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 Veteran Burial Timeliness and Death Certificate Accountability Act aims to eliminate delays in certifying the deaths of veterans who pass away from natural causes. This bill mandates that VA physicians or nurse practitioners must certify a veteran's death within 48 hours, or a local official can step in. The legislation also requires the VA Secretary to annually report on compliance with this new timely certification standard.

This resolution formally recognizes 2026 as the "International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists." It highlights the vital ecological and economic contributions of rangelands while honoring the generations of ranchers and land managers who sustain them. The measure encourages nationwide efforts to promote education, research, and sustainable management practices for these essential landscapes.

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.

This resolution expresses support for designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week." It recognizes the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders. The resolution also celebrates the 50th anniversary of the chartering of the Alaska State FFA Association.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits insurance companies from discriminating against living organ donors regarding life, disability, or long-term care coverage. The bill also amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to explicitly classify organ donation surgery as a serious health condition, ensuring job-protected leave for donors. Additionally, it mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services update public educational materials to reflect these new protections and the realities of organ donation.

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 Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act prohibits federal agencies from providing funding or support for the creation or maintenance of state-level firearm ownership databases. This legislation ensures that federal resources cannot be used to track lawful gun owners or their property, with narrow exceptions for databases tracking lost or stolen firearms.

This resolution marks the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It condemns Russia's ongoing aggression, including attacks on civilians and the forced abduction of children. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes the critical need for robust, sustained U.S. and transatlantic security guarantees to ensure Ukraine's long-term defense and stability.

This resolution strongly condemns the Government of Iran for its violent suppression of peaceful protests and widespread human rights abuses against its citizens. It highlights the regime's use of deadly force, internet blackouts, and severe persecution in response to demonstrations sparked by economic hardship. The resolution commends the courage of the Iranian people and calls for free and fair elections.

The Workforce Development Modernization Act updates federal workforce laws to enhance access to services through the introduction of virtual one-stop career centers. This legislation provides greater flexibility for local areas to establish physical or virtual centers, including options for shared centers between adjacent regions. It also mandates the colocation of state employment service offices with physical one-stop centers where they exist.

The Sanctioning Harborers And Dodgers Of Western Sanctions Act of 2026 significantly tightens U.S. sanctions against Russia to cut off war funding by targeting its "shadow fleet" and entities evading oil price caps. The bill imposes penalties on foreign ports and individuals in countries like China and India that facilitate sanctioned Russian energy trade. Furthermore, it enhances U.S. sanctions enforcement capabilities and streamlines military assistance reporting to Ukraine.

This bill, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE America Act), mandates that individuals must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It also establishes a federal requirement for voters to present a photo ID containing a citizenship indicator when casting a ballot in federal elections. Furthermore, the legislation requires states to implement ongoing programs to verify and remove non-citizens from voter rolls.

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.

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 officially designates the week of January 25 through January 31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week." It expresses support for the week, recognizing the importance of diverse K-12 education options for empowering parents. The bill encourages all Americans to learn more about the educational choices available to families.

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.

This bill establishes federal crimes for knowingly transporting a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion to circumvent the parental involvement laws of the minor's home state. It also makes it a federal crime for a physician to perform an abortion on an out-of-state minor without first providing specific parental notification. The legislation includes exceptions for medical emergencies and cases where parental consent has been waived by a court.

This bill officially designates a specific section of Interstate Route 680 in Omaha, Nebraska, as the "Hal Daub Freeway." The designation covers the portion from mile post 0 to the Missouri River. This change requires all official references to that segment of the interstate to use the new honorary name.

The Expanding Access to Lending Options Act modifies federal law to allow credit unions greater flexibility in real estate lending. Specifically, it increases the maximum repayment term for real estate loans from 15 to 20 years. This change aims to broaden the lending options available to credit union members.