Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution urges the Department of Agriculture to immediately use its contingency funds and interchange authority to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fully financed. The Senate asserts the administration has a legal obligation to use these existing resources to support millions of vulnerable Americans through November. This measure expresses a position and does not enact new law.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared by the President on April 2, 2025, which was used to impose global tariffs. The termination of this emergency will take effect immediately upon the resolution becoming law.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that essential nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC, continue to provide benefits without interruption if full appropriations for the Department of Agriculture are not enacted for Fiscal Year 2026. This legislation immediately makes funds available to cover benefits and state operating costs during any funding lapse, retroactive to September 30, 2025. These special appropriations terminate once the standard FY 2026 funding bill is passed or by September 30, 2026.

This resolution officially designates October 2025 as "National Country Music Month." It recognizes the genre's significant cultural history, its roots in American tradition, and its substantial economic contributions. The bill encourages the public to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies celebrating country music.

The Shutdown Student Loans for Feds Act provides relief for federal employees and certain contractors affected by government shutdowns lasting 14 days or more, starting in fiscal year 2026. During these lapses in appropriations, federal student loan payments must be suspended, and no interest will accrue on those loans. Furthermore, suspended payment periods will count toward loan forgiveness requirements and be reported positively to credit agencies.

The Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act establishes federal requirements for companies providing artificial intelligence chatbots to U.S. users. It mandates age verification for all users and prohibits minors from accessing specialized "AI Companions." Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for developing chatbots that solicit minors into sexually explicit conduct or promote violence, and requires covered entities to ensure chatbots clearly disclose they are not human.

The Military and Federal Employee Protection Act ensures that federal employees, military members, and covered contractors receive their full standard compensation for work performed or time furloughed during a lapse in government appropriations occurring after September 30, 2025. This bill appropriates necessary funds for agencies to make these retroactive payments. Payments must be made promptly, generally within seven days of enactment for furloughed individuals. This legislation guarantees that no covered individual loses pay due to a government shutdown during the specified period.

The TREATS Act modifies existing law to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders. Specifically, it allows a single telehealth evaluation to satisfy the prior in-person evaluation requirement for prescribing certain Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substances approved for addiction treatment. This change aims to improve the delivery of necessary therapy services via remote care.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees, contractors, and service members affected by a government funding lapse starting October 1, 2025, receive retroactive back pay for the period they worked without funding. Additionally, the bill prohibits agencies from initiating permanent staffing reductions or furloughs during such a lapse. These provisions are designed to provide financial security and stability to essential government personnel during periods of lapsed appropriations.

The United States-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act affirms the U.S. commitment to supporting Latin American and Caribbean nations that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The bill directs the State Department to monitor and counter coercive economic influence and pressure tactics by the People's Republic of China aimed at severing these relationships. Furthermore, it mandates increased coordination between the U.S. and Taiwan regarding development and engagement in the Western Hemisphere.

The AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025 streamlines defense cooperation under the AUKUS agreement by modifying U.S. arms transfer requirements. This legislation exempts certain defense article reexports and temporary imports between the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. from specific presidential consent requirements. Furthermore, it eliminates the mandatory certification process for commercial technical assistance or manufacturing license agreements involving Australia and the United Kingdom.

The "United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act" aims to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere by developing a comprehensive strategy to disrupt connections between illegal actors and artisanal mining, counter illicit financing, and build law enforcement capacity. It requires the Secretary of State to create a multi-year plan, brief Congress on Venezuelan illicit gold activities, and conduct international financial investigations. The act also promotes responsible gold mining practices through public-private partnerships and authorizes appropriations to support the implementation of the strategy.

This bill, the Strengthening United States Leadership at the IDB Act, directs the U.S. to actively work to reduce the involvement of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It mandates that the U.S. Executive Director vote against IDB financing that involves PRC entities or poses a national security risk. Furthermore, the legislation seeks to encourage the IDB to prioritize procurement from the United States and allied nations over the PRC. Finally, it promotes increased collaboration between the IDB and the U.S. Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

The Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2025 mandates the Secretary of State to report annually on the links between Haitian criminal gangs, political elites, and economic elites. Based on these findings, the President must impose targeted sanctions, including property blocking and visa restrictions, against those identified as colluding with criminal organizations. This legislation aims to counter threats to U.S. national interests stemming from corruption and criminal activity in Haiti. The Act will automatically expire five years after enactment.

This resolution commemorates the 74th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, affirming the strong bilateral security alliance between the two nations. It strongly condemns the escalating aggression and unlawful territorial claims by the People's Republic of China in the South China Sea. The bill urges the President to continue actions that support Philippine defense modernization and enhance deterrence against coercion. It reaffirms that an armed attack against Philippine public vessels in the region would invoke the Mutual Defense Treaty.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating the second Monday in October 2025 as "Indigenous Peoples' Day." It formally recognizes the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the United States and encourages public observance to celebrate their history and culture. The measure also voices support for establishing this day as an official Federal holiday.

The Voter Purge Protection Act aims to safeguard voter registration by preventing states from removing individuals from voter rolls solely because they moved within the state. This legislation establishes strict standards for voter list maintenance, requiring objective proof before removal and allowing registered voters to update their address up to Election Day. Furthermore, it ensures that voters who move within a state can easily cast their ballot by updating their address at the polls.

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 Shutdown Guidance for Financial Institutions Act requires federal financial regulators to issue guidance encouraging banks and lenders to support consumers and businesses impacted by a government shutdown. This guidance must promote flexible loan modifications and prevent negative credit reporting for those experiencing lost income. Furthermore, regulators must quickly inform the public when a shutdown occurs and report on the effectiveness of the guidance afterward.

The Retire through Ownership Act clarifies the definition of "adequate consideration" for employee retirement plans, specifically ESOPs. This change allows plan fiduciaries to rely in good faith on valuations performed by independent experts using established IRS methods. This provision aims to provide fiduciaries with a clearer standard for determining fair asset prices without altering existing fiduciary duties or the Secretary of Labor's regulatory authority.