Legislative Activity

The American Franchise Act aims to clarify the legal relationship between franchisors and franchisees by defining when a franchisor can be considered a joint employer of a franchisee's staff. This legislation specifies that joint employer status only applies if the franchisor exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential terms of employment, such as wages, hours, and discipline. The Act provides detailed examples of what actions do and do not constitute this level of direct control over the franchisee's employees. This clarification is intended to stabilize the franchising business model against inconsistent legal interpretations.

This act streamlines federal oversight by automatically deeming State Veterans Homes certified by the VA as meeting Medicare and Medicaid nursing facility requirements. This automatic qualification is contingent upon the VA sharing inspection data and aligning its standards with federal requirements. The bill also mandates that VA inspection data for these homes be publicly reported to ensure transparency and accountability.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the FDA to update federal regulations by replacing references to "animal tests" with the broader term "nonclinical tests." This action ensures regulatory consistency following recent legislative changes regarding drug development methods. The required interim final rule will take effect immediately upon publication.

This bill, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Retirement Technical Corrections Act, adjusts retirement benefits for certain CBP Officers hired around July 2008 to ensure they receive the correct annuity entitlements. It mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to correct these benefits retroactively for eligible individuals. Furthermore, the Comptroller General must review CBP's hiring practices related to these retirement benefits.

The Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025 (ARCA Act) fundamentally reorganizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acquisition structure to improve oversight and efficiency for major programs. It establishes a new Chief Acquisition Officer and an Office of Acquisition to centralize control over procurement and logistics. The bill also mandates independent verification, validation, and rigorous cost assessment for all major VA acquisition programs exceeding specified financial thresholds. Finally, it improves hiring for the acquisition workforce and standardizes the requirements development process to ensure better program outcomes.

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.

This resolution officially designates December 13, 2025, as "National Wreaths Across America Day." It honors the Wreaths Across America project for its long-standing tradition of remembering and honoring veterans through wreath-laying ceremonies nationwide. The designation also recognizes the countless volunteers, donors, and escort units who support this mission.

This resolution designates December 6th of each year as "National Miners Day." The day will honor the contributions and sacrifices of miners across the United States. It also commemorates the tragic Monongah mining disaster of 1907, which spurred significant improvements in miner safety.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services rule that eliminates the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents. If passed, this measure would nullify the rule, preventing it from having any legal force or effect.

The Stop Sextortion Act criminalizes threatening to distribute child sexual abuse material, even if the material does not exist, to intimidate or coerce victims. This legislation establishes severe penalties for making such threats, mirroring those for actual distribution. Furthermore, the Act increases maximum prison sentences by ten years for crimes involving the use of child sexual abuse material to threaten or harm an individual.

The ECCHO Act establishes a new federal crime for intentionally coercing a minor under 18 to commit harmful acts, including self-harm, violence against others or animals, arson, or specific online offenses like swatting. This legislation defines coercion broadly to include manipulation, threats, and intimidation used to force a child into these prohibited actions. Penalties vary based on the severity of the coerced act, with life imprisonment possible for coercing suicide or homicide. The Act also updates existing federal laws to incorporate this new offense and ensure comprehensive enforcement.

The SAFE Act directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and update federal sentencing guidelines for offenses involving child sexual abuse material. This update must account for the actual harm to victims, modern technology, and the spectrum of offender culpability. The Commission is required to develop new guidelines that specifically address factors like the use of multiple online channels, involvement in prohibited sexual conduct against a child, and the impact on the victim. Importantly, the Act prohibits lowering the existing base offense level for these crimes.

This resolution strongly condemns white supremacy, hate, and antisemitism, specifically targeting the promotion of these dangerous ideologies by Nick Fuentes. It further condemns Tucker Carlson and Kevin Roberts for platforming and defending Fuentes's documented antisemitic and Holocaust-denying statements. The resolution affirms the nation's commitment to fighting antisemitism and urges all leaders to reject these hateful views.

This resolution officially designates December 2, 2025, as "World Nuclear Energy Day." It recognizes the historical milestones and significant contributions of nuclear energy to the U.S. economy, national security, and carbon-free electricity generation. The resolution celebrates the innovators in the field and encourages continued global cooperation in advancing safe nuclear technology.

The Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act establishes a $500 million program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to provide financial assistance to commercial farmers whose land or water is contaminated by PFAS from sludge or septage. This program offers aid such as income replacement, testing costs, and business diversification support to help farmers restore their operations. The Act also directs the Secretary to create a grant program for states, territories, and tribes to address contamination and prioritize funding for direct farmer assistance. Finally, it establishes a task force to evaluate integrating PFAS response across all Department of Agriculture programs.

This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and recognizes its transformative impact on ensuring a free, appropriate public education for children with disabilities. It honors the millions who have benefited from IDEA and reaffirms commitment to its principles. *Note: The provided text also includes details about a separate "Housing for All" program, which is not addressed in this summary as the primary focus of the resolution appears to be IDEA.*

The Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone Calls Act of 2025, or the DO NOT Call Act, establishes new criminal penalties for willfully violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This legislation significantly increases the severity of penalties for repeat offenders or those involved in large-scale robocalling operations. Additionally, the bill doubles the existing civil fines for providing inaccurate caller ID information.

The Right to Read Act of 2025 aims to strengthen literacy and information access by defining and supporting "effective school libraries" staffed by certified librarians. It amends federal education law to require states and districts to ensure equitable access to these libraries, culturally diverse materials, and evidence-based reading instruction for all students. The bill also authorizes new funding for literacy programs and establishes national data collection on school library resources. Finally, it provides liability protections for school staff acting on established right-to-read policies and affirms students' First Amendment rights within school libraries.

This resolution officially designates October 2025 as National Principals Month. It recognizes the vital, multifaceted roles principals play in leading schools, supporting teachers, and ensuring high-quality education for every student. The designation honors the dedication and vision of principals nationwide.

The Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act of 2025 aims to strengthen protections for unaccompanied children navigating the immigration system. This bill exempts these children from various immigration-related fees, including those for asylum and employment authorization. Furthermore, it places limitations on body examinations and restricts the sharing of sponsor information with immigration enforcement agencies. The Act also mandates the refund of previously paid fees that are now waived.