Legislation

This bill establishes the Senate NATO Observer Group, a dedicated body of Senators focused on issues concerning the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The group will serve as a central forum for discussing complex NATO matters, advising the full Senate, and maintaining close contact with the executive branch regarding NATO negotiations and expansion. Members will be appointed by the Majority and Minority Leaders, and the group must report annually on its activities.

The AFIDA Improvements Act of 2025 updates the rules for reporting foreign ownership of U.S. farmland under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978. This bill lowers the minimum reporting threshold to 1% ownership for certain foreign investors and clarifies enforcement procedures for the Secretary of Agriculture. Furthermore, it mandates information sharing between the Department of Agriculture and national security officials (CFIUS) regarding these foreign investment disclosures. The Act also requires updates to official handbooks and an analysis of implementing a fully electronic reporting system.

The American Cargo for American Ships Act amends existing law to mandate that cargo procured, furnished, or financed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) must be shipped on U.S.-flagged commercial vessels. This requirement applies when U.S. ships are available at fair and reasonable rates. The goal is to ensure American commercial vessels carry 100% of eligible DOT-financed cargo across various geographic areas.

The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act revises federal statutes concerning several serious offenses. This bill strengthens penalties for bank robbery and motor vehicle crimes, while also clarifying the intent required to convict individuals who assault federal officers. Furthermore, it establishes a new federal crime targeting the distribution of controlled substances disguised as candy or drinks to minors.

The ABC-ED Act of 2025 aims to improve emergency department efficiency by allowing public health grants to fund real-time hospital bed capacity tracking systems. It also mandates the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to pilot programs focused on enhancing emergency care for older adults and those in acute psychiatric crises. Finally, the bill directs a study on best practices for these capacity tracking systems and their impact on emergency wait times.

The Specialist Fourth Class Keith Smith Glioblastoma Parity Act of 2025 addresses the lasting impact of Agent Orange exposure during the Vietnam War. This bill mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presume glioblastoma multiforme is service-connected for eligible Vietnam veterans. This change simplifies the process for veterans suffering from this aggressive brain cancer to receive disability benefits.

The Do or Dye Act mandates the removal of specific artificial color additives from the U.S. food supply. Starting in late 2025, "qualified color additives" will be banned from food, followed by a ban on "covered color additives" like Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5 by the end of 2026. Foods containing these prohibited colors after the respective deadlines will be deemed adulterated under federal law.

The Supporting American Allies Act exempts articles imported from Israel and Ukraine from reciprocal tariffs previously imposed by an Executive Order aimed at addressing trade deficits. This legislation provides specific trade relief by removing these extra import duties for goods originating from the two allied nations.

The Tribal Gaming Regulatory Compliance Act aims to standardize gaming regulations for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo and the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Tribes in Texas. This bill ensures these two Tribes are regulated consistently under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, just like all other Tribes nationwide. It achieves this by removing confusing, outdated language specific to Texas and fully applying existing federal gaming laws to their operations.

The Expanding Access for Online Veteran Students Act aims to increase financial support for veterans pursuing education entirely online. This bill eliminates the current 50% cap on the monthly housing stipend for eligible Post-9/11 GI Bill recipients enrolled more than half-time in distance learning programs. If enacted, this change would allow these students to receive the full monthly housing allowance rate, effective for terms beginning on or after August 1, 2025.

The Health and Endocrine Research on personal care products for women Act (HER Act) establishes grant programs to fund research into the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in personal care products on women's reproductive health. These grants will support scientific investigation, state-level awareness campaigns about safer alternatives, and provide recommendations to Congress for strengthening FDA regulation of harmful chemicals. The bill mandates regular reporting on research findings and the impact of state initiatives.

The Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2025 updates the WIC program by replacing outdated terminology with "substance use disorder." This legislation mandates the development of specialized, evidence-based nutrition education materials for WIC participants affected by substance use disorder. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to actively reach out to and support these families through training and resource sharing. The Act authorizes $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to implement these new support activities.

The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 repeals key provisions of the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. This legislation allows federal gun trace information to be discoverable and admissible as evidence in civil lawsuits and administrative hearings. The bill aims to provide victims of gun violence with greater access to relevant data in legal proceedings.

The Small Biotech Innovation Act creates an exception to the Medicare drug price negotiation program for qualifying small biotech manufacturers heavily invested in research and development. This exception shields their single-source drugs from negotiation, provided the company meets specific R&D spending thresholds relative to their number of drugs. Manufacturers must apply annually to certify their status and investment levels to maintain this protection.

The Blocking Lawless Open Border Cities and States Act of 2025 (BLOC Act) aims to penalize local jurisdictions with certain immigration policies. It makes local government subdivisions ineligible for specific federal transportation and infrastructure funds if they fail to notify DHS within 48 hours before releasing undocumented individuals meeting strict criteria. This ensures local entities comply with federal notification requirements regarding the release of certain detained non-citizens.

The Restoring American Freedom Act prohibits the State Department, its employees, and its funded entities from censoring the free speech of United States citizens. This legislation strictly forbids the use of federal funds to support or facilitate such censorship activities, including the creation or use of advertising blacklists. Furthermore, the Secretary of State must promptly notify Congress and the affected citizen if any censorship is discovered.

The AADAPT Act reauthorizes the Project ECHO Grant Program and establishes new, dedicated grants to support technology-enabled collaborative training for healthcare professionals in underserved areas. These new grants specifically focus on improving the early diagnosis and quality of care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The bill outlines funding levels and reporting requirements to track the impact of these specialized training models on provider retention and patient outcomes.

This resolution declares the severe lack of affordable housing a national crisis requiring urgent, coordinated action. It calls upon federal, state, and local governments, alongside private and nonprofit partners, to prioritize the production of new affordable units and the preservation of existing ones. The bill emphasizes the need for smart policies that encourage building, protect tenants, and ensure housing stability for all Americans.

This bill, the Preventing the Abuse of Immigration Parole Act, aims to drastically restrict the Secretary of Homeland Security's authority to grant immigration parole. It mandates that parole decisions must be made strictly on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Furthermore, the legislation imposes an annual cap on parole grants starting in FY 2029 and grants states the authority to sue the Secretary over perceived misuse of this authority.

The Research Integrity and Foreign Influence Prevention Act updates existing restrictions on talent recruitment from countries of concern. Effective January 1, 2026, this bill broadens the definition of a "foreign country" to explicitly include special administrative regions and controlled territories of those nations. This measure aims to enhance research integrity by strengthening limitations against malign foreign influence.