Legislative Activity

The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act updates the Port Infrastructure Development Program to ensure fairer distribution of funding. This legislation mandates that project selections for both major and smaller port improvements must achieve equitable geographic representation across the United States. The goal is to spread vital port investments more evenly nationwide.

This Senate resolution expresses the strong sense of Congress that the United States Postal Service must remain an independent federal establishment and should not be privatized. It emphasizes the USPS's vital constitutional role, its massive economic footprint supporting millions of jobs, and its essential function in providing universal service to every American address. The resolution warns that privatization would likely lead to higher costs and reduced service, particularly for rural communities.

This resolution celebrates the 108th anniversary of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, recognizing its historical importance, economic impact, and strategic value to U.S. national security. It acknowledges the base's contributions to national defense and aerospace, including its role as one of the oldest military airfields and its selection for the KC46A Pegasus tanker aircraft beddown. The resolution also commends the personnel at Selfridge and encourages continued support and cooperation to ensure the base's ongoing success.

The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Land Claim Settlement Act of 2025 resolves historical claims by the Community against the U.S. government for uncompensated taking of Reservation lands. This Act authorizes a payment of $33.9 million to the Community as full compensation for these lands. Upon receipt of the payment, the Community's claims against the specific "Reservation Swamp Lands" and "Reservation Canal Lands" are extinguished, thereby confirming clear title for current, good-faith landowners. The settlement explicitly prohibits the use of these funds for acquiring land for gaming purposes.

The Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act establishes a new presidential task force to address the national security risks posed by U.S. dependence on foreign adversaries, particularly China, for critical minerals. This body is charged with coordinating federal, state, and tribal efforts to secure domestic supply chains through increased mining, processing, and recycling. The Task Force must deliver comprehensive recommendations to Congress on reducing foreign reliance and strengthening domestic capacity within two years.

The "DHS Better Ballistic Body Armor Act" mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) procure ballistic resistant body armor specifically designed to protect the body shapes of all agents and officers, ensuring proper fit, coverage, and enhanced protection against bullet redirection. The body armor must be certified by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and meet specific ballistic resistance standards, including rigorous testing methods. The Act requires annual reports on the issuance and compliance of body armor, particularly for female agents and officers. All DHS agents and officers requiring body armor for their duties must be issued compliant gear within three years of the Act's enactment.

The "More Behavioral Health Providers Act of 2025" expands the Medicare health professional shortage area bonus program to include mental health and substance use disorder service providers. This act increases Medicare payments to physicians in health professional shortage areas by 10% and to physicians and other practitioners in mental health professional shortage areas by 15% for related services. The changes aim to increase access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment.

The GLRI Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, allocating $500 million annually from 2027 through 2031. This initiative aims to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The Federal Emergency Mobilization Accountability (FEMA) Workforce Planning Act requires the FEMA Administrator to develop and submit a human capital operating plan to Congress every three years to improve the agency's workforce. The plan must include performance measures, cost analysis, staffing goals, and strategies to address workforce gaps, recruitment, and retention. The Comptroller General must submit a report analyzing the plan's compliance with the law.

The "Fire Management Assistance Grants for Tribal Governments Act" amends the Stafford Act to allow Indian tribal governments to directly request and receive fire management assistance grants from FEMA. It ensures tribal governments can still receive assistance through a state if their direct request is not authorized. The President must update regulations to reflect these changes, consider the unique circumstances of tribal governments, and consult with them during the update process.

The "Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act" aims to enhance the safety and supply of infant formula by requiring manufacturers to quickly report contamination issues and implement corrective actions. It mandates the FDA to provide progress reports on strategies to improve the infant formula market and requires ongoing reporting on supply chain data to Congress. The act also directs the FDA to collaborate with other agencies and stakeholders to establish best practices for ensuring a stable and safe infant formula supply.