Legislative Activity

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.

The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act establishes a grant program to help rural hospitals improve their cybersecurity defenses through technology upgrades, training, and professional services. The bill also mandates the creation of a comprehensive cybersecurity workforce development strategy tailored for rural healthcare settings. Furthermore, it requires the development and distribution of free instructional materials to train hospital staff on fundamental cybersecurity practices. Implementation of this Act must utilize existing appropriated funds.

Tyler's Law mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study on the frequency, costs, and impacts of fentanyl testing in hospital emergency departments. Following the study, the Secretary must issue guidance addressing whether routine fentanyl testing for overdose patients is advisable. This aims to improve overdose care by informing best practices for emergency department drug screening.

The Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act establishes stricter, time-bound notification requirements for manufacturers when infant formula tests positive for dangerous microorganisms, mandating immediate FDA consultation. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit regular progress reports on strategies to enhance the safety and resiliency of the domestic infant formula supply chain. This legislation aims to ensure rapid response to contamination threats and improve long-term market stability.

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 Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special base pay system for Bureau of Prisons correctional officers, increasing their base pay by 35 percent. This pay increase applies to officers whose duties primarily involve inmate custody and supervision, and also grants a 35 percent wage increase to certain lower-graded hourly employees involved in inmate contact. The new pay authority is set to terminate after five years unless a review by the Department of Justice Inspector General shows measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive mandatory overtime.

This bill, the "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act," aims to reduce fraudulent payments by improving information sharing between the Social Security Administration and the federal Do Not Pay working system. It mandates cooperation to use death data to prevent and recover improper benefit payments. The legislation also establishes standards for recording deaths and requires notification if an individual is incorrectly flagged as deceased.

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 Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act aims to improve support for postsecondary students with disabilities. It standardizes the types of documentation colleges must accept to verify a student's disability status and requires institutions to increase transparency regarding accommodations. Additionally, the bill authorizes funding for a national technical support center and mandates that colleges report key data on enrolled and graduating students with disabilities.

This Senate resolution strongly condemns the recent rise in ideologically motivated attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions across the United States, including specific violent incidents in Colorado and Washington, D.C. It reaffirms the Senate's commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence. The resolution calls for thorough investigation of these acts and urges leaders to speak out against all forms of religious and political intimidation.

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.

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding programs for counties containing federal lands through fiscal year 2026. This legislation ensures the continuation of secure payments and resource advisory committee authorities established under the original 2000 Act. It also streamlines payment elections for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 by carrying over the previous year's choice. Finally, the bill includes technical corrections to improve the administration of these rural support programs.

This bill establishes the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This committee, composed of veterans, accessibility experts, and VA officials, will advise the Secretary on improving accessibility across all VA services, facilities, and information. The committee is tasked with assessing barriers and submitting biennial reports with recommendations to Congress and the public. This advisory body is set to terminate ten years after enactment.

The PBM FAIR Act establishes new fiduciary duties and strict compensation disclosure requirements for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) under ERISA. This legislation specifically deems PBMs as fiduciaries when they manage drug networks, process claims, or negotiate rebates on behalf of group health plans. Furthermore, the bill prohibits PBMs from being indemnified against liability for breaching these new fiduciary responsibilities.

This bill, the Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act, amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to enhance transparency in lobbying activities. It mandates that lobbyists must disclose the names and addresses of any foreign governments or political parties, beyond the direct client, that are involved in directing or controlling their lobbying efforts. This new requirement ensures greater visibility into the ultimate sources of influence directing lobbying work.

The Biosimilar Inspection Modernization Act of 2025 mandates the development of a risk-based inspection schedule for facilities manufacturing biosimilar biological products to prioritize public health protection. It also requires the FDA to update inspection processes, increase the use of remote assessments, and develop a strategic plan for improving domestic biosimilar facility oversight. Furthermore, the bill calls for a public meeting and report on expanding the use of mutual recognition agreements for international inspections.

This bill establishes the **National Strategy for School Security Act of 2025**, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to develop a comprehensive national strategy for securing K-12 schools from terrorism. The strategy must detail federal security programs, identify and address specific school vulnerabilities, and outline necessary actions to improve security nationwide. The Department will be required to update and report on this strategy annually through 2033.

This act establishes a national Working Group within the Department of Health and Human Services to standardize the measurement and definition of loneliness and social isolation. The group will foster collaboration across federal agencies and public/private sectors to create unified metrics. The final recommendations will be compiled in a public report submitted one year after enactment.

The Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2025 mandates that federal agencies report annually on major projects significantly delayed or over budget. This information will be compiled by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) into a public report submitted to Congress each year. The goal is to increase transparency regarding costly and protracted government endeavors.

The Connecting Caregivers to Medicare Act of 2025 aims to simplify how Medicare beneficiaries authorize family caregivers to access their health information via the 1-800-MEDICARE line. This bill mandates comprehensive outreach and education to inform beneficiaries, caregivers, and providers about this authorization option. It also requires the development of best practices to protect beneficiaries from fraud related to accessing personal health information.