Legislative Activity

The Halo Act establishes new federal criminal penalties for individuals who obstruct immigration enforcement activities. Specifically, it prohibits knowingly approaching or remaining near a federal immigration enforcement officer after being warned, threatening the officer with physical harm, or harassing the officer while they are performing a lawful duty. Violators of this new offense could face fines or imprisonment for up to five years.

This bill mandates the Secretaries of HUD and Agriculture to withdraw their recent final determination on energy efficiency standards for federally financed housing. It prohibits the implementation of these withdrawn standards or any substantially similar ones across HUD, USDA, and VA programs. Furthermore, the legislation restricts the Federal Housing Finance Agency from finalizing new energy efficiency rules and requires consideration of existing state-level energy codes.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating November 8, 2025, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day." The day honors first-generation college students, defined as those whose parents lack a bachelor's degree, recognizing the unique challenges they face. This date commemorates the anniversary of the landmark Higher Education Act of 1965, which aimed to increase access to postsecondary education. The resolution urges nationwide recognition of these students' vital contributions to the future workforce.

This Act establishes a new supply fee, paid by Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans to long-term care pharmacies for specified prescriptions dispensed in 2026 and 2027. The legislation mandates that the Secretary subsidize the plans for these fees and requires a GAO study on the economic sustainability of these pharmacies. The goal is to ensure continued patient access to essential long-term care pharmacy services.

The Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act rescinds unobligated balances from several previous COVID-19 relief laws upon enactment. These returned funds are directed to the Treasury's general fund exclusively for reducing the national deficit. The President retains the authority to waive this rescission for specific accounts with prior notification to Congress.

The Union Members Right to Know Act amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act to require labor organizations to provide members with detailed information regarding their rights under federal law. This bill mandates that unions disclose summaries of the LMRDA, religious accommodation rights regarding dues, and *Beck* rights to all members. Furthermore, it restricts the use of member funds for non-representational activities unless the member provides specific, time-limited written authorization.

This Act strengthens prohibitions against foreign nationals donating to specific voter activities, including registration and get-out-the-vote efforts. It also clarifies that state and local ballot initiatives are included in the definition of an election for these purposes. Furthermore, the bill restricts the federal government from collecting or publicly releasing the identity of donors to most tax-exempt organizations, with strict penalties for unlawful disclosure.

The Veterans TBI Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act of 2025 establishes a new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grant program to fund supplemental neurorehabilitation approaches for veterans suffering from chronic mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI). This program will award grants to eligible entities to develop and test patient-centered, non-medication therapies aimed at improving mental health outcomes and reducing suicidality. The goal is to advance innovative, integrated treatments for mTBI and associated conditions outside of traditional VA pathways.

The STOP Human Trafficking Act directs the Secretary of Transportation to enhance efforts to combat human trafficking within the transportation sector. This involves implementing new research, developing centralized databases and mode-specific policies for information sharing, and updating training and awareness materials informed by survivors. The Act also establishes a continuous public awareness campaign and creates a grant program to fund prevention efforts by various transportation stakeholders.

This Act mandates that covered entities must quarterly disclose detailed job impacts—including layoffs, hires, and retraining—resulting from the integration of Artificial Intelligence to the Secretary of Labor. The Department of Labor will then publish quarterly reports summarizing these national AI-related employment trends. The bill also directs the Secretary to establish regulations for applying these reporting requirements to certain non-publicly-traded companies.

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 Act establishes a clear U.S. policy to hold Chinese officials accountable for gross human rights violations against religious groups by making them subject to sanctions. It mandates that the Department of State actively promote and monitor religious freedom within the People's Republic of China. Furthermore, Congress urges the designation of China as a "country of particular concern" and calls for robust diplomatic action to secure the release of unjustly detained religious prisoners.

The Kayla Hamilton Act revises the standards for placing unaccompanied alien children in federal custody to prioritize child safety and prevent trafficking. It mandates enhanced screening, consultation with law enforcement, and stricter criteria for placement settings and sponsors. This legislation ensures that placement decisions are made only after comprehensive safety checks are completed for the child and potential sponsors.

The Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act mandates a comprehensive one-year study by the Secretary of Commerce to review and streamline the Department's programs related to critical supply chain resilience and manufacturing innovation. This review must identify responsible offices, assess their effectiveness, and propose recommendations to eliminate overlaps and improve coordination across federal agencies. The final report, developed with the National Academy of Public Administration, will then be submitted to Congress along with legislative suggestions.

The Keep America Flying Act of 2026 ensures that essential Air Traffic Controllers and TSA security personnel continue to receive pay and benefits at the start of fiscal year 2026, even if Congress has not yet passed a budget. This continuing appropriation provides necessary funding for FAA and TSA staff, as well as their contractors, to maintain safe and secure air travel operations. The funding automatically ceases once a full budget is enacted or on September 30, 2026.

The Pay Our Military Act of 2025 ensures that active duty and reserve military personnel continue to receive pay and essential allowances if Congress has not passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026 by the start of that year. This legislation provides automatic continuing appropriations to cover military salaries, support staff, and necessary contractor payments during any funding lapse. The authority granted by this Act is set to terminate on September 30, 2026, or sooner if a comprehensive budget is enacted. Furthermore, the provisions of this Act are made retroactively effective as of September 30, 2025.

This bill mandates a feasibility study to determine if the Benton MacKaye Trail should be designated as a National Scenic Trail. The study will assess the 287-mile scenic, nonmotorized route spanning Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The Secretary of Agriculture must complete and submit this report to Congress within one year of enactment.

The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 ensures that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue without interruption, even if Congress fails to pass the Department of Agriculture's budget for fiscal year 2026. This legislation authorizes automatic funding from the Treasury to maintain payments and cover any retroactive benefits missed due to the delay. This temporary funding mechanism remains active until the regular fiscal year 2026 appropriations are officially enacted.

This bill mandates that the U.S. government permit visiting dignitaries and service members from Taiwan to display the flag of the Republic of China. This allowance applies specifically when they are conducting official business, such as during ceremonies or while in uniform. The change ensures that Taiwanese officials and military personnel can appropriately represent their nation during interactions with the Department of State and Department of Defense.

This resolution officially designates the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "Coal Week." It serves to recognize and commend the workers in the coal industry for their vital contributions to American energy security and economic stability. The bill also highlights coal's historical importance and its continued role in providing reliable, affordable electricity.