Legislative Activity

The John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act prohibits discrimination based on religion, sex, or marital status in federally funded child welfare services. This aims to increase the number of available, stable foster and adoptive homes, particularly for LGBTQ youth and youth of color who are overrepresented in the system. The bill mandates federal guidance, cultural competency training, and the establishment of a resource center to improve safety and permanency outcomes for all children in care. Entities found in violation may face the withholding of federal payments.

This Act establishes the Strengthening Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Workers Act, which creates a new, tiered loan forgiveness schedule for newer public service loans. Borrowers will see increasing percentages of their loan balance canceled after reaching specific payment milestones, culminating in full forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments. The bill also streamlines the employment certification process and ensures that interest accruing during the application review period is canceled.

This bill officially renames the United States Postal Service facility at 3570 Olney Laytonsville Road in Olney, Maryland, to the "Edward L. Ramsey Olney Post Office Building." This designation ensures all federal records reflect the new name for this specific post office location.

The Stop Shut-Offs During Shutdowns Act recommends a nationwide moratorium on electric and natural gas utility disconnections when the federal government experiences a funding lapse affecting the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill specifically prohibits electric utilities from terminating service during these funding gaps. It also outlines procedures for how utilities can recover costs incurred from maintaining service during the shutdown period.

The Background Check Expansion Act mandates that nearly all private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals must go through a licensed dealer to complete a federal background check. This legislation establishes a universal background check requirement for these transactions, with specific exceptions for family gifts and law enforcement transfers. The bill aims to close loopholes in existing firearm transfer laws while explicitly prohibiting the creation of a national firearms registry.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and nullify an interim guidance rule issued by the Internal Revenue Service concerning the application of the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT) to partnerships. If enacted, this resolution would prevent the IRS guidance from taking effect.

This resolution commemorates the centennial year of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). It expresses support for ASHA's mission to advance science, education, and professional practice for accessible communication care. The Senate recognizes the vital role ASHA members play in serving millions of Americans affected by communication disorders.

This bill establishes the Right to Representation for Department of Veterans Affairs Workers Act of 2025. It grants most VA employees the right to have a representative present during certain examinations if they believe the exam could lead to disciplinary action. This representation can occur during paid duty time upon the employee's request.

The Anti-Cash Grab Act repeals a specific provision (Section 213 of division C of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026). This repeal effectively restores a previous law, Section 10 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005. The legislation is designed to take effect retroactively as if the repealed section had never been enacted.

This resolution officially recognizes November as National Native American Heritage Month. It celebrates the rich cultures, histories, and significant contributions of Native Americans to the United States across various fields. The resolution also reaffirms the government's commitment to tribal self-governance and the government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that all federal employees, contract employees, and active service members affected by a lapse in appropriations starting October 1, 2025, receive their full back pay and benefits. It also mandates that agencies adjust contracts to compensate contractors for costs incurred due to work stoppages during the lapse. Furthermore, the bill prohibits agencies from implementing permanent staffing reductions or extended administrative leave during such funding gaps.

This resolution condemns the Chinese Communist Party's severe persecution of religious minority groups, including Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. It specifically denounces the detention of Pastor "Ezra" Jin Mingri and Zion Church leaders amid a broader campaign to "sinicize" religion. The measure reaffirms the United States' global commitment to promoting religious freedom and calls for the immediate release of all wrongfully detained religious practitioners in China.

The Securing Assurance for Federal Employees Act (SAFE Act) prohibits Executive agencies from initiating or carrying out any reduction in force (RIF) during a government shutdown caused by a lapse in funding. Any RIF action taken during such a period will be considered legally void. This provision is designed to protect federal employees from job loss during funding crises.

The Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025 ensures the uninterrupted continuation of all Head Start projects and activities throughout fiscal year 2026, even if full appropriations are delayed. This legislation provides necessary continuing funding based on the terms of existing 2025 continuing resolutions. Funding authority under this Act will terminate upon the enactment of regular 2026 appropriations or by September 30, 2026.

This bill, the Restoring Access for Detainees Act, mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provide detained individuals with free, limited telephone and electronic communication services. It aims to ensure detainees can consult with legal counsel and maintain essential family ties at no cost. The legislation specifies minimum free calling minutes, required access for legal consultation, and prohibits monitoring of confidential communications with attorneys.

This Senate resolution urges the Department of Agriculture to immediately use its contingency funds and interchange authority to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fully financed. The Senate asserts the administration has a legal obligation to use these existing resources to support millions of vulnerable Americans through November. This measure expresses a position and does not enact new law.

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 No Nuclear Testing Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds in fiscal year 2026 for any nuclear weapons test explosion that produces a measurable yield. This measure maintains the current ban on explosive testing while allowing for zero-yield stockpile stewardship activities to continue.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that essential nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC, continue to provide benefits without interruption if full appropriations for the Department of Agriculture are not enacted for Fiscal Year 2026. This legislation immediately makes funds available to cover benefits and state operating costs during any funding lapse, retroactive to September 30, 2025. These special appropriations terminate once the standard FY 2026 funding bill is passed or by September 30, 2026.

The Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act seeks to update how Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are calculated. It mandates using the index that results in a higher adjustment: either the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers or a newly established Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers. This change aims to provide a more accurate reflection of seniors' actual cost of living in benefit calculations starting after September 2026.