Legislative Activity

This resolution officially recognizes September 16, 2025, as National Voter Registration Day. It encourages all eligible citizens to register to vote, verify their registration information, and participate in upcoming elections.

The Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026 provides comprehensive funding across all military personnel, operations, procurement, and research and development for the U.S. Armed Forces. It allocates billions to pay service members, maintain equipment, modernize assets like ships and aircraft, and support vital health and oversight programs. The bill also establishes strict rules for spending, mandates significant domestic sourcing for certain materials, and rescinds previous appropriations.

This resolution authorizes the printing of the updated Senate Manual for the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress. The Committee on Rules and Administration is responsible for preparing the revised edition containing the Senate's current rules and procedures. Additionally, the resolution mandates the printing of 1,200 extra bound copies for the Senate's use.

This concurrent resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a special ceremony. The event will honor the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II by presenting them with the Congressional Gold Medal. The Architect of the Capitol will oversee the necessary arrangements for the event scheduled on June 26, 2025.

The Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025 authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 551.14 acres of land to expand the boundaries of Mammoth Cave National Park. This land acquisition will be made in Edmonson and Barren Counties, Kentucky, as detailed on a specific map dated May 2025. The Act amends the existing law governing the park's boundaries.

This bill proposes a new tax incentive allowing sellers of qualified farmland to exclude capital gains from their gross income if the proceeds are reinvested into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). To qualify, the sale must be to an active farmer who agrees to a potential penalty tax if they stop farming the land within ten years. This provision also temporarily increases the annual IRA contribution limit based on the excluded gain amount.

This resolution appoints specific senators to serve on the Joint Committee on Printing and the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library. The appointments include Senators McConnell, Fischer, and Hagerty to the Joint Committee on Printing, with Senators Padilla and Merkley also appointed. Senators McConnell, Fischer, and Hyde-Smith are appointed to the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, along with Senators Padilla and Klobuchar.

This resolution authorizes specific amounts of funding for various Senate committees to cover expenses related to their operations, personnel, and investigations from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets limits on expenditures for each committee, including allocations for consultants and staff training. The resolution also allows committees to utilize services from other government agencies and establishes a special reserve fund to address unforeseen financial needs.

The "Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025" changes the appointment process for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons. Going forward, the President will appoint the Director with Senate approval, similar to other high-ranking officials in the Department of Justice, for a single 10-year term. The Director will report directly to the Attorney General.

The CAREER Act of 2025 reauthorizes and modifies key grant programs aimed at supporting individuals recovering from substance use disorders through workforce development and recovery housing. It extends funding for treatment, recovery, and workforce support grants, allowing funds to be used for transportation services and prioritizing data collection on employment outcomes. The act also reauthorizes the Recovery Housing Pilot Program, updating data collection methods and extending the program through 2030 to provide stable housing for individuals in recovery.

The White Oak Resiliency Act of 2025 aims to restore and enhance white oak populations and habitats across the United States through collaborative efforts between federal, state, private, and non-governmental organizations. This act establishes the White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition, pilot programs within the Forest Service and Department of Interior, and a grant program to support white oak regeneration and research. It also addresses white oak tree nursery shortages and promotes research into the species' resilience and preservation. Ultimately, this act seeks to ensure the long-term health and sustainability of white oak ecosystems.

This resolution authorizes the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate to organize quarterly blood donation drives during the 119th Congress. The Sergeant at Arms will determine the dates, locations, and partnering organizations for these drives, in consultation with the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. This aims to facilitate regular opportunities for blood donations within the Senate community.