Legislative Activity

This joint resolution requests the Secretary of the Interior to authorize unique, one-time displays on the National Mall and the Washington Monument between December 31, 2025, and January 5, 2026. The bill specifically mandates special illumination and projection of historical content onto the Washington Monument to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary. It also authorizes the Secretary to coordinate these commemorative events with the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission.

This Act enhances safety and wellness in the commercial fishing industry by expanding federal grant programs for safety training and research. It specifically directs funding toward addressing behavioral and physical health risks, such as worker fatigue and substance use disorder, for vessel operators and crew. The legislation also updates the grant award process and increases authorized funding through fiscal year 2029.

This bill establishes the Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act, aiming to formally recognize Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) by requiring the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a distinct occupational category for them in the federal classification system. The legislation also authorizes significant federal grants to states to establish or expand paid family and medical leave programs. If a separate DSP classification is not created, a report explaining the decision must be submitted to Congress.

The VA CBA Act of 2025 affirms the validity of existing collective bargaining agreements within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation specifically nullifies Executive Orders 14251 and 14343 as they apply to the VA. The Act ensures that current labor agreements remain in effect for their full term.

The Lactation Spaces for Veteran Moms Act mandates that all Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers establish dedicated, private, and accessible lactation spaces for women veterans and the public. These spaces must meet specific criteria, such as being clean, shielded from view, and equipped with a chair and working surface. The VA Secretary is required to ensure full compliance within three years of the Act becoming law and must submit annual progress reports until all centers are compliant.

The Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025 ensures the uninterrupted continuation of all Head Start projects and activities throughout fiscal year 2026, even if full appropriations are delayed. This legislation provides necessary continuing funding based on the terms of existing 2025 continuing resolutions. Funding authority under this Act will terminate upon the enactment of regular 2026 appropriations or by September 30, 2026.

This joint resolution officially terminates the national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025, which was used to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. It exercises the authority granted under the National Emergencies Act to end the emergency status established by Executive Order 14193.

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.

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 Keep America Flying Act of 2026 ensures that essential Air Traffic Controllers and TSA security personnel continue to receive pay and benefits at the start of fiscal year 2026, even if Congress has not yet passed a budget. This continuing appropriation provides necessary funding for FAA and TSA staff, as well as their contractors, to maintain safe and secure air travel operations. The funding automatically ceases once a full budget is enacted or on September 30, 2026.

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 Judicial Efficiency Improvement Act restructures the federal appellate system by splitting the Ninth Circuit into a new Ninth Circuit and a new Twelfth Circuit. This legislation adjusts the total number of judicial circuits to fourteen and establishes new judgeships across various federal courts. The Act also sets forth a transition plan for handling existing cases and outlines a staggered schedule for adding new district court judgeships through 2035.

This bill amends the Digital Coast Act to enhance the program by requiring all data to be fully and freely accessible. It also expands the scope of collected data to include underground infrastructure and subsurface utilities. Finally, the legislation extends the program's authorization for appropriations through 2030.

The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 ensures that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue without interruption, even if Congress fails to pass the Department of Agriculture's budget for fiscal year 2026. This legislation authorizes automatic funding from the Treasury to maintain payments and cover any retroactive benefits missed due to the delay. This temporary funding mechanism remains active until the regular fiscal year 2026 appropriations are officially enacted.

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 21st Century Dyslexia Act updates federal education law to specifically define dyslexia and ensure children with this learning disability receive appropriate support. This legislation amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to include dyslexia in its definitions of qualifying conditions. Furthermore, the Act mandates that schools guarantee equitable access to necessary accommodations and services for all eligible students, regardless of socioeconomic status or English proficiency.

The Uniformed Services Leave Parity Act ensures that members of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) receive the same leave provisions currently afforded to members of the Armed Forces. This is achieved by adding a new chapter on "Leave" to the Public Health Service Act, applying military leave standards directly to PHS personnel. The Act also repeals an outdated section of the Public Health Service Act.

This resolution formally recognizes the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, acknowledging its vital role in American history and infrastructure since 1775. Congress celebrates the USPS for connecting communities and commerce across the nation for two and a half centuries. The resolution honors current and past postal employees and encourages the public to celebrate this historic milestone.

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 strongly condemns recent Russian incursions into the airspace of NATO member countries and reaffirms the United States' unwavering commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. It explicitly denounces Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine and its pattern of intimidation against allies. The measure serves as a clear statement that the U.S. will defend every inch of NATO territory against attack.