Mitch McConnell

This resolution formally designates September 15, 2026, as "National Voter Registration Day" in recognition by the U.S. Senate. It does not create any new laws, programs, or funding, but instead serves as a symbolic statement encouraging civic participation. The resolution specifically urges every eligible U.S. citizen to register to vote, confirm that their personal information on file with state or local election officials is accurate and up to date, and ultimately cast a ballot on election day if they choose to do so. As a simple Senate resolution, it carries no binding legal effect and applies broadly to the general voting-eligible public rather than any specific group or agency. There is no funding attached, and the only timeline referenced is the single-day observance itself.

This act authorizes the Capitol Police Board to increase the mandatory retirement age for a member of the Capitol Police to up to age 62 when the board determines such waiver is in the public interest.Under current law, members of the Capitol Police are generally subject to mandatory retirement at (1) age 57; or (2) upon completing 20 years of service if the member is older than 57. Previously, a waiver from the board would authorize a member to continue working until age 60.The act authorizes the board to issue a waiver specifying a retirement age between 57 and 62.

This resolution recognizes September 16, 2025, as National Voter Registration Day and encourages those eligible to vote to register, verify their personal information on record with local election officials, and vote.

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military activities.(The bill excludes military construction, military family housing, civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, and nuclear warheads, which are all included in other appropriations bills.)Within the DOD budget, the bill provides appropriations forMilitary Personnel;Operation and Maintenance;Procurement;Research, Development, Test and Evaluation; andRevolving and Management Funds.The bill provides appropriations for Other Department of Defense Programs, includingthe Defense Health Program,Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction,Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, andthe Office of the Inspector General.In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Related Agencies, including (1) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund, and (2) the Intelligence Community Management Account.The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

This resolution authorizes the printing of an updated Senate Manual for the 119th Congress, which serves as the official handbook of Senate rules, procedures, and precedents. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration will prepare the revised edition, which will be printed as an official Senate document along with 1,200 additional copies for Senate use. The resolution affects Senate operations by ensuring senators and staff have access to current procedural guidance and rules. The legislation was introduced by Senator McConnell with Senator Padilla and was agreed to by the Senate on July 31, 2025, with no specific funding amount or timeline mentioned beyond the directive to prepare and print the manual.

The amendment introduces provisions to enhance transparency in the allocation of federal funds, requiring detailed reporting on how the funds are utilized. Additionally, it establishes new accountability measures for recipients of federal grants to ensure compliance with spending guidelines.

This bill expands Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky by allowing the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 551 acres of land for addition to the park. The legislation specifically identifies these parcels on a May 2025 map showing the proposed southern boundary expansion in Edmonson and Barren Counties. The bill also updates an existing 1942 law by adjusting a $350,000 land acquisition threshold for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index. While the bill does not specify funding amounts or timelines for the land acquisition, it authorizes the Park Service to add these properties to create a larger national park preserve in Kentucky. The measure was introduced by Senator Mitch McConnell and referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

This resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a ceremony on June 26, 2025, to present the Congressional Gold Medal to World War II Army Rangers veterans. The Congressional Gold Medal was previously awarded to these veterans under a 2022 law recognizing their service and sacrifices during the war. The ceremony will honor the surviving Army Rangers and the families of those who have passed away. The Architect of the Capitol will oversee the physical preparations for the event and may set additional conditions for using the space.

This bill excludes from gross income the gain from the sale or exchange of qualified farmland property to a qualified farmer that is contributed to an individual retirement account (IRA). This generally prevents the federal capital gains tax from being imposed on such gain. (Conditions apply.)Specifically, the bill excludes from gross income any gain from the sale or exchange of qualified farmland property contributed to an IRA within 60 days of the sale or exchange if the requisite election is made,the property is sold to an individual actively engaged in farming (qualified farmer),the qualified farmer signs a written agreement consenting to the application of a federal tax if the property is disposed of or no longer used for farming within the first 10 years after the sale or exchange, andthe written agreement is filed.The bill defines qualified farmland property as real property located in the United States that, for substantially all of the 10 years preceding the sale or exchange, is used by the farmer (or lessee) for farming purposes.However, under the bill, if the qualified farmland property is disposed of or no longer used for farming within the first 10 years after the sale or exchange, a tax is imposed on the qualified farmer equal to the amount excluded from gross income multiplied by the sum of the highest tax rate on adjusted net capital gains and the net investment income tax rate (currently 23.8%), plus interest.

This Senate resolution appoints five senators each to serve on two important joint congressional committees that oversee government operations. The Joint Committee on Printing supervises the Government Publishing Office and manages how Congress prints and distributes official documents, while the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library oversees the Library of Congress and its services to lawmakers and the public. The resolution names Republican senators McConnell, Fischer, and Hagerty along with Democratic senators Padilla and Merkley to the printing committee, and replaces Hagerty with Hyde-Smith and Merkley with Klobuchar for the library committee. This is routine housekeeping that ensures both committees have the required bipartisan membership from the Senate to conduct their oversight responsibilities. The resolution took effect immediately when the Senate agreed to it on March 6, 2025, and involves no funding since these are existing committee assignments.

This resolution authorizes spending for Senate committees during three budget periods from March 2025 through February 2027, providing a total of approximately $200 million across all committees. The largest budget allocations go to the Finance Committee ($26.2 million), Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee ($26.6 million), and Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee ($21 million), while smaller committees like the Special Committee on Aging receive around $7 million. All committees receive standard authorities to hire staff, conduct investigations and hearings, spend from the Senate's contingent fund, and use limited amounts for consultant services and staff training. The resolution also establishes a special reserve fund equal to roughly 7% of available appropriations each period to help committees cover unexpected expenses, which can only be accessed with approval from committee leadership and the Rules Committee.

Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025 This bill modifies the appointment procedures and term of service for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons.Currently, the director is appointed by the Attorney General. This bill requires the director to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.The bill also limits the director to a single term of 10 years.

Comprehensive Addiction Recovery through Effective Employment and Reentry Act of 2025 or the CAREER Act of 2025This bill reauthorizes and expands programs to assist individuals in substance use disorder treatment and recovery to live independently and participate in the workforce.Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAHMSA) Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Grant Program, which provides employment training and recovery support services in coordination with state and local stakeholders. The bill further authorizes using 5% of such grant funds for transportation services and requires grantees to report on the employment and earnings outcomes of program participants.The bill also reauthorizes through FY20230 the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Recovery Housing Pilot Program, which assists states in providing individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder with stable, temporary housing for up to two years.

The White Oak Resiliency Act of 2025 directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior to coordinate a nationwide effort to restore white oak forests and increase the supply of white oak seedlings. The bill establishes a White Oak Restoration Initiative Coalition to recommend policy changes, creates five pilot restoration projects in national forests and on Interior Department lands, and launches a voluntary grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help landowners restore white oak on their property. It also requires the Forest Service to develop a strategy within one year to address the nationwide shortage of white oak seedlings in tree nurseries, directs research partnerships with land-grant universities on white oak genetics and disease resistance, and establishes a Natural Resources Conservation Service initiative to assist private landowners with white oak restoration. The legislation does not specify total funding amounts but authorizes the use of existing Department of Agriculture conservation accounts and requires a coalition report to Congress within two years of enactment.

This resolution authorizes quarterly blood donation drives at the Senate during the 119th Congress.