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and adjusts time zone offsets to reflect permanent daylight saving time (e.g., shifting from "4 hours" to "3 hours" in historical references).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 resolution honors National Boys and Girls Club Week by formally recognizing the organization's work with youth across the United States. It highlights the efforts of over 5,500 clubs that provide safe out-of-school programming and support more than 4.2 million young people annually. The Senate encourages the public to celebrate this week and commend the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for helping students develop essential skills in areas like STEM, leadership, and financial literacy.
The Good Jobs for Good Airports Act establishes new federal standards to ensure that workers at small, medium, and large hub airports receive a living wage and adequate health benefits. It defines "covered service workers" to include employees in roles such as baggage handling, passenger assistance, security, ticketing, and concession services, regardless of whether they are directly hired by the airport or work for a contractor. Under the bill, employers must pay these workers at least the higher of the federal Service Contract Act wage rates or applicable state and local minimum wages, and they must provide similar fringe benefits. To enforce these rules, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Transportation will have the authority to investigate violations, issue penalties, and require employers to submit monthly compliance certifications. Additionally, the law allows private individuals to file lawsuits against non-compliant employers and mandates annual reports to Congress on the implementation of these labor standards.
The Mystic Alerts Act requires mobile service providers that offer satellite services to decide whether to send emergency alerts to subscribers via satellite in addition to standard networks. Providers that choose to participate must follow technical rules set by the Federal Communications Commission, allow customers to opt out, and cannot charge extra fees for this capability. The FCC is tasked with creating specific regulations within 18 months to ensure these alerts work effectively without disrupting regular phone calls or data usage. The law also protects participating companies from being sued if their satellite alert system fails or if they share user information with emergency responders.
The Securing America's Water Supply Act directs the Army Corps of Engineers to create a new office dedicated to improving water supply, conservation, and drought resilience. This office will identify opportunities to use existing federal authorities to store and manage water for municipal and industrial needs, while also helping states and local groups access technical and financial assistance. Key actions include clearing backlogs on water supply studies, updating internal policies on how reservoir storage is allocated, and coordinating with other agencies to plan for future water shortages. The bill also requires the Corps to report annually on the office's progress, staffing levels, and the status of ongoing water projects.
The High Court Gift Ban Act prohibits federal judicial officers from accepting gifts from sources likely to appear before them, unless the gift is under $50, the total annual value from that source remains $100 or less, or it falls under specific exceptions like gifts from relatives or public events. The law defines a "gift" broadly to include items, services, and reimbursements, while allowing exceptions for personal hospitality within IRS limits and certain professional benefits available to the general public. Enforcement mechanisms include referrals to the Attorney General for violations, which can result in civil or criminal penalties similar to those for other federal ethics breaches. The bill requires the Supreme Court and the Judicial Conference to create implementing regulations within 180 days of enactment to ensure compliance.
The Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2026 establishes a federal program to eliminate hepatitis C by creating a subscription model that allows the government to purchase antiviral drugs directly from manufacturers and distribute them at no cost to specific patient groups. These groups include individuals in Medicaid or CHIP programs, those without health insurance, patients in correctional facilities, and those receiving care through the Indian Health Service. The bill also expands Medicare coverage by removing deductibles and copayments for hepatitis C treatments between 2028 and 2032. To support these efforts, the legislation authorizes funding for state grants to improve screening and treatment access, mandates the creation of a national strategy and performance dashboard, and requires coordination with various federal agencies and stakeholders.
This bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State to create and execute a plan to end the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) across the Middle East. The legislation requires a detailed strategy that assesses current programs like education and healthcare, identifies new organizations to take over these services, and outlines how to fund and oversee the transition without interrupting aid. Once the plan is submitted to Congress, the State Department must begin implementing it within a year while coordinating with host countries and international partners. The bill emphasizes maintaining service continuity and ensuring that any successor groups meet strict standards for transparency and accountability.
The SHIELD Citizens Act aims to restrict access to federal welfare programs, such as food assistance, Medicaid, and housing aid, exclusively to United States citizens. By amending existing laws, the bill removes eligibility for noncitizens, including lawfully domiciled residents, while preserving access to emergency medical care, disaster relief, and services like soup kitchens. The legislation includes a transition period allowing current recipients to keep their benefits for up to 180 days after the law takes effect, which is set to begin 180 days after enactment. This change directly impacts noncitizen families who currently rely on these safety net programs, narrowing the pool of eligible individuals to citizens only.
HR 5549, the Efficient Nuclear Licensing Hearings Act, streamlines the licensing process for nuclear facilities by reducing mandatory hearings. It allows the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue construction permits, operating licenses, or amendments without a hearing if it provides 30 days' notice and Federal Register publication, skipping the hearing requirement only when an amendment involves "no significant hazards." This change applies to all pending NRC applications after enactment, shifting from current rules requiring hearings unless waived. The bill directly affects nuclear facility developers, the NRC, and communities potentially impacted by licensing decisions through its revised notice and hearing procedures.
HR 3978, the Nuclear REFUEL Act, amends the Atomic Energy Act to exclude certain nuclear fuel reprocessing methods from the definition of a "production facility." Specifically, it exempts facilities that reprocess spent nuclear fuel without separating plutonium from other elements, or continue uranium enrichment. This change would directly affect nuclear fuel recycling companies and facilities seeking to process spent reactor fuel under streamlined regulations. The bill focuses on altering regulatory classification to potentially simplify licensing for specific recycling processes.
HR 3194, the LOCOMOTIVES Act, prevents states from setting their own emissions standards for locomotives used in interstate commerce. It amends the Clean Air Act to clarify that federal emissions rules exclusively apply to locomotives providing common carrier railroad transportation for hire (like commercial freight or passenger services across state lines), excluding these from state regulation. This directly affects railroads operating interstate services and state environmental agencies that previously could establish stricter local rules for such locomotives. The bill does not change the actual emissions requirements but shifts regulatory authority solely to the federal government for this specific category of locomotives.
