Legislative Activity

This act directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study assessing the suitability and feasibility of designating areas within Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo counties as the Monterey Bay National Heritage Area. The study must be completed in consultation with state, local, and tribal entities. This legislation initiates the process for potential federal recognition of the region's unique heritage.

The Stop Ballroom Bribery Act establishes strict rules and prohibitions on accepting donations for projects connected to the President or Vice President, including property near the White House. It bars donations from individuals or entities currently involved in litigation, seeking federal contracts, or lobbying the executive branch. The bill mandates public disclosure of donor meetings and imposes significant civil and criminal penalties for violations, including straw donations and coercion.

The Anti-Cash Grab Act repeals a specific provision (Section 213 of division C of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026). This repeal effectively restores a previous law, Section 10 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005. The legislation is designed to take effect retroactively as if the repealed section had never been enacted.

The Keep Head Start Funded Act of 2025 ensures the uninterrupted continuation of all Head Start projects and activities throughout fiscal year 2026, even if full appropriations are delayed. This legislation provides necessary continuing funding based on the terms of existing 2025 continuing resolutions. Funding authority under this Act will terminate upon the enactment of regular 2026 appropriations or by September 30, 2026.

This bill, the Restoring Access for Detainees Act, mandates that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provide detained individuals with free, limited telephone and electronic communication services. It aims to ensure detainees can consult with legal counsel and maintain essential family ties at no cost. The legislation specifies minimum free calling minutes, required access for legal consultation, and prohibits monitoring of confidential communications with attorneys.

This Senate resolution urges the Department of Agriculture to immediately use its contingency funds and interchange authority to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fully financed. The Senate asserts the administration has a legal obligation to use these existing resources to support millions of vulnerable Americans through November. This measure expresses a position and does not enact new law.

This resolution supports designating October 2025 as "Substance Use & Misuse Prevention Month" to raise national awareness about the scope of substance use in the United States. It highlights current statistics on substance use disorders and illicit drug use among Americans aged 12 and older. The measure expresses the Senate's support for effective prevention programs aimed at addressing the ongoing addiction and overdose epidemic.

The No Nuclear Testing Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds in fiscal year 2026 for any nuclear weapons test explosion that produces a measurable yield. This measure maintains the current ban on explosive testing while allowing for zero-yield stockpile stewardship activities to continue.

This resolution commemorates the seventh anniversary of Jamal Khashoggi's murder and addresses ongoing transnational repression by the Government of Saudi Arabia. It calls for accountability for those responsible for Khashoggi's death and urges Saudi Arabia to release all wrongfully detained individuals. Furthermore, the resolution emphasizes that these human rights abuses strain the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

The Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act of 2025 ensures that essential nutrition programs, including SNAP and WIC, continue to provide benefits without interruption if full appropriations for the Department of Agriculture are not enacted for Fiscal Year 2026. This legislation immediately makes funds available to cover benefits and state operating costs during any funding lapse, retroactive to September 30, 2025. These special appropriations terminate once the standard FY 2026 funding bill is passed or by September 30, 2026.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees, contractors, and service members affected by a government funding lapse starting October 1, 2025, receive retroactive back pay for the period they worked without funding. Additionally, the bill prohibits agencies from initiating permanent staffing reductions or furloughs during such a lapse. These provisions are designed to provide financial security and stability to essential government personnel during periods of lapsed appropriations.

This resolution formally condemns President Trump's pardon of Binance founder Changpeng Zhao, who previously pleaded guilty to violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws. The measure expresses strong disapproval of the pardon, citing potential conflicts of interest related to the Trump family's financial dealings with Binance. Finally, it calls upon Congress to utilize its authority to prevent similar acts of corruption in the pardon process moving forward.

The Military and Federal Employee Protection Act ensures that federal employees, military members, and covered contractors receive their full standard compensation for work performed or time furloughed during a lapse in government appropriations occurring after September 30, 2025. This bill appropriates necessary funds for agencies to make these retroactive payments. Payments must be made promptly, generally within seven days of enactment for furloughed individuals. This legislation guarantees that no covered individual loses pay due to a government shutdown during the specified period.

The Restoring Rural Health Act aims to support critical access hospitals facing compliance issues. This legislation specifically addresses facilities that were designated as critical access hospitals as of January 1, 2024, but subsequently receive notice of noncompliance with the distance requirement. It amends the Social Security Act to ensure these specific rural hospitals maintain their status despite the notification.

The DOE and NASA Interagency Research Coordination Act directs the Department of Energy and NASA to formally collaborate on research and development projects that benefit both agencies. This collaboration focuses on key areas such as advanced propulsion, quantum information sciences, and Arctic resilience. The bill also establishes new mechanisms for transferring research funds between federal agencies to support NASA's science and engineering missions.

This joint resolution directs the President to immediately remove United States Armed Forces from any hostilities within or against Venezuela that lack explicit authorization from Congress. It asserts that only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war or approve such military actions. The bill ensures that U.S. forces can only remain if acting in self-defense against an armed attack.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating the second Monday in October 2025 as "Indigenous Peoples' Day." It formally recognizes the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the United States and encourages public observance to celebrate their history and culture. The measure also voices support for establishing this day as an official Federal holiday.

The Voter Purge Protection Act aims to safeguard voter registration by preventing states from removing individuals from voter rolls solely because they moved within the state. This legislation establishes strict standards for voter list maintenance, requiring objective proof before removal and allowing registered voters to update their address up to Election Day. Furthermore, it ensures that voters who move within a state can easily cast their ballot by updating their address at the polls.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States Navy, honoring its long history since the Continental Navy. It expresses deep appreciation for the courage and service of all Navy personnel, past and present, who have defended the nation. Furthermore, the resolution reaffirms Congress's commitment to supporting the Navy's vital role in global security, humanitarian aid, and technological advancement.

This resolution designates September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. The program provides crucial financial assistance to local school districts that educate students living on or whose parents work on federal property. This recognition highlights the federal government's ongoing commitment to ensuring quality education in these uniquely impacted communities.