Legislative Activity

The Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 addresses the high rates of PTSD and acute stress disorder among public safety officers and telecommunicators. This bill directs the Attorney General to study and report on options for providing state-of-the-art, confidential mental health treatment and preventative care to these essential personnel. The resulting report will outline proposed programs, necessary legislative language, and funding estimates for implementation across all levels of government.

This bill authorizes Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the volunteers and communities that supported the North Platte Canteen during World War II. The Canteen was a massive, entirely volunteer-run operation that fed approximately six million service members traveling across the country. The original gold medal will be permanently displayed at the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska. The bill also allows the U.S. Mint to produce and sell bronze duplicates of the medal.

The OASIS Act of 2026 directs the Department of Defense to assess U.S. and allied air and missile defense capabilities in the Middle East. It mandates the creation of a strategy to build a multinational acquisition system for these defenses. Furthermore, the bill establishes a working group to systematically share battlefield lessons with regional partners.

This resolution honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable Donald W. Riegle, Jr., former Senator for Michigan. It recognizes his decades in Congress, highlighting key legislative achievements such as co-sponsoring the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and leading significant banking reforms. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow and adjourns in his memory.

This bill establishes the **Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative** to address the critical shortage and high cost of childcare in rural communities. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize funding for projects that improve childcare availability, quality, or affordability in rural areas between fiscal years 2027 and 2029. The initiative ensures that existing USDA loans and grants are preferentially awarded to applicants focused on enhancing rural childcare infrastructure.

The Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2026 establishes automatic, 14-day continuing appropriations to prevent federal operations from halting when regular funding lapses. This mechanism funds programs at the previous rate until Congress enacts a full budget or continuing resolution. The bill also imposes strict limitations on official travel and congressional business during these funding gaps. Finally, it classifies the costs of this Act as discretionary spending subject to existing budget enforcement rules.

The Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2026 establishes a permanent, mandatory electronic employment verification system for all U.S. employers, building upon the existing E-Verify program. This legislation phases in requirements for all businesses to use the system to confirm employee work authorization, imposing significantly enhanced civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance or hiring unauthorized workers. The Act also establishes an individual self-check tool and mandates federal agencies to share necessary records to ensure system accuracy and security.

This resolution supports designating May 2026 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes the significant role that renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel play in lowering consumer fuel prices and reducing carbon emissions. Furthermore, the bill highlights how these fuels bolster rural economies and decrease reliance on foreign energy sources.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating May 2026 as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. It recognizes the contributions of motorcyclists and highlights the importance of road safety for all users. The bill encourages increased awareness of motorcycles on the road and promotes rider education and safety practices.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late former United States Senator John Seymour of California. It recognizes his extensive public service, highlighting his career in business, local government, and his tenure in the U.S. Senate. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow and directs that official copies of this resolution be delivered to his family.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week." It serves to recognize and honor the service, sacrifice, and valor of law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure encourages the public to observe this week by honoring law enforcement personnel and promoting awareness of their essential mission.

This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, recognizing his significant contributions as a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. The Senate expresses its profound sorrow over his passing and offers condolences to his family. The resolution directs that this tribute be communicated to the House and his family, and the Senate will adjourn in his memory.

This bill repeals the Davis-Bacon Act of 1931, eliminating the federal requirement for contractors on federally funded construction projects to pay locally prevailing wages. The repeal voids the requirement for the Department of Labor to set these minimum wage rates for federal contracts over $2,000. This change takes effect 30 days after the bill is enacted, with exceptions for existing contracts and open bids.

This act aims to immediately lower costs for American farmers by eliminating trade duties and revoking countervailing duty orders on phosphate fertilizer imports from Morocco. The legislation ensures these essential agricultural inputs can be imported without added tariffs, effective shortly after enactment.

The Hemp Safety Enforcement Act allows states and Indian tribes to self-regulate their hemp production and derived products by submitting a simple notice to the Secretary of Agriculture, rather than adhering to the full federal plan. This grants them primary regulatory authority, provided they enforce a minimum purchase age. The bill also clarifies that self-regulating jurisdictions are not barred from interstate commerce, though products crossing between them must meet both sets of local laws.

The Abraham Accords Defense Cooperation Act of 2026 establishes a U.S.-led initiative to strengthen regional security by enhancing defense cooperation between the United States and Abraham Accords countries. The program focuses on deterring regional aggression through joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and the development of shared defense capabilities. To support these efforts, the Act authorizes $500 million annually through 2030 to bolster military integration and interoperability across the Middle East.

The STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act expands the authority of State Medicaid Fraud Control Units to investigate and prosecute fraud committed by Medicaid applicants and beneficiaries, in addition to healthcare providers. This legislation mandates that state Medicaid plans refer all cases of suspected beneficiary fraud to these units for enforcement. These changes are designed to increase accountability and integrity within the Medicaid program.

The Military Learning for Credit Act of 2025 allows eligible veterans to use their existing educational assistance benefits to cover the costs of approved examinations, such as CLEP and DSST tests, to earn college credit. This benefit is capped at \$500 per exam and will count against the veteran's total educational entitlement time. Using these funds for testing will not affect any separate educational assistance received from the Department of Defense.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week." It recognizes the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders. The resolution also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the chartering of the Alaska State FFA Association.

This resolution marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It condemns Russia's ongoing aggression, including attacks on civilians and the forced abduction of children. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the critical need for robust, sustained U.S. and transatlantic security guarantees to ensure Ukraine's long-term defense and stability.