Legislative Activity

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.

The Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that essential government employees, military personnel, and supporting contractors who must work during a lapse in appropriations receive their guaranteed pay. This bill automatically sets aside necessary funds from the Treasury to cover the salaries and benefits of these "excepted employees" for the duration of the shutdown. These special appropriations remain available until a full-year budget is enacted, at which point the payments are reconciled against the new funding law.

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 PORCUPINE Act, or Providing Our Regional Companions Upgraded Protection in Nefarious Environments Act, amends the Arms Export Control Act to update various certification and reporting requirements by specifically including Taiwan alongside other allied nations. Furthermore, the bill mandates the establishment of an expedited licensing process for defense articles and services being transferred to Taiwan by key allies, including NATO members, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Israel, and New Zealand. This process aims to streamline the transfer of U.S.-origin defense items to Taiwan within strict timeframes. The Secretary of State must also report on the implementation and effectiveness of these new coordination efforts one year after the process is established.

This resolution commemorates the 74th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, affirming the strong bilateral security alliance between the two nations. It strongly condemns the escalating aggression and unlawful territorial claims by the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea. The bill urges the President to continue actions that support Philippine defense modernization and enhance deterrence against coercion. It reaffirms that an armed attack against Philippine public vessels in the region would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty.

This Act mandates the immediate preparation for sanctions against any entity supporting People's Republic of China (PRC) aggression against Taiwan, including actions like invasion or blockade. It establishes an interagency PRC Sanctions Task Force to identify potential targets and develop comprehensive strategies for imposing and coordinating economic measures with allies. The Task Force must also brief Congress and submit annual reports detailing sanctions plans, economic impact assessments, and coordination efforts.

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.

The ROTOR Act aims to enhance aviation safety and transparency, primarily by reforming exceptions for government aircraft not using ADSB Out location tracking. It mandates the installation of ADSB In technology on new and certain existing aircraft and initiates studies regarding dynamic restricted airspace near Washington D.C. The bill also requires increased reporting on ADSB usage exceptions and mandates an Army Inspector General audit of flight operations in the National Capitol Region.

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 Stratton Ridge Air Force Memorial Act authorizes the relocation of a memorial honoring nine Air Force crew members lost in a 1982 crash to the Stratton Ridge rest area in North Carolina. This relocation requires agreement from the current private landowner and approval from the Secretary of Agriculture. All costs associated with the relocation, installation, and maintenance must be covered by the requesting party, not the federal government.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States Navy, honoring its long history since the Continental Navy. It expresses deep appreciation for the courage and service of all Navy personnel, past and present, who have defended the nation. Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms Congress's commitment to supporting the Navy's vital role in global security, humanitarian aid, and technological advancement.

The Pay Our Military Act of 2025 ensures that members of the Armed Forces, along with essential Department of Defense civilian personnel and contractors, continue to receive pay and allowances in fiscal year 2026 if regular appropriations are not enacted. This measure provides temporary, continuing funding to support active service members. This authority automatically terminates upon the enactment of a new appropriations law or by January 1, 2027.

The Protect Our Prosecutors and Judges Act of 2025 expands the federal authority for qualified current and retired prosecutors and Federal judges to carry concealed firearms across state lines. This authority mirrors that currently granted to law enforcement officers. To qualify, individuals must meet specific identification and ongoing firearms training certification requirements set by their former agency, state, or a certified instructor. The bill also provides definitions for who qualifies as a "qualified prosecutor" or "qualified Federal judge" under these new provisions.

The Extending Expired Cybersecurity Authorities Act ensures the continuation of vital cybersecurity information sharing between the government and private industry. This bill extends the authority for sharing cyber threat information for an additional ten years, pushing the expiration date from 2025 to 2035. Furthermore, it retroactively applies this extension to prevent any lapse in coverage and officially renames the program to the "Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act."

This resolution formally condemns the brutal Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel of October 7, 2023, and supports Israel's right to self-defense. It further condemns antisemitic and destructive protests within the United States. Ultimately, the resolution calls for an outcome that ensures Israel's survival, eliminates Hamas's ability to operate, and secures the release of all remaining hostages.

This resolution formally honors the pilots, maintainers, analysts, sailors, and families involved in the success of Operation Midnight Hammer. It recognizes this complex military operation as the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history against Iranian nuclear facilities. The resolution commends the service members for their exceptional skill and dedication during the long-range, synchronized mission. It also acknowledges the sacrifices made by the military families supporting the operation.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 5 through October 11, 2025, as National 4-H Week. It recognizes 4-H as a vital youth development program that empowers millions of young people through hands-on learning. The bill encourages citizens to celebrate the organization's significant impact on developing confident and compassionate leaders.

The Border Lands Conservation Act focuses on enhancing border security and managing federal lands adjacent to the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. It mandates infrastructure improvements, allows for increased access to wilderness areas for security operations, and establishes a new initiative to manage hazardous fuels near the border. Furthermore, the Act requires extensive reporting on environmental damage caused by illegal immigration and prohibits using federal funds to house undocumented immigrants on most federal lands.

The Forced Abortion Prevention and Accountability Act establishes a new federal crime for knowingly forcing an abortion on a woman using drugs, carrying penalties up to 25 years in prison. This legislation also allows victims to file civil lawsuits seeking substantial damages, including compensation for physical and psychological injuries. The bill strictly defines terms like "abortion-inducing drug" and "informed consent" to ensure clear enforcement of these protections.

This resolution officially designates the week of October 5–11, 2025, as "Religious Education Week" to celebrate the importance of religious education in the United States. It affirms that religious instruction is vital for developing moral and civic citizens, citing historical precedent and Supreme Court rulings that protect parental rights in education. Furthermore, the resolution calls upon states and territories to accommodate students who wish to be released from public school for religious instruction.