Legislative Activity

The Feasibility Review of Emerging Equipment for Digital Open Media Act (FREEDOM Act) mandates a report to Congress assessing the feasibility of using emerging technologies, such as direct-to-cell wireless, to expand internet access in Iran. This report must analyze technical, regulatory, and security considerations, including the impact of countermeasures like drone-based platforms and signal jamming. It will also survey the ownership and control of existing telecommunications providers operating within Iran.

This resolution supports designating 2026 as the "International Year of the Woman Farmer." It recognizes the vital and critical role women play in agriculture both in the United States and globally. The designation aims to honor their contributions to food systems and encourage future participation in the agricultural workforce.

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.

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 Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act of 2026 establishes a special base pay system for Bureau of Prisons correctional officers, increasing their base pay by 35 percent. This pay increase applies to officers whose duties primarily involve inmate custody and supervision, and also grants a 35 percent wage increase to certain lower-graded hourly employees involved in inmate contact. The new pay authority is set to terminate after five years unless a review by the Department of Justice Inspector General shows measurable progress in reducing the use of non-custodial staff for officer duties and excessive mandatory overtime.

This resolution expresses the urgent need for the United States to reaffirm its global leadership role in protecting religious freedom. It highlights rising religious intolerance worldwide and calls on the Secretary of State to use all available tools to discourage foreign governments engaged in violations. The resolution commits the U.S. to supporting those seeking freedom from authoritarian repression.

The Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act mandates sanctions against senior Houthi leaders and officials operating in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The bill also requires several reports from the Executive Branch detailing Houthi indoctrination efforts, obstacles to humanitarian aid delivery, and specific human rights abuses. Congress affirms its opposition to Houthi extremism and support for a Yemeni-led peace process. This Act will terminate five years after its enactment.

This bill, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025, amends existing law to strengthen the ability of victims and heirs to file claims for art looted by the Nazis. It explicitly blocks procedural defenses, such as statutes of limitations, to ensure these claims are decided on their actual merits. The legislation clarifies that it applies to all victims of Nazi persecution, regardless of nationality, and overrides certain judicial doctrines that have previously prevented recovery.

This resolution officially designates December 2, 2025, as "World Nuclear Energy Day." It recognizes the historical milestones and significant contributions of nuclear energy to the U.S. economy, national security, and carbon-free electricity generation. The resolution celebrates the innovators in the field and encourages continued global cooperation in advancing safe nuclear technology.

The Back the Blue Act of 2025 establishes new federal crimes and harsher penalties for killing or assaulting law enforcement officers and other public safety officials. The bill also creates specific aggravating factors for the federal death penalty in such cases and places new restrictions on federal habeas corpus relief for related state convictions. Finally, it expands federal protections allowing active and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in various federal locations.

The SAFE Chips Act of 2025 establishes strict new export controls on advanced integrated circuits to foreign adversary countries. This law mandates a license for the export or transfer of these specified high-performance chips, with a policy to deny all such applications. The bill specifically defines "advanced integrated circuit" based on technical performance thresholds or existing export control classifications, excluding those not designed for data center use.

This bill reestablishes the National Coal Council as a federal advisory committee under the Department of Energy. The Council will provide recommendations to the Secretary of Energy on matters related to coal. Its operations will adhere to the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 enhances the FDA's authority to require pediatric investigations for new molecularly targeted cancer drugs. It also extends the priority review voucher program designed to incentivize the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases until September 2030. Furthermore, the bill mandates studies to assess the effectiveness of these new drug investigation requirements and the existing voucher program.

The Platform Accountability and Transparency Act establishes a framework for independent researchers to study large online platforms, overseen by the NSF and FTC. It mandates strict privacy and cybersecurity safeguards for platforms sharing qualified data with approved researchers. Furthermore, the bill requires platforms to increase public transparency regarding their content moderation, algorithms, and advertising practices.

This Act establishes the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program, managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission. The program aims to identify Jewish servicemembers mistakenly buried under non-Jewish markers in overseas cemeteries. It authorizes funding for contracts with nonprofit organizations over ten years to help correct these historical errors and properly honor these fallen service members.

This Act amends immigration law to explicitly designate officials and members of Hamas, Palestine Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS as inadmissible due to terrorist activity. It also bars individuals who endorse or espouse terrorist activities conducted by these specified groups.

The Skills Investment Act of 2025 renames and significantly expands Coverdell savings accounts into "Coverdell Lifelong Learning Accounts" to support workforce training and skill development for all ages. This legislation allows tax-free withdrawals for qualified educational and training expenses, introduces new tax credits for employers, and allows adult beneficiaries to deduct their own contributions. The bill aims to broaden access to lifelong education and career advancement opportunities.

The Flight Risk Reduction Act amends federal law to establish a new presumption against pretrial release for non-citizens who are not lawful permanent residents. This change mandates a detention hearing for these individuals and requires courts to presume detention is necessary. Crucially, defendants cannot use ties to family or employment in the U.S. to overcome this presumption.

The UNLOCK Housing Act aims to increase the supply of affordable housing by allowing local governments and tribes to use federal funds for the direct construction of new residential housing for low- and moderate-income persons. This amendment to the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 expands the eligible uses of these funds. The legislation permits this construction activity with or without the involvement of nonprofit organizations.

The Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that essential government employees, military personnel, and supporting contractors who must work during a lapse in appropriations receive their guaranteed pay. This bill automatically sets aside necessary funds from the Treasury to cover the salaries and benefits of these "excepted employees" for the duration of the shutdown. These special appropriations remain available until a full-year budget is enacted, at which point the payments are reconciled against the new funding law.