Legislative Activity

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The Purple Heart Veterans Education Act of 2025 allows veterans awarded the Purple Heart after September 11, 2001, to transfer their unused Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits to eligible family members. It defines eligible dependents, sets conditions for benefit use, and allows veterans to modify or revoke transfers. The bill also addresses scenarios involving the death of the veteran and sets age limits for child transferees, ensuring dependents receive the same educational assistance as the veteran.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act significantly updates existing law to expand online privacy protections for individuals aged 13 to 16. It broadens the definition of personal information collected online and imposes stricter requirements on operators regarding notice, verifiable consent, and data use for advertising. The bill also mandates studies on application oversight and the privacy risks associated with teens using financial technology products.

The **Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act of 2026** aims to increase transparency and accountability in U.S. elections by closing loopholes that allow foreign spending and requiring greater disclosure of political donors. The legislation mandates that organizations report significant political expenditures, forces leaders to take personal responsibility for political advertisements, and streamlines the legal process for campaign finance challenges. Ultimately, these reforms seek to provide voters with clearer information about who is funding political campaigns and judicial nominations.

The EDA Short Form Application Act streamlines the grant process for small rural communities by requiring the Economic Development Administration to create a simplified application form. This legislation mandates stakeholder input to reduce administrative burdens and increases transparency by providing public access to guidance, evaluation criteria, and sample applications.

The TAP Promotion Act mandates the inclusion of a standardized, one-hour presentation on veterans' benefits within the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) preseparation counseling. This legislation ensures service members receive expert guidance on navigating VA benefits with the support of recognized veterans service organizations. Additionally, it establishes annual reporting requirements to track participation and ensure the program's ongoing effectiveness.

The Specialty CROP Act of 2026 mandates an annual report from the Secretary of Agriculture to Congress regarding the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop exports. This legislation requires an analysis of foreign trade barriers, their economic impact, and the executive branch’s ongoing efforts to eliminate these obstacles. By incorporating public input and ensuring transparency, the Act aims to strengthen the global market position of American specialty crop producers.

The 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act of 2025 establishes an advisory committee to address challenges in transmitting precise location information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This committee, composed of experts from telecommunications, public safety, and mental health sectors, will study policy, technical, and cost issues related to geolocation data. The committee must then report its findings and recommend legislative actions to Congress and the FCC within one year.

The TEMP Act mandates the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to research and develop a new, nationwide, index-based crop insurance policy. This policy would specifically protect against financial losses caused by frost or other cold weather events. The Corporation must report its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of enactment.

The Spotted Wing Abatement Trust Act of 2026, or SWAT Act, addresses the significant damage caused by the invasive spotted wing drosophila to U.S. fruit crops. This bill establishes a dedicated research and mitigation fund within the USDA, administered by APHIS. The fund is authorized to receive $6.5 million annually for five years to support efforts to reduce the pest's harmful effects.

This resolution officially recognizes January 2026 as National Mentoring Month to raise awareness and encourage the expansion of quality mentoring programs nationwide. It highlights the significant benefits mentoring provides for youth development, academic success, and community strength. The bill also acknowledges the vital role of volunteer mentors and supports efforts to close the gap for the millions of young people currently without one.

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 Baby Observation Act mandates a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the effectiveness and accuracy of home cardiorespiratory monitors for preventing sudden unexpected infant death. This report, due to Congress within one year, will assess the monitors' efficacy and recommend criteria for health insurance coverage. Ultimately, the bill aims to determine if these infant monitoring devices warrant support under public or private health plans.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove a recent rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs concerning "Reproductive Health Services." If enacted, this resolution would nullify the VA's September 9, 2024, regulation, rendering it without legal effect.

This resolution recognizes the significant achievements and contributions of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter to U.S. national defense over the last 50 years. It honors the dedicated service and sacrifice of the Army aviators, maintainers, and support personnel who operate and sustain this vital aircraft. The resolution celebrates the Apache's enduring role in providing unmatched close air support and precision strike capabilities for the United States and its allies.

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 Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act establishes a grant program to help rural hospitals improve their cybersecurity defenses through technology upgrades, training, and professional services. The bill also mandates the creation of a comprehensive cybersecurity workforce development strategy tailored for rural healthcare settings. Furthermore, it requires the development and distribution of free instructional materials to train hospital staff on fundamental cybersecurity practices. Implementation of this Act must utilize existing appropriated funds.

This resolution commemorates the victims and heroes of the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola. It officially designates December 6, 2025, as a day of remembrance for those killed and injured in the line of duty. The resolution honors the three fallen servicemembers and recognizes the heroic actions of first responders and military personnel. Finally, it condemns the attack and commends subsequent security enhancements at military installations.

This bill reauthorizes the Civil Rights Cold Case Records Collection Act, ensuring the continued collection and public release of historical civil rights cold case records. It clarifies that these records should be presumed available for public disclosure and allows for the reimbursement of state and local government costs associated with providing these documents. Furthermore, the legislation extends the tenure of the Review Board and removes certain privacy exemptions for older records.

The International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025 establishes a permanent program within the Department of State, led by a dedicated Special Envoy, to protect and promote the human rights of LGBTQI people globally. This bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive U.S. Global Strategy to address international discrimination and violence against this community. Furthermore, it authorizes foreign assistance to support local organizations and requires detailed reporting on LGBTQI human rights abuses in annual State Department reports.