Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses strong support for designating a specific week in October 2025 as "Careers in Energy Week." It aims to honor the vital contributions of the energy workforce and highlight the numerous rewarding career opportunities available across the sector. Furthermore, the bill encourages educational partnerships to promote necessary skills and prepare the future workforce for the evolving energy industry.

This resolution officially supports designating the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "Coal Week." It recognizes the vital contributions of the coal industry and its workers to the nation's economy and national security. The measure also commends the progress made in reducing coal-related emissions through advanced technologies.

The Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees and contractors deemed essential are automatically paid for the work they perform during a lapse in appropriations, starting in fiscal year 2026. This automatic funding mechanism from the Treasury covers standard pay and benefits for excepted employees until Congress passes a full-year budget. Once regular funding is enacted, these payments are charged against the agency's final appropriation.

The FCRA Liability Harmonization Act aims to standardize civil liability for class action lawsuits under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This bill caps the total recovery amount for both willful and negligent violations in class actions at the lesser of $500,000 or 1% of the company's net worth. Furthermore, it places new limits on the recoverable attorney's fees and court costs associated with these class action claims.

This act authorizes the creation and issuance of a new circulating and numismatic $2.50 coin to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The bill mandates specific historical designs for the initial release, continuing a tradition from the 150th anniversary celebration. The Treasury Secretary is given authority over the production, alloy, and future designs, with a goal for the coins to be available by July 4, 2026.

This resolution formally honors the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk, who was tragically assassinated at Utah Valley University. It condemns political violence and calls upon all Americans to reject extremism in favor of civil debate. The bill expresses deep sympathy to his family and urges a renewal of commitment to the values of faith, family, and freedom he championed.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that all future U.S. trade agreements must require partner nations to provide reasonable access and collaboration for the search and recovery of missing U.S. service members. It directs that cooperation on accounting for Prisoners of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) be a mandatory component of international trade partnerships. The goal is to streamline and accelerate efforts to bring closure for families of personnel missing from past conflicts.

The Portal for Appraisal Licensing Act of 2025 establishes a centralized, cloud-based system managed by the Appraisal Subcommittee for appraiser credentialing and AMC registration. This portal will streamline license submissions, fee payments, and access to required FBI background checks for state regulators. While the system centralizes data and tracking via unique IDs, states retain final authority over licensing decisions. The Subcommittee will establish an advisory committee and charge reasonable user fees to fund the portal's development and maintenance.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires the Department of Transportation to mandate that all new vehicles include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM broadcasts for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of AM radio in emergency alerts and allows manufacturers producing fewer than 40,000 vehicles in 2022 at least four years to comply. The rule will sunset 10 years after the enactment of this Act.

The Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill focused on improving pediatric drug development, FDA oversight, and healthcare infrastructure. It revises requirements for pediatric cancer drug research, extends incentives for developing rare pediatric disease treatments, and enhances transparency in generic drug applications. Additionally, the Act establishes an FDA office to coordinate with Abraham Accords countries and makes technical adjustments to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council Improvement Act of 2025 revises the authority of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) regarding nonbank financial companies. It requires the FSOC to first determine that other actions are impractical or insufficient, in consultation with the company and its primary regulator, before voting to designate a nonbank firm as systemically important. This aims to ensure that designation is a measure of last resort for addressing significant financial threats.

The Keeping Deposits Local Act modifies how reciprocal deposits held by agent institutions are calculated to ensure they are not classified as funds obtained through a deposit broker. It establishes specific tiered percentages based on an institution's total liabilities for this calculation and requires agent institutions to maintain strong CAMELS ratings. Furthermore, the bill mandates the FDIC and the Federal Reserve to conduct a comprehensive study on the performance, usage, and risks associated with reciprocal deposits, reporting their findings to Congress within six months.

This bill establishes the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program to correct instances where Jewish American servicemembers buried overseas were mistakenly interred under non-Jewish markers. The American Battle Monuments Commission will contract with a qualified nonprofit over five years to identify these individuals and consult with their descendants. Additionally, the Act extends the expiration date for certain pension payment limitations by a few months.

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

This bill primarily focuses on extending the authorization for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by one year. It pushes the expiration dates for the core programs and several related pilot activities from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026. This ensures continued federal research and development funding opportunities for small businesses.

The American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

This resolution formally condemns the horrific political assassination of conservative spokesman Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. It expresses deep condolences to his family and recognizes the bravery of the first responders at the scene. Ultimately, the measure reaffirms the fundamental American right to peaceful assembly and stands firmly against political violence.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act limits how consumer reporting agencies can share a consumer's report when it is requested in connection with a residential mortgage loan. Reports can only be shared with entities directly involved in the consumer's current mortgage or those providing a firm offer of credit or insurance. The Act also mandates a study by the GAO regarding the use and impact of "trigger leads" derived from credit checks.