Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution urges the Department of Agriculture to immediately use its contingency funds and interchange authority to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fully financed. The Senate asserts the administration has a legal obligation to use these existing resources to support millions of vulnerable Americans through November. This measure expresses a position and does not enact new law.

The Armed Forces Pay Act of 2025 ensures continued funding for the pay and allowances of members of the Armed Forces and certain civilian intelligence employees through fiscal year 2026, should full appropriations bills not be enacted. This temporary measure provides necessary financial continuity until regular appropriations legislation is passed or until September 30, 2026. The Act also authorizes intelligence-related funds for FY 2026 until the relevant Intelligence Authorization Act is signed into law.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that essential nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC, continue to provide benefits without interruption if full appropriations for the Department of Agriculture are not enacted for Fiscal Year 2026. This legislation immediately makes funds available to cover benefits and state operating costs during any funding lapse, retroactive to September 30, 2025. These special appropriations terminate once the standard FY 2026 funding bill is passed or by September 30, 2026.

This resolution commemorates the seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's murder and addresses ongoing transnational repression by the Government of Saudi Arabia. It calls for accountability for those responsible for Khashoggi's death and urges Saudi Arabia to release all wrongfully detained individuals. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes that these human rights abuses strain the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees, contractors, and service members affected by a government funding lapse starting October 1, 2025, receive retroactive back pay for the period they worked without funding. Additionally, the bill prohibits agencies from initiating permanent staffing reductions or furloughs during such a lapse. These provisions are designed to provide financial security and stability to essential government personnel during periods of lapsed appropriations.

The Military and Federal Employee Protection Act ensures that federal employees, military members, and covered contractors receive their full standard compensation for work performed or time furloughed during a lapse in government appropriations occurring after September 30, 2025. This bill appropriates necessary funds for agencies to make these retroactive payments. Payments must be made promptly, generally within seven days of enactment for furloughed individuals. This legislation guarantees that no covered individual loses pay due to a government shutdown during the specified period.

This resolution officially designates October 1, 2025, as "Energy Efficiency Day" to celebrate the significant economic and environmental benefits driven by energy efficiency efforts. It recognizes decades of bipartisan support, major legislative achievements, and the resulting savings for consumers and taxpayers. The resolution encourages all Americans to observe the day with appropriate activities recognizing the importance of energy efficiency.

This resolution expresses deep concern over the rising trend of book banning and threats to freedom of expression across the United States. It strongly opposes censorship in schools and libraries, citing constitutional rights and the harm done to democratic discourse. The measure urges local entities to protect students' access to diverse viewpoints and calls for the reversal of restrictive orders impacting educational materials.

The Federal Employees Civil Relief Act temporarily halts certain legal and administrative actions that could negatively affect the civil rights of federal employees and contractors during a government shutdown. This protection includes pausing evictions, foreclosures, lien enforcement, and providing relief for student loan and income tax obligations. The law also ensures that seeking these protections will not negatively impact an employee's credit or future financial standing.

This resolution designates September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. The program provides crucial financial assistance to local school districts that educate students living on or whose parents work on federal property. This recognition highlights the federal government's ongoing commitment to ensuring quality education in these uniquely impacted communities.

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 Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act of 2025 provides financial relief to federal employees affected by government shutdowns. This bill waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty on Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions up to \$30,000 taken due to a shutdown. Furthermore, it establishes rules allowing furloughed or non-paid employees to take TSP loans and prevents missed loan payments during a shutdown from being treated as a taxable distribution.

The Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 allows individuals affected by a federal government shutdown to make penalty-free withdrawals of up to $30,000 from their retirement plans. These "Federal Government shutdown distributions" allow affected contractors, grantees, and D.C. employees to access funds during a lapse in appropriations lasting at least two weeks. Withdrawals are spread out over three tax years for income tax purposes, and individuals have three years to repay the withdrawn amount.

The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 ensures federal agencies compensate contractors for employee costs incurred due to government funding lapses or shutdowns. This act mandates contract price adjustments to cover reasonable expenses for furloughed or impacted contractor employees, up to a specified weekly limit. The law also provides necessary appropriations to cover these adjustments and requires public reporting on the compensation provided.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's formal disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) concerning the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this resolution immediately cancels the CMS rule regarding "Market Integrity and Affordability." Essentially, Congress is overturning this specific executive branch regulation before it can take effect.

The H–1B and L–1 Visa Reform Act of 2025 significantly overhauls temporary work visa programs to protect U.S. workers and increase transparency. This bill establishes stricter wage requirements, imposes anti-displacement rules, and grants enforcement agencies greater authority to audit and penalize employers for fraud and abuse. Ultimately, it aims to prioritize highly skilled workers and prevent the over-reliance on foreign labor in the U.S. workforce.

This resolution supports the designation of September 19, 2025, as "National Concussion Awareness Day" to highlight the seriousness of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). It emphasizes the need for better public awareness, improved diagnostic protocols, and stronger "return-to-play/learn" guidelines, especially for young people. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage federal, state, and local leaders to collaborate on prevention and proper management strategies.

The Eastern Flank Strategic Partnership Act of 2025 prioritizes U.S. defense cooperation with key NATO allies bordering Russia and Belarus. This legislation establishes a formal definition for "Eastern Flank strategic defense partners" based on location, defense spending commitments, and hosting NATO forces. It mandates that these partners receive priority access to U.S. security assistance, financing, and pre-positioned military stockpiles to enhance regional deterrence. The Act also requires a briefing to Congress detailing the implementation plan for these new cooperative measures.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning adherence to the text of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this resolution immediately nullifies the proposed HHS policy. Consequently, the new rule regarding APA adherence will have no legal effect.

The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act of 2025 ties federal justice grant eligibility to responsible firearm purchasing practices. Organizations receiving Edward Byrne Grants must agree not to deal with licensed dealers who have a high number of firearms traced back to them shortly after retail sale. Furthermore, the bill mandates the ATF to regularly share tracing information with state and local law enforcement and publicly list these "covered licensed dealers."