Legislative Activity

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a previous law (Public Law 11921). This repeal effectively reinstates the original statutes that were previously altered by those sections.

The Background Check Expansion Act mandates that nearly all private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals must go through a licensed dealer to complete a federal background check. This legislation establishes a universal background check requirement for these transactions, with specific exceptions for family gifts and law enforcement transfers. The bill aims to close loopholes in existing firearm transfer laws while explicitly prohibiting the creation of a national firearms registry.

This resolution observes the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, honoring the 29 lives lost in the tragic 1975 storm on Lake Superior. It recognizes the ship's legacy, commends the initial rescue efforts, and reaffirms a commitment to maintaining safety standards for Great Lakes shipping.

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 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 DETECT Nitazenes Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Homeland Security update its drug detection and identification requirements. This legislation specifically requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to include nitazenes, alongside fentanyl and xylazine, when developing capabilities to detect illicit drugs. The goal is to enhance national security measures against emerging synthetic opioid threats.

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.

The Nitazene Control Act permanently classifies the entire class of highly potent synthetic opioids known as 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids, including nitazenes, into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. This action is taken due to their significant abuse potential and the danger they pose in the illegal drug supply. The bill establishes a broad structural definition to cover current and future versions of these dangerous substances. This ensures consistent federal enforcement against this class of deadly designer drugs.

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.

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.

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.

This resolution expresses support for designating the week of October 20 to October 24, 2025, as "Careers in Energy Week." It aims to recognize the vital contributions of the energy workforce and highlight the growing career opportunities across the sector. The bill encourages promoting energy education and fostering partnerships to develop a skilled pipeline for future energy needs.

The Hiring Preference for Veterans and Americans With Disabilities Act grants state and local election offices the option to prioritize hiring veterans and individuals with disabilities as election workers. Furthermore, it allows these offices to give preference to the spouses or dependents of service members stationed away from home. This legislation also waives residency requirements for these non-resident military family applicants.

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 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.

This resolution strongly condemns recent Russian incursions into the airspace of NATO member countries and reaffirms the United States' unwavering commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. It explicitly denounces Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine and its pattern of intimidation against allies. The measure serves as a clear statement that the U.S. will defend every inch of NATO territory against attack.

The Extending Expired Cybersecurity Authorities Act ensures the continuation of vital cybersecurity information sharing between the government and private industry. This bill extends the authority for sharing cyber threat information for an additional ten years, pushing the expiration date from 2025 to 2035. Furthermore, it retroactively applies this extension to prevent any lapse in coverage and officially renames the program to the "Protecting America from Cyber Threats Act."

The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 ensures federal agencies compensate contractors for employee costs incurred due to government funding lapses or shutdowns. This act mandates contract price adjustments to cover reasonable expenses for furloughed or impacted contractor employees, up to a specified weekly limit. The law also provides necessary appropriations to cover these adjustments and requires public reporting on the compensation provided.

The Pray Safe Act of 2025 establishes a Federal Clearinghouse within the Department of Homeland Security to share evidence-based best practices for the safety and security of nonprofit organizations and houses of worship. This Clearinghouse will also serve as a central resource for identifying and accessing relevant federal security grant opportunities. The Act mandates that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to Congress on existing federal security funding for these organizations. This entire Act is set to expire four years after its enactment.