Legislative Activity

The Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing worldwide through international collaboration. This Act authorizes the President to impose significant sanctions, including asset freezes and port denials, against foreign persons and vessels involved in IUU fishing or endangered species trade. Furthermore, it mandates regular briefings and detailed annual reports to Congress from the Secretary of State regarding global counter-IUU fishing efforts and China's role in the issue.

This resolution celebrates the 40th anniversary of the International Coastal Cleanup in September 2025, recognizing its massive global impact since 1986. It highlights the millions of pounds of trash volunteers have removed and the resulting scientific data on ocean pollution. The resolution encourages public participation and emphasizes the critical need to reduce plastic pollution at its source.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and nullify a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs concerning "Reproductive Health Services." If enacted, this resolution would prevent the VA's September 2025 rule from having any legal force or effect.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. It recognizes his distinguished service in the Air Force, his Olympic athletic career, and his historic tenure in the U.S. Congress. The resolution specifically highlights his landmark legislative accomplishments, including establishing the National Museum of the American Indian. The Senate expresses its sorrow and will recess as a mark of respect for his memory.

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 bill, the PUBLIC SAFETY Act, redirects federal enforcement appropriations to significantly boost funding for local law enforcement through the COPS Hiring Program and the Byrne JAG Program. It provides substantial new resources to help local governments hire more police officers and support justice initiatives. Furthermore, it waives matching fund requirements for smaller jurisdictions seeking COPS grants.

The DEFIANCE Act of 2025 addresses the severe harm caused by non-consensual, sexually intimate digital forgeries (deepfakes). This bill establishes a federal civil cause of action allowing victims to sue those who knowingly create, possess with intent to disclose, or disclose these intimate digital forgeries. Successful plaintiffs can recover significant statutory damages, actual damages, and injunctive relief.

This concurrent resolution marks the 15th anniversary of the tragic January 8, 2011, Tucson, Arizona shooting. It honors the six lives lost and recognizes the survivors, including former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, for their courage and advocacy. The resolution also commends the community's resilience and reaffirms Congress's commitment to civility and preventing gun violence.

The COLAs Don’t Count Act of 2026 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to exclude specific supplementary payments made under Section 1616(a) of the Social Security Act from being counted as income for SNAP eligibility and benefit calculations. This change aims to ensure these payments do not negatively impact a household's federal nutrition assistance. The Act is set to take effect on October 1, 2027.

This resolution observes the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. It expresses gratitude for the bravery and essential work of the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and all Capitol personnel who defended the building and ensured the continuation of government functions. The resolution also reaffirms a commitment to protecting American democracy and the Constitution.

This bill amends the Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act to allow for an extension of key dates related to the completion of the Regional Water System. Such an extension requires the agreement of all involved parties: the Pueblos, the United States, the State, the City, and the County.

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 Clean Competition Act establishes a "carbon intensity charge" on high-emission industrial goods, both domestically produced and imported, starting in 2026. This legislation aims to level the playing field by incentivizing decarbonization through calculated charges, offering rebates for U.S. exports, and authorizing international "carbon club" agreements. Revenue generated will fund significant domestic industrial competitiveness grants and international climate assistance programs.

This Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand essential services, including telehealth and mail-order pharmacy benefits, to eligible veterans residing in the Freely Associated States. It also requires the VA to provide beneficiary travel payments to these veterans and submit regular progress reports to Congress. Additionally, the bill extends a current limitation on pension payments by two months.

This bill aims to boost the U.S. bioeconomy and food security by investing in innovative protein production, such as biomanufacturing using under-utilized biomass. It establishes new research centers, grant programs for production and workforce development, and a national strategy focused on alternative proteins. The legislation specifically excludes the promotion of insect-based food or feed.

This bill authorizes specific adjusted interest payments to the Navajo Nation, Taos Pueblo, and Aamodt Settlement Pueblos trust funds. It makes technical corrections related to these water rights settlements and waives certain prior interest due to the Aamodt Pueblos. The legislation also clarifies that investment earnings on these funds are available for use.

This Act establishes a new program within the Indian Health Service to provide public health veterinary services, focusing on preventing diseases that spread between animals and humans in Tribal communities using a "One Health" approach. It also mandates a study on the feasibility of using oral rabies vaccines in Arctic regions. Furthermore, the bill formally includes the Director of the Indian Health Service in the interagency One Health Working Group.

The Tribal Forest Protection Act Amendments Act of 2025 significantly updates existing law to enhance tribal authority over forest and rangeland protection. This legislation expands the definition of eligible tribal lands, including certain lands in Alaska, and broadens the scope of authorized restoration projects. Furthermore, it increases funding authorization to $15 million annually through fiscal year 2031.

The FAAN Act establishes a new grant program to support nursing schools in addressing critical workforce shortages and modernizing education. These funds aim to increase faculty and student capacity, enhance preparedness for public health emergencies, and improve educational infrastructure. Priority is given to schools serving medically underserved, rural, or minority-serving areas.

The Background Check Completion Act of 2025 mandates that a completed background check must occur before any firearm transfer can take place. This law removes the previous "default proceed" provision that allowed transfers after three business days if the check was incomplete. It also updates related federal laws to align with this new, stricter requirement.