Legislative Activity

The Young Fishermen’s Development Extension Act reauthorizes the Young Fishermen’s Development Program through fiscal year 2031. This extension ensures continued federal support and resources for training and mentorship initiatives designed to help the next generation of commercial fishermen succeed in the industry.

The Pay Our Military Act of 2025 ensures that members of the Armed Forces, along with essential Department of Defense civilian personnel and contractors, continue to receive pay and allowances in fiscal year 2026 if regular appropriations are not enacted. This measure provides temporary, continuing funding to support active service members. This authority automatically terminates upon the enactment of a new appropriations law or by January 1, 2027.

The Alaska’s Right to Ivory Sales and Tradition Act, or ARTIST Act, creates an exemption under federal law allowing Alaska Natives living along the North Pacific or Arctic Ocean coasts to take marine mammals for subsistence or to create and sell authentic handicrafts. This bill strictly defines what qualifies as an authentic Alaska Native article, ensuring it is handmade by a coastal Alaska Native without mass-copying tools. Furthermore, the Act prevents states from banning the sale of these authentic handicrafts incorporating marine mammal materials.

This resolution officially supports the goals and objectives of "Choose Respect Day" to raise awareness about the serious issue of domestic violence in the United States. It encourages all levels of government, organizations, and citizens to recognize this day through educational activities and proclamations. Ultimately, the measure aims to reinforce efforts to end intimate partner violence and promote respect in all relationships.

The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025 significantly updates federal efforts to combat harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia across all U.S. waters, including freshwater systems. The bill expands the scope of the interagency Task Force, mandates the creation of a five-year national Action Strategy for HABs, and enhances monitoring and forecasting capabilities. It also clarifies agency roles, assigning EPA new duties for freshwater blooms while tasking NOAA with marine and Great Lakes response, and establishes a new incubator program for control technologies.

The Protecting Regular Order for Veterans Act of 2025 mandates quarterly budget briefings for Congress by the VA Secretary and places new restrictions on critical skills bonuses for senior executives. Additionally, the bill establishes a new Veterans Experience Office, reporting directly to the Secretary, tasked with improving beneficiary satisfaction and reporting on customer feedback data to Congress. This new office will sunset on September 30, 2028, following a review by the Comptroller General.

The Uyghur Genocide Accountability and Sanctions Act of 2025 significantly expands sanctions against individuals and entities involved in human rights abuses in China, including forced sterilization and organ trafficking. This legislation mandates increased reporting, prohibits U.S. government contracts with complicit companies, and establishes support for oppressed ethnic groups. Furthermore, the bill directs strategies to counter PRC propaganda and imposes strict prohibitions on the Department of Defense's procurement and sale of seafood originating or processed in China.

The Representing VA with Accuracy Act (REP VA Act) mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) standardize all outgoing calls to veterans using a single, recognizable phone number by January 1, 2026. This legislation also requires the VA to establish dedicated health care call centers across all major U.S. time zones to improve appointment scheduling and access for veterans. The goal is to increase transparency in VA communications and ensure veterans can easily reach necessary services.

The Primacy Certainty Act of 2025 aims to streamline and accelerate the process for states to gain primary enforcement responsibility for regulating Class VI carbon sequestration wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The bill imposes strict, short deadlines on the EPA for reviewing state applications, including an automatic approval provision if the agency fails to act within 210 days under certain conditions. It also mandates EPA support for states preparing their applications and requires the agency to report on the resources needed to implement these changes.

The American Grown Act mandates that certain federal agencies, including the Executive Office of the President, Department of Defense, and Department of State, must procure decorative cut flowers and greens only from U.S. domestic sources. This restriction applies to purchases made one year after the Act's enactment. Furthermore, if these agencies accept such items as gifts from foreign entities, they must clearly label the origin and display a domestically grown replacement alongside the gift.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) concerning the Central Yukon Record of Decision and Approved Resource Management Plan. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this action nullifies the BLM's rule, rendering it without legal effect.

This resolution expresses support for designating June 2025 as "National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Month" and June 27, 2025, as "National Post-Traumatic Stress Awareness Day." The goal is to raise public awareness, combat the stigma surrounding Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS), and encourage timely treatment for service members and veterans. It recognizes the significant impact of combat stress and supports ongoing efforts by the DoD and VA to educate the public and improve care.

This Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a limited series of commemorative gold, silver, and clad coins to honor the history and service of the United States Foreign Service. The coins must be issued in 2029, with designs approved after consultation with the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins will be directed to that Association to support its mission of preserving diplomatic history. The Treasury must fully recover all production and issuance costs before any surcharge funds are distributed.

The Nikolas Hughey SAFE Homes for Kids Act aims to better support military families navigating the foster care system. It mandates specialized training for military counselors to become "foster care liaisons" knowledgeable about local foster care rules. Additionally, the bill requires Military OneSource to provide easily accessible, state-specific foster care information for service members.

This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. service members and allies. It reaffirms the enduring importance of the U.S.-South Korea alliance as a cornerstone of security in the Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, the resolution stresses the critical need for sustained military readiness to defend against current and future threats.

The GOLDEN DOME Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive, next-generation missile defense shield to counter rapidly evolving global threats from ballistic, hypersonic, and unmanned systems. The bill creates a powerful, direct-reporting Program Manager to oversee the rapid development, testing, and deployment of integrated defense capabilities across space, air, land, and sea domains. It authorizes over $23 billion in funding, prioritizing the acceleration of space-based sensors, advanced interceptors, and non-kinetic defense technologies. Furthermore, the Act streamlines acquisition processes and enhances the Department of Defense's authority to protect assets against incursions by unmanned aerial systems.

The North Pacific Research Board Enhancement Act updates the structure and operations of the Board by adding a new seat specifically for an Alaska Native representative with subsistence experience. It also temporarily waives the administrative spending cap for five years while granting the NOAA Administrator limited authority to adjust the standard 15% cap in years when funding decreases. These changes aim to improve representation and ensure the Board can effectively manage its research funding.

This resolution officially designates May 2, 2025, as "United States Foreign Service Day." It serves to recognize the vital work of current and former Foreign Service personnel who protect American interests abroad. The day also honors members of the Foreign Service who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

The Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act mandates the President to review specific Hong Kong officials, including judges and prosecutors, to determine their eligibility for sanctions under existing U.S. laws and executive orders. This review must be completed and reported to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment. The review specifically covers previously sanctioned individuals and a broad list of judicial and prosecutorial figures in Hong Kong.

The Protect Our Heroes Act of 2025 establishes new federal crimes for the killing or assault of public safety officers and judges. This legislation provides enhanced federal jurisdiction and severe penalties, including potential life imprisonment or the death penalty for murder, when such acts involve interstate commerce or federal connections. The bill recognizes the increasing danger faced by law enforcement and first responders across the nation.