Legislation

This resolution officially designates the week of November 3 through November 7, 2025, as National Veterans Small Business Week. It recognizes the significant contributions of the over 1.65 million veteran-owned small businesses to the U.S. economy. The bill supports creating a business-friendly environment and expresses appreciation for veterans' continued service through entrepreneurship.

This bill grants the President the authority to extend nondiscriminatory trade treatment (normal trade relations) to products from specific countries. This action effectively terminates the application of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 for those designated countries, excluding Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea.

The Guidance Clarity Act of 2025 mandates that all federal agencies include a prominent "Guidance Clarity Statement" in every new guidance document they issue. This statement must explicitly inform the public that the document does not have the force of law and only serves to clarify existing requirements. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with issuing implementation guidance within 90 days of the Act's enactment.

This bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer a specific parcel of Forest Service property in Perry County, Arkansas, to the County at no cost. The transfer is contingent upon the County submitting a timely request and agreeing to cover all associated survey and environmental analysis expenses. The property must be used exclusively for public purposes, such as education and youth development, or it may revert to the United States.

This resolution honors the strategic importance of the C5+1 diplomatic platform, recognizing the deepening partnership between the United States and the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It acknowledges past cooperation, particularly regarding Afghanistan operations, and highlights the platform's role in fostering regional stability, security, and economic opportunities. The Senate affirms the platform's value in promoting shared interests in energy, critical minerals, and counterterrorism efforts.

The DISPOSAL Act mandates the General Services Administration (GSA) to sell or ground lease six specific, underutilized Federal buildings in Washington, D.C., with proceeds primarily going to deficit reduction after covering relocation costs. This process is streamlined, exempting disposals from several standard environmental and procedural reviews, while strictly prohibiting sales or leases to foreign entities. The GSA Administrator has sole authority over agency relocations, and this authority to dispose of properties terminates at the end of 2028.

The Strengthening Rural Cooperatives and Communities Act reauthorizes and updates the vital rural cooperative development grant program through 2029. This legislation clarifies the definition of cooperative development and modifies grant scoring criteria to prioritize certain applicants. Furthermore, it enhances reporting requirements for the Secretary and the interagency working group to better track program effectiveness.

The No Coffee Tax Act prevents the imposition of new or increased tariffs on coffee products imported from countries with normal trade relations with the U.S. This measure locks in the tariff rates for coffee, husks, and coffee-containing substitutes at the level effective on January 19, 2025. The goal is to maintain stable import costs for these essential coffee products.

The American Shores Protection Act of 2025 formally supports the withdrawal of specific areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from future leasing. This bill prohibits new oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in designated areas off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina until June 30, 2032. It codifies existing support for previously withdrawn areas while protecting pre-existing lease rights.

The SNAP BACK Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture reimburse states for the costs incurred while operating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during any period when federal funding for the program lapsed. This reimbursement is contingent upon the state having administered SNAP in accordance with federal law during the lapse.

The Lejeune Untaxed Compensation and Settlements Act of 2025 amends the Internal Revenue Code to ensure that damages received under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 are not subject to federal income tax. This legislation specifically excludes these settlement amounts from an individual's gross income. The exclusion applies to all qualifying damages received after the date the Act is enacted.

The Caring for Mothers Act of 2025 aims to increase health insurance access for individuals placing their newborns for adoption. It requires group health plans or insurance coverage to temporarily cover the birth mother with pregnancy-related, postpartum, mental health, and substance use disorder services. This coverage is initiated when an enrolled individual requests it, stating their intent to adopt the newborn.

This Act establishes the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act to provide temporary financial assistance to benefit recipients. It authorizes an additional $\$200$ monthly economic recovery payment for eligible Social Security, SSI, Railroad Retirement, and Veterans' benefit recipients between January 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026. These payments are disregarded for federal income tax and benefit eligibility purposes.

The Nitazene Control Act permanently classifies the entire class of highly potent synthetic opioids known as 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids, including nitazenes, into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is taken due to their significant abuse potential and the danger they pose in the illegal drug supply. The bill establishes a broad structural definition to cover current and future versions of these dangerous substances. This ensures consistent federal enforcement against this class of deadly designer drugs.

The Reciprocity Ensures Streamlined Use of Lifesaving Treatments Act of 2025 establishes a new "reciprocal marketing approval" process for certain drugs, biological products, and devices already authorized in specified foreign countries or the United Kingdom. This allows for rapid approval if the product meets safety and effectiveness standards and addresses a U.S. public health need. The Secretary must act on requests within 30 days, subject to potential Congressional disapproval. This streamlined pathway aims to quickly bring proven, lifesaving treatments to the U.S. market.

The Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act provides relief for federal employees and certain contractors affected by government shutdowns lasting 14 days or more, starting in fiscal year 2026. During these lapses in appropriations, federal student loan payments must be suspended, and no interest will accrue on those loans. Furthermore, suspended payment periods will count toward loan forgiveness requirements and be reported positively to credit agencies.

The Restoring Integrity in Fiduciary Duty Act mandates that retirement plan fiduciaries must evaluate investments based *only* on pecuniary factors that materially affect risk and return, prohibiting the subordination of financial interests to non-financial goals. If financial factors are equal, fiduciaries must use a specific tie-breaking standard (*capita aut navia*) and document their reasoning. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that exercising shareholder rights, such as proxy voting, must be done solely in the economic interest of participants and beneficiaries.

The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025 designates essential firearm-related operations as necessary for protecting human life or property during a government shutdown. This ensures that key functions, such as the FBI's NICS background check system and critical ATF, Commerce, and State Department licensing activities, continue without interruption. Employees performing these duties will be considered "excepted employees" and must continue to work.

The ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 aims to expand high-speed broadband access in underserved rural areas through grants and loans. It establishes minimum service standards of 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload capacity for funded projects. The bill prioritizes assistance for the most unserved communities and sets funding authorizations through fiscal year 2030.

The Tribal Housing Continuity Act of 2025 ensures continued funding for critical housing programs serving tribal nations during lapses in discretionary appropriations. This Act appropriates \$1.6 billion to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to cover necessary salaries and expenses under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. These funds allow HUD to process essential administrative actions and funding opportunities, maintaining support for tribal housing projects.