Legislative Activity

This resolution supports designating October 30th as the "International Day of Political Prisoners" to recognize the estimated one million individuals globally detained for their political beliefs. It condemns political repression by naming several authoritarian regimes and supports ongoing U.S. government efforts to secure the release of these prisoners. The measure formally establishes the Senate's position in solidarity with those imprisoned for peacefully expressing their views.

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.

This bill authorizes appropriations for the Department of Defense for Fiscal Year 2026 across procurement, research, operations, and personnel. It imposes significant new oversight, reporting, and planning requirements on major weapon systems and military readiness, while also addressing healthcare expansions, acquisition modernization, and strategic competition with foreign adversaries. Additionally, the legislation includes authorizations for military construction, intelligence activities, Coast Guard operations, and reforms to federal housing and State Department functions.

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.

The Eastern Flank Strategic Partnership Act of 2025 prioritizes U.S. defense cooperation with key NATO allies bordering Russia and Belarus. This legislation establishes a formal definition for "Eastern Flank strategic defense partners" based on location, defense spending commitments, and hosting NATO forces. It mandates that these partners receive priority access to U.S. security assistance, financing, and pre-positioned military stockpiles to enhance regional deterrence. The Act also requires a briefing to Congress detailing the implementation plan for these new cooperative measures.

This resolution officially designates August 1, 2025, as "Gold Star Children's Day." It serves to recognize and honor the children who have lost a parent serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The measure encourages all Americans to observe this day to show support for the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

This concurrent resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, a landmark 1975 agreement establishing principles for security, economic cooperation, and human rights among signatory nations. Congress reaffirms the United States' enduring commitment to these foundational principles, especially in light of current violations by some states. The resolution urges all signatories to uphold their commitments and calls for public observance of this diplomatic milestone.

The MARA Act of 2025 aims to establish and grow a regulated domestic offshore aquaculture industry by creating a dedicated Office of Aquaculture for centralized oversight. The bill sets up a framework for assessing commercial-scale demonstration projects under strict environmental and safety standards. Finally, it provides significant federal support through workforce development, financing mechanisms, and mandated scientific studies to guide future regulation.

This bill reauthorizes funding for critical American aquaculture assistance programs through fiscal year 2029. It ensures a consistent funding stream of $15 million annually for these research and development efforts. Furthermore, the Act updates the rules governing how indirect (overhead) costs are calculated for these specific aquaculture awards.

The Promoting Physical Activity for Americans Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish comprehensive, science-based physical activity recommendations for all Americans, updated at least every ten years. This legislation mandates specific guidance for diverse populations, including advice on reducing sedentary behavior. The resulting reports must inform federal health program guidelines, though the Act explicitly prohibits mandatory fitness standards for individuals.

The Vieques Recovery and Redevelopment Act establishes a settlement process for residents who suffered health issues due to decades of U.S. military training on the island. It authorizes compensation payments to individuals based on qualifying illnesses linked to contamination and mandates the creation of a comprehensive trauma and cancer center for the municipality. This legislation aims to address the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by Hurricane Maria by providing financial relief and essential long-term healthcare infrastructure.

The Nurse Corps Tax Parity Act of 2025 clarifies the federal tax treatment of certain payments received from the Nurse Corps program. This legislation ensures that specific Nurse Corps payments are treated as qualified scholarships, potentially exempting them from federal income tax. These changes apply only to payments received in tax years beginning after the Act's enactment.

The Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act of 2025 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to negotiate specific trade agreements with foreign markets during domestic animal disease outbreaks. These agreements aim to maintain U.S. livestock and animal product exports by establishing measures like regionalization or zoning. This ensures trade continuity by using the latest scientific standards when negotiating with importing countries.

This resolution officially supports the goals of World Malaria Day and affirms that combating global malaria is in the vital national interest of the United States. It commends past U.S. efforts in reducing cases worldwide while recognizing the current threat of stalled progress and domestic resurgence. The bill encourages continued U.S. leadership through international partnerships and innovation to achieve significant global reductions by 2030.

The LOCAL Infrastructure Act reinstates the availability of advance refunding bonds, effectively undoing a change made by the 2017 tax law. This action immediately restores the previous rules regarding these bonds. By bringing back advance refunding, the bill aims to provide greater financial flexibility for infrastructure projects.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 14 through April 20, 2025, as "National Osteopathic Medicine Week." It recognizes the vital contributions of the nation's growing number of osteopathic physicians (DOs) who focus on whole-person healthcare. The designation celebrates the history, dedication, and ongoing training of these essential healthcare providers across the country.

The BOOST for Engines Act directs the NASA Administrator to maintain and modernize rocket engine testing infrastructure across NASA sites. This modernization aims to enhance capability, safety, and support for both government and commercial space transportation development. Funding prioritizes upgrades for testing large engines and multi-engine systems, while ensuring existing government programs are not delayed. The Act also mandates that underutilized facilities remain available for commercial rental on a fair, cost-reflective basis.

The American Infrastructure Bonds Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax credit for issuers of qualifying municipal bonds used for infrastructure projects. This credit reimburses the issuer for 28% of the interest paid on the bond. While the interest remains tax-exempt for the bondholder, it must be treated as taxable income for the issuer for federal purposes.

The Engine Testing for Exploration Act mandates that NASA maintain and enhance its internal capabilities for testing rocket propulsion systems critical for human spaceflight missions, such as those to the Moon. This legislation affirms the Stennis Space Center's central role in managing all NASA rocket propulsion testing programs. Furthermore, the Administrator must report to Congress on future testing plans for both low-Earth orbit and deep space missions.

The Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2025 makes certain federal loan repayments received by dental school faculty tax-free. This change updates the Internal Revenue Code to exclude these specific loan repayment amounts from taxable income. The bill also requires the GAO to review participation in the relevant dental faculty development and loan repayment programs.