Legislative Activity

This resolution congratulates the University of Connecticut's women's basketball team on their victory in the 2025 NCAA Division I National Championship. It recognizes the team's record-breaking achievements, individual player accomplishments, and the contributions of the coaching staff. The resolution also directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies to the University President, Head Coach, and Associate Head Coach.

The Veterans Transition to Trucking Act of 2025 allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to approve interstate commercial trucking apprenticeship programs for veterans using their educational assistance benefits. This expands opportunities for veterans seeking careers in the trucking industry by enabling the VA to oversee and approve multi-state programs. This simplifies the approval process for these programs, making it easier for veterans to access training and educational benefits.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the enforcement of animal welfare regulations by clarifying definitions, prohibiting unlicensed dealers, and increasing penalties for violations. It empowers the Attorney General to take civil action, seize animals, and seek warrants for enforcement, while also ensuring that penalties and fines can cover the costs of animal care during legal proceedings. The Act mandates collaboration between the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General to share information on repeat offenders. Ultimately, this bill seeks to ensure that federal courts have jurisdiction over Animal Welfare Act violations.

The Sovereign Wealth Fund Transparency Act amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to clarify the commercial exemption, ensuring it does not apply to agents promoting the political interests of foreign governments. It empowers the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands (CIDs) to enforce FARA's disclosure requirements, enhancing the ability to investigate potential violations. The act also introduces civil penalties for failing to comply with registration and disclosure requirements, with fines used to support FARA enforcement. Finally, it mandates annual reports to Congress on the use of CID authority, ensuring transparency and oversight.

This resolution expresses support for National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and its goals of promoting education, prevention, treatment, and care for young people affected by HIV/AIDS. It encourages state and local governments to support the day and advocates for the rights of young people with HIV/AIDS to receive comprehensive and inclusive care free from discrimination and stigma. The resolution also supports increased funding for HIV/AIDS programs and the removal of scientifically inaccurate HIV laws, while urging accessible healthcare services for youth, including medications like PrEP and PEP, without parental consent. Finally, it recognizes the negative impact of legislative efforts restricting bodily autonomy for young people on access to HIV prevention, education, and confidential testing and treatment.

The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to improve nutrition programs for young children. It revises eligibility criteria for proprietary child care centers, mandates a review of the serious deficiency process, and adjusts reimbursement rules for additional meals or snacks. The Act also establishes an advisory committee to reduce unnecessary paperwork for program participants while maintaining accountability. Finally, it updates the index used to adjust payments.

The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act of 2025 amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to increase meal and supplement reimbursement by 10 cents. It also modifies the calculation of reimbursements for family or group day care home sponsoring organizations, and makes technical corrections.

The BRAIN Act aims to strengthen brain tumor research and treatment development, and improve access to specialized healthcare. It requires transparency for brain tumor biospecimen collections, establishes the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network, and promotes brain tumor-related cellular immunotherapy research. The act also mandates a national campaign to educate about cancer clinical trials and biomarker testing, supports pilot programs for brain tumor survivor care, and directs the FDA to ensure brain tumor patient access to clinical trials.

The "Save Our Small Farms Act of 2025" amends the noninsured crop assistance program to better support small farmers by expanding market access, streamlining the application process, and offering premium discounts to encourage the transition to whole farm revenue insurance. It also increases compensation for crop losses, raises payment limitations for certain farmers, and promotes program awareness through outreach and partnerships. This act aims to provide more accessible and comprehensive support to small-scale and diverse farming operations.

The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 seeks to improve support and resources for veterans and former service members, particularly those affected by military sexual trauma (MST). The bill mandates a comprehensive review of VA policies related to MST, especially concerning online or technological communications, and aims to improve the disability claims process for veterans who have experienced MST by ensuring sensitive communication, enhancing training for VA personnel, and allowing veterans more control over their medical examinations. Additionally, it expands access to healthcare and support services for veterans and former service members who have experienced MST, including those who leave service academies before completion.

This bill aims to prioritize veterans and military families by amending titles 5 and 38 of the United States Code to provide protections for employees, benefits, and programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It focuses on safeguarding the rights and job security of VA employees and civil servants, ensuring transparency in VA operations, and restoring services and programs that may have been reduced or eliminated. The bill also seeks to enhance employment opportunities for veterans, military spouses, and caregivers, while improving the security and integrity of VA data and systems. Additionally, it addresses financial oversight of VA contracts and mandates increased reporting requirements to improve transparency and accountability.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The SAFE Bet Act establishes federal standards for states that choose to legalize sports wagering, requiring state approval from the Attorney General and adherence to consumer protection, data security, and regulatory oversight standards. It addresses public health concerns by mandating data collection on problem gambling, creating a national self-exclusion list, and expanding surveillance of gambling disorder. The Act also clarifies state and tribal authority, mandates cooperation against unlicensed gaming, and ensures the Act's validity even if some parts are invalidated.

This resolution recognizes and celebrates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps on November 10, 2025. It honors the Marine Corps' history, values, and contributions to the nation, while also encouraging Americans to participate in commemorative events and recognize the service of Marines.

The Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025 aims to reduce firearm-related deaths and injuries by establishing a grant program for states, Indian Tribes, and local governments to implement extreme risk protection orders, which temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. The act also amends federal firearms prohibitions to include individuals subject to these orders and mandates the inclusion of extreme risk protection orders in national crime information databases. Furthermore, it requires states and Indian Tribes to recognize and enforce extreme risk protection orders issued by other jurisdictions and affirms Tribal court jurisdiction to issue and enforce these orders within their Indian country.

This resolution expresses gratitude for the U.S.'s support of Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It emphasizes the importance of continued U.S. leadership in defending democracy and maintaining relationships with allies, particularly for Ukraine's security and stability. The resolution also welcomes peace negotiations and stresses developing the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine.

The Public Health Funding Restoration Act aims to restore funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which supports various public health programs. By amending the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the bill allocates $2,000,000,000 annually, starting in fiscal year 2026, to bolster initiatives focused on disease prevention, mental health, and immunization efforts. This restoration seeks to enhance public health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the nation's ability to prevent and respond to future health crises.

Ethan's Law aims to reduce gun violence by promoting responsible firearm storage. It establishes a federal requirement for gun owners to securely store firearms, especially in homes with minors or individuals prohibited from owning firearms, with penalties for improper storage. The law also creates a grant program to assist states and Indian Tribes in implementing similar safe storage laws. Additionally, it expresses the sense of Congress that failing to securely store a firearm constitutes negligence and can establish legal causation for harm resulting from its discharge.

The "Ensuring VetSuccess On Campus Act of 2025" expands the VetSuccess on Campus program to ensure there is at least one location in every state. This requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to place at least one program counselor in each state, prioritizing institutions with the highest number of students using Veterans Affairs educational assistance. This ensures veterans across the country have access to the resources and support needed for academic success.

The CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2025 amends the eligibility requirements for the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA). This bill increases the maximum age for children eligible for medical care under CHAMPVA to the child's 26th birthday, regardless of marital status. It does not limit eligibility for children who are incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability.