Legislative Activity

This resolution officially honors the 67 victims of the tragic 2025 mid-air collision between an Army helicopter and an airliner over the Potomac River. It expresses deep sympathy for the families affected and commends the hundreds of agencies and first responders involved in the response and recovery efforts. Furthermore, the resolution commits to translating safety lessons from the incident into action to prevent future tragedies.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 updates school nutrition standards to allow schools to offer organic or non-organic whole milk as a beverage option. This legislation also revises the criteria for milk substitutions based on medical or dietary needs and excludes milk fat from saturated fat calculations for meal compliance. Furthermore, the bill mandates that training for school food service personnel must now include comprehensive information on food allergies.

The Credit Card Competition Act of 2026 mandates new federal regulations to increase competition in credit card processing networks. These rules will prevent large card issuers and networks from limiting transaction routing options available to merchants. The Federal Reserve must establish these rules within one year, while also creating a national security risk list for payment networks.

The Public Charge Clarification Act of 2026 establishes a strict, codified definition for determining when an immigrant is likely to become a "public charge," based on the receipt of specific public benefits. This bill mandates that a wide range of federal, state, and local assistance programs be considered in this assessment, aiming to ensure immigrant self-sufficiency. It also introduces requirements for sponsor affidavits and authorizes the use of public charge bonds as a condition for entry or adjustment of status.

The American Franchise Act aims to clarify the legal relationship between franchisors and franchisees by defining when a franchisor can be considered a joint employer of a franchisee's staff. This legislation specifies that joint employer status only applies if the franchisor exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential terms of employment, such as wages, hours, and discipline. The Act provides detailed examples of what actions do and do not constitute this level of direct control over the franchisee's employees. This clarification is intended to stabilize the franchising business model against inconsistent legal interpretations.

The PBM FAIR Act establishes new fiduciary duties and strict compensation disclosure requirements for Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) under ERISA. This legislation specifically deems PBMs as fiduciaries when they manage drug networks, process claims, or negotiate rebates on behalf of group health plans. Furthermore, the bill prohibits PBMs from being indemnified against liability for breaching these new fiduciary responsibilities.

The Presidential Fitness Test Act of 2025 establishes the President's Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition to advise the President on national fitness goals. This Council is tasked with reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test as the primary means for earning a Presidential Fitness Award. It will also develop strategies to expand sports participation and address national security threats posed by declining youth fitness. The Council will operate for two years unless extended by the President.

The Lowering Health Care Costs for Americans Act modifies the Affordable Care Act by extending premium tax credits and introducing new Healthcare Affordability Accounts for enrollees. It also establishes strict new requirements for hospitals, labs, and insurers to publicly disclose negotiated prices and detailed billing information. Furthermore, the bill places new restrictions on using subsidies for coverage related to abortion and gender transition procedures. Overall, the legislation aims to increase price transparency while restructuring financial assistance for Marketplace plans.

The Pathways to Prosperity Act establishes a new grant program to strengthen workforce development at community colleges. This program aims to help institutions create or expand high-quality training for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries. Grants will prioritize partnerships with employers to ensure participants earn recognized, portable credentials leading to career advancement. The Secretary of Labor will oversee the competitive awards, performance measurement, and evaluation of the funded programs.

The PBM Disclosure Act clarifies existing requirements under ERISA for brokers and consultants to employer-sponsored health plans to disclose all direct and indirect compensation related to pharmacy benefit management services. This ensures transparency regarding payments received for PBM services provided to these health plans. The Department of Labor is tasked with issuing clarifying regulations within 180 days of enactment.

The ACA Marketplace Integrity Act aims to enhance the integrity and affordability of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces. This legislation limits the amount of premium tax credits available to enrollees and introduces new documentation requirements, such as government-issued photo ID, for enrolling in Qualified Health Plans. Additionally, it formally enacts a specific rule regarding marketplace integrity and affordability.

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.

The Better FDA Act of 2025 overhauls the regulation of substances Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by requiring mandatory FDA listing and review for all such food ingredients. This legislation establishes strict deadlines for submitting GRAS notices and subjects substances not listed or under review to adulteration penalties. Furthermore, the Act grants the FDA authority to reevaluate the safety of existing food additives and GRAS substances based on new concerns, ensuring all final safety determinations involve review by career FDA scientific experts.

The DIRECT Act of 2025 amends federal inspection laws to allow retail stores and restaurants to sell State-inspected meat and poultry products online. These products can be shipped directly to household consumers in normal retail quantities. The bill also includes technical corrections to update outdated language and cross-references within the existing Acts.

The Beef Labeling Clarity Act mandates the creation of new federal regulations for beef labeling within 180 days. This legislation will eliminate the current "Product of USA" label for covered products. Instead, it establishes three new voluntary labeling options: "Processed in USA," "Raised and Processed in USA," and "Born, Raised, and Processed in USA," to provide consumers with clearer origin information.

The ReConnecting Rural America Act of 2025 aims to expand high-speed broadband access in underserved rural areas through grants and loans. It establishes minimum service standards of 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload capacity for funded projects. The bill prioritizes assistance for the most unserved communities and sets funding authorizations through fiscal year 2030.

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.

The Passport Sanity Act mandates that the Department of State limit gender designation options on official travel documents to only "male" or "female." This law specifically prohibits the issuance of passports, passport cards, or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad that include an "X" gender marker.

The Mobile Cancer Screening Act establishes a federal grant program to fund the creation and operation of mobile screening units, such as vans equipped for imaging. This initiative aims to increase early cancer detection, particularly for lung cancer, by bringing essential screening services directly to rural and underserved communities. Funding priority will be given to organizations that demonstrate the greatest potential to close screening gaps and ensure comprehensive follow-up care for patients.

This resolution formally honors the life and dedicated service of Undersheriff Brandon Gaede, who tragically died in the line of duty. It expresses the deepest condolences of the Senate to his family and recognizes his ultimate sacrifice for public safety. The measure also calls for support for his surviving family from all levels of government.