Legislation

This Act officially renames the VA medical center in West Haven, Connecticut, in honor of Medal of Honor recipient and dedicated veterans advocate, Captain Paul W. 'Bud' Bucha. The designation recognizes his extraordinary military service and lifelong commitment to supporting fellow veterans. This legislation ensures his legacy is permanently associated with the facility where he received compassionate care.

This resolution formally honors the life and dedicated service of Undersheriff Brandon Gaede, who tragically died in the line of duty. It expresses the deepest condolences of the Senate to his family and recognizes his ultimate sacrifice for public safety. The measure also calls for support for his surviving family from all levels of government.

This resolution officially commemorates the 50th anniversary of hip hop culture by designating specific dates in 2025 for celebration. It recognizes August 11, 1973, as the birth of hip hop and acknowledges the genre's massive cultural and economic impact. The bill sets aside August 11, 2025, as "Hip Hop Celebration Day," August 2025 as "Hip Hop Recognition Month," and November 2025 as "Hip Hop History Month."

The Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2025 incentivizes states and localities to adopt "pro-housing policies" when applying for federal transit capital investment grants. These policies, which include reducing parking minimums and streamlining approval for multi-family housing, can earn an applicant an extra point on their grant evaluation score. The bill requires the Secretary to consult with HUD to measure the expected housing production resulting from these local reforms. Recipients who receive the extra point must report on the specific policies implemented and the anticipated housing outcomes.

The Star-Spangled Summit Act of 2025 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a 10-year special use permit for the placement and maintenance of an American flag flagpole at Kyhv Peak Lookout Point in Utah. This permit is initially offered to a specific individual, Robert S. Collins, with a clear preference system established for subsequent renewals or transfers. Crucially, the Act stipulates that no land use fees can be charged for this permit, and it exempts the permit process from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Reform Act of 2025 aims to streamline and improve the VA's management of construction, facilities, and procurement. This bill centralizes construction, leasing, acquisition, and logistics functions under single leadership within the VA. It also mandates reforms to prioritize hiring entry-level acquisition staff through expanded internship programs.

This bill amends the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 to adjust the boundary of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Specifically, it authorizes the addition of approximately one acre of land to the park's official boundaries in Dayton, Ohio. This adjustment incorporates a specifically mapped parcel into the historical park.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to provide a detailed report on the Republic of Panama's human rights practices, particularly concerning non-citizens transferred there by the U.S. government. The report must detail alleged abuses, due process protections, and U.S. actions taken to promote human rights observance in Panama. It also requires an assessment of the risk that U.S. security assistance could support officials involved in the detention or mistreatment of these individuals.

The CAP Act of 2025, or Colleges for the American People Act of 2025, eliminates a specific numerical limitation previously placed on certain employees of institutions of higher education. This change removes a cap on the number of these university employees who can be admitted or remain in the U.S. under existing immigration visa rules.

This resolution formally recognizes the widespread, decades-long human rights abuses occurring in Eritrea, including indefinite imprisonment and inhumane conditions. It condemns the absence of democratic institutions and expresses strong support for the rights and freedom of the Eritrean people. The bill calls on the Eritrean government to release political prisoners and uphold the freedoms promised in its own constitution.

The Access to Birth Control Act aims to ensure that individuals can easily obtain FDA-approved contraception and related medications without systemic barriers. This legislation mandates that pharmacies must promptly dispense birth control or immediately facilitate a transfer or order if the item is out of stock. Furthermore, the bill prohibits intimidation, interference, or misleading information when customers seek these essential healthcare services.

This Act, the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, establishes stricter federal penalties for non-citizens convicted of murder if they were inadmissible or deportable at the time of the crime. Specifically, first-degree murder committed by such individuals will carry a mandatory sentence of death or life imprisonment. This legislation amends federal criminal sentencing guidelines based on the offender's immigration status.

The Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act of 2025 modifies existing retirement plan startup and auto-enrollment tax credits for tax-exempt organizations. This legislation allows eligible small non-profits to claim these credits directly against their Social Security payroll tax obligations. The goal is to make it easier for small tax-exempt employers to afford and establish retirement plans for their employees.

The GIVE MILK Act aims to address low dairy consumption among Americans, particularly children, by emphasizing milk's essential role in providing key nutrients like calcium and Vitamin D. This legislation specifically grants participants in the WIC program the direct choice of selecting their preferred type of milk—including whole, low-fat, reduced-fat, or nonfat—when receiving benefits. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to update regulations to implement this new participant choice.

The Accelerating Home Building Act of 2025 aims to combat the national housing shortage by streamlining the construction of new homes. This bill establishes a grant program to fund local entities in creating and pre-reviewing standardized building designs for smaller, mixed-income housing projects. By using these pre-approved plans, the goal is to significantly speed up local permitting and approval processes, making housing development faster and more predictable. The program prioritizes areas with high needs and ensures a portion of funding is reserved for rural communities.

This resolution commends the Caesars Superdome on the occasion of its golden jubilee, celebrating 50 years of service to Louisiana and the United States. It recognizes the venue's history of hosting major sporting events, cultural performances, and serving as a vital shelter during numerous hurricanes. The resolution officially honors the facility's enduring legacy and recent modernizations.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to provide Congress with a detailed report on the human rights practices of the Republic of Costa Rica within 30 days. The report must specifically address credible allegations of abuses, particularly concerning non-citizens transferred to Costa Rica by the U.S. government. It must also detail the actions the U.S. has taken to promote human rights and assess the risk of U.S. security assistance supporting any violations.

The End Polluter Welfare Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to eliminate financial support for the fossil fuel industry across the federal government. It achieves this by terminating numerous tax incentives, increasing royalties on federal energy leases, and blocking federal funding for fossil fuel projects through various agencies. Ultimately, the Act aims to shift financial burdens onto polluters while redirecting federal support toward cleaner energy initiatives.

The Upending Secret Postal Shutdowns Act (USPS Act) establishes clear, mandatory procedures for the Postal Service when temporarily closing a post office due to an emergency. This bill requires immediate public notice, timely notification to elected officials, and specific review periods for longer closures. Ultimately, it aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding sudden postal service disruptions.

The Orphanage Trafficking Prevention and Protection Act addresses the severe vulnerability of children in residential care facilities to human trafficking. This bill amends federal law to explicitly define the exploitation of orphaned, abandoned, or institutionalized children as a "severe form of trafficking in persons." This change aims to strengthen legal accountability for traffickers and enhance protections for these at-risk youth.