Legislative Activity

This Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study for expanding the Lewis Clark Regional Water System across Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The study will evaluate the project's engineering, economic, and environmental aspects, culminating in a report to Congress with a construction recommendation. The federal government will cover up to 50% of the study's cost, which is authorized up to $10 million.

The SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2026 aims to prohibit the FDA from approving any new abortion drugs and severely restrict the use of previously approved ones. This legislation mandates strict in-person administration, rigorous safety protocols, and enhanced reporting requirements for existing abortion-inducing medications. The bill seeks to ensure comprehensive medical oversight and patient safety measures surrounding the use of these drugs.

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 SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 establishes the Strategic Resilience Reserve Corporation to secure U.S. supply chains for critical minerals through domestic investment and the creation of a national stockpile. This new government entity will set specific production goals to reduce reliance on foreign adversaries while managing a reserve of vital materials. The Act mandates strict oversight, public transparency, and regular audits to ensure responsible management of this strategic national asset.

The Roadside Pollinator Program Amendments Act expands federal support for pollinator-friendly practices along highways. This bill increases grant funding amounts and authorizes higher overall program funding through 2031. It also broadens eligibility for grants and refines consultation requirements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Indian Tribes during vegetation management planning.

The Increasing Investor Opportunities Act aims to expand investment options for closed-end funds by limiting the SEC's authority to restrict these funds from investing in private funds. This legislation prevents the SEC and national securities exchanges from imposing limitations solely based on a closed-end company's investment in private funds. The bill seeks to increase market flexibility without altering existing fiduciary or valuation requirements.

This bill mandates the Department of Defense to develop and report on a new, comprehensive cyber workforce strategy by January 2027. The strategy must assess progress on the existing framework, detail workforce size and goals, and outline resource requirements. It also requires identifying roadblocks and opportunities for leveraging external partnerships and commercial tools to improve talent acquisition and development.

This resolution commends the successful execution of Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture and transport of Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores to the U.S. to face federal charges. It praises the operation for its precision, lack of American casualties, and its role in promoting liberty and democratic transition in Venezuela. The bill further recognizes the action's positive impact on regional stability in Latin America.

The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 aims to significantly expand and strengthen the U.S. national commitment to quantum information science, engineering, and technology. This bill reauthorizes and updates the existing initiative by bolstering workforce development, enhancing interagency coordination, and securing the quantum supply chain against foreign threats. It also establishes new programs for quantum testbeds, NIST research centers, and requires a review of regulatory barriers to accelerate domestic quantum innovation.

The CLEAR Act of 2025 invalidates a specific Forest Service rule concerning criminal prohibitions. This legislation strips the rule of all legal force and explicitly prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from enforcing it or any substantially similar future rule.

The BADGES for Native Communities Act aims to improve safety and data collection in Native communities through two main approaches. Title I focuses on enhancing data reporting for missing persons and death investigations by establishing a Tribal facilitator within the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and requiring detailed reports on law enforcement resources in Indian country. Title II supports safety through demonstration programs for BIA background checks, a grant program to coordinate responses to missing or murdered cases, and studies on evidence handling and officer counseling resources.

The Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025 (ARCA Act) fundamentally reorganizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acquisition structure to improve oversight and efficiency for major programs. It establishes a new Chief Acquisition Officer and an Office of Acquisition to centralize control over procurement and logistics. The bill also mandates independent verification, validation, and rigorous cost assessment for all major VA acquisition programs exceeding specified financial thresholds. Finally, it improves hiring for the acquisition workforce and standardizes the requirements development process to ensure better program outcomes.

This bill, the Ensuring VetSuccess On Campus Act of 2025, mandates the expansion of the VetSuccess on Campus program to ensure at least one location and counselor is present in every state. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must prioritize schools with the largest populations of students utilizing VA educational benefits when selecting program sites. This ensures broader access to support services for student veterans nationwide.

The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act aims to immediately improve financial and healthcare access for individuals diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. This legislation eliminates the standard five-month waiting period for Social Security disability insurance benefits. Furthermore, it waives the 24-month waiting period required before these patients become eligible for Medicare coverage.

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 Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025 directs the FAA to establish a committee to review and recommend updates to policies regarding the medical certification of pilots and air traffic controllers with mental health conditions. The bill mandates regulatory updates to encourage aviation personnel to seek mental health care without fear of penalty. Furthermore, it allocates funding to enhance the FAA's capacity to process reviews and launches a public campaign to reduce mental health stigma within the industry.

This bill establishes a State judicial threat intelligence and resource center to enhance the security of state and local judges and court staff. It directs the State Justice Institute to provide support for creating this center, which will offer training, conduct security assessments, and proactively monitor threats. The center will also develop a national database for sharing threat information across law enforcement agencies. Finally, the Institute must submit an annual report detailing the scope and seriousness of threats against the judiciary.

The Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention Act (ASAP Act) amends Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias beginning in 2028. This coverage applies to FDA-cleared tests designed to detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. The legislation specifically outlines the types of genomic and imaging tests that will qualify for Medicare payment.

The ANCHOR for Military Families Act aims to significantly improve relocation support for service members and their families. It mandates that the Department of Defense provide comprehensive, standardized information on all available assistance programs, including education and housing resources, at least 45 days before a permanent change of station. This ensures military families are better informed and supported during transitions.

This resolution officially recognizes November as National Native American Heritage Month. It celebrates the rich cultures, histories, and significant contributions of Native Americans to the United States across various fields. The resolution also reaffirms the government's commitment to tribal self-governance and the government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribes.