Legislative Activity

The Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act releases three specific Wilderness Study Areas in Montana—Middle Fork Judith, Hoodoo Mountain, and Wales Creek—from further wilderness consideration. This action aligns land management with existing, recently updated resource management plans developed through collaborative processes. The bill allows for improved management of these lands, supporting sportsmen opportunities, public access, and conservation projects.

The Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act strengthens Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) by improving the bond guarantee program and establishing new liquidity and capitalization initiatives. The bill also creates a dedicated relending program to expand homeownership opportunities within Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. Additionally, it mandates increased congressional oversight and reporting regarding the effectiveness of these federal financial programs.

The Expanded Telehealth Access Act broadens Medicare coverage for telehealth services by adding several new types of healthcare practitioners, including audiologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists, to the list of eligible providers. This legislation ensures these professionals can be reimbursed for delivering care remotely to Medicare beneficiaries. It also establishes payment rules for services provided by therapy assistants via telehealth.

This resolution formally congratulates the Montana State University Bobcats football team for winning the 2025 Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) National Championship. It recognizes the team's historic victory, season achievements, and the leadership of coaches and university staff. The resolution also honors key players and extends appreciation to the entire MSU community for their support.

The Increasing Investor Opportunities Act aims to expand investment options for closed-end funds by limiting the SEC's authority to restrict these funds from investing in private funds. This legislation prevents the SEC and national securities exchanges from imposing limitations solely based on a closed-end company's investment in private funds. The bill seeks to increase market flexibility without altering existing fiduciary or valuation requirements.

This act reauthorizes funding for the Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System. It extends the authorization of appropriations deadlines from fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2028.

The Expand the Behavioral Health Workforce Now Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states on strategies for increasing the education, training, recruitment, and retention of mental health and substance use disorder providers within Medicaid and CHIP. This guidance specifically aims to bolster the behavioral health workforce, particularly in rural and underserved areas. States will receive non-mandatory recommendations on how to utilize existing program authorities to achieve these workforce goals.

This Act amends the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act of 2010 to update the financial management and implementation structure for the Tribe's water settlement. It restructures the Crow Settlement Fund into new dedicated accounts, including the MRI Projects Account, to fund specific water infrastructure and land acquisition priorities. The legislation clarifies that the Tribe retains ownership of projects built with these funds, while also specifying the Secretary of the Interior's role in managing the new accounts.

This Act formally establishes permanent federal responsibility for the operation, maintenance, and funding of the Lower Yellowstone Fish Bypass Channel. It explicitly prohibits transferring any financial or operational duties for the channel, which aids native fish like the pallid sturgeon, to the local Lower Yellowstone Irrigation District. The legislation also authorizes dedicated federal funding for the channel's upkeep and ensures local irrigation operations remain unaffected.

This bill grants the President the authority to extend nondiscriminatory trade treatment (normal trade relations) to products from specific countries. This action would terminate the application of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 for those designated countries. The authority applies to all countries except Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea.

This resolution honors the strategic importance of the C5+1 diplomatic platform, recognizing the deepening partnership between the United States and the Central Asian nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It acknowledges past cooperation, particularly regarding Afghanistan operations, and highlights the platform's role in fostering regional stability, security, and economic opportunities. The Senate affirms the platform's value in promoting shared interests in energy, critical minerals, and counterterrorism efforts.

The Relief of Chronic Pain Act of 2025 aims to improve access to specific non-opioid treatments for chronic pain under Medicare Part D. This bill eliminates deductibles and limits cost-sharing for qualifying non-opioid chronic pain management drugs starting in 2026. Furthermore, it prohibits Medicare Part D plans from imposing step therapy or prior authorization requirements for these specific non-opioid pain medications.

The Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act of 2025 aims to ensure equitable treatment of osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) medical school graduates during residency applications. Hospitals must report detailed data on DO and MD applicant numbers and acceptances to avoid a 2% cut in Medicare payments. Furthermore, programs must affirm fair consideration and accept either COMLEX or USMLE exam scores if an exam is required. This collected data will be made publicly available by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The CDFI Fund Transparency Act requires the Secretary of the Treasury to testify before key Congressional committees regarding the operations of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. This testimony is mandated only when requested jointly by the chairs of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the House Committee on Financial Services. This ensures regular oversight of the Fund's activities by Congress.

The McCarran-Walter Technical Corrections Act updates the criteria for determining membership in federally recognized Indian Tribes or Canadian First Nations for specific immigration purposes. This legislation removes the previous requirement for proving a minimum blood quantum. Instead, eligibility is now based on current membership or eligibility for membership in a recognized U.S. Tribe, or registration/membership in a Canadian First Nation under the *Indian Act* or a self-governing First Nation.

This bill grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to extend the construction start deadline for certain existing hydropower project licenses issued before March 13, 2020. Licensees of these "covered projects" can apply for up to three separate two-year extensions, totaling an additional six years, to commence construction. Furthermore, the bill allows FERC to reinstate licenses that expired after December 31, 2023, under specific conditions.

The Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025 aims to significantly boost employee ownership in S corporations through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). This bill extends crucial tax deferral benefits for stock sales to ESOPs and establishes new offices within the Treasury and Labor Departments to provide technical assistance and advocacy. Furthermore, it amends the Small Business Act to ensure ESOP-owned businesses do not automatically lose small business status when they transition to majority employee ownership.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a specific rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concerning the Miles City Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this action immediately voids the BLM's submitted rule, preventing it from taking effect. In essence, Congress is striking down this particular BLM decision.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics, acknowledging its foundational role in modern technology. It highlights the importance of continued U.S. leadership in quantum research and development for national security and economic growth. The bill also supports public education efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists in this critical field.

This resolution officially designates June 2025 as "Great Outdoors Month" to celebrate the significant economic impact and health benefits of outdoor recreation. It recognizes that the outdoor sector contributes trillions to the U.S. economy and supports millions of jobs. The measure encourages all Americans to responsibly enjoy outdoor activities during this designated month and beyond.