Legislative Activity

The Protecting American Research and Talent Act prohibits the use of federal funds for fundamental research collaborations between U.S. universities and "covered entities." Federal agencies can only waive this restriction if necessary for U.S. national security, provided the university meets strict international student enrollment caps. The bill mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing compliance and any granted waivers.

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2025 establishes an automatic, 14-day continuing funding mechanism to keep federal programs operational if Congress fails to pass a full budget by the start of the fiscal year. This automatic funding continues in two-week increments until a final budget is enacted, while simultaneously imposing strict travel and procedural limitations on Congress and federal employees during these lapses. The Act is designed to prevent government shutdowns by ensuring continuity of essential services while incentivizing timely budget passage.

The CLEAN DC Act, officially the Common-Sense Law Enforcement and Accountability Now in DC Act, seeks to completely repeal the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022. This action effectively nullifies all changes made by the 2022 Act, restoring the previous legal standards regarding policing and justice in DC.

The DC CRIMES Act significantly revises the handling of youth offenders by lowering the age eligibility for youth offender status to 18 and under. It also mandates the creation of a public website managed by the Attorney General to display detailed, monthly statistics on juvenile crime and legal outcomes. Finally, the Act prohibits the D.C. Council from enacting changes to existing mandatory minimum sentences or current criminal sentencing guidelines.

The Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025 mandates quarterly budget briefings for Congress by the VA Secretary and places new restrictions on critical skills bonuses for senior executives. Additionally, the bill establishes a new Veterans Experience Office, reporting directly to the Secretary, tasked with improving beneficiary satisfaction and reporting on customer feedback data to Congress. This new office will sunset on September 30, 2028, following a review by the Comptroller General.

The LETITIA Act significantly increases criminal penalties for public officials who commit financial crimes, including bank fraud, lying on loan applications, and tax fraud. This legislation establishes mandatory minimum sentences and higher fines that escalate based on the number of prior offenses committed by the official. Furthermore, it directs the Department of Justice and the Department of the Treasury to issue guidance ensuring rigorous investigation and enforcement of these enhanced statutes against public servants.

The International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2025 strengthens global anti-trafficking efforts by integrating these measures into U.S. foreign policy and development aid. It extends and increases authorization for federal programs combating trafficking and child exploitation through 2030. Furthermore, the bill mandates increased transparency by requiring the State Department to immediately brief Congress on the annual Trafficking in Persons Report rankings and any granted anti-trafficking waivers.

This resolution solemnly marks the one-year anniversary of the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump. It condemns the multiple attempts against his life and other political officials, while honoring the victims and first responders involved in the July 2024 shooting. The measure further calls for an end to the incitement of political violence that threatens the democratic process.

The Bankruptcy Administration Improvement Act of 2025 aims to modernize the bankruptcy system by increasing the compensation for Chapter 7 trustees to a level reflecting current economic realities. The bill also adjusts various bankruptcy fees to ensure the U.S. Trustee System remains fully funded without taxpayer assistance. Finally, it extends the terms of certain temporary bankruptcy judge offices to ensure continued judicial capacity.

The Equal Shot Act of 2025 aims to prevent discrimination against businesses within the firearms industry when applying for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). This legislation explicitly prohibits the SBA from denying loans or guarantees solely based on an applicant's status as a firearm entity, affiliate, or trade association. The Act first establishes clear definitions for these industry participants to ensure fair and equal consideration for all qualified applicants.

This bill prohibits non-U.S. citizens from voting in any election within the District of Columbia. It also repeals the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022, effectively undoing that prior legislation. The measure ensures that only citizens can participate in D.C. local elections and ballot initiatives.

This resolution designates August 16, 2025, as "National Airborne Day" to honor the history and bravery of U.S. airborne forces. It specifically recognizes the service of combat parachutists, air assault forces, and special operations warriors across all conflicts. The day serves as an expression of national gratitude for the thousands who have served in these elite units.

The Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act revises immigration law to address driving while intoxicated or impaired offenses. This bill makes non-citizens inadmissible to the U.S. if they have been convicted of, or admit to committing, DUI/DWI offenses, regardless of whether the offense was a misdemeanor or felony. Furthermore, the Act establishes that a conviction for driving while intoxicated or impaired makes an alien deportable from the United States.

The Service Dogs Assisting Veterans (SAVES) Act of 2025 establishes a five-year Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program to award grants to nonprofits providing service dogs to eligible veterans. This program mandates that the VA provide lifetime veterinary insurance coverage for every service dog placed through the program. Grants will fund the provision of service dogs to veterans with disabilities such as PTSD, TBI, or severe mobility issues, with recipients strictly prohibited from charging veterans any fees.

The Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act updates the required update frequency for the National Advanced Manufacturing Program's strategic plan. This legislation mandates that the strategic plan be updated at least every four years. The key goal is to align this update cycle directly with the planning cycle for the broader National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing.

This bill establishes a new External Provider Scheduling Program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to streamline appointment booking for veterans utilizing the Veterans Community Care Program. The program will allow VA schedulers to directly view and book appointments in real-time with participating community health care providers. Its primary goals are to reduce the time it takes to schedule community care appointments and improve overall efficiency for VA staff.

This resolution urges all NATO members to commit to spending a minimum of 5% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense, clarifying the breakdown between traditional and non-traditional defense expenditures. It emphasizes that failing to meet current spending goals reflects a lack of political will rather than financial inability. Ultimately, the resolution reaffirms the U.S. Senate's strong support for a unified and robust NATO alliance.

Kate's Law increases penalties for illegal entry into the U.S. by individuals who are later convicted of serious crimes. The bill mandates a minimum five-year sentence for illegal entry if the person is subsequently convicted of a crime punishable by over one year in prison. Furthermore, it significantly increases prison sentences, including mandatory minimums, for aliens who illegally reenter the U.S. after being previously removed.

The National Park System Long-Term Lease Investment Act grants the Secretary of the Interior the authority to extend certain existing National Park System leases without adhering to standard regulatory procedures. This exception applies only if the original lease is at least five years old, the lessee is in compliance, and the extension is deemed beneficial for park management. The Secretary must update the relevant regulations within 90 days to reflect this new authority.

This resolution formally honors the significant economic and cultural contributions of small, domestic firearm manufacturers to the United States. It recognizes these businesses as vital to supporting American manufacturing, job creation, and the traditions of recreational shooting sports. Furthermore, the resolution designates August 2025 as "National Shooting Sports Month."