This bill reauthorizes and expands the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act through 2031, extending funding for research into treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It requires drug manufacturers to share interim clinical trial data with the FDA to better assess the progress of investigational drugs and clarifies that phase 3 clinical trial definitions include combined phase 2/3 trials and planned trials not yet enrolling participants. The legislation also mandates the FDA to publish an updated five-year action plan for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases, including resource needs and coordination strategies with broader disease communities. Additionally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report on the program's implementation four years after enactment.
The Main Street Capital Access Act reduces regulatory burdens for smaller banks, particularly those with less than $10 billion in assets. Key provisions include a 3-year phase-in period for new banks to meet capital requirements, lower leverage ratio requirements for rural banks (7.5% for the first 2 years), and a 30-day review process for business plan deviations. The bill also establishes an Office of Independent Examination Review, sets specific timelines for examinations (270 days) and reports (90 days), and creates a "least cost exception" for bank resolutions to prevent excessive concentration of the banking system. These changes aim to promote new bank formation, improve regulatory efficiency, and support community banking while maintaining financial stability.
This bill reauthorizes and updates the American Battlefield Protection Program through 2036, extending funding for battlefield preservation grants. It increases the maximum grant percentage for battlefield interpretation projects from 50% to 75% and sets $2 million annually for battlefield restoration grants through 2036. The bill also requires the National Park Service to study French and Indian War (1754-1763) and Mexican-American War (1846-1848) sites across the U.S., assessing their significance, threats, and preservation options. These studies must involve state governors, tribal governments, local officials, and historic preservation groups, with a final report due to Congress within two years of funding. The program directly affects federal, state, tribal, and local entities managing historic battlefields.
This bill reauthorizes federal programs focused on preventing and responding to tick-borne diseases through 2026-2030, extending existing efforts beyond their previous expiration. It updates the National Strategy for Vector-Borne Diseases to emphasize identifying, reporting, preventing, and responding to these illnesses. The bill modifies two sections of the Public Health Service Act to continue funding for health departments working on vector-borne disease control. It directly affects public health programs and state/local health departments managing tick-borne disease prevention and response.
The AADAPT Act reauthorizes and expands Project ECHO grants to improve Alzheimer’s and dementia care through technology-enabled training. It specifically funds grants for healthcare providers in rural, frontier, or medically underserved areas to enhance early diagnosis, quality care, and provider retention for dementia patients. The bill authorizes $1 million annually (2027-2032) for these dementia-focused training programs, requiring funds to supplement - not replace - existing resources. This directly supports primary care providers licensed to serve underserved communities, using collaborative online learning to address care gaps.
HR 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0, requires the FDA to update regulatory language within one year of enactment. It directs the agency to replace all references to "animal tests" with "nonclinical tests" in 22 specific sections of the Code of Federal Regulations related to drug development and approval processes. The bill also adds a definition for "nonclinical test" into relevant FDA regulations to align with prior legislative changes. This update applies directly to pharmaceutical manufacturers and FDA reviewers who follow these regulatory guidelines during drug development. The changes aim to modernize terminology without altering current testing requirements.
HR 2913, the Ukraine Support Act, provides comprehensive U.S. support for Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion. The bill authorizes security assistance including lend-lease authority for military equipment, establishes a Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund for economic recovery, and imposes new sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions, oil companies, and government officials. It also includes provisions to counter Russian disinformation, support Radio Free Europe, and address the kidnapping of Ukrainian children. The legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy, Ukraine's defense capabilities, and Russia's access to international financial systems. The act aims to strengthen Ukraine's sovereignty while holding Russia accountable for its actions.
This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.
This Senate resolution expresses the official stance that former FTX co-founder Samuel Bankman-Fried should never receive a presidential pardon, commutation, or any other form of executive clemency. The measure directly addresses Bankman-Fried, who is currently serving a 25-year prison sentence for fraud and money laundering related to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange. By formally rejecting the idea of clemency, the bill aims to ensure that the penalties imposed by the courts remain in effect and to signal that large-scale financial crimes carry permanent accountability. Additionally, the resolution affirms the integrity of the federal justice process that convicted Bankman-Fried and reaffirms the Senate's commitment to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system.
Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act This bill prohibits payment card networks from using merchant codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general-merchandise retailers or sporting-goods retailers. The Department of Justice must enforce this bill and report annually on the resulting investigations and cases.
The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, ending the current practice of changing clocks twice yearly. It repeals the 1966 law requiring seasonal time changes and adjusts time zone offsets to reflect permanent daylight saving time (e.g., shifting from "4 hours" to "3 hours" in historical references). States that currently opt out of daylight saving time (like Arizona and Hawaii) would retain their existing arrangements, while all other states would adopt permanent daylight saving time unless they choose to stay on standard time. This change would directly affect all U.S. residents by eliminating the need to reset clocks in spring and fall.
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require states to include assessments of threats to local electricity infrastructure (defined as systems under 100 kilovolts) in their energy security plans. It mandates states address physical threats (like weather, attacks, and supply chain risks) and cybersecurity vulnerabilities specifically affecting these local systems, which directly impact electric utilities and their equipment suppliers. The bill updates deadlines, extending the requirement for states to submit plans from 2025 to 2030. These changes aim to strengthen grid resilience by focusing state planning on vulnerabilities in lower-voltage distribution networks.
