Legislative Activity

This bill formally codifies the "Six Assurances" made by the Reagan Administration regarding U.S. policy toward Taiwan, emphasizing commitments on arms sales and non-mediation. It declares that maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait and determining Taiwan's future peacefully are vital U.S. interests. Furthermore, the Act establishes a mandatory congressional review process that the President must follow before taking specific actions that would alter these long-standing assurances.

This resolution officially designates November 20, 2025, as "National Rural Health Day." It recognizes the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural communities, including provider shortages and hospital vulnerability. The Senate expresses support for rural health providers and commits to advancing policies that improve healthcare access and affordability in these areas.

The EXPERTS Act of 2025 aims to reform the federal rulemaking process by increasing transparency and accountability across executive agencies. It mandates extensive disclosure requirements for studies and funding sources submitted during public comment periods and establishes new standards for judicial review of agency actions. Furthermore, the bill creates an Office of the Public Advocate to focus on social equity in regulations and streamlines the review timeline for significant regulatory actions by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).

The Transgender Health Care Access Act aims to ensure equitable access to gender-affirming care by prohibiting insurance discrimination and establishing federal nondiscrimination protections. The bill also invests significantly in improving the healthcare workforce by creating grant programs to enhance medical education and training in gender-affirming and culturally competent care. Finally, it supports community health centers in building their capacity to deliver these essential services, particularly in rural areas.

The Background Check Expansion Act mandates that nearly all private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals must go through a licensed dealer to complete a federal background check. This legislation establishes a universal background check requirement for these transactions, with specific exceptions for family gifts and law enforcement transfers. The bill aims to close loopholes in existing firearm transfer laws while explicitly prohibiting the creation of a national firearms registry.

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 resolution officially recognizes November as National Native American Heritage Month. It celebrates the rich cultures, histories, and significant contributions of Native Americans to the United States across various fields. The resolution also reaffirms the government's commitment to tribal self-governance and the government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes.

The "No Torts for Trump Act" amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to prohibit lawsuits against the federal government brought by the sitting President or any individual who subsequently becomes President. This new exception bars such claims from being heard in federal court, regardless of when the underlying incident occurred.

The Anti-Cash Grab Act repeals a specific provision (Section 213 of division C of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026). This repeal effectively restores a previous law, Section 10 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005. The legislation is designed to take effect retroactively as if the repealed section had never been enacted.

The Bivens Act of 2025 amends existing federal law to clarify the scope of civil actions that can be brought against individuals acting under federal authority. This legislation specifically modifies Section 1979 of the Revised Statutes to ensure its application extends to actions taken by federal agents.

The Constitutional Accountability Act aims to strengthen the enforcement of constitutional and civil rights by reforming liability under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. This bill expands who can be sued, making government entities, including states and the federal government, directly liable for constitutional violations committed by their law enforcement officers. It explicitly waives sovereign immunity for these claims, ensuring victims have a clear path to remedy constitutional wrongs.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating November 8, 2025, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day." The day honors first-generation college students, defined as those whose parents lack a bachelor's degree, recognizing the unique challenges they face. This date commemorates the anniversary of the landmark Higher Education Act of 1965, which aimed to increase access to postsecondary education. The resolution urges nationwide recognition of these students' vital contributions to the future workforce.

This resolution condemns the Chinese Communist Party's severe persecution of religious minority groups, including Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists. It specifically denounces the detention of Pastor "Ezra" Jin Mingri and Zion Church leaders amid a broader campaign to "sinicize" religion. The measure reaffirms the United States' global commitment to promoting religious freedom and calls for the immediate release of all wrongfully detained religious practitioners in China.

The Emergency Relief for Hungry Families Act of 2025 temporarily exempts certain retail food stores from standard equal treatment requirements during specific budget shortfalls. This allows stores to offer incentives to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants when benefits are delayed or reduced. These temporary incentives will not be considered violations of existing federal regulations.

This bill, the Restoring Access for Detainees Act, mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provide detained individuals with free, limited telephone and electronic communication services. It aims to ensure detainees can consult with legal counsel and maintain essential family ties at no cost. The legislation specifies minimum free calling minutes, required access for legal consultation, and prohibits monitoring of confidential communications with attorneys.

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.

The Armed Forces Pay Act of 2025 ensures continued funding for the pay and allowances of members of the Armed Forces and certain civilian intelligence employees through fiscal year 2026, should full appropriations bills not be enacted. This temporary measure provides necessary financial continuity until regular appropriations legislation is passed or until September 30, 2026. The Act also authorizes intelligence-related funds for FY 2026 until the relevant Intelligence Authorization Act is signed into law.

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.

This resolution commemorates the seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's murder and addresses ongoing transnational repression by the Government of Saudi Arabia. It calls for accountability for those responsible for Khashoggi's death and urges Saudi Arabia to release all wrongfully detained individuals. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes that these human rights abuses strain the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

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.