Legislative Activity

This resolution officially designates the week of November 3 through November 7, 2025, as National Veterans Small Business Week. It recognizes the significant contributions of the over 1.65 million veteran-owned small businesses to the U.S. economy. The bill supports creating a business-friendly environment and expresses appreciation for veterans' continued service through entrepreneurship.

The Pay Our Capitol Police Act ensures that the United States Capitol Police will continue to receive funding for salaries and essential expenses for Fiscal Year 2026, even if standard appropriations are delayed. This bill provides continuing appropriations to cover excepted employees, emergency workers, and necessary support staff. Funds spent under this Act will be charged against future official appropriations once enacted. The authority granted by this Act terminates on September 30, 2026, or earlier if standard appropriations are passed.

The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2025 proposes to reauthorize the existing Diesel Emissions Reduction Act. This bill specifically extends the program's expiration date from 2024 to 2029.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) rule regarding the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this measure ensures that the BLM's submitted rule will have no legal force or effect.

This Act establishes a clear U.S. policy to hold Chinese officials accountable for gross human rights violations against religious groups by making them subject to sanctions. It mandates that the Department of State actively promote and monitor religious freedom within the People's Republic of China. Furthermore, Congress urges the designation of China as a "country of particular concern" and calls for robust diplomatic action to secure the release of unjustly detained religious prisoners.

The Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that essential government employees, military personnel, and supporting contractors who must work during a lapse in appropriations receive their guaranteed pay. This bill automatically sets aside necessary funds from the Treasury to cover the salaries and benefits of these "excepted employees" for the duration of the shutdown. These special appropriations remain available until a full-year budget is enacted, at which point the payments are reconciled against the new funding law.

The TREATS Act modifies existing law to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders. Specifically, it allows a single telehealth evaluation to satisfy the prior in-person evaluation requirement for prescribing certain Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substances approved for addiction treatment. This change aims to improve the delivery of necessary therapy services via remote care.

This resolution condemns the Government of the People's Republic of China for engaging in transnational repression against individuals residing in the United States. It specifically denounces the PRC's coordinated campaign to surveil, harass, and coerce dissidents, activists, and ethnic minorities. The Senate affirms that these extraterritorial actions violate U.S. sovereignty and the rights of all individuals to live without foreign intimidation.

The Keep America Flying Act of 2026 ensures that essential Air Traffic Controllers and TSA security personnel continue to receive pay and benefits at the start of fiscal year 2026, even if Congress has not yet passed a budget. This continuing appropriation provides necessary funding for FAA and TSA staff, as well as their contractors, to maintain safe and secure air travel operations. The funding automatically ceases once a full budget is enacted or on September 30, 2026.

This bill proposes establishing a new, Senate-confirmed position: the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs within the Department of State. This Ambassador will report directly to the Secretary of State to lead U.S. foreign policy coordination across key areas in the Arctic. Their responsibilities will focus on national security, environmental protection, scientific research, and strengthening cooperation among Arctic nations.

The AUKUS Improvement Act of 2025 streamlines defense cooperation under the AUKUS agreement by modifying U.S. arms transfer requirements. This legislation exempts certain defense article reexports and temporary imports between the U.S., Australia, and the U.K. from specific presidential consent requirements. Furthermore, it eliminates the mandatory certification process for commercial technical assistance or manufacturing license agreements involving Australia and the United Kingdom.

The Integrated Ocean Observation System Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates existing law to broaden the system's scope to explicitly include meteorological observations and strengthen data management infrastructure. The bill renames the primary advisory body from the "Council" to the "Committee" throughout the relevant statutes. It also authorizes $56 million annually from 2026 through 2030 and mandates a new post-storm evaluation in the annual report to Congress.

The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 ensures that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue without interruption, even if Congress fails to pass the Department of Agriculture's budget for fiscal year 2026. This legislation authorizes automatic funding from the Treasury to maintain payments and cover any retroactive benefits missed due to the delay. This temporary funding mechanism remains active until the regular fiscal year 2026 appropriations are officially enacted.

This bill amends the Digital Coast Act to enhance the acquisition, integration, and accessibility of program data. It mandates that Digital Coast data be fully and freely available, and expands required data sets to include underground infrastructure. Additionally, the bill extends the program's compliance deadline from 2025 to 2030.

This resolution officially designates the week beginning October 19, 2025, as "Coal Week." It serves to recognize and commend the workers in the coal industry for their vital contributions to American energy security and economic stability. The bill also highlights coal's historical importance and its continued role in providing reliable, affordable electricity.

The Diesel Truck Liberation Act of 2025 prohibits the federal government from mandating, certifying, or enforcing any requirement for emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems on vehicles and engines. This legislation voids existing EPA regulations and eliminates all civil or criminal penalties related to the manufacture, sale, or use of vehicles without these emission control systems. It also mandates the immediate release of individuals currently imprisoned for violations concerning these devices.

The Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees deemed "excepted" and required to work during a government shutdown, starting in fiscal year 2026 or later, are guaranteed to receive their salaries and allowances. This automatic funding from the Treasury Department covers essential personnel and their supporting contractors until a full-year budget or continuing resolution is enacted. The goal is to provide financial certainty for workers performing emergency duties during funding lapses.

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 formally recognizes the 250th anniversary of the United States Postal Service, acknowledging its vital role in American history and infrastructure since 1775. Congress celebrates the USPS for connecting communities and commerce across the nation for two and a half centuries. The resolution honors current and past postal employees and encourages the public to celebrate this historic milestone.

The Accelerating Networking, Cyberinfrastructure, and Hardware for Oceanic Research (ANCHOR) Act mandates the National Science Foundation Director to develop a comprehensive plan to upgrade the cybersecurity and telecommunications capabilities of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. This plan must assess the necessary hardware, identify specific cybersecurity risks in collaboration with CISA and NIST, and detail a multi-agency funding strategy. The goal is to ensure these research vessels have the necessary speed and security for critical scientific missions, telemedicine, and real-time data transfer.