Legislative Activity

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 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.

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.

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.

This Act enhances safety and wellness in the commercial fishing industry by expanding federal grant programs for safety training and research. It specifically directs funding toward addressing behavioral and physical health risks, such as worker fatigue and substance use disorder, for vessel operators and crew. The legislation also updates the grant award process and increases authorized funding through fiscal year 2029.

This resolution officially recognizes November as National Native American Heritage Month. It celebrates the rich cultures, histories, and significant contributions of Native Americans to the United States across various fields. The resolution also reaffirms the government's commitment to tribal self-governance and the government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes.

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.

The Farm to School Act of 2025 significantly revises and expands the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program to strengthen connections between local food producers and eligible institutions. This legislation updates definitions, increases funding authorization, and prioritizes grants for projects that incorporate experiential learning and serve high-need populations. It also aims to improve local food procurement by funding innovative distribution and processing solutions while addressing regulatory barriers.

The Fairness for Fruits and Vegetables Act of 2025 establishes an interagency working group to monitor trade data related to seasonal and perishable produce. This group will coordinate on potential trade actions and consult with domestic producers to identify import threats. Ultimately, the working group will recommend assistance programs to support U.S. fruit and vegetable growers.

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 joint resolution officially terminates the national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025, which was used to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. It exercises the authority granted under the National Emergencies Act to end the emergency status established by Executive Order 14193.

This bill proposes establishing a new, Senate-confirmed position: the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs within the Department of State. This Ambassador will report directly to the Secretary of State to lead U.S. foreign policy coordination across key areas in the Arctic. Their responsibilities will focus on national security, environmental protection, scientific research, and strengthening cooperation among Arctic nations.

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 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.

The Ensuring Timely Access to Generics Act of 2025 aims to prevent brand-name manufacturers from using procedural tactics to delay the approval of generic drugs. This bill tightens FDA guidelines to identify and address citizen petitions filed primarily for the purpose of delay. Furthermore, it establishes a mandatory administrative process that litigants must complete before filing a lawsuit challenging a generic drug approval.