Legislative Activity

This resolution officially designates the week of November 3 through November 7, 2025, as National Veterans Small Business Week. It recognizes the significant contributions of the over 1.65 million veteran-owned small businesses to the U.S. economy. The bill supports creating a business-friendly environment and expresses appreciation for veterans' continued service through entrepreneurship.

The DIRECT Act of 2025 amends federal inspection laws to allow retail stores and restaurants to sell State-inspected meat and poultry products online. These products can be shipped directly to household consumers in normal retail quantities. The bill also includes technical corrections to update outdated language and cross-references within the existing Acts.

The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act of 2025 designates essential firearm-related operations as necessary for protecting human life or property during a government shutdown. This ensures that key functions, such as the FBI's NICS background check system and critical ATF, Commerce, and State Department licensing activities, continue without interruption. Employees performing these duties will be considered "excepted employees" and must continue to work.

The Pay Our Capitol Police Act ensures that the United States Capitol Police will continue to receive funding for salaries and essential expenses for Fiscal Year 2026, even if standard appropriations are delayed. This bill provides continuing appropriations to cover excepted employees, emergency workers, and necessary support staff. Funds spent under this Act will be charged against future official appropriations once enacted. The authority granted by this Act terminates on September 30, 2026, or earlier if standard appropriations are passed.

This resolution officially designates November 1, 2025, as National Bison Day to recognize the historical, cultural, and economic significance of the North American bison. It honors the bison's status as the national mammal, its importance to Indian Tribes, and its role in conservation and rural economies. The resolution encourages nationwide observance of this day annually on the first Saturday of November.

The Pay Our Military Act of 2025 ensures that active duty and reserve military personnel continue to receive pay and essential allowances if Congress has not passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026 by the start of that year. This legislation provides automatic continuing appropriations to cover military salaries, support staff, and necessary contractor payments during any funding lapse. The authority granted by this Act is set to terminate on September 30, 2026, or sooner if a comprehensive budget is enacted. Furthermore, the provisions of this Act are made retroactively effective as of September 30, 2025.

The Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates existing law to broaden the system's scope to explicitly include meteorological observations and strengthen data management infrastructure. The bill renames the primary advisory body from the "Council" to the "Committee" throughout the relevant statutes. It also authorizes $56 million annually from 2026 through 2030 and mandates a new post-storm evaluation in the annual report to Congress.

The Young Fishermen's Development Extension Act reauthorizes and extends the existing Young Fishermen's Development Act. This legislation pushes the program's scheduled expiration date from 2026 to 2031. The bill ensures continued support for young individuals entering the commercial fishing industry.

The Secure Commercial Driver Licensing Act of 2025 mandates that all commercial driver's license (CDL) tests must be administered exclusively in English. Furthermore, the bill establishes a mandatory one-year waiting period before an individual can upgrade from a standard driver's license to a CDL. Finally, it grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to revoke a state's permission to issue out-of-state commercial licenses if that state fails to comply with federal regulations.

The Advancing Water Research and Collaboration Act of 2025 updates existing water research law to explicitly include the artificial intelligence industry in federal water research initiatives. The bill authorizes $16 million annually through 2029 for Water Resources Research Institutes. Furthermore, it mandates that 20% of these funds must be dedicated to research addressing water problems that cross state boundaries.

The Pay Our Military Act of 2025 ensures that members of the Armed Forces, along with essential Department of Defense civilian personnel and contractors, continue to receive pay and allowances in fiscal year 2026 if regular appropriations are not enacted. This measure provides temporary, continuing funding to support active service members. This authority automatically terminates upon the enactment of a new appropriations law or by January 1, 2027.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States Navy, honoring its long history since the Continental Navy. It expresses deep appreciation for the courage and service of all Navy personnel, past and present, who have defended the nation. Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms Congress's commitment to supporting the Navy's vital role in global security, humanitarian aid, and technological advancement.

The Employee Rights Act mandates that union representation must be chosen through a secret ballot election run by the NLRB, and it prohibits non-lawful workers from voting in union elections. The bill also tightens the definition of an employee versus an independent contractor and limits the use of employee contact information provided for organizing drives. Furthermore, it restricts union dues spending to bargaining activities unless explicit, time-limited written consent is obtained from the employee.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 5 through October 11, 2025, as National 4-H Week. It recognizes 4-H as a vital youth development program that empowers millions of young people through hands-on learning. The bill encourages citizens to celebrate the organization's significant impact on developing confident and compassionate leaders.

This resolution formally honors the pilots, maintainers, analysts, sailors, and families involved in the success of Operation Midnight Hammer. It recognizes this complex military operation as the largest B-2 operational strike in U.S. history against Iranian nuclear facilities. The resolution commends the service members for their exceptional skill and dedication during the long-range, synchronized mission. It also acknowledges the sacrifices made by the military families supporting the operation.

This resolution officially designates October 4, 2025, as "National Energy Appreciation Day." It celebrates the vital role of the U.S. energy sector in driving the economy, creating jobs, and improving quality of life globally. The bill emphasizes support for an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy, recognizing the contributions of fossil fuels, coal, nuclear, hydro, and renewables. It encourages public events to raise awareness about the importance of reliable and affordable energy.

The Border Lands Conservation Act focuses on enhancing border security and managing federal lands adjacent to the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. It mandates infrastructure improvements, allows for increased access to wilderness areas for security operations, and establishes a new initiative to manage hazardous fuels near the border. Furthermore, the Act requires extensive reporting on environmental damage caused by illegal immigration and prohibits using federal funds to house undocumented immigrants on most federal lands.

This resolution officially designates the week of October 5–11, 2025, as "Religious Education Week" to celebrate the importance of religious education in the United States. It affirms that religious instruction is vital for developing moral and civic citizens, citing historical precedent and Supreme Court rulings that protect parental rights in education. Furthermore, the resolution calls upon states and territories to accommodate students who wish to be released from public school for religious instruction.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 20 through September 27, 2025, as "National Estuaries Week." It recognizes the critical economic, ecological, and protective value of estuaries to the nation. The bill applauds ongoing efforts by federal, state, and local partners to study, protect, and restore these vital coastal environments.

This resolution officially designates the week of September 14 through September 20, 2025, as "Telehealth Awareness Week." It recognizes the critical role telehealth plays in expanding healthcare access, especially for rural and underserved populations. The measure encourages increased awareness, resource sharing, and continued study of remote healthcare services. Ultimately, it supports maintaining robust access to telehealth for all beneficiaries.