The National Cemetery Access Act (HR 5942) requires national cemeteries managed by the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, or the National Park Service to be open to the public on all federal holidays specified in 5 U.S.C. § 6103(a), such as New Year's Day and Independence Day. This directly affects veterans' families and the public who visit these sites on those holidays, ensuring consistent access without closures. The bill mandates standard opening hours on designated federal holidays but does not change the list of holidays or create new benefits.
HRES 876 is a non-binding House resolution calling on the U.S. government to formally recognize Israel's actions in Gaza as genocide under the Genocide Convention. It directs the U.S. to cease arms transfers to Israel where genocide is suspected, ensure Israel complies with International Court of Justice orders, investigate potential genocide-related crimes, and support UNRWA funding. The resolution specifically cites findings from the UN Commission of Inquiry, the International Association of Genocide Scholars, and major human rights organizations regarding Israel's conduct. It affects U.S. foreign policy and military aid decisions toward Israel, requiring the administration to take concrete steps to fulfill U.S. legal obligations under the Genocide Convention. The resolution does not alter U.S. law but sets a policy stance for congressional action.
HR 6035, the Second Amendment Restoration Act of 2025, would repeal specific firearm-related provisions from the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (2022), including rules on background checks and gun sales, and restore federal gun laws as they existed before that law was enacted. It also reverses an education-related provision affecting school safety grants under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill directly affects federal regulations governing gun ownership and school safety funding by reverting to pre-2022 legal standards. It does not create new gun laws but undoes specific changes made by the 2022 law.
This resolution (SRES 494) is a commemorative Senate measure observing the 50th anniversary of the November 10, 1975, sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior, which resulted in the loss of all 29 crew members. It formally recognizes the tragedy, honors the deceased crew and their families, and acknowledges the storm that caused the disaster - the "storm of the century" with 100 mph winds and 50-foot waves. The resolution also highlights the ship's historical significance as a record-breaking freighter and its cultural legacy through Gordon Lightfoot's song, while reaffirming support for Great Lakes shipping safety. As a symbolic gesture, it does not enact new policies or affect any specific groups directly.
SRES 495 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War (marking the 1975 fall of Saigon) and honoring U.S. veterans who served in the conflict. It formally acknowledges the sacrifices of over 58,000 veterans who died, 300,000 wounded, and 1,545 missing in action, while commending efforts like the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) to account for missing service members. The resolution urges public observance of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, reaffirms respect for veterans’ service, and highlights memorials such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new policies but serves as a symbolic tribute to veterans and their families.
This resolution commemorates the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, marking November 10, 2025, as the anniversary date. It honors Marine Corps history, values, and service through ceremonial recognition, including tribute to fallen Marines and the motto *Semper Fidelis*. As a symbolic resolution with no policy or funding changes, it directly affects the Marine Corps community and encourages public participation in anniversary events, but does not alter laws or obligations.
HR 5966 establishes the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to advance large-scale restoration and protection of the Ohio River Basin. The program, funded with $350 million annually from 2026-2030, directs the EPA to create a dedicated Program Office and advisory council including representatives from the 14 Ohio River Basin states, tribal governments, and regional agencies. It requires projects to improve water quality, increase flood resilience, restore habitats, control invasive species, and remediate toxins - prioritizing natural infrastructure like restored wetlands over traditional structures. The program mandates annual public reporting on progress, funding use, and project outcomes, with the EPA developing a detailed action plan within two years of enactment.
This bill creates a National Resilience and Recovery Fund financed by specific taxes on crude oil and natural gas production. The fund will be supported by taxes from Gulf of Mexico offshore oil production, environmental taxes on crude oil, and a new windfall profits tax on large crude oil producers exceeding 300,000 barrels per day in 2023. The money will directly support four existing federal disaster resilience programs: Hazard Mitigation Grants, Building Resilient Infrastructure, Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loans, and Flood Mitigation Assistance. The bill also clarifies that certain oil types (including oil from tar sands and oil shale) will be subject to these taxes, with the windfall tax applying to producers exceeding specified production thresholds.
HRES 864 is a ceremonial resolution honoring U.S. veterans on Veterans Day 2025. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes veterans' service and sacrifice, calling on all Americans to observe Veterans Day. The resolution references historical context about Veterans Day's origins (from Armistice Day to honoring all veterans) but contains no concrete policy changes. It directly addresses the general public, urging them to participate in the observance. As a non-binding resolution, it affects no specific individuals or groups through legislative action.
HRES 866 is a non-binding House resolution condemning the systematic persecution of Christians in Nigeria by groups like Boko Haram and Fulani militants, and criticizing Nigeria's government for failing to protect Christian communities or acknowledge the violence. It calls on the U.S. government to support President Trump in using diplomatic, economic, and security tools to pressure Nigeria to end impunity for attacks, protect Christians, return displaced persons, and repeal blasphemy laws. The resolution specifically demands action against religiously motivated violence, including the release of those imprisoned for their faith, and urges coordination with international partners for humanitarian aid. It does not create new laws but expresses congressional support for U.S. policy actions targeting Nigeria's religious freedom violations.
Shutdown Fairness Act This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). An excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown. Under current law, excepted employees are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty. A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency. The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.
The CORRUPT Act (HR 5988) amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to create an exception for claims brought by the President of the United States or their spouse, child, sibling, or in-law during the President's term in office. This means the government would not be subject to standard tort claims procedures if the President or a covered relative sues for damages. The bill directly affects the President and immediate family members by removing a legal avenue to seek compensation from the federal government for torts. The key mechanism is adding a new exception to the Federal Tort Claims Act, specifically shielding these individuals from the usual legal process for suing the government.
