Legislative Activity

This resolution officially designates May 2026 as National Brain Tumor Awareness Month. It aims to raise public awareness about the significant impact of brain tumors, which remain a leading cause of cancer death in children and young adults. The resolution calls for increased support for research to develop better treatments and improve outcomes for those affected.

The Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authorization Act authorizes the construction of a major rural water project to secure a safe and adequate water supply for several counties in Montana and North Dakota. The bill authorizes $602 million in federal funding, covering up to 75% of planning, design, and construction costs, while preserving state authority over water rights. Furthermore, it mandates the Western Area Power Administration to supply necessary power for the system's operation at the firm power rate.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2026, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." It aims to honor the lives of missing and murdered American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and girls and demonstrate solidarity with their families. The bill also calls for a new Department of Justice study to update statistics on this ongoing crisis.

This bill allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant licensees of certain hydropower projects, licensed before March 13, 2020, an extension of up to six additional years to begin construction. This extension is available upon request and demonstration of good cause. The legislation also addresses projects whose original deadlines expired recently, allowing for reinstatement of the license before the extension period begins.

The Foster Youth Education and Workforce Opportunity Act of 2026 significantly expands educational and training support for youth who have experienced foster care. This bill broadens eligibility, increases the maximum voucher amount to $12,000, and allows vouchers to cover a wider range of opportunities, including short-term training and remedial education. Furthermore, it mandates improved state efforts to inform eligible youth about these benefits and removes transportation barriers to participation.

The Cooperative Watershed Management Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends and enhances federal support for local watershed restoration efforts through 2031. This legislation expands grant eligibility to include Indian tribes, increases funding caps for planning projects, and prioritizes communities facing significant impacts from drought and wildfires. Additionally, the bill streamlines program administration to improve access to technical assistance and project funding.

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 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.

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.

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 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 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.