Legislative Activity

This bill, the Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act, amends the Small Business Act to strengthen the SBA's Office of Rural Affairs. It updates the office's leadership structure, expands its duties to actively promote federal assistance and coordinate tourism efforts, and mandates regular public reporting on its activities and impact on rural small businesses. The legislation also requires the office to host regional outreach events to better serve these businesses.

The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act establishes a new Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee program to help U.S.-based small manufacturers finance equipment, facilities, and workforce training. The bill specifically defines eligible small manufacturers as those whose primary business is in manufacturing sectors 31, 32, or 33 and have all production facilities located domestically. Additionally, it increases the maximum loan limits available to these small manufacturers across several existing SBA loan programs.

This resolution formally honors the six individuals killed in the tragic 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade attack and recognizes the 62 injured. It acknowledges the Waukesha community's resilience and ongoing efforts to memorialize the victims. The resolution also commends the dedicated work of first responders and health professionals following the devastating event.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility at 202 South Chestnut Avenue in Marshfield, Wisconsin, as the "Army Corporal Gordon 'Gordy' Richard Schmoll Post Office Building." This action ensures the facility will be known by this name in all official records and documents.

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975. It honors the memory of the 29 crew members lost in the tragedy on Lake Superior. Furthermore, the bill recognizes the ship's historical significance and the vital safety improvements that resulted from the disaster.

The National Cemetery Access Act mandates that all national cemeteries managed by the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the National Park Service must remain open to the public on all federal legal public holidays. This ensures continuous access for visitors to honor veterans and their families throughout the year.

The Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act of 2025 updates existing agricultural law to specifically clarify and strengthen country of origin labeling requirements for beef. This bill ensures that beef labeling rules mirror those currently applied to lamb and venison, including for ground products. Furthermore, it explicitly protects the Secretary of Agriculture's authority to enforce these beef labeling standards against any conflicting international trade rulings.

The Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees and contractors deemed essential are automatically paid for the work they perform during a lapse in appropriations, starting in fiscal year 2026. This automatic funding mechanism from the Treasury covers standard pay and benefits for excepted employees until Congress passes a full-year budget. Once regular funding is enacted, these payments are charged against the agency's final appropriation.

The No Budget, No Pay Act mandates that Congress must pass the concurrent budget resolution and all necessary appropriations bills by October 1st each year. If Congress fails to meet this deadline, Members of Congress will have their pay suspended for the period of non-compliance. This suspension includes a prohibition on receiving any retroactive back pay for the time they were out of compliance. These provisions are set to take effect starting September 29, 2027.

The FARM SAFE Act ensures that critical agricultural disaster assistance programs continue to operate without interruption during federal government shutdowns or lapses in appropriations. This legislation mandates that necessary Department of Agriculture employees remain on the job to administer these vital aid programs. By classifying these workers as "excepted employees," the bill prevents layoffs or furloughs that could halt disaster relief efforts for farmers.

This bill repeals the Smith-Mundt Modernization Act of 2013 and significantly restricts the domestic distribution of U.S. government-produced international information materials. It mandates that materials created for foreign audiences must be archived and generally withheld from the U.S. public for a period of 20 years. Furthermore, the legislation explicitly bans the use of appropriated funds by the State Department or USAGM to influence domestic public opinion.

The No Taxation Without Operation Act suspends the collection of federal income taxes on wages for all citizens during any period of a government shutdown. Furthermore, furloughed federal employees will not pay income tax on any back pay received for the shutdown period. The Treasury Department is required to issue guidance to ensure employers correctly implement these tax suspension rules.

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

This resolution formally honors the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk, who was tragically assassinated at Utah Valley University. It condemns political violence and calls upon all Americans to reject extremism in favor of civil debate. The bill expresses deep sympathy to his family and urges a renewal of commitment to the values of faith, family, and freedom he championed.

This Act officially renames the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore to the Apostle Islands National Park and Preserve, establishing distinct management rules for the new Park and Preserve areas. The bill maintains existing fishing regulations across the entire area while generally prohibiting hunting and trapping within the National Park, with exceptions for tribal treaty rights. All references to the former Lakeshore designation must now be updated to reflect the new Park and Preserve title.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.

This bill primarily focuses on extending the authorization for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by one year. It pushes the expiration dates for the core programs and several related pilot activities from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026. This ensures continued federal research and development funding opportunities for small businesses.

The SAFE Driving Laws Act aims to ensure that states only issue standard driver's licenses to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. To comply, states must prohibit issuing licenses to non-citizens and must cooperate fully with federal immigration enforcement information sharing. States failing to meet these requirements starting in fiscal year 2027 will face the withholding of 50% of their federal highway funding.