Legislative Activity

The Allied Defense Sales Act directs the State Department to create a strategy encouraging allied nations to purchase U.S. defense equipment through multinational group deals rather than individual purchases. This aims to improve interoperability, strengthen the U.S. defense industry, and streamline the sales process. The Secretary of State must regularly report to Congress on the strategy's implementation, challenges encountered, and any necessary legislative changes.

This resolution denounces the rhetoric of six specific Members of Congress for allegedly sowing disallegiance within the U.S. military and intelligence community. It condemns their actions for encouraging service members to potentially violate the Uniform Code of Military Justice by suggesting they defy orders without evidence of illegality. The bill asserts that this rhetoric undermines the President's role as Commander in Chief and compromises national security.

The Strengthening Resources for our Schools (SROS) Act aims to encourage qualified retirees to serve as school resource officers. This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude certain retirement income received by eligible former members of the Armed Forces or law enforcement officers from gross income while they are employed as school resource officers. The exclusion may become a lifetime exemption if the individual serves in the role for at least 10 years.

The Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act designates specific segments of the Gallatin, Madison, Hyalite, and Cabin Creeks in Montana as components of the national Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This designation aims to protect the ecological, recreational, and cultural values of these important rivers within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The bill ensures that existing water rights, private property rights, and the operations of the Hebgen and Madison Dams remain unaffected by the new protections. Overall, the Act secures these treasured waterways for future enjoyment while respecting current land uses.

The Greater Yellowstone Recreation Enhancement And Tourism Act seeks to protect vital sections of the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers, along with several tributaries in Montana, by designating them as components of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. This designation aims to preserve the clean water, recreational opportunities, and ecological value of these cherished rivers for future generations. The bill explicitly ensures that private property rights, existing water rights, and the operation of current infrastructure like the Hebgen and Madison Dams will not be negatively affected by these new protections.

The COVID-19 Military Backpay Act of 2025 establishes a legal remedy for service members discharged due to non-compliance with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate. Covered members can sue in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims if their discharge is deemed involuntary or unlawful. If successful, the court must award remedies including back pay for missed training, continuous service credit, and adjustments to retirement eligibility. This legislation ensures that service records and benefits are corrected as if the wrongful discharge never occurred.

The LEAD Act of 2025 reclassifies the export control of specific advanced, reusable unmanned aircraft systems. This legislation mandates that these covered drones be treated the same as manned aircraft systems for the purpose of implementing Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines. The goal is to separate these advanced drone technologies from stricter export controls typically applied to missile technology and launch vehicles. The President is required to update relevant export regulations within 180 days to reflect this new policy.

The Streamlining Foreign Military Sales Act of 2025 amends the Arms Export Control Act by significantly raising the dollar thresholds for various financial reporting and approval requirements related to U.S. foreign military sales. This legislation aims to streamline the process by adjusting these key spending limits. The changes affect numerous sections governing the sale of defense articles and services to foreign nations.

The Forest Service Accountability Act mandates that the President, with Senate approval, appoint the Chief of the Forest Service, choosing someone with expertise in forest and natural resources management. The Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Energy and Natural Resources will jointly review the nomination. Within 30 days of the Act's enactment, the President must submit a nomination for the Chief of the Forest Service to the Senate.

The Northern Montana Water Security Act of 2025 resolves long-standing water rights claims for the Fort Belknap Indian Community through a comprehensive settlement that funds vital water infrastructure and establishes a tribal trust fund. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $250 million to modernize wastewater and water systems for the Blackfeet Tribe. Together, these measures aim to secure reliable water access and improve essential infrastructure for both tribal communities in Montana.

The Public Lands in Public Hands Act prohibits the federal government from transferring ownership of publicly accessible federal lands to non-federal entities. This legislation ensures that lands currently reachable by the public remain under federal protection, with specific exceptions for authorized land exchanges and existing federal programs. It also explicitly prohibits the subdivision of land to bypass these new transfer restrictions.

The Fill the Lake Act mandates that the Secretary of the Interior maintain Flathead Lake’s water level between 2,892 and 2,893 feet from June 15 through September 15. To achieve this, the legislation requires the strategic management of water releases from the Hungry Horse Reservoir and downstream outflows.

The Wildlife Movement Through Partnerships Act of 2025 establishes grant and research programs to improve habitat connectivity and conserve migration corridors for big game and other native wildlife. By fostering collaboration between federal, state, tribal, and private partners, the bill provides funding for voluntary conservation projects and scientific mapping efforts. The legislation ensures these initiatives remain non-regulatory, protecting private property rights and existing land-use authorities while enhancing wildlife movement across the landscape.

The Forest Information Reform (FIR) Act streamlines federal land management by eliminating the requirement for the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to reinitiate endangered species consultations for existing land management plans. Under this bill, agencies are no longer required to reopen these plans when new species are listed, critical habitats are designated, or new information regarding potential environmental impacts emerges.