Legislation

The Flatside Wilderness Additions Act expands the existing Flatside Wilderness area in the Ouachita National Forest by approximately 2,212 acres. This legislation officially renames the designated area as the Flatside-Bethune Wilderness. The Act ensures that existing authorities for managing fire, insects, and disease within the wilderness remain intact.

The Support Our Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2025 authorizes a one-time payment of \$20 billion to eligible agricultural producers. These funds are intended to help cover losses in revenue, quality, or production affecting covered commodities, specialty crops, livestock, or poultry. Payments will be sourced from qualifying tariff proceeds deposited into the Treasury. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with distributing these payments within 90 days of the Act becoming law.

This bill authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to release the United States' reversionary interest and convey all mineral interests in a specific parcel of State forest land in Chester County, Tennessee. This action is intended to resolve an encroachment issue involving Bethel Baptist Church. The release and conveyance will occur without payment or standard appraisal or environmental reviews, provided the State covers administrative costs.

The Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act mandates that Members of Congress will not receive pay for any day a government shutdown is in effect. This pay reduction will be calculated based on the number of shutdown days within a pay period. For shutdowns occurring before November 2026, the withheld pay will be held in escrow until that date to comply with constitutional requirements.

The Military and Federal Employee Protection Act ensures that federal employees, military members, and covered contractors receive their full standard compensation for work performed or time furloughed during a lapse in government appropriations occurring after September 30, 2025. This bill appropriates necessary funds for agencies to make these retroactive payments. Payments must be made promptly, generally within seven days of enactment for furloughed individuals. This legislation guarantees that no covered individual loses pay due to a government shutdown during the specified period.

This Act prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from exchanging Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) held by the Chinese Communist Party. It further mandates the Treasury Secretary to urge other IMF member countries to adopt similar prohibitions and to oppose any future SDR allocations to the CCP. The President retains the authority to waive these restrictions if deemed in the U.S. national interest.

This resolution expresses support for recognizing the 1984 Sikh Genocide, acknowledging the systemic violence, trauma, and destruction inflicted upon the Sikh community. It calls for accountability for the perpetrators, including government officials and state institutions involved in the attacks. Furthermore, the bill establishes a U.S. policy to officially recognize this event and rejects any association with its denial.

This resolution officially recognizes the significant and systemic pay disparities faced by disabled women compared to both disabled and non-disabled men. It highlights stark statistics showing disabled women earn substantially less across various racial and ethnic groups. While not enacting new law, the resolution reaffirms Congress's commitment to addressing the underlying barriers that perpetuate this unfair wage gap.

The IDEA Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program to boost entrepreneurship opportunities for minority-owned businesses (MBEs). This program will award \$1 million annually for five years to approved "business accelerator entities." These entities must use the funds to provide capital, networking, and direct assistance to established MBEs within specific high-performing regions. The bill includes strict accountability measures and penalties for the misuse of federal funds.

The Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act of 2025 establishes a three-year pilot program to provide a monthly, unconditional cash payment to 10,000 eligible individuals, set at the local fair market rent for a two-bedroom home. This initiative aims to study the effects of guaranteed income on financial stability, health, and overall well-being, noting that payments will not affect eligibility for other federal assistance programs. The Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with the IRS and an external research organization, will manage the program and report findings to Congress within specified timelines. Congress has authorized \$495 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 to fund this study.

The Clean Water Affordability Act revises how states utilize their Water Pollution Control Revolving Loan Funds to ensure ratepayers maintain access to wastewater treatment services. It establishes new, flexible formulas for states to determine the maximum amount they can dedicate to providing extra financial assistance beyond standard low-interest loans. Furthermore, the bill mandates that states must dedicate a minimum percentage of their federal capitalization grants toward this subsidization if sufficient eligible applications exist.

The Tribal Affordable Housing Act establishes a new competitive grant program administered by HUD to fund the construction of new homes or the addition of necessary improvements to existing residences on Tribal lands. This program specifically targets Indian Tribes or Tribally designated housing entities that have historically received smaller allocations of existing federal housing assistance. The Act authorizes $150 million annually for this purpose, beginning in fiscal year 2026.

The Tribal Housing Innovation Act establishes a new competitive grant program through HUD to fund the construction of new or the renovation of existing homes on Tribal land with sustainable features. Eligible entities, such as Indian Tribes or Tribally designated housing entities, can apply for funds to install features like solar panels, energy-efficient windows, and heat pumps. Recipients must report annually on the homes built or modified, and the program is authorized with $150 million annually starting in Fiscal Year 2025.

The Watershed Protection and Forest Recovery Act of 2025 establishes an **Emergency Forest Watershed Program** to allow for rapid federal response to natural disasters damaging National Forest System lands. This program enables the Forest Service to quickly fund and partner with local entities to implement necessary measures to stop runoff, erosion, and flooding. The Act prioritizes speed, waives matching funds for sponsors, and provides liability protection for those carrying out the emergency recovery work.

The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 ensures that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue without interruption if Congress fails to pass the full Department of Agriculture budget by October 1, 2025. This legislation authorizes automatic funding from the Treasury to maintain benefit payments. Furthermore, it guarantees that any benefits missed due to a funding lapse will be paid retroactively once the bill is enacted.

The REPO for Ukrainians Implementation Act of 2025 formally recognizes international calls to repurpose frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Ukraine. This bill grants the President authority to transfer non-confiscated Russian assets into the Ukraine Support Fund, where they must be invested in U.S. government debt. Furthermore, the Secretary of State is mandated to obligate at least $250 million from the fund to Ukraine every quarter. The Act also requires the President to report on the location of these Russian assets globally and directs diplomatic efforts to encourage allies to contribute quarterly.

The Critical Water Supplies for Resilient Communities Act updates federal grants for developing alternative water sources to address immediate or anticipated water shortages. It clarifies eligibility by requiring needs to be identified in publicly developed plans and extends the program's authorization through 2031. The bill also mandates annual reporting on funded projects to relevant Congressional committees.

The Dads Matter Act of 2025 aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes by increasing awareness and support for father engagement during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. The bill mandates a national public awareness campaign highlighting the benefits of involved fathers, such as better prenatal attendance and reduced maternal depression. Furthermore, it requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance encouraging healthcare providers to educate and include fathers in maternal and infant care.

The REAL Meats Act mandates clear and accurate labeling for food products that resemble traditional meat, including those grown in a lab or made from plants. This legislation requires qualifying terms like "cell-cultured" or "plant-based" to appear prominently on the packaging. If these products use traditional meat names like "beef" or "chicken," they must be immediately preceded by terms such as "lab-grown" or "analogue." The goal is to ensure consumers are fully informed about the origin of the food they purchase.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 306 South Main Street in Waupaca, Wisconsin. The facility will henceforth be known as the "Master Sergeant Melvin O. Handrich Post Office Building." This action ensures all official records reflect the new name of the post office.