May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions, political announcements and other government-related news concerning social advocacy issues. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Congressional Calendar
• 📜 Legislative Updates
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Congressional Calendar

• House Veterans' Affairs Legislative Hearing: The House Veterans' Affairs Committee will hold a legislative hearing on May 20 at 14:15 ET in Cannon 360, covering reforms in agency contracting, housing, sexual assault protocols, workforce protections, and toxic exposure advisory matters.
• Senate Indian Affairs Business Meeting and Budget Hearing: The Senate Indian Affairs Committee convenes a business meeting on May 20 at 18:30 ET in Dirksen 628 to consider tribal land leasing and health service bills, followed by a review of the FY2027 budget for Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service.
• House Education and Workforce Subcommittee Hearing: Bad Medicine: On May 20 at 14:15 ET in Rayburn 2175, the House Education and Workforce Subcommittee examines "Bad Medicine: Politics, Unions, and Antisemitism in Health Care."
• House Natural Resources Subcommittee Legislative Hearing: Native Affairs: The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs will meet May 21 at 18:00 ET in Longworth 1324 to discuss the BADGES for Native Communities Act, Indian buffalo management, land transfers, and claims parity legislation.

Legislative Updates

Black Women Best Framework Bill

Bill 1292, introduced to acknowledge the Black Women Best framework, proposes guaranteed income, expanded child and income tax credits, improved health care access, prohibition of policing in schools, and restorative justice measures. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Global Majority Human Rights Mandate

Bill 1277 recognizes pain, violence, and oppression affecting the global majority, promoting self-determination and a renewed human rights mandate. The bill is before committees on Judiciary, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, and others for jurisdictional review.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Reproductive Health Care for Individuals with Disabilities

Bills 8829 and 4540 both aim to amend the Public Health Service Act to strengthen reproductive health care for people with disabilities. Bill 8829 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; Bill 4540 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act

Bill 7655 focuses on policies for expectant and parenting foster youth. The measure is listed on the Union Calendar, No. 558.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Maternal Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders Bill

Bill 8811, designed to address maternal mental health and substance use disorders, was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for consideration.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Immigration Reform Bill

Bill 4546 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by establishing national-interest standards, ending certain family-sponsored immigration categories, revising moral character definitions, eliminating diversity visas, and modifying employment-based rules. Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Protective Orders Grant Program Bill

Bill 8733 seeks to create a grant program supporting protective orders for individuals related by blood or marriage in intimate relationships. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Medically Necessary Home Resiliency Services Under Medicare

Bill 8749 proposes coverage under Medicare for medically necessary home resiliency services. Referred to committees on Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act

Bill 7432 expands housing opportunities for foster youth and is placed on the Union Calendar, No. 560.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Strength in Diversity Program Bill

Bill 4535 calls for establishing the Strength in Diversity Program. The bill was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Title IX Biological Sex Clarification Bill

Bill 8781 clarifies that Title IX nondiscrimination is based on biological sex. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Countering Antisemitism and Recognizing Jewish-American Contributions

Bill 1251 urges elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and recognize Jewish-American community contributions. The motion to reconsider was laid on the table and agreed to without objection.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act

Bill 8712 mandates disclosure related to forced labor practices in supply chains. Sponsor delivered introductory remarks in the House (CR H3461).

Sources: www.congress.gov

Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act

Bill 7529 supports the transition of foster youth into adulthood and is listed on the Union Calendar, No. 557.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Full-Service Community School Program Improvement

Bills 8752 and 4504 seek to enhance the full-service community school program. Bill 8752 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce; Bill 4504 was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sources: www.congress.gov, www.congress.gov

Expanded Access to Veterans Community Care Program

Bill 8737 expands access to the Veterans Community Care Program for veterans seeking mental health or substance-use services. Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act

Bill 7343 addresses workforce opportunities for foster youth, appearing on the Union Calendar, No. 556.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Increased Research for Bleeding Disorders in Underserved Populations

Bill 8794 provides for research and initiatives related to bleeding disorders in underserved populations. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Expanded Eligibility for Housing Programs for Volunteer First Responders

Bill 8789 would expand housing program eligibility for qualified volunteer first responders. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Maternal Health Outcomes During Public Health Emergencies

Bill 8807 authorizes appropriations for maternal health outcome data collection during public health emergencies. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Health Care Costs, Prescription Drugs and Insurance

Bill 8840 seeks to address healthcare service, drug costs, and insurance coverage. Referred to multiple committees including Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Education and Workforce, Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Supporting Survivors from Faith-based Communities Act

Bill 8813 offers support for survivors in faith-based communities. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Recognition of Behavioral Health Needs for Rare Disease Families

Bill 1290 recognizes behavioral health needs among individuals and families facing rare diseases. Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Firearm Transaction Privacy Certification Bill

Bill 8758 requires certifications on disclosure of personally identifiable information related to firearm possession transactions. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Cancer Survivorship and Continuum of Care Standards Bill

Bill 8839 sets standards for cancer survivorship care, aiming to improve long-term outcomes. Referred to committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Education and Workforce.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Disqualification of Aliens Engaged in Activities Against U.S. Principles

Bill 4542 proposes barring aliens from asylum or legal status if engaged in activities opposing U.S. government or supporting Sharia law. Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Sources: www.congress.gov

Foster Care Month Resolution

Senate resolution 737 marks National Foster Care Month, urging policy improvement for children in foster care. Submitted, considered, and agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

Sources: www.congress.gov

What We're Reading This Week

• How minimum wage hikes and food stamps fit in to suicide prevention: Examines links between poverty policy and suicide prevention outcomes.
• Health care's solvable problem: maternal mortality: Investigates opportunities to reduce maternal mortality rates in U.S. healthcare.
• UN human-rights experts urge Starbucks and US to address union-busting claims: UN experts call for action on alleged union suppression at U.S. companies.
• Opinion | The Law They Hate Was a High Point of Our History: Discusses the legacy and current challenges surrounding the Voting Rights Act.
• Opinion | A Quietly Radical Experiment in Criminal Justice: Describes a feminist criminal justice initiative in Hawaii.
• Vance to States: Address Fraud or Lose Federal Medicaid Funding: J.D. Vance urges states to improve Medicaid fraud controls or risk funding.
• Have You Experienced Sexual Harassment on Capitol Hill? Share Your Story.: Solicits public input on sexual harassment experiences in Congress.
• Opinion | This Is the Antidote to a Lonely Life of Screens: Considers how community rituals foster social connection.
• Opinion | This Approach to Addiction Will Cost Lives: Reviews policy shifts in addiction harm reduction and potential consequences.

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