications—such as those used for nuclear weapons, lethal targeting, cyber operations, and autonomous weapons—and obtain written certification from senior Pentagon officials before deploying them, with advance notification to Congress at least 15 days before use (or within 48 hours in emergencies). Military AI contractors must report serious security incidents within 72 hours and other concerning AI behaviors within 7 days to the Department, which then informs Congress's Armed Services Committees. The bill also creates a special expedited congressional approval process for autonomous weapon systems outside limited exceptions, requiring the Secretary of Defense to petition Congress with a detailed classified justification, though approved systems expire after three years and must be recertified. Overall, the legislation aims to ensure that high-risk military AI systems undergo rigorous testing and legal review before deployment while maintaining transparency and accountability to Congress and the public.

This bill establishes a new United States Commission on Hate Crimes to study the causes and prevention of hate crimes in America. The Commission will be composed of ten members appointed by congressional leaders and the Attorney General, with balanced representation from law enforcement and civil rights organizations, and will investigate factors contributing to hate crimes, including social media and technology, law enforcement policies to reduce these crimes, underreporting issues, and successful prevention efforts. The Commission must complete its investigation and submit a report to Congress and the President within one year of all members being appointed, after which it will dissolve. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to audit the FBI's hate crime data collection methods and accuracy within one year, comparing FBI data with information from civil rights organizations and the Bureau of Justice Statistics to identify improvements needed in how hate crimes are reported and tracked nationwide. The bill does not specify new funding amounts but authorizes the Commission's operations through its report deadline.

The MARCH for Military Servicemembers Act would repeal federal restrictions that currently prohibit the Department of Defense from using its funds and facilities to provide abortion care to service members. The bill would restore a previous policy that allowed military medical facilities to offer abortion services, affecting active duty military personnel, retirees, and their families who rely on military health care. The legislation would apply to all Defense Department medical facilities and would eliminate the current legal barriers preventing these facilities from performing abortions. No specific funding amounts or implementation timelines are included in the bill text. The measure was introduced in May 2026 by a bipartisan group of senators and was referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Moms Matter Act establishes two federal grant programs to address maternal mental health and substance use disorders, with particular focus on communities experiencing higher rates of maternal mortality and health disparities. The first program provides $25 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to eligible organizations such as community health centers, nonprofits, hospitals, and tribal organizations to expand mental health services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. These grants can fund integrated care programs, prenatal and postpartum support groups, provider training on identifying mental health warning signs, stigma reduction efforts, and suicide prevention initiatives. The second program allocates $15 million annually for the same period to support education and training programs that grow and diversify the workforce of mental health professionals specializing in maternal care, with priority given to schools recruiting from racial and ethnic minority groups and training providers for underserved areas. Both programs require grant recipients to submit annual reports on their activities and outcomes, and the Department of Health and Human Services must report to Congress by 2030 and 2031 respectively on program effectiveness and recommendations for expanding evidence-based maternal mental health screening and treatment.

This bill would make it illegal for most civilians to purchase, own, or possess enhanced body armor, which is defined as armor that meets or exceeds certain ballistic protection standards set by the National Institute of Justice. The ban would apply to all civilian purchases and ownership going forward, though law enforcement officers, corrections officers, retired law enforcement officers, government agencies, and people who already owned such armor before the law takes effect would be exempt. Anyone who knowingly violates this prohibition could face up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. The legislation would amend federal firearms law to create this new criminal offense and was introduced in the Senate in May 2026, named after Aaron Salter Jr.

This bill expands workers' compensation benefits for civilian federal employees who were exposed to toxic burn pits while working overseas during military operations. The legislation creates a presumption that certain diseases listed by the Department of Veterans Affairs are automatically connected to burn pit exposure, eliminating the need for affected workers to prove the link between their illness and their job. Eligible employees include those from agencies like the Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Justice, and intelligence community agencies who worked at least 30 days in countries where the U.S. was conducting military operations since August 1990. The list of covered diseases will initially match those already recognized for military veterans exposed to burn pits, and the Secretary of Labor must update this list within 90 days whenever the VA adds new diseases. The Secretary of Labor must also report to Congress within one year on how many civilian employees qualify for these new benefits.

This bill provides tax relief to families of public safety officers, including police, firefighters, and other first responders, who die in the line of duty. The legislation amends the tax code to allow death benefits and survivor annuities received by the families of deceased first responders to be excluded from federal income taxation. Specifically, it broadens the definition of who can receive these tax-free benefits to include all surviving beneficiaries rather than just dependents, and it expands coverage to include benefits from life insurance policies and benefit plans associated with the officer. The changes apply retroactively to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, meaning families could potentially claim refunds for recent tax years. The bill has no specified new federal funding requirements, as it reduces tax revenue through expanded exclusions for an existing category of tax-exempt income.

The HUMBLE Presidents Act would prohibit sitting U.S. Presidents from having their names, images, likenesses, or signatures placed on federal buildings, property, or other government assets. The bill also extends this restriction to U.S. coins and currency, preventing sitting Presidents from appearing on these items except where already established by law. The legislation bans the use of federal funds to carry out any naming, decoration, or other use of a sitting President's identity on federal assets. The bill was introduced in the Senate in April 2026 and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, but contains no specific funding amounts or implementation timeline.

Senior Hunger Prevention Act of 2026This bill expands and modifies nutrition programs for older adults and adults with disabilities, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).Under the bill, a household's eligibility for SNAP benefits may be certified for 36 months if all adult household members are elderly or disabled, an increase from 24 months. The bill also expands the SNAP medical expense deduction and increases the minimum allotment for households with one and two persons.The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must establish an elderly simplified application program that allows a state to implement a streamlined SNAP application and certification process for households where all adult household members are elderly or disabled and have no earned income.The bill also directs USDA to authorize public-private partnerships between USDA, retail food stores participating in SNAP, and community-based organizations to provide free or low-cost food delivery under SNAP, including through the use of private funds.Further, the bill reauthorizes CSFP, provides additional funding for the program, and expands eligibility to include low-income adults with disabilities. CSFP benefits may also be certified for 36 months. Currently, benefits may be certified for not less than one year, but not more than three years.The bill also expands eligibility for the Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) to include adults with disabilities, provide a 36-month certification period, and include minimum and maximum benefit amounts.Under the bill, USDA must also establish various related grant programs.