Legislation

This bill establishes the DOD and USDA Interagency Research Act to create a joint research and development program between the Department of Defense and the Department of Agriculture. The collaboration will focus on projects advancing national security and agricultural priorities, such as supply chain resilience, bioindustrial manufacturing, and natural resource management. The Secretaries must sign an agreement outlining a merit-based review process and focusing on high-payoff technologies. The program also mandates annual reporting to Congress on achievements, expenditures, and research security practices.

The Expeditionary Diplomacy Act mandates the State Department to formally define "expeditionary diplomacy" and assess its current practice in high-risk environments. It requires reports from the GAO and establishes a dedicated Tiger Team to develop recommendations for improving the department's ability to engage in this type of diplomacy. Ultimately, the bill seeks to encourage diplomats to regularly interact with local populations, even in challenging security settings, through new directives and risk management practices.

The Promoting Access to Local Agriculture Act of 2026 aims to make it easier for local farmers to sell directly to consumers through federal nutrition programs. This bill mandates the creation of a streamlined, single application process for farmers seeking authorization under SNAP, WIC, and other key nutrition initiatives. Furthermore, it requires the USDA to support the use of modern, mobile payment technology at farmers' markets.

This resolution urges the President to prioritize securing the release of several specific religious and political detainees, including Pastor Jin Mingri, Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife Pang Yu, Dr. Gulshan Abbas, and Jimmy Lai, during future engagements with the President of China. It condemns the ongoing detention of these and other individuals by the People's Republic of China. The bill calls for the President to seek proof of life, legal counsel, and medical access for those unjustly held.

This resolution authorizes the use of the Capitol Grounds for two events hosted by the National Fraternal Order of Police in May 2026: the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service honoring fallen officers and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition. The bill sets specific dates and terms for these public, non-interfering events, including sponsor responsibility for all expenses and adherence to established Capitol Grounds restrictions.

The SMART Act of 2025 aims to reduce regulatory burdens for well-managed and well-capitalized financial institutions with $\$6$ billion or less in assets. It introduces alternating limited-scope examinations and allows for the combination of certain required examinations upon request. Furthermore, the bill establishes new requirements for federal agencies to make on-site examinations of these smaller institutions more efficient and less disruptive.

This resolution supports designating May 29, 2026, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day." The goal is to raise awareness about the unique mental health challenges faced by farmers and farmworkers and to actively work toward reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness in the agricultural community. It recognizes the vital role of this workforce while highlighting the significant stress factors they endure.

The ABLE Tomorrow Act aims to expand financial security for people with disabilities by enhancing access to and use of ABLE savings accounts. Key provisions include prohibiting Medicaid recovery from ABLE accounts upon the beneficiary's death and creating exceptions to annual contribution limits for specific lump-sum payments. Furthermore, the bill mandates widespread federal and state agency outreach to inform eligible individuals about ABLE programs and allows employees to redirect certain employer retirement contributions directly into their ABLE accounts.

This resolution expresses strong support for law enforcement officers, recognizing their vital role in protecting communities and upholding the rule of law. It acknowledges the daily sacrifices officers make and affirms their essential contributions to public safety. The resolution also opposes policies that undermine law enforcement, such as defunding efforts and sanctuary policies.

The Safe Bus Routes to School Act establishes a grant program administered by the Secretary of Transportation to help states and local governments enhance the safety of school bus routes and stops. This legislation allows federal highway safety funds to be used for infrastructure improvements like sidewalks and traffic calming, as well as non-infrastructure activities such as safety education. The primary goal is to reduce the risk of injury or death for children using school transportation.

This resolution officially designates May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week of May 10-16, 2026, as National Police Week. It honors the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, specifically recognizing 363 officers lost in 2025. The bill expresses unwavering support for law enforcement and acknowledges the need for proper resources to ensure officer safety.

This Senate resolution urges the President to prioritize securing the release of several specific individuals wrongfully detained by the People's Republic of China during future engagements with President Xi Jinping. The resolution condemns these politically motivated detentions and calls for immediate humanitarian access and release for those named. It reaffirms the U.S. commitment to defending political and religious freedoms globally.

The Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authorization Act authorizes the construction of a major rural water project to secure a safe and adequate water supply for several counties in Montana and North Dakota. The bill authorizes $602 million in federal funding, covering up to 75% of planning, design, and construction costs, while preserving state authority over water rights. Furthermore, it mandates the Western Area Power Administration to supply necessary power for the system's operation at the firm power rate.

The Reactors at Risk Act of 2026 mandates a joint report from the Department of Defense and the Under Secretary for Nuclear Security assessing the national security and civilian risks posed by nuclear reactors located in or near areas prone to armed conflict. This report must detail potential dangers and outline steps the U.S. and its allies can take to prevent and mitigate these risks. The assessment covers reactors in regions with recent conflict, contested areas, or potential flashpoints like Taiwan or the Korean Peninsula.

The Tailored Regulatory Updates for Supervisory Testing Act of 2025 (TRUST Act) adjusts federal banking regulations to reduce the examination burden on smaller, well-managed financial institutions. Specifically, it raises the asset threshold for banks qualifying for an extended 18-month supervisory examination cycle from \$3 billion to \$6 billion. This modification aims to tailor regulatory oversight based on institutional size and management quality.

The Save Our Shrimpers Act mandates that the U.S. representative at international financial institutions must vote against and formally oppose any financial assistance for projects related to shrimp farming, processing, or exports in borrowing countries. This action aims to protect the domestic shrimping industry. The Treasury Secretary can waive this requirement if deemed in the U.S. national interest, and the mandate is set to expire after seven years.

The LINK Act mandates that the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior coordinate to ensure their information technology and cybersecurity systems can securely share critical data. This interoperability is specifically aimed at improving federal land management, especially wildfire response, disaster preparedness, and related business functions. The Secretaries must develop and implement a joint plan to achieve this sharing, while protecting sensitive Tribal data and ensuring mission safety.

The NICS Data Reporting Act of 2026 mandates that states and federal agencies must report records prohibiting firearm purchases to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) within 48 hours. This ensures more complete and timely data, including mental health and domestic violence records, is available for background checks. The bill also requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to Congress detailing demographic information on individuals found ineligible through NICS. Non-compliant states face potential reductions in federal grant funding.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 2026 as "National Beef Month." It recognizes the significant economic contributions and nutritional value of the United States cattle and beef industry. The designation aims to honor the industry's role in the nation's agriculture and food supply.

The VICTIM Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to help law enforcement agencies improve their clearance rates for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes. Grants will fund technology upgrades, personnel training, and victim support services aimed at solving these serious offenses. The Attorney General will oversee the program, ensuring funds are distributed to both urban and rural agencies. Recipients must report annually on how the funds were used to enhance investigative methods and clearance statistics.