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.
Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2030, modifies, and establishes programs under the Older Americans Act, which supports social services and activities for individuals aged 60 years or older. Reauthorized programs and activities include the national eldercare locator service; regional aging and disability resource centers; grants to support counseling and assistance on pensions and other retirement benefits; grants to support home-delivered nutrition services (sometimes referred to as meals on wheels programs); programs to facilitate the delivery of supportive services to tribal organizations; and programs to prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The bill also modifies existing programs for older individuals, including by explicitly permitting states to use certain grant funds to make carryout meals available at congregate meal sites or community locations. (Some providers began offering carryout meals to seniors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.) Further, the bill permits the Administration on Aging to establish and operate, through grants to or contracts with eligible entities, a national resource center to support growth of the direct care workforce. The center’s activities may include the provision of training and technical assistance and the promotion of strategies to recruit and retain direct care workers. Finally, the bill establishes or reconvenes certain advisory groups, including (1) an advisory committee to provide guidance regarding the needs of older Native Americans and the implementation of related programs, and (2) a White House Conference on Aging to recommend improvements to federal programs that serve older individuals.
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.
The Improving Travel for American Families Act directs the Transportation Security Administration to create a two-year pilot program at five airports. This initiative aims to make travel easier for families by testing alternative security screening lanes specifically designed for passengers traveling with children twelve years old and younger. When choosing which airports to include, the program will prioritize locations with high numbers of families and ensure there is enough space and staff to handle these new lanes without slowing down other security lines. The Transportation Security Administration must report the results of this pilot program to Congress within one year of the law's enactment.
The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2026 directs that money collected from the 9/11 Security Fee must be used exclusively for aviation security improvements rather than other government purposes. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the law creates two separate funds: one to cover general security operations and another specifically for purchasing and installing new checkpoint technology at airports. The Transportation Security Administration will manage these funds to pay for screening upgrades, security equipment, and related personnel support, ensuring the fee directly benefits aviation safety.
The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act (HR 3535) prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to or donating in state and local ballot initiatives, referendums, or recall elections. It amends the Federal Election Campaign Act to extend existing restrictions on foreign contributions - previously limited to federal elections - to cover these specific state and local election types. The prohibition applies to contributions made on or after the bill's enactment date. This change aims to prevent foreign influence in local democratic processes by closing a gap in current election finance rules.
The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act amends the tax code to exclude non-punitive damages from income tax for survivors of sexual violence, including compensation for sexual acts or contact (like assault), in addition to existing exclusions for physical injuries. It removes the requirement for medical records to prove the damages relate to sexual acts or contact, allowing survivors to rely on court judgments or settlement agreements stating the damages are for such acts. The policy change applies to damages received after the law's enactment, with specific rules for existing cases, and mandates a public awareness campaign by the Treasury and Justice Department to inform survivors about this tax exclusion. This directly benefits survivors receiving civil damages in sexual violence cases by reducing their tax burden.
This bill requires employees of the Small Business Administration (SBA) who process, review, or approve SBA loans to certify in writing that they have no conflicts of interest related to those loans. Specifically, employees must confirm they are unaware of any prohibited conflicts under federal law before handling a loan, disclose any new conflicts immediately, and understand existing conflict rules. The certification must be submitted prior to their involvement in loan decisions, directly affecting SBA staff managing loan approvals. The bill does not change loan terms or eligibility but adds a procedural requirement to prevent potential fraud through employee conflicts. It becomes effective 270 days after enactment, with regulations to follow within 180 days.
This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on how federal cybersecurity programs help small businesses protect themselves from digital threats. The investigation will examine the effectiveness of current resources in identifying risks, assessing preparedness, and planning responses to cyberattacks and fraud. Additionally, the study will analyze why some small businesses are unaware of these tools and suggest ways to improve their coordination and accessibility. The final report will be submitted to congressional committees without requesting any new funding for the project.
The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA) requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to improve transparency and accountability for disaster loans. It mandates monthly reports detailing loan funding status, new budget requests with historical cost comparisons, and strict limits on loan obligations when funds fall below 10% of a 10-year average. The bill also requires GAO and SBA Inspector General reviews of funding shortfalls, cost impacts of recent policy changes, and enhanced forecasting for disaster loan budgets. These provisions directly affect the SBA’s operations and its reporting to Congress, aiming to prevent future funding crises through better data and oversight.
