Legislative Activity

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.

This concurrent resolution affirms the strong partnership between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland, emphasizing shared democratic values and collective security. It explicitly states Congress's position that the U.S. respects Denmark's sovereignty over Greenland and that any change in status or use of military force there requires Congressional authorization. The resolution advocates for strengthening cooperation through partnership rather than coercion in the Arctic.

The NATO Unity Protection Act aims to safeguard the strength and cohesion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It permanently restricts the use of Department of Defense and Department of State funds for any U.S. action, such as occupation or blockade, against the sovereign territory of a NATO ally. These restrictions only lift if the action is authorized by the affected ally or the North Atlantic Council, or in cases of self-defense against an armed attack.

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 National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates and expands the national strategy to mitigate earthquake risks across the U.S., where nearly half the population is vulnerable. This legislation broadens the program's scope to include the evaluation and retrofitting of critical buildings and infrastructure, explicitly incorporating Tribal governments into preparedness efforts. It also enhances scientific research, improves early warning systems, and authorizes specific funding levels for key federal agencies through fiscal year 2028.

The Bycatch Reduction and Research Act of 2025 aims to significantly reduce the unintended capture of non-target species in federal fisheries. It mandates extensive new research on Alaska salmon life history and ecosystem factors affecting marine species. The bill also establishes partnerships to build a flume tank for gear testing and creates new funding mechanisms to assist the fishing industry in adopting bycatch-reducing technology. Finally, it streamlines processes for electronic monitoring and reporting to improve data integration for management.

The Closing the Contraception Coverage Gap Act aims to ensure Medicare beneficiaries receive contraceptive items, services, and drugs with no out-of-pocket costs, effective January 1, 2027. This legislation amends Medicare Parts B, C, and D to mandate comprehensive, cost-free coverage for contraception. Additionally, the bill requires studies on prescription drug access for disabled beneficiaries and current contraceptive coverage gaps in other health plans.

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, the Unlocking Native Lands and Opportunities for Commerce and Key Economic Developments Act of 2025, modifies existing laws to streamline leasing and rights-of-way processes on Indian lands. It expands tribal authority to grant rights-of-way across their own land without direct Secretarial approval, provided the tribe adopts an approved regulatory framework that includes environmental review. The legislation also makes technical corrections to existing leasing provisions for certain trust lands. Ultimately, this Act aims to unlock economic development opportunities by empowering tribes in land management decisions.

This Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand essential services, including telehealth and mail-order pharmacy benefits, to eligible veterans residing in the Freely Associated States. It also requires the VA to provide beneficiary travel payments to these veterans and submit regular progress reports to Congress. Additionally, the bill extends a current limitation on pension payments by two months.

This bill amends the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to establish new grant programs. It authorizes various federal agencies to award grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to support tourism and visitor experience initiatives. The legislation authorizes $35 million in appropriations for these grant programs between fiscal years 2025 and 2029.

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.

The Helping Improve Recruitment and Retention Efforts for Prosecutors Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program administered by the Department of Justice. This program aims to help state, local, territorial, and tribal governments hire, retain, and train prosecutors and support staff. Grants will be awarded competitively, with preference given to proposals focusing on new hiring or serving tribal, remote, or rural areas. The federal government will cover up to 75% of project costs, requiring a non-federal match.

The Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion from Trauma Act establishes new federal grant programs to coordinate local efforts in preventing trauma and building community resilience. It also expands support and training for professionals working with children and youth affected by trauma, violence, or addiction. Key provisions include funding for hospital interventions to reduce repeat injuries and strengthening the national network for child traumatic stress. Overall, the bill aims to improve outcomes for trauma survivors through coordinated community programming and a better-prepared workforce.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to immediately improve financial and healthcare access for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This legislation eliminates the standard five-month waiting period for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Furthermore, it waives the 24-month waiting period required before these patients become eligible for Medicare coverage.

The Building Resilience and Stronger Communities Act aims to enhance disaster preparedness by adjusting federal cost-sharing for small and critical facility mitigation projects, increasing it to at least 90%. The bill mandates FEMA funding for certain hazard mitigation measures following major disasters and establishes required minimum and maximum funding levels for predisaster mitigation assistance for public infrastructure. Furthermore, it grants Indian Tribes direct access to hazard mitigation assistance programs.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove the Bureau of Land Management's rule regarding the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision. If enacted, this action would nullify the submitted rule, preventing it from taking effect.

The Dream Act of 2025 establishes a pathway to conditional permanent resident status for eligible long-term residents who entered the U.S. as children. This status lasts for eight years and requires meeting specific criteria related to continuous presence, good moral character, and education or military service. After meeting further requirements, including education, military service, or employment benchmarks, individuals can apply to remove the conditional basis and obtain full lawful permanent resident status. The bill also mandates strong confidentiality protections for applicant information, prohibiting its use for general immigration enforcement.

The Native Arts and Culture Promotion Act amends existing legislation to strengthen support for Native arts and culture nationwide. This bill modifies the requirements for the Institute's Board of Trustees and mandates the ongoing maintenance of its facilities and programs. Furthermore, it updates grant requirements for Native Hawaiian art and culture to ensure representation from recognized Native Hawaiian artists and cultural experts on governing boards.

The Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish a committee to review and recommend updates to policies regarding the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions. The bill mandates regulatory updates to encourage aviation personnel to seek mental health care without fear of penalty. Furthermore, it allocates funding to enhance the FAA's capacity to process reviews and launches a public campaign to reduce mental health stigma within the industry.