Legislative Activity

This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. It recognizes his distinguished service in the Air Force, his Olympic athletic career, and his historic tenure in the U.S. Congress. The resolution specifically highlights his landmark legislative accomplishments, including establishing the National Museum of the American Indian. The Senate expresses its sorrow and will recess as a mark of respect for his memory.

The Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act establishes stricter, time-bound notification requirements for manufacturers when infant formula tests positive for dangerous microorganisms, mandating immediate FDA consultation. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit regular progress reports on strategies to enhance the safety and resiliency of the domestic infant formula supply chain. This legislation aims to ensure rapid response to contamination threats and improve long-term market stability.

The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act establishes a grant program to help rural hospitals improve their cybersecurity defenses through technology upgrades, training, and professional services. The bill also mandates the creation of a comprehensive cybersecurity workforce development strategy tailored for rural healthcare settings. Furthermore, it requires the development and distribution of free instructional materials to train hospital staff on fundamental cybersecurity practices. Implementation of this Act must utilize existing appropriated funds.

This Act mandates an interagency review to accelerate research on lung cancer, specifically focusing on women and underserved populations. The review will identify opportunities to improve access to preventive services, such as lung cancer screening, and develop strategic public awareness campaigns. The goal is to address knowledge gaps and enhance early detection efforts for these groups.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 updates school nutrition standards to allow schools to offer organic or non-organic whole milk as a beverage option. This legislation also revises the criteria for milk substitutions based on medical or dietary needs and excludes milk fat from saturated fat calculations for meal compliance. Furthermore, the bill mandates that training for school food service personnel must now include comprehensive information on food allergies.

The Better Care for PFAS Patients Act of 2026 directs the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to establish a process for assessing the health effects of PFAS chemicals. This process involves contracting with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to develop clinical recommendations based on scientific evidence and community input. The bill mandates the ATSDR to issue and regularly update clinical guidance for healthcare providers based on these findings.

This Senate resolution strongly condemns the recent rise in ideologically motivated attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions across the United States, including specific violent incidents in Colorado and Washington, D.C. It reaffirms the Senate's commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence. The resolution calls for thorough investigation of these acts and urges leaders to speak out against all forms of religious and political intimidation.

The NIH Clinical Trial Integrity Act establishes new requirements for diversity in clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), mandating specific recruitment and retention plans based on patient demographics. It also directs a study to eliminate cost barriers for participants and authorizes a national public awareness campaign to increase participation from underrepresented groups. This legislation aims to ensure that clinical trial results are applicable to the diverse populations affected by the diseases being studied.

The Closing the Contraception Coverage Gap Act aims to ensure Medicare beneficiaries receive contraceptive items, services, and drugs with no out-of-pocket costs, effective January 1, 2027. This legislation amends Medicare Parts B, C, and D to mandate comprehensive, cost-free coverage for contraception. Additionally, the bill requires studies on prescription drug access for disabled beneficiaries and current contraceptive coverage gaps in other health plans.

The American Franchise Act aims to clarify the legal relationship between franchisors and franchisees by defining when a franchisor can be considered a joint employer of a franchisee's staff. This legislation specifies that joint employer status only applies if the franchisor exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential terms of employment, such as wages, hours, and discipline. The Act provides detailed examples of what actions do and do not constitute this level of direct control over the franchisee's employees. This clarification is intended to stabilize the franchising business model against inconsistent legal interpretations.

This bill, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act, adjusts retirement benefits for certain CBP Officers hired around July 2008 to ensure they receive the correct annuity entitlements. It mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to correct these benefits retroactively for eligible individuals. Furthermore, the Comptroller General must review CBP's hiring practices related to these retirement benefits.

The Domestic Organic Investment Act of 2025 establishes a new program within the USDA to strengthen the domestic supply chain for certified organic products. This program will provide grants to eligible U.S. entities for projects that expand storage, processing, and distribution capacity. The goal is to modernize infrastructure and improve the ability of domestic producers to compete in the organic market.

This resolution designates November 2025 as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month. It aims to highlight the significant and growing crisis of homelessness among children and youth, citing alarming statistics on enrollment, mental health, and educational attainment. The observance seeks to encourage greater support and intensified efforts from governments, organizations, and volunteers to address the causes and solutions for this issue.

This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recognizes its transformative impact on ensuring a free, appropriate public education for children with disabilities. It honors the millions who have benefited from IDEA and reaffirms commitment to its principles. *Note: The provided text also includes details about a separate "Housing for All" program, which is not addressed in this summary as the primary focus of the resolution appears to be IDEA.*

This resolution expresses strong support for high-quality after-school, before-school, and summer learning programs. It recognizes these programs are vital for developing essential skills in children and supporting working families. The resolution specifically endorses the national celebration, Lights On Afterschool, scheduled for October 23, 2025.

This resolution officially designates October 2025 as National Principals Month. It recognizes the vital, multifaceted roles principals play in leading schools, supporting teachers, and ensuring high-quality education for every student. The designation honors the dedication and vision of principals nationwide.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 enhances the FDA's authority to require pediatric investigations for new molecularly targeted cancer drugs. It also extends the priority review voucher program designed to incentivize the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases until September 2030. Furthermore, the bill mandates studies to assess the effectiveness of these new drug investigation requirements and the existing voucher program.

This Act establishes the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program, managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission. The program aims to identify Jewish servicemembers mistakenly buried under non-Jewish markers in overseas cemeteries. It authorizes funding for contracts with nonprofit organizations over ten years to help correct these historical errors and properly honor these fallen service members.

This resolution officially designates November 2025 as American Diabetes Month to raise public awareness about the significant health and economic impact of diabetes in the United States. It highlights the high prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes, noting disproportionate effects on minority populations and veterans. The resolution supports efforts to increase education, early detection, and access to care to reduce the incidence and improve management of the condition.

This bill establishes the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, aiming to formally recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by requiring the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a distinct occupational category for them in the federal classification system. The legislation also authorizes significant federal grants to states to establish or expand paid family and medical leave programs. If a separate DSP classification is not created, a report explaining the decision must be submitted to Congress.