Legislative Activity

This bill authorizes a waiver of the standard 60-day congressional notice requirement to expedite the posthumous honorary promotion of Captain Cody Khork, United States Army, to the rank of major.

This concurrent resolution celebrates the 125th Anniversary of the Army Nurse Corps, honoring its establishment in 1901 as the entry of the first women into the U.S. military. It recognizes the Corps' distinguished service in every major conflict since its inception and expresses profound gratitude for the unwavering dedication and sacrifice of Army nurses throughout history. The resolution specifically commends their vital contributions to the health and well-being of American soldiers.

The USMMA Athletics Act of 2025 establishes a nonprofit corporation, wholly owned by the U.S. government, to exclusively support the athletic programs of the United States Merchant Marine Academy. This legislation authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to enter into contracts and lease property with this new entity. Furthermore, it allows for the licensing of Academy trademarks, with resulting fees supporting athletic and recruiting activities.

The Regional Ocean Partnerships Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends and updates funding for existing regional ocean partnerships through fiscal year 2031. This legislation amends previous law to ensure continued support for these vital ocean management initiatives. It also adjusts reporting requirements to assess the ongoing effectiveness of the partnerships.

This bill establishes the **Voluntary Limited Accreditation for Adoption Services Act** to address the declining number of accredited adoption service providers. It creates a new, voluntary accreditation option allowing providers to be accredited for specific, limited services like home studies or post-placement reports. This aims to improve intercountry adoption practices by increasing the availability of experienced providers for essential adoption steps.

The SUCCESS for BEAD Act mandates that states and territories use any remaining broadband grant funds to establish a new competitive subgrant program. This program prioritizes investments in telecommunications infrastructure, workforce development for critical tech sectors, and modernizing Next Generation 911 systems for public safety. The bill aims to enhance national security, support AI readiness, and ensure the sustained success of broadband deployment projects.

The Medical Foods and Formulas Access Act of 2025 aims to ensure consistent access to medically necessary specialized food for individuals with digestive or inherited metabolic disorders. This bill mandates that federal health programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP, cover these essential formulas and related supplies. By establishing a clear definition of "medically necessary food," the Act seeks to prevent malnutrition and severe health consequences for vulnerable patients.

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.