Legislative Activity

This bill reauthorizes and extends key Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) programs established under the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act to combat marine plastic pollution. Specifically, it extends the authorization for these critical infrastructure programs through the year 2030.

The Restricting Ex-Vetted Officials from Knowledge Exploitation (REVOKE) Act prohibits former Department of Defense personnel from holding security clearances if they lobby for specific Chinese military companies identified by the Department of Defense and Treasury. This measure aims to prevent the exploitation of sensitive knowledge by individuals working on behalf of foreign adversaries. The Secretary of Defense retains a limited waiver authority based on national security interests.

The Anti-Cash Grab Act repeals a specific provision (Section 213 of division C of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026). This repeal effectively restores a previous law, Section 10 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005. The legislation is designed to take effect retroactively as if the repealed section had never been enacted.

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 CARE Act of 2025 mandates the testing of a new Comprehensive Alternative Response for Emergencies (CARE) Model under Medicare. This model allows Medicare Part B to pay ground ambulance providers for emergency response services, even if no transport occurs. The goal is to evaluate how this alternative payment structure impacts emergency medical service access, beneficiary outcomes, and resource utilization over a five-year period.

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 Armed Forces Pay Act of 2025 ensures continued funding for the pay and allowances of members of the Armed Forces and certain civilian intelligence employees through fiscal year 2026, should full appropriations bills not be enacted. This temporary measure provides necessary financial continuity until regular appropriations legislation is passed or until September 30, 2026. The Act also authorizes intelligence-related funds for FY 2026 until the relevant Intelligence Authorization Act is signed into law.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, observed annually from October 23rd through 31st, to promote drug prevention education. It recognizes the ongoing national drug crisis, particularly the dangers of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The bill encourages all Americans to wear red ribbons and participate in activities that promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

This resolution officially designates November 1, 2025, as National Bison Day to recognize the historical, cultural, and economic significance of the North American bison. It honors the bison's status as the national mammal, its importance to Indian Tribes, and its role in conservation and rural economies. The resolution encourages nationwide observance of this day annually on the first Saturday of November.

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 Nuclear REFUEL Act of 2025 streamlines the licensing process for certain nuclear fuel activities by amending the definition of a "production facility" under the Atomic Energy Act. Specifically, it excludes operations involving certain uranium processing or spent fuel reprocessing that does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements. This aims to expedite the development and use of advanced nuclear fuels.

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 joint resolution officially terminates the national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025, which was used to impose duties on articles imported from Canada. It exercises the authority granted under the National Emergencies Act to end the emergency status established by Executive Order 14193.

The Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act establishes federal requirements for companies providing artificial intelligence chatbots to U.S. users. It mandates age verification for all users and prohibits minors from accessing specialized "AI Companions." Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for developing chatbots that solicit minors into sexually explicit conduct or promote violence, and requires covered entities to ensure chatbots clearly disclose they are not human.

The Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act seeks to update how Social Security cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are calculated. It mandates using the index that results in a higher adjustment: either the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers or a newly established Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers. This change aims to provide a more accurate reflection of seniors' actual cost of living in benefit calculations starting after September 2026.

The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees, contractors, and service members affected by a government funding lapse starting October 1, 2025, receive retroactive back pay for the period they worked without funding. Additionally, the bill prohibits agencies from initiating permanent staffing reductions or furloughs during such a lapse. These provisions are designed to provide financial security and stability to essential government personnel during periods of lapsed appropriations.

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.

The TREATS Act modifies existing law to expand access to medication-assisted treatment for substance use disorders. Specifically, it allows a single telehealth evaluation to satisfy the prior in-person evaluation requirement for prescribing certain Schedule III, IV, or V controlled substances approved for addiction treatment. This change aims to improve the delivery of necessary therapy services via remote care.

The PAID OFF Act of 2025 restricts certain exemptions under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for agents representing foreign government or corporate entities owned or controlled by designated "countries of concern." It establishes a process requiring Congressional approval via a joint resolution for the Secretary of State to modify this list of concerning countries. These significant changes are set to terminate five years after the date the Act becomes law.

This resolution officially designates the week beginning October 12, 2025, as "National Wildlife Refuge Week." It recognizes the critical role of the National Wildlife Refuge System in conserving over 850 million acres of vital habitat for threatened and endangered species. The resolution also highlights the refuges' significant contributions to local economies, public recreation, and community access to nature. Ultimately, it reaffirms Congress's commitment to supporting the conservation mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.