Legislative Activity

The Alzheimer's Screening and Prevention Act (ASAP Act) amends Medicare to cover early detection screening tests for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias beginning in 2028. This coverage applies to FDA-cleared tests designed to detect pre-symptomatic or early-stage conditions. The legislation specifically outlines the types of genomic and imaging tests that will qualify for Medicare payment.

This bill, the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act, extends and significantly increases the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers hiring from targeted groups through 2030. It raises the base credit amount, adjusts key figures for inflation, and adds qualified military spouses as an eligible group. Furthermore, the legislation mandates federal agencies to promote the hiring of WOTC-eligible individuals within critical sectors like manufacturing and healthcare.

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 MIND Our Veterans Act of 2025 mandates significant improvements to mental health screening for service members leaving active duty. This legislation requires the Department of Defense to fully implement the separation health assessment using only validated screening tools for conditions like PTSD, alcohol use, and violence risk. Furthermore, it directs the VA-DoD Joint Executive Committee to assess and incorporate substance use screening into this mandatory assessment process.

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.

The Farm to School Act of 2025 significantly revises and expands the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program to strengthen connections between local food producers and eligible institutions. This legislation updates definitions, increases funding authorization, and prioritizes grants for projects that incorporate experiential learning and serve high-need populations. It also aims to improve local food procurement by funding innovative distribution and processing solutions while addressing regulatory barriers.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.