Friday, August 7, 2026

Mr. President, I fully support taking tougher action against Russia. They have waged a deadly, years long war on Ukraine, and the United States must do more to tighten the screws on the Putin war machine. So I am fully in favor of strong sanctions, but this bill, despite its title, is not just a sanctions bill; it gives Donald Trump massive new tariff authority that he will use to threaten our trading partners and raise prices on the American people. I believe Senators will come to deeply regret voting to give Donald Trump this tariff authority. This bill gives Trump so much discretion that he can ultimately decide what countries to tariff or what countries to exempt. He can modify tariffs at his will. Over the last year and a half, Americans have seen what Donald Trump will do with unchecked tariff authority. They have seen his tariffs raise prices for Americans and their families on everything from food, to housing, to health care. Americans have seen small businesses and family farms shut down because they cannot afford massive new taxes on machinery and merchandise. The Trump tariffs go on again and off again, disrupting supply chains and making it difficult for businesses to plan, invest, and hire. Our allies, including Canada and the EU, openly question the reliability of our nation and are looking to other countries for more stable trade relationships. As Trump turns the tariff dial up and down to punish or reward countries as he likes, the process ends up being a corrupt taxing of the American people to settle Trump's personal political scores. If Congress passes this bill with these tariffs, Members will be condoning the tariff chaos of the last year and a half and inviting more. This bill gives Trump clear authority to put tariffs up to 100 percent on the goods Americans buy from major trading partners around the globe. That includes 100 percent tariffs on things like food, medicine, machinery, and electronics. Congress would even be letting Trump put tariffs on allies like Hungary, Slovakia, France, Belgium, and Japan. Donald Trump can pick and choose even more countries to tariff every 180 days. That is because there is no mechanism in this bill--none whatsoever--for Congress to roll back the Trump tariffs. Trump can increase or decrease tariffs just by notifying the Congress of his decision. He is not going to be constrained by any kind of paperwork or rules. Colleagues, this body has been fighting tooth and nail to stop Trump from abusing the laws already on the books. Trump has shown us repeatedly he won't be limited by the spirit of the law. He will use any loophole to slap tariffs on our allies and make life more expensive for Americans. The Trump tariffs are now raising prices, hurting our alliances, and opening the door to corruption. This bill will further increase the cost of living for American families when they are struggling. To all of my colleagues who have said "Look, we want to hold down the cost of living; we want to make life more affordable": this is not going to do that. This is going to increase the cost of living for Americans as we go into the next few months. It would be a nightmare for the Americans who want to see their government tackle the affordability crisis. It would be a dangerous mistake to sign our names on a blank check that gives Trump even more power to indiscriminately use these tariffs. So I urge my colleagues this morning to support the Paul-Wyden amendment, which would strike this new tariff authority. It would make sure that we are not giving Trump power to tax our constituents for the things they buy from trading partners around the world. There is no need to include this new tariff in the bill, and the fact that the White House won't support the bill without new tariff powers should scare every Senator in this room. Trump has shown over the last year and a half that he can't be trusted with unilateral power on tariffs. Everything he has done suggests that he is going to abuse this power, and I urge my colleagues this morning to vote yes on the Paul-Wyden amendment to prevent this body from handing Donald Trump a new tool for inflation and corruption. I yield the floor.

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore

The Senator from Kentucky.

Mr. President, increasing taxes on Americans will not end Putin's war in Ukraine. The drafters of this legislation, understandably, wish to punish Vladimir Putin and send Russian invaders back to where they came from, but this bill was written such that the drafters fail to see that it will not bring peace to Ukraine but rather will deliberately make American families poorer by increasing tariffs, which are nothing but a tax on imported goods. To save Americans from what very well could be the largest tax increase imposed by a Republican Congress, I offer an amendment that strikes the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on an ever-changing list of countries. Mark my words, this will be the largest tax increase by a Republican Congress. Why would Republicans, who promise you they want to lower your taxes, be voting to raise your taxes $500 billion? In addition, Congress should not delegate its constitutional duties to the executive branch. Now, my amendment does not touch the broad sanctions that are provided by the bill, nor does it touch the specific tariffs on Russia because I see the strong desire among Members of the Senate to use economic warfare against Putin. But I object to economic warfare against the American consumer. Once upon a time, Republicans were distinguished from Democrats by their persistent chant that the U.S. deficit was the result of a spending problem, not a revenue problem. Yet today, many Republicans have become the cheerleaders for more revenue. The bill before us grants the executive branch the power to raise nearly $500 billion in revenue--in taxes. I hope I am not the only Republican left in Congress who is horrified by a bill that proposes to raise taxes a half a trillion dollars. In addition, there is the constitutional question: Can Congress delegate its article I, section 8 authority to lay taxes and levies--can they just give it away to the executive branch? For 100 years or more, the Supreme Court has said we can't give away our power. And in what world would we want to give away our power? The power to tax and spend was given to Congress. Why would they give that to the President? What sort of feckless Congress gives away their constitutional power? The power was divided for a reason. Montesquieu said if you bring the legislative powers together with the executive, you will have no liberty. The powers were divided between the legislature and the executive so we could fight for liberty, so it would make it hard to raise taxes. The answer to "Can Congress give away its power?" is an unequivocal "no." Embedded within our Constitution is something called the nondelegation principle, which states that Congress cannot delegate its core legislative powers to another branch of government or to private entities. The Supreme Court used to enforce this nondelegation doctrine, most notably in the Schechter Poultry case, but that case was decided in 1935; and for much of the intervening years, the Supreme Court has been a reliable ally to lazy legislators. Up until recently, the Supreme Court effectively relieved Congress from the hard work of legislating, but the tide is turning, frankly, with the help of several of President Trump's nominees. Justice Gorsuch forcefully made the case for reviving the nondelegation principle by arguing that if Congress "could pass off its legislative power to the executive branch . . . legislation would risk becoming nothing more than the will of the current President." The problem with this legislation is that it disobeys the clear command of the Constitution: Taxes and levies must be determined by Congress. Moreover, taxation bills must originate in the House of Representatives. Do not let sympathy for Ukraine blind you to the reality of tariffs. Tariffs are taxes on imports that are paid by Americans. They are paid by parents trying to provide for their families. They are paid by students saving up to buy their first car. Tariffs are paid by anyone who seeks to spend money on any conceivable product. There will be those who will try to pull the wool over your eyes and tell you that despite this persistent sticker shock, despite the feeling that life just keeps getting more and more expensive, that tariffs are always paid by somebody else, by some foreign country. The Members who vote for this tax will tell you: Not to worry--these taxes will only be levied on foreign countries. This absurd claim is provably false. Figuring out who pays tariffs is easy. All you have to do is look at those who are getting refunds. When the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs, a whole bunch of people lined up for refunds. Who is not on the list? The Chinese Government is not on the list. Canada is not on the list. Mexico is not on the list. American companies are getting the refunds because Americans pay tariffs. And do you think the company pays the tariffs? No. They pass it along to the consumer. You are all paying higher prices. Every time you get something through retail, you are paying higher prices. The entities that lined up for the rebates after the Supreme Court struck down the emergency tariffs were primarily American retailers such as Walmart, Target, Costco, and Nike. Let me repeat: China is not on the refund list because China doesn't pay the tariffs. American importers and retailers pay the tariffs, and they pass the cost of the tariffs on to the consumer. You don't have to take my word for it. A letter was sent to the Senate Republican and Democrat leaders by two dozen industry associations, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Consumer Technology Association, and the National Retail Association, warning about the cost of tariffs imposed by this bill. Here are some quotes from industry concerned about these new taxes:

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[T]he potential of new, broad, 100% tariffs on imports from secondary countries risks raising costs for American businesses, workers, and consumers. That approach would effectively tax U.S. importers and consumers for foreign governments' energy decisions--conduct that is outside the control of American companies.

They further say:

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Tariffs of this scale would increase costs for everyday consumer goods, manufacturing inputs and other products while creating significant uncertainty for companies making sourcing, pricing and inventory decisions months in advance. It could also lead to retaliatory tariffs against U.S. exports.

So it doesn't necessarily help exports to tax imports because the other countries then will tax our exports. They say:

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Tariffs . . . are a blunt tool that can penalize law-abiding U.S. companies importing legitimate goods, invite retaliation, complicate trade negotiations and shift costs onto American families without ensuring that pressure reaches the intended actors.

These two dozen associations end their letter by saying:

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We urge Congress to remove the tariff authority from the bill and instead focus on targeted sanctions, stronger enforcement against sanctions evasion and coordinated diplomacy with countries purchasing Russian energy.

Anybody concerned with the economic well-being of American families would come to the same conclusion, but it is not easy to find such common sense in Congress. Imposing a 100-percent tariff on all goods imported from countries like China and India is the economic equivalent of shooting ourselves in the foot. Middle- and low-income Americans enjoy a higher quality of life when they have more purchasing power for everyday necessities. Recent tariffs are estimated to have already cost the average American family $1,700, so the average American family is already paying $1,700 more because of these taxes that are placed on the things they buy. Now this Republican Congress, after it just gave the American people tax cuts, is going to do the opposite. Which is it? Are we the party of lower taxes or higher taxes? This will be the largest tax increase in recent history, perhaps the largest tax increase that a Republican Congress has put onto the people. What are we going to say to the parents buying their kids new shoes for the school year, the minimum-wage worker who needs to buy a new part to fix their car to get to work, or the single mother buying diapers when they notice their prices have doubled? The cost of the tariffs is not strictly monetary; these tariffs threaten to undermine America's strategic position in the world. Some naively think that the tariffs will get China to distance itself from Russia, but it might be the opposite. Recent history suggests that they will instead push Russia and China together. China is not going to get these 100-percent tariffs and say: Oh, we are sorry. We are no longer going to cooperate with Russia. We have kind of forced Russia to give us this great deal on oil and gas that we pipe into our country, but we are sorry now, and we are going to give up on that. No. It is going to push them closer together. The people we are worried about are going to become more allied. Slapping a 100-percent tariff on China may inadvertently solidify the geopolitical alignment with Russia, as Beijing would become more, not less, reliant on Moscow for economic and diplomatic support. Ryan Young is a senior economist with the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He points out that Russia is the junior partner in the alliance with China. Young reminds us that China agreed to a second natural gas pipeline between the two countries on the condition that Russia sell China its gas at a lower than market rate. Do you think China is going to give up on that? No. China will continue to buy oil and gas from Russia after this, and they, in all likelihood, will respond to our tariffs with tariffs of their own. This is what is going to happen. It is not going to solve the situation; it is going to raise American taxes, drive Russia and China together, and then China will actually add tariffs on our goods as well. It is a huge mistake. Imposing tariffs on China will reignite the trade war. Beijing will certainly retaliate with their own tariffs and export controls. Maia Nikoladze, the deputy director of the Economic Statecraft Initiative at the Atlantic Council, reminded us that on "Liberation Day," the tariffs placed on China in April of 2025 didn't change Beijing's behavior. Instead, those tariffs prompted China to restrict exports of critical rare earth elements. We already tried this once. They responded by restricting their exports of things we need to make batteries for cars, and then we eventually ended up negotiating lower tariffs. Do we want to go through the same world of that again? Likewise, imposing a 100-percent tariff on India at a time when we are actively trying to court them to help us in our competition with China is completely self-defeating. Ryan Young with the Competitive Enterprise Institute worries that imposing tariffs on India will alienate one of the most important strategic partners in Asia and a potential counterweight to China. So as we try to get India to be more aligned with us instead of with China or Russia--admiral goals--we put tariffs on India, and what does that do? It pushes them more toward China and more toward Russia. It is also unclear whether tariffs could even be imposed on individual members of the European Union, like Slovakia and Hungary, given Europe's common trade policy. In 2025, U.S.-EU bilateral trade was over $1 trillion. That is making both parties rich. We have become extraordinarily rich as a country as international trade has expanded. In fact, prosperity of the individual and prosperity of the country are directly proportional to the amount of trade. Think about that. Trying to tariff individual EU countries directly undermines President Trump's recent U.S.-EU trade agreement. Should the EU retaliate against the United States, the result would be disastrous for both American businesses and consumers. I encourage my colleagues to support my amendment that strips the counterproductive tariffs from the legislation. If not adopted, Congress should reject this strategic blunder of a bill that would do nothing to bring peace to Ukraine but, rather, raise American prices for American consumers, further weaken the dollar, destroy U.S. relations around the globe, and drive our adversaries closer together. Mr. President, I recommend a "yes" vote on the Paul-Wyden amendment.

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore

The Senator from Oregon.

Mr. President, very briefly. My colleague has hit a number of key points. To close, I just want to make a couple of points. The American people who are following this debate I am sure think that stuff can be corrected, stuff can be changed. And the reality is under this particular bill, Congress has no authority to modify this deeply flawed piece of legislation. So the reality is in the next few months when we have got folks who are walking an economic tightrope here in America, balancing the food bill against the fuel bill and the fuel bill against the rent bill and the like, they are going to come to their elected officials and say: I am getting pounded by these new tariffs. I am just getting hit by an economic wrecking ball. Do something about it. Under this legislation, Congress cannot, you know, modify this bill's tariffs. It is just not possible. So what we are going to have to do is make sure that the American people get some additional attention in other areas of the economy because under this legislation and under these tariffs, they are going to get hit by an economic wrecking ball. It is an unforced error that doesn't have to happen. I yield the floor.

The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore

The Senator from Connecticut.

Mr. President, shortly, we will vote on the Russia sanctions bill as we have come to call it. I want to begin by thanking my colleagues for their overwhelming support for this measure, and in particular to thank Senators Shaheen, Britt, Wicker, Risch, Coons, Whitehouse, Durbin, and, of course, Senators Schumer and Thune. Their help has been invaluable as we reach this important moment. Last week, with President Zelenskyy watching from the Gallery, this body sent a powerful message to Vladimir Putin and all who are supporting him with funding for his vicious, bloodthirsty, illegal war against the brave, free people of Ukraine. Today, President Zelenskyy is watching from Ukraine, and Putin is watching from Moscow. I would like to think that Lindsey Graham is watching too. And I know how proud he would be of his sister today who has taken his place on the floor and has been such a profoundly strong and effective advocate for this bill. Today, we say to the people of Ukraine: You are not alone. And we say to Vladimir Putin: You will not conquer Ukraine. You will not defeat these free, brave people who are turning tides against your bloodthirsty aggression. Nearly 2 years ago, Lindsey Graham and I began working on this bill, but really the journey began with our first trip to Ukraine together some 4 years ago. Robert Frost once said when he was asked how he began his poems, he said:

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A poem begins with a lump in the throat . . .

Our journey toward this bill began with a lump in our throats and tears in our eyes when we visited Bucha, not long after the Russians were pushed out of that small town just kilometers away from President Zelenskyy's bunker, which we also visited on that trip just weeks after Ukraine succeeded in pushing them out. We saw the mass grave where Putin's military shot innocent women and children in the back of their heads. We talked to Ukrainian troops who lost limbs, loved ones who lost sons and daughters, fathers and mothers. We talked to children who were kidnapped by Putin, literally abducted and placed in education camps. And on one of those long train rides--we took six or seven trips into Ukraine together--we began thinking about this bill to impose scorching, sledgehammer sanctions and tariffs on Russia to stop the flow of money fueling Putin's war machine, money that was essential to his slaughterous aggression against Ukraine. And like one of those trains, the journey to this bill was filled with a lot of bumps, a lot of stops and starts, and through it all what sustained us, as much as anything, was Senator Graham's overwhelming sense of optimism, his sense of humor, his belief in freedom and democracy, his belief in America. And so this bill is a tribute to him. We disagreed about many issues, he and I, and I could be on the receiving end of his anger, as well as his praise. But the partnership that we forged, I think is a lesson without exaggerating it to perhaps the people of America that, yes, we can work together and accomplish good things for the world. One of Senator Graham's final acts as a Member of this body was to reach an accord with the White House on our behalf and secure the President's support. He died literally the next day. I spoke to him shortly before his death, and I know as well as anyone that this Chamber--this body--will not be the same without him. We miss him, and this bill named in his honor carries on the work that he believed was so important. It will impose scorching sanctions on the Russia war machine and the shadow fleet that sustains it. It will prevent critical resources from flowing to the Kremlin's coffers. It will authorize the President to impose duties and penalties on the largest purchases of Russian crude oil and natural gas--punishing the profiteers for buying discounted energy products and pushing them to decrease purchases. It is a powerful deterrent against complicity in Putin's illegal war. And it provides a powerful pressure point in stopping buyers of Russian oil and gas from continuing to provide the essential fuel for that war machine. It will give the administration the tools it needs to punish anyone who aids Russia as they continue to evade United States sanctions and promote stronger, stricter enforcement of those sanctions. For years, countries have been allowed to permit bad actors to broker deals and support the shadow fleet's movement all around the world. They have become fabulously rich, while preaching the need for peace. These countries will be exposed as facilitating evasion of sanctions, and it will help us end the war. The goal is peace. We have the power to help end this war, and we cannot stand idly as a young, democratic nation desperately fights for its survival against a murderous dictator. We know from history, appeasement is a failed hope, and hope is not a strategy. We cannot appease Putin in the hope that he will abandon his imperialist ambitions because history shows that he will not. And his ambition doesn't end in Donbas or Luhansk. It reaches deep into Europe, and it threatens our national security and our allies' security. Yes, we need our allies, and they have stepped up to aid Ukraine in this war. Appeasing Putin is a disservice to the brave men and women of our military who are defending our freedom all around the globe because it puts them in greater risk if Putin thinks he can move against our NATO allies, and then we will be required to put our sons and daughters in harm's way. For 4 years, Ukraine has refused to bow to Putin's will. They have beaten back wave after wave after wave of Russian attacks. Our military gave them maybe a few weeks, in 2022, to survive Putin's onslaught. They pushed the Russians back in those weeks after the first wave of assault, and they have continued a brilliant campaign of using new technology that has amazed and awed the world, including our own military, which is learning from Ukraine about the use of drones and other unmanned weapons platforms. Their ingenuity and determination are awe inspiring, even as their stockpiles of interceptors and other air defense run dry. And we must provide the kind of military defense aid--the interceptors, the PAC-3s--or the Patriot system--or the THAAD platforms that are essential to defend the Ukrainian people who are enduring--night after night after night--missiles and drones killing civilians, aimed at schools, hospitals, malls, civilian targets. Putin not only abducts children, he kills them in their beds as they sleep with missiles and drones that are aimed purposely at civilian targets to terrorize and intimidate the people of Ukraine, but they will not yield. And today, they continue to stand as a beacon of hope and liberty, shining against the darkness. Today, we cannot provide all that military aid that they need, but we can take this step--a step to stand with the people of Ukraine and show that their fight is our fight. I would like to close with some brilliant, rhetorical flourish, but I would rather just recall some of Senator Graham's last words to me. He said: This is a big effing deal. We all did good. Decorum prevents me on the Senate floor from saying what he actually said, but I would like to say--looking across the Chamber where he sat--that he is with us today and that he will be proud of what we are doing. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Justice)

The Senator from New Hampshire.

Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Mr. President, I am so pleased to come to the floor this morning to join Senator Blumenthal, one of the sponsors of this legislation, to remember Senator Lindsey Graham and to thank everyone who has worked so hard on this legislation: the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. And I so appreciate Darline Graham's being here and her support for this. So I am here to support the underlying bill, but I also am here to oppose the Paul-Wyden amendment. Now, I understand the concern of some of my colleagues on tariffs. I share those. I co-led an amicus brief, challenging the President's illegal use of IEEPA to impose tariffs, and appreciated Senator Wyden's partnership on that. That argument prevailed at the Supreme Court. I also oppose any abuse of the tariff authorities that are currently on the books. But the authority in this bill to impose tariffs is very narrowly scoped, and it contains clear guardrails. It explicitly says that the only countries that can be subject to tariffs are the top five purchasers of oil or gas--the top five--and the top five sanctions evaders for Russian oil. So if we are going to be successful at putting pressure on that we need to put pressure on to get Vladimir Putin to the table, we have got to shut down the money that he is getting from oil and gas, and that is what this bill would do. These tariffs have one purpose: to make it more costly for countries to keep buying the Russian energy that funds Putin's war. This amendment does not restore Congress' constitutional authority over trade, which listening to the authors, you might question. And if this amendment is adopted, President Trump's existing tariff authorities remain exactly where they are today. The only thing that would change would be our ability to put pressure on countries that are still buying Russian energy. So I oppose this amendment. I urge my colleagues to oppose it as well. And I think one of the critical issues here is the urgency of where we are in this war right now. The momentum is on Ukraine's side. This is Russia's worst summer of the war yet, but we know the situation can change quickly against Ukraine. China is supporting Russia's efforts to regain battlefield advantage by helping the Russians develop their own version of Starlink, one of the things President Zelenskyy raised a concern about the last time Senator Graham and I had a chance to meet with him in Ankara at the NATO summit. According to President Zelenskyy, that technology that China is working on can be available as early as November. That would advance Russia's drone technology to catch up with Ukraine. The battlefield could look significantly different in the next 6 to 12 months, and that could roll back Ukraine's advantages. Now is the time to put more pressure on Putin. This legislation, if it is advanced before the August recess, will be ahead of Russia's upcoming elections. They hold their legislative elections in mid-September. After that, Putin is likely to be required to change conscription in response to the severe shortage of recruits because they are losing 35,000 Russians a month. Advancing the legislation ahead of Russia's upcoming elections will increase pressure on Putin to seriously revisit prospects for a peace deal. And make no mistake: Russia is watching what we do. We have the history of this war to show that every time the United States backs away from putting pressure on Russia, from helping Ukraine, from funding the war, Russia ramps up its attacks in Ukraine. It kills more civilians. And that is where we are. If we can't shut down the funding for the war machine that Russia is using against Ukraine, then they are going to keep at it. We have to show the determination that the United States feels to support this emerging democracy that Senator Blumenthal was so eloquent to talk about. So that is why there is real urgency for what we are doing today, not just to pass this underlying sanctions bill but to make sure that the tariffs that are funding Russia's war machine can shut down the oil and gas that is keeping that war machine going. So I hope all of my colleagues will oppose this amendment and support the underlying bill. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Idaho.

James E. Risch (R-ID)

Mr. President, I want to join my colleague, the distinguished ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. We are in the same spot on this bill and on the amendment. Just last week, I stood in this Chamber and asked my colleagues to join me in moving this bill forward, and many of them--from both sides of the aisle--did so. That vote was successful with a margin of 86 to 12. That is a rare vote at this time in the Senate. That same night that we voted in tremendous support of Ukraine, a number of us welcomed Ukraine's President back to the Capitol, where he gave us a fulsome update on Ukraine's battlefield successes. He expressed how Ukraine sorely needed this sanctions legislation to magnify the impact of Russia's battlefield losses by imposing crippling economic costs on Russia's economy. This could finally bring Russia to the negotiating table and end this conflict, which we all want to see happen. But to be clear, while this legislation would help Ukraine counter Russian aggression, it also protects Idahoans--all Americans--but Idahoans, who I focus on here, as all of us focus on our own constituents, and that is always each of our priority. Peace and stability in Europe are in America's interests. In the interconnected world we live in, prosperity in Europe only helps us here at home. Like everyone here, I always view what we are doing here through the lens of: How will this affect my constituents at home? How will it help them? And bringing an end to this conflict will allow us to return to issues that Idahoans care about: lowering prices, unleashing domestic energy, protecting public lands, and building a better future for the next generation. This legislation brings us much closer to that end and an end to this conflict. It will make a decisive impact that goes beyond what can be achieved on the battlefield. It will cut off the flow of cash that powers Putin's war machine. I have worked with my colleagues on this bill for more than a year, including my friend from New Hampshire; with Senator Blumenthal; and, of course, with Senator Lindsey Graham, who was very focused on this bill; and with the President. I have worked particularly to include sanctions in this bill against Russia's illicit shadow fleet that it uses to evade these sanctions and prop up its energy sector. These ships and the oil sales they facilitate directly fuel Russia's war machine and threaten American and European security. They enrich Russia, China, and Iran. This bill will go a long way to stopping that shadow fleet. I have also worked to include provisions taking aim at Russia's defense supply chains and a number of key energy projects, causing real pain to Putin and those who keep him in power. They will do that. These tools will give the United States and our allies the leverage we need to force Russia back to the negotiating table and end this conflict. I would be remiss if I didn't note that this bill was a culmination of many, many hours of work from my staff, Senator Shaheen's staff, Senator Blumenthal's staff, Senator Lindsey Graham's staff, all of them and other staffs worked on this. And we usually don't thank them here on the floor, but they really need thanks on this because this went on so long and was so technical. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't note that this bill was a passion project for our friend Lindsey Graham, and it is fitting that we will see it move through the Senate today. I hope to, once again, see a strong majority of my colleagues join us in this bill--in passing this bill right here and right now.

Legislative Session

Pages S4538–S4540 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Under the previous order, the Senate will resume legislative session and resume consideration of H.R. 5334, which the clerk will report.

The legislative clerk read as follows:

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A bill (H.R. 5334) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes.

(Purpose: To impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation.)

Darline Graham (R-SC)

I call up amendment No. 6711 and ask that it be reported by number.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the amendment by number.

The legislative clerk read as follows:

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The Senator from South Carolina [Ms. Graham], for herself and Mr. BLUMENTHAL, proposes an amendment numbered 6711.

(The amendment is printed in the Record of July 29, 2026, under "Text of Amendments.") The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kentucky. (Purpose: To strike the provision relating to duties on countries that purchase Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas or facilitate sanctions evasion.)

I call up amendment No. 6715 and ask that it be reported by number.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report.

The legislative clerk read as follows:

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The Senator from Kentucky [Mr. Paul], for himself and others, proposes an amendment numbered 6715 to amendment No. 6711.

(The amendment is printed in the Record of July 29, 2026, under "Text of Amendments.")

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Kentucky.

Mr. President, the bill before us contains the largest tax increase ever passed by a Republican Congress. Worse yet, the bill transfers the taxing authority from the legislature to the executive branch, an unconstitutional delegation of power. The Constitution clearly states that "Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, duties . . . and Excises." Madison believed the Republic would survive only if the Constitution divided the power and pitted the executive ambition against legislative ambition. Madison would be horrified by the clamor of so many in Congress to cede the taxing authority. My amendment strips the transfer of the taxing authority from the bill. My amendment--if it passes--will demonstrate that Congress still has a spine, still has ambition, and still supports the separation and limitation of power.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Who yields time in opposition? The Senator from Alabama.

Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL)

Mr. President, I ask for 2 minutes to be equally divided between myself and the Senator from Connecticut.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL)

Mr. President, the Senate has a spine. That is exactly what we are doing here today is standing with a steel spine. We are standing against Putin's aggression. You saw, this week, him actually attack innocent Ukrainians. Ballistic drones go, hit breweries. They hit innocent civilians working in warehouses. This is enough. Today, we stand together to say: We are going to cut off the flow of money to Putin. Senator Lindsey Graham said that this part, the part that our colleague from Kentucky wants to rip out, was actually the heart of this bill; that this was the way to hit Putin where it hurt most. Section 113 was carefully negotiated, and these authorities expire and are not permanent. Today, we send a message to Vladimir Putin, and we give President Trump the tools he needs to end this war.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Connecticut.

Mr. President, I appreciate my colleague from Alabama's strong support of this bill. She has been instrumental in our reaching this point, and I thank her and Senator Graham of South Carolina. To state it really bluntly, Mr. President, this amendment kills the bill. It decimates the purpose of the bill, which has been the result of painstaking--sometimes painful--negotiations over months with the White House, with our colleagues here, with the U.S. Trade Representative, whom I also thank for his cooperation and assistance. It would eliminate tariff provisions that have been narrowly constrained to the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas. It is not a broad, blunderbuss provision. It is narrowly targeted. And no secret, the two largest purchasers? Ninety percent, China and Russia. So let's be real here. This narrowly targeted tariff provision is essential to the bill. The choice isn't between this bill with tariffs and a bill without tariffs. The choice is between this bill or no bill. I oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues to vote no.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The question now occurs on adoption of the amendment.

I ask for the yeas and nays.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second.

The clerk will call the roll. The bill clerk called the roll.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). Mr. DURBIN: I announce that the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kelly) is necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 32, nays 64, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (1,431 characters)

Alsobrooks Bennet Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Cassidy Gallego Hassan Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kim Klobuchar Lujan Markey Murray Ossoff Padilla Paul Peters Reed Sanders Schiff Schumer Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Wyden Armstrong Baldwin Banks Barrasso Blumenthal Boozman Britt Budd Capito Collins Coons Cornyn Cortez Masto Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Duckworth Durbin Ernst Fetterman Fischer Gillibrand Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Heinrich Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy King Lankford Lee Marshall McCormick Merkley Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Murphy Ricketts Risch Rosen Rounds Schatz Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Whitehouse Wicker Young Blackburn Kelly Lummis McConnell The amendment (No. 6715) was rejected. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Graham-Blumenthal amendment No. 6711 is agreed to. The amendment (No. 6711) was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will read the title of the bill for the third time. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Hampshire. Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senators Shaheen, Blumenthal, and Schumer be recognized for up to 1 minute each. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Mr. President, colleagues, every day that Russia earns billions from energy exports, it has more resources to finance this war. Every day that Putin has those resources, he gains more time. Every day that Putin gains more time, more Ukrainians are killed. This legislation is what President Zelenskyy asked us to do. This is what Senator Graham worked so hard to achieve. I hope we can give it an overwhelming vote. I yield the floor.

John Cornyn (R-TX)

Mr. President, Mr. Fetterman and I appreciate the work being done to advance the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, H.R.5334, in the Senate. This bill will honor Senator Graham's legacy, help dismantle Putin's war machine, and strengthen the U.S. national security. This legislation aims to shut down various revenue streams Russia uses to continue its unprovoked war against Ukraine, and we must consider how it can be most effectively implemented. Helium is a byproduct of natural gas and has largely been produced in the United States, Qatar, and Algeria. However, Russia has been catching up. Russia has doubled its helium production since the beginning of the war and is now the third largest producer of helium in the world. Despite the limited need for helium in Russia, reports indicate that Russia is still increasing its helium production at multiple plants. This increase in production contributes to Russia's long-term strategy to export helium, which will help to continue financing Russian aggression in Ukraine. Helium is a vital industrial gas used in superconducting magnets, advanced lasers for medical technology, rocket fuel and missile guidance systems, and manufacturing for critical parts of our information infrastructure such as fiber optics and semiconductors. We must ensure these critical industries do not rely on Russian helium and unwittingly provide financial lifelines to Putin. Section 102(b)(3) of the legislation subjects to potential sanctions "any foreign vessel the President determines, based on credible information, is used by the Government of the Russian Federation or Russian persons to move crude oil, uranium, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, petroleum, petroleum products, petrochemical products, coal, coal products, arms or other goods for the purposes of circumventing sanctions imposed by the United States or other countries." Section 112(a) of the legislation further provides for "duty for all goods, including oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas, petroleum, petroleum products, petrochemical products, coal, and coal products imported into the United States from the Russian Federation." The "other goods" language in section 102(b) and the "all goods" language in section 112(a) is sufficiently broad that helium and other natural gas byproducts should qualify as a "good" under this legislation. Should this bill be enacted into law, the President should consider using authorities under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, H.R.5334, to weaken Russia's production of natural gas byproducts, including helium.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Connecticut.

Charles E. Schumer (D-NY)

Mr. President, I want to thank my colleagues in advance for their overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill that shows we can still work together for the right causes to accomplish the right results. I want to particularly thank Senator Lindsey Graham and his courageous, effective sister Darline for their immensely important, even historic contribution to this bill. Today, we say to Vladimir Putin: You will not conquer Ukraine. We stand with the brave, free people of Ukraine. We need to provide them military assistance. We can't do that today, but we are providing the economic tools that are necessary to stop the major purchases of Russian oil and gas from fueling Putin's war machine. President Zelenskyy has said to us from the beginning: Give us the tools; we will do the job. Today, we give him an essential tool. I urge my colleagues to support this bill. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The minority leader.

Mr. President, I yield back my time.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from South Carolina.

Darline Graham (R-SC)

Mr. President, I rise today, and I am honored to reiterate my full support for the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. My late brother Lindsey was a foreign policy and national security expert. He was also a peacemaker who was determined to bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine. He worked tirelessly to achieve that goal. Lindsey traveled to Ukraine on 10 separate occasions seeking an end to this war. Despite the Ukrainian people's unwavering resolve to fight back, Russia has refused to stop. On his last trip to Ukraine, Lindsey continued his work to achieve peace. He understood that providing President Trump the tools contained in this legislation would help push Russia to the negotiating table. That had been his goal since day one. We are all aware of the tremendous bloodshed. For more than 4 years, Putin has wreaked havoc on the lives of everyday people, kidnapping tens of thousands of Ukrainian children and committing unspeakable acts. The war against Ukraine is primarily funded by the revenue Russia rakes in from energy sales. Without these profits, the ability to fund the war would be crippled. This legislation hits Putin where it hurts. It contains provisions that specifically target those who are supporting Russia's war in Ukraine. This bill forces those primary countries keeping Russia's economy afloat to make a simple yet critical choice--a choice between doing business with America or buying cheap Russian energy. This legislation tells Russia's customers that the United States of America will not sit by while they fund Putin's assault. The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 would end Russia's network of aggression and criminal leadership. History tells us that when an ambitious dictator goes after one nation, he typically doesn't stop there. My brother knew this well, and I am honored to continue his work of advancing this historic legislation. I would especially like to thank President Trump; my colleagues Senator Blumenthal, Senator Britt, Senator Shaheen, and Senator Wicker for their leadership in moving this forward with me. I would also like to thank all the staff who have worked so very hard. In closing, over the past 2\1/2\ centuries, America has stood as a beacon of hope to the free world. Just as the backers of this war will soon be forced to make a choice, each Member of this body must also make a choice: whether we have the courage to stand up to evil or whether we will continue on with the status quo. It is time for a show of strength. It is time for action. It is time for the Senate to pass the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. I yield the floor.

(Applause.)

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The bill having been read the third time, the question is, Shall the bill, as amended, pass?

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second.

The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn), the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis), and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The result was announced--yeas 86, nays 11, as follows:

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Alsobrooks Armstrong Baldwin Banks Barrasso Bennet Blumenthal Booker Boozman Britt Budd Cantwell Capito Cassidy Collins Coons Cornyn Cortez Masto Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Duckworth Durbin Ernst Fetterman Fischer Gallego Gillibrand Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Heinrich Hickenlooper Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kaine Kelly Kennedy Kim King Klobuchar Lankford Lee Lujan Marshall McCormick Merkley Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Murphy Murray Peters Reed Ricketts Risch Rosen Rounds Schatz Schiff Schmitt Schumer Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Slotkin Smith Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Van Hollen Warner Warnock Whitehouse Wicker Young Blunt Rochester Hassan Hirono Markey Ossoff Padilla Paul Sanders Warren Welch Wyden Blackburn Lummis McConnell (Mr. HAGERTY assumed the Chair.) The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Graham). On this vote, the yeas are 86, the nays are 11. The 60-vote threshold having been achieved, the bill is passed. The bill (H.R. 5334), as amended, was passed. (Applause).

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Under the previous order, the Graham Amendment No. 6712 to the title is agreed to. The amendment (No. 6712) was agreed to as follows:

Text printed in the Record (335 characters)

Amend the title so as to read: "An Act to impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation, as championed by the late Senator Lindsey O. Graham, and for other purposes.". The PRESIDING OFFICER. The title, as amended, is agreed to, and the motions to reconsider are considered made and laid upon the table.

EXECUTIVE RESOLUTION (Executive Session)

Pages S4540–S4542 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Under the previous order, the Senate will resume executive session in consideration of nominations en bloc pursuant to S. Res. 817. The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the en bloc nominations provided under the provisions of S. Res. 817?

Alex Padilla (D-CA)

I ask for the yeas and nays.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second.

The clerk will call the roll. The legislative clerk called the roll.

The following Senators are neccessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The result was announced--yeas 51, nays 47, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (3,175 characters)

Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden Lummis McConnell The en bloc nominations were confirmed as follows: Calendar Number 729: John Breslow, of Arizona, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Cyprus. Calendar Number 730: Todd Steggerda, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, with the rank of Ambassador. Calendar Number 731: Adam Cassady, of Virginia, to be Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy. Calendar Number 732: Preston Wells Griffith III, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Vienna Office of the United Nations, with the rank of Ambassador. Calendar Number 733: Preston Wells Griffith III, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the rank of Ambassador. Calendar Number 734: Fleet White, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Political-Military Affairs). Calendar Number 739: Kenneth Sorenson, of Hawaii, to be United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii for the term of four years. Calendar Number 740: Johnson TeeHee II, of Oklahoma, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. Calendar Number 746: Timothy VerHey, of Michigan, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for the term of four years. Calendar Number 747: James Arnott, of Missouri, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of Missouri for the term of four years. Calendar Number 748: Jack Chambers, of West Virginia, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years. Calendar Number 749: Jason Holt, of Oklahoma, to be United States Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. Calendar Number 757: Michael Kavoukjian, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Norway. Calendar Number 759: William Trachman, of Colorado, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the United Republic of Tanzania. Calendar Number 761: Eric Wendt, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania.

Calendar Number 762: David Brat, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of Australia. Calendar Number 764: Frank Garcia, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the African Development Foundation for a term expiring September 22, 2031. Calendar Number 766: Glen Smith, of Iowa, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development. Calendar Number 781: Sean Costello, of Alabama, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama for the term of four years. Calendar Number 782: Michael Vance, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Intelligence and Research). Calendar Number 820: Michael McDonald, of the District of Columbia, to be Chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities for a term of four years. Calendar Number 821: James Macy, of Wisconsin, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2030. Calendar Number 822: David M. Prouty, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2031. (Reappointment) Calendar Number 823: Brett Matsumoto, of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, for a term of four years. Calendar Number 824: William Hague, of Washington, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior. Calendar Number 826: Kaveh Farzad, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (International Affairs). Calendar Number 832: Don Richard Berthiaume, Jr., of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Justice. Calendar Number 834: Charlton Allen, of North Carolina, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term of five years. Calendar Number 835: Christopher Michael De Bono, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 836: Sharon E. Goodie, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 837: Bradford Pentony Wilson, of New Jersey, to be Archivist of the United States. Calendar Number 840: Brian Cavanaugh, of Maryland, to be Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security. Calendar Number 841: James Woodruff, of Florida, to be Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Calendar Number 842: Michael Christopher DiLorenzo, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 843: Craig Edward Leen, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 844: Christine Michelle Macey, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 845: John Barlow Timmer, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 846: Cameron Hamilton, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. Calendar Number 847: Charles Baldis, of Virginia, to be Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel, for the term of five years. Calendar Number 848: James Andrew Crowell IV, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 849: Stuart Gordon Nash, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. Calendar Number 850: Rudolph Bauer, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Belize. Calendar Number 853: Barbera Thornhill, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, with the rank of Ambassador at Large. Calendar Number 854: Christopher Anderson, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Cambodia. Calendar Number 855: Stanley Brown, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. Calendar Number 856: Joseph Burkhalter, of Georgia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova. Calendar Number 857: John Hurley, of California, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador. Calendar Number 858: Daniel Perez, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Federative Republic of Brazil. Calendar Number 859: Laurence Socha, of Illinois, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of The Gambia. Calendar Number 860: Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs). Calendar Number 861: Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2026. Calendar Number 862: Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term expiring September 20, 2032. (Reappointment) Calendar Number 863: Brendan Hanrahan, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs). Calendar Number 864: Donald Blome, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs). Calendar Number 865: Katherine Bowles, of Alabama, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Legislative Affairs). Calendar Number 866: Edward Eppler, of Connecticut, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Transportation. Calendar Number 867: Karen Sessions, of Texas, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2025. Calendar Number 868: Thomas B. Chapman, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2028. (Reappointment) Calendar Number 869: Karen Jean Hedlund, of New York, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board for a term expiring December 31, 2030. (Reappointment) Calendar Number 870: David Cummins, of Virginia, to be Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration for a term of five years. Calendar Number 871: Brien Lorenze, of Virginia, to be a Commissioner of the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a term of seven years from October 27, 2024. Calendar Number 872: Hal Duncan, of Texas, to be Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Calendar Number 873: Erich Hernandez-Baquero, of Florida, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. Calendar Number 874: Roger Mason, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. Calendar Number 875: Jules Hurst III, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). Calendar Number 899: Mark Cruz, of Oregon, to be Director of the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, for the term of four years. Calendar Number 900: Kevin Lilly, of Texas, to be Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife. Calendar Number 903: Christopher Nassar, of Oklahoma, to be United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. Calendar Number 904: Christopher Phelan, of Minnesota, to be Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. Calendar Number 905: John Crews, of Virginia, to be a Member of the National Credit Union Administration Board for a term expiring August 2, 2031. Calendar Number 906: Sriprakash Kothari, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Calendar Number 907: Erin Browne, of New York, to be an Under Secretary of the Treasury. Calendar Number 908: George McMaster, of South Carolina, to be an Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. Calendar Number 909: Francis Brooke, of Virginia, to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

(Mrs. BRITT assumed the Chair.)

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Hagerty)

Under the previous order, the motions to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the President will be immediately notified of the Senate's action. The majority leader.

Waiving Quorum Call (Executive Session)

Page S4542 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the cloture motion on Collins substitute amendment No. 6732.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered.

Cloture Motion

Page S4542 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (419 characters)

We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on Collins amendment No. 6732 to Calendar No. 320, H.R. 6500, a bill to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purposes.

=========================== NOTE =========================== On page S4542, August 7, 2026, in the first column, the following appears: We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on Collins amendment No. 6732 to Calendar No. 320, H.R. 6500, a bill to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purpose. The online Record has been corrected to read: We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on Collins amendment No. 6732 to Calendar No. 320, H.R. 6500, a bill to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purposes. ========================= END NOTE =========================

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Under the previous order, the mandatory quorum call under rule XXII has been waived. The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on amendment No. 6732, offered by the Senator from Maine (Ms. Collins), to H.R. 6500, a bill to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purposes, shall be brought to a close? The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.

The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 91, nays 6, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (784 characters)

Alsobrooks Armstrong Baldwin Banks Barrasso Bennet Blackburn Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Boozman Britt Budd Cantwell Capito Collins Coons Cornyn Cortez Masto Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Duckworth Durbin Ernst Fetterman Fischer Gallego Gillibrand Grassley Hagerty Hassan Hawley Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kelly Kennedy Kim King Klobuchar Lankford Lee Lujan Marshall McCormick Merkley Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Ricketts Risch Rosen Rounds Schatz Schiff Schmitt Schumer Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Slotkin Smith Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Van Hollen Warner Warnock Welch Whitehouse Wicker Wyden Young Cassidy Kaine Markey Paul Sanders Warren Graham Lummis McConnell

The PRESIDING OFFICER

On this vote, the yeas are 91, the nays are 6, and 1 Senator announced "present." Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn having voted in the affirmative, the motion is agreed to.

The motion was agreed to.

Legislative Session

Pages S4542–S4547 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Cloture having been invoked, the clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (213 characters)

A bill (H.R. 6500) to extend duty-free treatment provided with respect to imports from certain countries in Africa under the African Growth and Opportunity Act, to extend customs user fees, and for other purposes.

Pending:

Text printed in the Record (756 characters)

Thune (for Collins) amendment No. 6732, in the nature of a substitute. Thune amendment No. 6736 (to amendment No. 6732), to change the enactment date. Thune amendment No. 6737 (to amendment No. 6736), of a perfecting nature. Thune amendment No. 6738 (to the language proposed to be stricken by amendment No. 6732), to change the enactment date. Thune amendment No. 6739 (to amendment No. 6738), of a perfecting nature. Thune motion to commit the bill to the Committee on Appropriations, with instructions, Thune amendment No. 6740, to change the enactment date. Thune amendment No. 6741 (the instructions (amendment No. 6740) of the motion to commit), of a perfecting nature. Thune amendment No. 6742 (to amendment No. 6741), of a perfecting nature.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The motion to commit and the amendments pending thereto fall.

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. McCormick)

The Senator from South Dakota.

(The remarks of Mr. Rounds pertaining to the introduction of S. 5373 are printed in today's Record under "Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.")

Mike Rounds (R-SD)

I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The majority leader.

Mr. President, just before I begin my remarks, I would associate myself with the remarks of my colleague from South Dakota pertaining to the Postal Service and their work in South Dakota. If there was a way to build an incredibly inefficient model, they have figured out how to do it. It needs to be fixed. I share his view, and we will work with him to insist and ensure that they make changes that improve the service that affects the constituents, the people that we represent and serve. Mr. President, when this Congress began last year, we had a long to-do list. The American people had made their priorities clear. As I said from the start, this Republican majority was ready to deliver. Republicans were committed to strengthening our economic future, ending the Biden border crisis and making America safer and stronger in the years ahead. That is exactly what we have been working on these last 19 months, and the American people are seeing the results of our efforts. The clearest example came this April when 90 percent of Americans saw a tax cut which meant more of their hard-earned money stayed in their pockets instead of going to the IRS. That was thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts. That was Republicans' top priority last year. The American people had suffered for years through an inflation crisis caused by Democrats' reckless spending, and they were facing a massive tax hike, $2,500 for a typical family in my State if Congress had failed to act. But the Working Families Tax Cuts made sure that tax hike never came. Republicans delivered permanent--permanent--tax relief that benefited 97 percent of taxpayers this past year. We implemented new tax cuts like no tax on tips or overtime, raised the child tax credit, gave seniors an additional $6,000 deduction, and provided America's small businesses and family farms and ranches with significant and permanent tax relief too. And Republicans haven't just put more money in hard-working Americans pockets. We have been working to bring down costs, and one of the ways we are doing that is by lifting unnecessary and burdensome regulations that drive up the cost of things that Americans need. We passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which cuts redtape and that has contributed to home ownership becoming more affordable for many Americans. We did away with Biden-era regulations that would have driven up the cost of household appliances and energy. We got rid of electrical vehicle mandates that were going to force Americans into pricey electric cars that they didn't want, and we have taken concrete action to drive down costs at the pharmacy counter as well. We passed a law to ensure that patients get the savings from any discounts or rebates from their purchases at the pharmacy counter and their healthcare plans. We removed incentives for pharmacy benefit managers to promote higher priced medications at the expense of seniors. And we approved access to more affordable generic drugs. These are policies that change the math of families' budgets: more money in their pockets, lower costs for the things that they need. And beyond that, we have also taken actions to strengthen our economy for the long term. We have seen positive news about a boost in manufacturing in our country thanks, in part, to the Working Families Tax Cuts. Other provisions in that law make education pathways more affordable, strengthen our skilled workforce, and create opportunity for the future. The law also bolstered programs that America's farmers and ranchers depend on, and the Working Families Tax Cuts made a generational investment in rural healthcare providers in all 50 States, putting those providers on a more secure path forward so that Americans in rural areas can continue to have access to quality, affordable healthcare close to home. I mentioned that ending the border crisis was another priority for the Senate majority, and we didn't waste any time getting to work on that either. The first bill we passed was the Laken Riley Act, requiring that illegal immigrants who are arrested for certain crimes aren't put back on the streets. We also passed the HALT Fentanyl Act to ensure that law enforcement has the tools it needs to go after fentanyl and fentanyl analogs that have taken too many--too many--American lives. And then there is the border itself. President Trump took swift action to secure the border early last year, and in the Working Families Tax Cuts, we provided the resources necessary to hire more agents, finish the border wall, and keep the border secure permanently. Today, illegal border crossings have slowed to a trickle. It has been like that for just about the entire Trump administration, an incredible feat considering how bad things were under President Biden. And thanks to our efforts, the resources are in place to ensure the border stays secure for the long term. Beyond the border, we have also been focused on strengthening our military. The Working Families Tax Cuts made a generational investment in our military readiness. We complemented those efforts in last year's annual Defense bill which, among other things, made significant reforms to the way the Pentagon does business to ensure that tax dollars are being spent to maximum efficiency and effectiveness for our men and women in uniform. And this year's National Defense Authorization Act builds on those efforts as well. We have been busy. The Senate has taken close to 900 votes since last January. We have been in Washington a lot more than in previous years. We have also done a lot of things that haven't been done in a number of years. As I said, we made generational investments in border security, military readiness, and in rural healthcare. We approved the most significant tax relief bill in decades. We confirmed 21 Cabinet nominees faster than the last three incoming administrations. And we passed the first crypto bill ever. We approved a rescissions package that cut billions in Federal spending for the first time in literally three decades. Our work continues. Earlier this afternoon, we passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, giving the President critical tools to bring peace to Ukraine. We also approved another slate of 74 Trump administration nominees, bringing our total to 590. And I expect to move forward on additional items very soon. We have been working our way through our to-do list and delivering real wins for the American people. And the work goes on. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Iowa.

Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

Mr. President, later today, I hope the Senate will vote to confirm the nomination of Todd Blanche to be Attorney General. I support his nomination, and I urge my colleagues to vote for him. Mr. Blanche is nominated to one of the most important offices in our country, and he has shown that he is up to that task. His impressive background and the presentation at our hearing in the Judiciary Committee are proof that he has led the Justice Department with distinction and is well suited to continue doing that. During his hearing, Mr. Blanche answered questions for more than 5 hours. His testimony reinforced what we already knew about his proven record as Acting Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Blanche is a tough, fair prosecutor, dedicated to the rule of law, and his leadership instills that same zeal throughout the entire Justice Department. Mr. Blanche began his career clerking for two Federal judges, two Federal judges that were appointed by different political parties of the Presidency. He then spent nearly a decade as a Federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York. During that time, Mr. Blanche handled a wide array of criminal matters, including narcotic trafficking and violent crimes. Mr. Blanche eventually entered private practice, where he had a very successful career with many high-profile cases. But his love of country brought him back to the public service that he is in right now, repeating again serving as Deputy Attorney General and now as Acting Attorney General. Throughout his career, Mr. Blanche demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service and the fair administration of justice. At his hearing and many times since, I have detailed the successes of the Justice Department under Mr. Blanche's leadership. Indeed, the statistics prove that Americans are safer with Mr. Blanche at the helm. So let's look at that picture. Under his leadership, fraud enforcement efforts have been ramped up; arrests of violent crimes and criminals engaged in child exploitation have increased; terrorist plots have been successfully thwarted; massive quantities of illegal firearms and harmful drugs, especially like fentanyl, have been seized. So, as a result, the United States has the lowest murder rate since 1900, and crime trends throughout the country have declined. According to the Council of Criminal Justice's 2026 midyear report, the reported rates for homicide have dropped 51 percent from its peak 9 years ago; carjacking dropped 73 percent; residential burglaries down 56 percent; motor vehicle thefts down 51 percent. Now, you could go on and on with a whole bunch of other statistics because, according to this report, every single violent crime category and nearly all property crime categories have dropped below prepandemic levels, and that didn't happen by accident. It happened, why? Because Mr. Blanche refocused the Justice Department on keeping Americans safe. That is the sort of impact we should want and should expect from the Justice Department and any Attorney General that heads that Department. And that is what Mr. Blanche has delivered. We heard about it at Mr. Blanche's hearing. The committee heard a heart-wrenching testimony from an Angel Mom, Jennifer Bos. She told us about her daughter's tragic and gruesome death. She explained the importance of Mr. Blanche's focus on keeping Americans safe. Ms. Bos stated:

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I couldn't save my daughter, but with Todd Blanche as Attorney General, he might save yours because next time it could be your child. It could be your family. It could be you.

Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

This sentiment was shared in the outpouring of support the committee received for Mr. Blanche's nomination. Three hundred Angel Moms wrote a letter thanking Mr. Blanche for prioritizing victims and focusing the Department's efforts on stopping illegal immigration, ending drug and human trafficking, and protecting America's communities from violent crime. The committee also received several letters from major law enforcement organizations that collectively represent hundreds of thousands of law enforcement officers all across our country. They praise Mr. Blanche's focus on public safety, the rule of law, and his unwavering support for law enforcement professionals, the people that risk their lives daily to protect our families and our communities. In total, the committee received more than 30 letters supporting Mr. Blanche's nomination. These include more than 100 former Justice Department attorneys, chiefs of staff, U.S. attorneys, and other senior officials. Mr. Blanche's nomination was also supported by multiple former Attorneys General, including John Ashcroft and Bill Barr. These former Attorneys General know what it takes to run the Justice Department. Now, between his proven track record, his presentations to our committee, and the support he has received from across the country, I am convinced Mr. Blanche is the right choice to lead the Justice Department. A vote for Todd Blanche is a vote for the safety of the American people. That is a vote the American people deserve, and that is a vote that I am proud to cast. So I urge all my colleagues to join me in voting to confirm Mr. Blanche as Attorney General.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Tennessee.

Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

Mr. President, this week, I had the honor of voting for Todd Blanche as he was coming out of the Judiciary Committee and advancing that nomination. Having worked with him over the past year or so, I think that there is no one better suited to serve President Trump's mission of enforcing the rule of law and one tier of justice for all Americans. I encourage all of my colleagues to vote to confirm him when this nomination comes to the floor. When I talked to Tennesseans, they want to make certain their communities are safe. That is one of the main issues they talk about, that need for public safety. Mr. Blanche has played a big role in making that happen as the Deputy Attorney General and then as the Acting Attorney General. Since last year, homicides nationwide are down 18 percent. They are the lowest they have been since 1900. That is 126 years. Residential burglaries are down 13 percent. Robberies are down 17 percent. Carjackings are down 47 percent. When we talk about these stats in the aggregate, many times, people say: Well, how does that apply to my community? Let me show you what this has done in Memphis and what Mr. Blanche's leadership, working with Director Patel at the FBI, working with President Trump, and working with over 25 other Federal Agencies--what they have been able to accomplish in Memphis. Just 2 years ago, when you looked at the 2024 crime stats, Memphis, TN, was considered the most dangerous city per capita, and it was averaging a murder a day. It was considered to be more dangerous than Colombia, Mexico City, or even Baghdad. Since day one, President Trump has worked to help us in the goal of making certain that Memphis is the safest city in the United States, and Mr. Blanche has been a key part of those efforts. Working together, we established the Memphis Safe Task Force, and that was done nearly 1 year ago. It was put in place in September of last year. Here is what they have been able to do. By working together--your local, State, and Federal law enforcement--they have made over 11,000 arrests, 1,200 known gang members have been apprehended, and 183 missing children have been located. As of this week, 2,000 illegal firearms have been seized, taken off the streets. While continuing to keep our communities safe, we know that Attorney General Blanche will be focused on rooting out fraud both in elections and government programs. The Justice Department has taken enforcement actions in blue States across the country to ensure that only American citizens are voting in American elections. Here in the Senate, we have the SAVE America Act to support this effort, and we should waste no time in getting that to the President's desk. We now know that there are more than 270,000 noncitizens on voter rolls across the country. If blue States won't clean them up, Congress must force them to clean up their rolls. In one of his first actions as Acting Attorney General, Mr. Blanche also created the National Fraud Enforcement Division. This is something the American people have wanted to see. They don't want their tax dollars going into the pockets of fraudsters. As of April, the Department was investigating 8,000 fraud cases representing more than $1 trillion in stolen taxpayer funds. That is an astounding number: $1 trillion in stolen, misspent taxpayer funds. To the American people, this is just common sense. You investigate fraud. You lock up criminals. You secure our elections. But our colleagues on the other side of the aisle oppose all of this. Earlier this year, they forced a 75-day shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security to block funding to Federal law enforcement. They have called to "abolish ICE" and have slandered our officers as "secret police," "slave patrols," and "Nazis." Instead of working with the administration to secure our elections, they are practically encouraging voter fraud. Fourteen States--overwhelmingly blue--do not require any ID whatsoever to vote. Think about that. No ID. No ID to go to the polls and show that you are who you say you are and that you are allowed to cast that ballot. Many more refuse to work with DHS to compare their voter rolls with the SAVE database, which verifies a person's immigration status. Out of our States, 26 will use the DHS SAVE database to verify their voter rolls, and you have 24 that don't. So think about that and what that does to open the door for fraud. At the same time, they have opened the floodgates to fraud in government programs. California and Governor Newsom--well, government spending in California has surged from $209 billion a year to $350 billion a year. The State auditor has repeatedly flagged that billions of these expenditures are questionable payments. Yet what do the State Democrats do? They do nothing. Now, think about this. This is a Democrat State--a very blue State--with a Governor who is very much from the leftwing of that party. He has a State auditor--a State auditor, part of his administration--who is flagging questionable payments, and they don't do anything about it. The whole time, this is taxpayer money. It is not government money. It is taxpayer money that is being sent to the government so that the government will be a good steward of that money and use that money for programs that are going to benefit the constituents, the citizens, the taxpayers, but instead, they are letting it go out the door to fraudsters. In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz allowed billions of dollars to be stolen through Medicaid fraud. In New York, Chinese criminal groups have stolen millions more through fraudulent Medicaid billing. See, we know this is happening. Auditors have found it. It has been pointed out to the State officials, and they won't do anything about it. So as a taxpayer, if you are in California, New York, or Minnesota, what does this tell you? It tells you that your elected officials do not give a rippin' flip about you and your hard-earned money that is going into these coffers. And then what are they doing? They are wasting it away. Our national debt is approaching $40 trillion--unbelievable--and the American people expect their elected representatives to be good stewards of those dollars. Instead, the Democrats are embracing the failures of socialism. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani unveiled a $127 billion budget while proposing billions in new taxes. New Yorkers could see more than half of their income taken in taxes. Yet I have laid out for you how much of that money is being wasted--wasted--going into fraud. The mayor is pretty clear about his intentions. In a speech to the Young Democratic Socialists of America, he said that his "end goal" is "seizing the means of production." Well, how about that? He wants to go use eminent domain. He wants to take away your ability to live out your American dream because if you have some form or means of production, he is going to take it away and say: Hey, wait a minute. That great idea you have, that great machine you built, this factory that you have, this restaurant that you own, it is no longer yours. It is the government's. It is the government's. That is what you call communism. It is not yours. You don't own it. It is the government's. Then the government is going to turn around and tell you what you have to do in order to exercise that means of production while they are the ones that benefit and not you. You are the cog in the wheel. You owe it all to them. Just this week, there was a Democrat candidate in Michigan, and he said:

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How I define my politics is a redistribution of resources.

Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)

Well, how about that? Socialism. Communism. Taking from those who are producing and giving to those that refuse to produce, because we have all got to be the same. That is the way the Democrat socialists view it. You are working hard. Take it away from you and give it to people that are going to go sit on their rear and do nothing. That is what they believe. They are proud of it. They think that is a great thing. It is astounding. It was so telling last year when the House voted on a resolution denouncing socialism in all its forms and opposing the implementation of socialist policies in the United States. Well, guess what. One would think that if you are a Member of the U.S. House and you have taken an oath to protect and defend our Constitution, you would say: You better believe I am against socialism. You better believe I am going to support our citizens. But do you know what? There were 98 Democrats--98--that voted against that. So it leaves you to ask: How in the world could this happen? That final vote tally, 98 jumped the shark and voted against that. You had 2 that voted present and 27 that took a walk and didn't vote at all. Are they so afraid of the far left wing of their party that they can't go exercise their responsibility to cast a vote? Astounding. You know, that is what you have got to look at with today's Democrat Party. They are more comfortable standing up for socialist, communist ideas--touting those, caving to the leftwing, caving to the leftist media, going for likes and thumbs-up and reposts on social media, following the crowd and not being a leader. It is just amazing to me. And as I have talked with Tennesseans--and I had a lady in Tennessee sum it up pretty well. She is somebody who has been a Democrat, but, no, she doesn't identify with them anymore. She considers them to be pro-crime, pro-fraud, and pro-socialism. Now, how is that for a bumper sticker? That is what the Democrat Party is supporting right now. They are pro-crime, they are pro-fraud, and they are pro-socialism. Now, the good thing is, Americans are rejecting this agenda. And what we have seen since 2020, on net, more than 3.6 million people have fled these big, deep-blue States of New York, California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. You have to say: Why? And as you talk with many of these people, many have come to Tennessee. They consider themselves to be refugees. They got out because they just don't want to live that way, being governed by people who are so far left that they are pro-crime, pro-fraud, pro-socialism, pro-communism, and being in areas that are cheering on those policies. So I would encourage people to think through what is happening. I would encourage them to stand with the rule of law. And I would encourage all of my colleagues to vote aye for Todd Blanche as we vote to confirm him as the Nation's Attorney General. He understands the importance of the rule of law, enforcing the rule of law, and abiding by equal justice for all. I yield the floor. I suggest the absence of a quorum.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will call the roll.

The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Kansas.

Jerry Moran (R-KS)

Mr. President, today--this afternoon--the Senate took a really important step to strengthen our national security and pay a final tribute to our colleague Lindsey Graham, the Senator from South Carolina. This step has been a long time coming. But by an overwhelming passage of the Lindsay O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, the Senate sent a clear message to our adversaries: There will be consequences for those who finance terrorism and those who wage an unprovoked war. Over the past several weeks, the administration has increased economic pressures on Russia and on Iran, making clear that the United States will not reward aggression. This legislation builds upon those efforts by giving the President stronger tools to ensure these sanctions remain effective and much more difficult to evade. Through enforcing sanctions on the top five purchasers of Russian crude oil, this proposal aims to address a vital component of the war many have overlooked: Russia's vulnerability lies not only on the battlefield but also on its dependence on energy revenue. If we allow the Kremlin to continue selling billions of dollars of oil and natural gas around the world, we allow Putin to continue unhindered in building advanced weaponry, paying Russian soldiers, and prolonging the conflict. Russia's ability to continue this war depends upon its ability to generate revenue. By increasing economic pressures now, we make it more difficult for Russia to sustain its war efforts. This legislation represents a significant attempt to do just that. Following years of work between Congress, the administration, and our allies, this proposal would finally strike at the financial engine driving Russia's war machine without increasing the global price of oil. This proposal also recognizes an important reality: Sanctioning Russia alone is no longer enough. Importantly, the bill would extend and strengthen sanctions authorities related to Iran, recognizing the growing partnership between Moscow and Tehran. Russia and Iran are no longer acting independently. Iranian drones have terrorized Ukrainian cities. Russia has deepened its military cooperation with Tehran while providing political and strategic support to the Iranian regime. Both governments seek to undermine American interests, threaten our allies, and weaken international order that has helped preserve peace for generations. The passage of this legislation will not, by itself, end the war in Ukraine or change Iran's behavior, but it will make both regimes pay a far higher price for choosing aggression over peace. The Senate has now done its part. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass this legislation and send it to the President's desk. This bill must be swiftly signed into law and implemented in order to hold Russia and those supporting its unjust and unjustifiable war accountable. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Florida.

Ashley Moody (R-FL)

Mr. President, I rise today to urge this esteemed body into action. I know that we are on the verge of a planned, long State work period and that many of my colleagues are looking forward to being back in our homes to meet with our constituents. But here is the thing: I know many of us agree that our business is far from done. The work the American people entrusted to us has not concluded. We have not done what we need to do. We cannot leave Washington until we act upon the most vital aspect of protecting our democracy, and that is securing our elections so that we remain a government of Americans--free Americans--by Americans, for Americans. I am here today to make sure that happens. Our great American experiment hinges on the sanctity and integrity of our elections, and it is our responsibility--every single one of us no matter what side of the aisle we sit on--to protect the United States of America and everything that it was built on. To do that, we have to ensure that only Americans and legitimate voters participate in American elections. Two hundred fifty years ago, this Nation began as a bold experiment in self-representative government, and we are still guided by those enduring words that followed "We the People." And while the challenges we face today may seem more modern, certainly more complex, and more immediate than those confronting the Founders, the principles they laid out remain steadfast--the guarantees to our people. "We the people" agreed we would live among one another, create, enforce, and uphold our laws. To do that, we created a strong Republic that depended on "we the people" being engaged in our elections to select our Representatives--the Representatives of the people--to serve our interests. The SAVE America Act--indeed, election integrity efforts--are grounded in a simple, commonsense--indeed, foundational--principle that only American citizens should vote in American elections. I really am dumbfounded that I still have to come to the floor and have this debate with anybody in this Chamber. I am one of the newest Senators. I just got to Washington last year on behalf of the great, free State of Florida. I fought like heck to protect that State during challenges this Nation had never faced before, and we did it. We are now one of the most successful States, and we are one of the States with the most secure elections. You had better be darned sure I am going to do that here as a U.S. Senator on behalf of all Americans. It shouldn't be controversial. It is not complicated. It is a basic safeguard of our Republic that ensures our government remains truly of, by, and for the American people. From the beginning, the Founders understood the importance of fiercely protecting our elections. Framers like Alexander Hamilton knew that our laws and our system should reflect the will of the American people and no one else. Americans must be able to trust that their elections are not corrupted or skewed or nullified by noncitizens voting or ineligible persons voting. Questions about election integrity are not new. They were recognized and debated by the Founders themselves. During the Constitutional Convention, one member expressed concern that States may make false returns of their elections. States, today, give licenses to those here illegally and then register them to vote. A lot of that paperwork happens at the same time. It is the responsibility of Congress to uphold the election integrity of this country. It is our responsibility to do that on behalf of our constituents back home. In fact, I think it is the responsibility of this Chamber to put it up for a vote so they can see who is standing up for them back home. That is the only way we can ensure the people have confidence in the system and in the legitimacy of our results of elections. This is about more than one bill. Look at any of the election integrity measures that are coming up. I am proud to have been an original sponsor of the SAVE America Act, but voter ID and voter integrity bills--all of these are important. I have also sponsored a bill called Ballots by Election Day to make sure we can get prompt results so people trust these elections. It is about preserving the integrity of our Republic. It is about ensuring that our government remains accountable to the people. It is about protecting a system--a government--that has endured for 250 years. How do we ensure only citizens vote? The answer is so simple: voter ID. It makes sense. You need a valid ID to do so many things--from driving, buying alcohol, checking into a hotel. You even need one to get an unlimited pasta pass from Olive Garden. Some have suggested, in communist Mamdani's city-run grocery store, you have to show an ID to get groceries. But we are not OK with needing an ID to vote? You hear many folks who claim it is too high of a burden to force the American people to provide an ID to vote--the highest privilege of being a citizen. It is a joke. We have to be able to trust our elections are legitimate, and that is something the vast majority of Americans agrees on. The people have been clear. It does not matter which party they are registered with. The majority in every party agrees we should have to show ID for elections. According to the Pew Research Center, 83 percent of Americans support voter ID laws--83 percent. The very groups that Democrats claim would be harmed by this measure support voter ID. It is not a fringe idea. It is a broadly supported, commonsense safeguard. It is also important to remember we have just seen the headlines out of New Jersey where thousands of noncitizens were registered to vote through the State's motor vehicle system. It is further proof as to why the SAVE America Act is needed. Under no circumstances should that have been able to have occurred. Trust in our government is already at a near-record low. The Pew Research Center reports only 17 percent of Americans now say that they trust Washington to do what is right just about always or most of the time. If we leave without passing or voting on voter integrity, it will prove them right. When trust erodes our entire system, our Republic is weakened because, once confidence in our elections is lost, it will be incredibly difficult to restore. The SAVE America Act helps reinforce trust in our elections. It also stands for preserving the integrity of our Republic--for protecting this system that so many have sacrificed to protect over the 250 years of the United States of America. Benjamin Franklin famously replied to a bystander after the Constitutional Convention that we have a Republic if we can keep it. I am here today to say we must keep it, and it is all of our responsibility to stand up and fight to keep it. I didn't come to Washington just to sit here and listen to people debate. I came to Washington to get things done, and I came to Washington to make a difference. I need my colleagues to join me in being committed to pushing through and getting a vote and taking an action on securing our elections. The people in our States--the people we serve, our bosses back home--want this. They are demanding that we get this done. So let's get this done and save America. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Maine.

Susan M. Collins (R-ME)

Mr. President, later tonight, my colleagues will be asked to pass the continuing resolution before us to prevent a government shutdown. As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to craft this stopgap funding measure. The continuing resolution that we produced is bipartisan and is supported by the administration. After three unnecessary lapses in funding during the fiscal year 2026 cycle, putting the possibility of yet another harmful shutdown off the table should be a priority for each and every one of us. This continuing resolution is straightforward. It continues current government funding levels until December 11, with limited anomalies aimed at avoiding disruptions in crucial government activities and programs. For example, our legislation includes necessary adjustments for programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children--better known as the WIC Program--to address program costs and participation levels. It allows the USDA loan programs to operate uninterrupted for our Nation's farmers. It gives the Department of Housing and Urban Development the resources it needs to maintain housing assistance for thousands of families, and we all know how absolutely critical that is. This continuing resolution also includes anomalies to prevent construction delays for several classes of U.S. Navy vessels, including the DDG-51s. It includes language to counter emergent cyber security threats, and it would help Federal law enforcement handle and plan for national security events. The resolution allows the administration immediate access to the full funding amounts for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund and for the Forest Service and Department of the Interior's wildfire suppression efforts. We have only to look at the news to know just how critical those efforts and programs are. This bipartisan agreement also prevents the Office of Management and Budget from implementing a proposed rule regarding Federal financial assistance--from taking effect for the coming months. I advocated for significant changes to the proposed rule in a July 6 letter to the Agency, citing its potential to politicize the grant-making process and harm small, rural communities; our university, college, and nonprofit laboratories; our hospitals; our families; and biomedical research in general. There have been nearly 500,000 comments on this proposed rule, the vast majority of them against the changes that are proposed. I don't think that in the time I have been privileged to serve in the Senate, I have ever seen a proposed rule generate that many negative comments. This CR also gives Congress the time that it needs to continue our work on bipartisan appropriations bills. Last cycle, we were successful in getting 11 out of the 12 bills passed and signed into law. I hope we can do that this time as well, and the additional time the continuing resolution will give us should help bring that about. It is so important that Congress not abrogate its power of the purse--our constitutional responsibility. Senate passage of this continuing resolution would be a major step toward averting a damaging shutdown that could harm vital programs and throw the lives of Federal workers into disarray. We saw what happened in the shutdowns that occurred during the last cycle that were both unwarranted and unfair to so many of our Federal employees, particularly those who are forced to work without knowing when they would be paid. We cannot allow that to happen again. I very much appreciate the overwhelming bipartisan vote earlier today of 91 to 6, with 1 person voting "present," to move forward with this legislation. I urge another "aye" vote tonight so that we can keep our government open and working for the American people.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Iowa.

Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025

Page S4547 · Official text

Joni Ernst (R-IA)

Mr. President, taxpayers deserve to know how the money they send to Washington is being spent. For 20 years now, the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act has required unclassified government spending to be put online in a searchable public website, USAspending.gov. This allows taxpayers to review the receipts for themselves. Bureaucrats, however, have been hiding tens of billions of dollars distributed through secret spending arrangements known as other transaction agreements, or OTAs, by not publicly disclosing these expenditures on USAspending.gov. With fraudsters stealing $1.4 billion every single day, we need this information now so we can account for who is taking tax dollars and why. In June, the Senate unanimously passed my bipartisan Stop Secret Spending Act to require OTAs to be publicly disclosed on USAspending.gov, just like all other government spending. Last month, the House approved the bipartisan companion bill introduced by Representatives Moore and Panetta. Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate agree that Washington needs to finally end the secrecy about how tens of billions of dollars are being spent every year. That is a win for everyone, especially our taxpayers. Let's send this bill to the President today so it becomes law. Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of H.R. 2069, which was received from the House.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

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A bill (H.R. 2069) to amend the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to ensure that other transaction agreements are reported to USAspending.gov, and for other purposes.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

Joni Ernst (R-IA)

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 2069) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Oregon.

DOUG LaMALFA FEDERAL DISASTER TAX RELIEF CERTAINTY ACT

Page S4547 · Official text

Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 5366 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (272 characters)

A bill (H.R. 5366) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to codify and extend the rules for personal casualty losses arising from major disasters and the rules for the exclusion from gross income of compensation for losses or damages resulting from certain wildfires.

There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 5366) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

Mr. President and those following the debate, what this is all about is when you lose your home in a wildfire, the last thing you ought to be worried about is being hit by a massive tax bill. The bipartisan disaster relief bill that we just passed would give Oregonians and westerners affected by these blazes some real peace of mind. It would lift the massive tax burden and deliver financial relief to each American impacted by a federally designated natural disaster. It is going to get rid of totally unfair taxes on settlement payments and ensure disaster victims can deduct losses after disasters. That is an issue the Republicans created under Donald Trump in 2017. So, this is an important day for my constituents at home in Oregon and folks in the West because we are taking away what really amounts to a wrecking ball that has been hitting them in terms of the form of a massive tax hit. I urge my colleagues to get the word out about the important relief that has just been passed. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Michigan.

Federal Building Threat Notification Act

Pages S4547–S4548 · Official text

Gary C. Peters (D-MI)

Mr. President, I will shortly ask for unanimous consent to pass the Federal Building Threat Notification Act, a bipartisan legislation that I introduced with Senators Lankford and Ernst to improve emergency communications in Federal buildings. This bill was voted unanimously out of committee yesterday. The men and women who serve our country should be able to do their jobs in a safe and secure workplace, and members of the public who enter Federal buildings to receive essential services should be confident of that--if a violent threat occurs, that they will be quickly informed and told that they need to say safe. Unfortunately, that is not what is always happening today. Last January, shots were fired directly outside the McNamara Federal Building in Detroit, in my home State of Michigan. Yet the Federal employees working inside the building were not informed about the incident until hours after it happened. This is simply unacceptable. When a firearm is discharged near a Federal building and chaos ensues, the people inside should not be left wondering what the heck is happening. They should not have to rely on social media, a phone call from a family member, or news reports to learn about a threat outside of their workplace. They should receive clear and timely information from the officials responsible for protecting that building in an emergency because, as you know, every minute matters. Employees and visitors need to know whether they should shelter in place, evacuate the building, avoid a particular entrance, or take other immediate steps to protect themselves and to protect the public. The incident in Detroit exposed a serious gap in our Federal security procedures, and it occurred at a time when threats against government facilities are increasing. Over the last 5 years, there has been a sharp increase in terrorist attacks and plots against government targets, including bomb threats. We have a responsibility to make sure everyone inside these buildings has the information they need during a crisis, and that is exactly what this bipartisan bill will do. The Federal Building Threat Notification Act would require the Federal Protective Service and the Department of Homeland Security to develop and implement clear guidance for emergency communications within 1 year. That guidance would establish best practices and protocols for promptly notifying building tenants that violent threats are occurring inside or immediately surrounding a Federal building. That includes shootings and other firearm incidents, threats involving other types of weapons, and potential terrorist activity as well as suspicious devices. Just as importantly, the guidance must provide employees and other building tenants with clear instructions about the appropriate safety measures they should take in response. This bill would also ensure that every building protected by the Federal Protective Service has a designated security official responsible for carrying out these procedures. Finally, the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Protective Service would report back to Congress on the guidance they put into place. These are straightforward, commonsense protections, and I am proud to have the support of my colleagues from across the aisle, Senator Lankford and Senator Ernst. We know these threats are real, we know there is a gap in our current system, and we know what needs to be done to address it. This legislation is bipartisan because keeping Federal employees and the public safe should never be a partisan issue. We should not wait for another dangerous incident or a tragedy before taking action. So I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bill, strengthen emergency communications in Federal buildings, and help ensure that employees and visitors receive timely information when their safety is at risk. Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 545, S. 2542.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (166 characters)

A bill (S. 2542) to direct the Director of the Federal Protective Service to establish guidance relating to emergency protocols for buildings, and for other purposes.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill which had been reported from the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (3,554 characters)

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Federal Building Threat Notification Act". SEC. 2. GUIDANCE FOR BUILDINGS. (a) Definition.--In this section, the term "law enforcement-related" means requiring a law enforcement response. (b) Guidance.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Federal Protective Service shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, develop and implement guidance for emergency communication regarding law enforcement-related events for Federal tenants in buildings under the protection of the Federal Protective Service. (2) Contents.--The guidance developed under paragraph (1) shall include best practices and protocols relating to-- (A) standard operating procedures to inform building tenants in a timely manner of violent threats in the building or within approximately 150 feet of the building perimeter, including all firearm events, other weapons threats, acts of or threats of potential, suspected, or confirmed terrorism, and the discovery of suspicious devices or materials; and (B) ensuring that tenants receive instructions for safety practices in response to an immediate threat or a heightened risk of a threat. (c) Security Officials.-- (1) In general.--The designated official of the Facility Security Committee for each building under the protection of the Federal Protective Service shall be responsible for implementing the guidance at the respective building. (2) Designated official.--Consistent with the Interagency Security Committee guidelines and applicable Federal law, the Director of the Federal Protective Service shall confirm that each department or agency with a building or office space under the protection of the Federal Protective Service has a designated official of the Facility Security Committee. (d) Assessment of Law Enforcement-Related Crisis Response.--The Director of the Federal Protective Service shall-- (1) ensure that all Federal tenants in buildings under the protection of the Federal Protective Service are able to adequately respond to a law enforcement-related crisis; and (2) conduct periodic testing to prepare for such event. (e) Report.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Federal Protective Service shall, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security, electronically submit to Congress a report, not longer than 10 pages, on the best practices and protocols implemented under this Act. (2) Briefing.--The Director of the Federal Protective Service shall provide to Congress a briefing on the report required under paragraph (1) and shall present any information relating to support needed to maintain the safety of buildings under the protection of the Federal Protective Service. (f) No Additional Funds.--No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act. Mr. PETERS. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment, in the nature of a substitute, was agreed to. The bill (S. 2542), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Cramer). The Senator from Ohio.

Recess

Page S4548 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess until 7:30 p.m. and that all time in the recess count postcloture.

There being no objection, the Senate, at 6:25 p.m., recessed until 7:30 p.m. and reassembled when called to order by the Presiding Officer (Mr. Hagerty).

AGOA EXTENSION ACT--Continued

Page S4548 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Ohio.

Recess

Page S4548 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand in recess until 8:15 p.m. and that all time in the recess count postcloture.

There being no objection, the Senate, at 7:30 p.m., recessed until 8:15 p.m. and reassembled when called to order by the Presiding Officer (Mr. Moreno).

AGOA EXTENSION ACT--Continued

Page S4548 · Official text

(Mr. HUSTED assumed the Chair.)

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Armstrong)

The Senator from Ohio.

EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)

Pages S4548–S4549 · Official text

Mr. President, notwithstanding rule XXII, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations on the Secretary's desk: PN1104-2, John A. Goodwin in the Army, and all nominations in the Coast Guard with the exception of PN846; that the nominations be confirmed; that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to the nomination; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's actions and the Senate then resume legislative session.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The nominations considered and confirmed are as follows:

Text printed in the Record (682 characters)

PN1104-2 ARMY nomination of JOHN A. GOODWIN, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 23, 2026. *PN1174 COAST GUARD nomination of James C. Meyers, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. *PN1175 COAST GUARD nominations (2) beginning AARON J. CASAVANT, and ending JEREMY A. WEISS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. *PN1176 COAST GUARD nominations (2) beginning CAROLINE M. JENKINS, and ending CHRISTINE E. OLDS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

=========================== NOTE =========================== On page S4549, August 7, 2026, in the first column, the following appears: *PN1174 COAST GUARD nomination of James C. Meyers, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 13, 2026. *PN1175 COAST GUARD nominations (2) beginning AARON J. CASAVANT, and ending JEREMY A WEISS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. *PN1176 COAST GUARD nominations (2) beginning CAROLINE M. JENKINS, and ending CHRISTINE E. OLDS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of June 13, 2026. The online Record has been corrected to read: *PN1174 COAST GUARD nomination of James C. Meyers, which was received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. *PN1175 COAST GUARD nominations (2) beginning AARON J. CASAVANT, and ending JEREMY A WEISS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. *PN1176 COAST GUARD nominations (2) beginning CAROLINE M. JENKINS, and ending CHRISTINE E. OLDS, which nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record of July 13, 2026. ========================= END NOTE =========================

Legislative Session

Page S4549 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senate will now resume legislative session.

Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026

Pages S4549–S4550 · Official text

OFFICER JOHN BARNES AND CHIEF MICHAEL ANSBRO PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS' BENEFIT PROGRAM EXPANSION ACT OF 2026

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 416, S. 3897.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (128 characters)

A bill (S. 3897) to revise administrative procedures relating to public safety officers' death benefits, and for other purposes.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill, which had been reported from the Committee on the Judiciary with an amendment to strike all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (8,626 characters)

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026". SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFITS. (a) In General.--Section 1205 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10285) is amended-- (1) in subsection (e)(2)(E), by inserting ", including whether the delay is due to the inaction of the claimant or an agency from which information is required" after "basis for delay"; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(f) Notice and Interim Benefits.-- "(1) Notice of missing information.--Not later than 90 calendar days after receiving a claim filed under this subpart, the Bureau shall notify the claimant or the relevant agency of any missing information required to process the claim. "(2) Notice of determination.-- "(A) In general.--Not later than 270 calendar days after receiving all information required to process the claim, the Bureau shall inform the claimant of the Bureau's final, appealable determination as to the claimant's benefit eligibility. "(B) Interim benefits as notice.--Provision of interim benefits under section 1201(c) shall be deemed to be notice under subparagraph (A). "(3) Interim benefits.-- "(A) Entitlement.--If the Bureau fails to inform a claimant of the Bureau's determination on or before the date that is 270 calendar days after receiving all information required to process the claim, the Bureau shall issue a single interim benefit payment with respect to the claim, payable only to-- "(i) a claimant whose status as an eligible beneficiary is undisputed; or "(ii) if beneficiary status remains unresolved, an escrow or fiduciary account, pending final determination under section 1201. "(B) Rescission or repayment.--Any interim benefits paid under this subsection-- "(i) shall be credited against any final benefit determination made under section 1201; "(ii) shall not be subject to recoupment or affirmative repayment by the Bureau, except in cases of fraud or material misrepresentation; and "(iii) shall not be construed to create an entitlement to benefits if the claimant or decedent is determined to be ineligible under this part. "(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to-- "(A) limit the Bureau's authority to deny a claim for failure to meet statutory eligibility requirements; "(B) alter the determination of eligible beneficiaries under section 1201; or "(C) require payment of interim benefits to multiple claimants if the statute authorizes payment to only 1 or more mutually exclusive beneficiaries. "(g) Outreach.--The Bureau shall-- "(1) conduct outreach efforts on an ongoing basis to ensure that public safety officers and underserved public agencies are aware of the program under this part, including outreach efforts for disabled public safety officers; and "(2) include in the outreach efforts under paragraph (1) regular communications with national public safety organizations, public safety agencies, and organizations supporting disabled public safety officers and the families of fallen officers. "(h) Summary of Backlogged Claims.--Not later than 30 days after publishing the report required under subsection (e)(2), the Bureau shall submit a summary of the information required to be reported under subsection (e)(2)(E) to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. "(i) Audit of Backlogged Claims.--On an annual basis, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an audit of any pending claims under this part that were submitted to the Bureau more than 1 year before the date on which the audit is commenced, to identify programmatic challenges to the timely processing of death, disability, and educational assistance claims. As part of the audit, the Comptroller General of the United States shall also review-- "(1) where the claim is in the determination process; "(2) the reasons for delay, including any processes, such as legal review, that prevent timely processing of claims; "(3) whether the agency has used its subpoena authority for the claims; "(4) the frequency of outreach to the claimant and efforts to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of outreach and claims assistance efforts; "(5) the efforts of the Bureau to implement a claims processing manual to ensure consistency across staff in determining claims; and "(6) efforts to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of outreach and claims assistance efforts.". (b) Subpoena Requirement.--Section 1206(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10288(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking "and" at the end; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(3) with respect to information or documentation in the possession of a public agency that the Bureau has determined is necessary to adjudicate the claim that the public agency has failed to provide by the date that is 30 days after the date of the Bureau's or the claimant's request to provide the information or documentation, shall issue a subpoena to the public agency to obtain the information or documentation, unless the Bureau has approved an extension not exceeding 60 days.". (c) Definitions.-- (1) In general.--Section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10284) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii), by striking "parapalegic" and inserting "paraplegic"; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (14) as paragraphs (9) through (15), respectively; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: "(8) `gainful work' means gainful work activity, as defined in section 32.23 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation;". (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) Internal revenue code.--Section 402(l)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "(9)(A)" each place it appears. (B) Title 28.--Section 1863(b)(5)(B) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking "section 1203(6)" and inserting "section 1204". SEC. 3. EXPEDITED PAYMENT FOR VCF OR WTCHP DETERMINATIONS. Section 1205(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10285(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(4) In making determinations under section 1201(a), the Bureau shall, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, as determined by the Bureau, approve any claim if the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note; Public Law 107-42) (commonly referred to as the `VCF') or the World Trade Center Health Program under title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300mm et seq.) provides a certification of facts that-- "(A) the claim is eligible for death benefits under the Victim Compensation Fund; or "(B) the cause of claimant's death is a World Trade Center Health Program-related condition.". SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN GAO RECOMMENDATIONS. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall ensure that the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance implements the recommendations provided in the report of the Government Accountability Office entitled "Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Transparency, Claims Assistance, and Program Management Improvements Needed" (GAO-24-105549), published on September 27, 2024. Mr. MORENO. I ask unanimous consent that the committee-reported substitute amendment be withdrawn; that the Gillibrand substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The committee-reported amendment, in the nature of a substitute, was withdrawn. The amendment (No. 6764), in the nature of a substitute, was agreed to as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026". SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFITS. (a) In General.--Section 1205 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C.

Text printed in the Record (7,383 characters)

10285) is amended-- (1) in subsection (e)(2)(E), by inserting ", including whether the delay is due to the inaction of the claimant or an agency from which information is required" after "basis for delay"; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(f) Notice and Interim Benefits.-- "(1) Notice of missing information.--Not later than 90 calendar days after receiving a claim filed under this subpart, the Bureau shall notify the claimant or the relevant agency of any missing information required to process the claim. "(2) Notice of determination.-- "(A) In general.--Not later than 270 calendar days after receiving all information required to process the claim, the Bureau shall inform the claimant of the Bureau's final, appealable determination as to the claimant's benefit eligibility. "(B) Interim benefits as notice.--Provision of interim benefits under section 1201(c) shall be deemed to be notice under subparagraph (A). "(3) Interim benefits.-- "(A) Entitlement.--If the Bureau fails to inform a claimant of the Bureau's determination on or before the date that is 270 calendar days after receiving all information required to process the claim, the Bureau shall issue a single interim benefit payment with respect to the claim, payable only to-- "(i) a claimant whose status as an eligible beneficiary is undisputed; or "(ii) if beneficiary status remains unresolved, an escrow or fiduciary account, pending final determination under section 1201. "(B) Rescission or repayment.--Any interim benefits paid under this subsection-- "(i) shall be credited against any final benefit determination made under section 1201; "(ii) shall not be subject to recoupment or affirmative repayment by the Bureau, except in cases of fraud or material misrepresentation; and "(iii) shall not be construed to create an entitlement to benefits if the claimant or decedent is determined to be ineligible under this part. "(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to-- "(A) limit the Bureau's authority to deny a claim for failure to meet statutory eligibility requirements; "(B) alter the determination of eligible beneficiaries under section 1201; or "(C) require payment of interim benefits to multiple claimants if the statute authorizes payment to only 1 or more mutually exclusive beneficiaries. "(g) Outreach.--The Bureau shall-- "(1) conduct outreach efforts on an ongoing basis to ensure that public safety officers and underserved public agencies are aware of the program under this part, including outreach efforts for disabled public safety officers; and "(2) include in the outreach efforts under paragraph (1) regular communications with national public safety organizations, public safety agencies, and organizations supporting disabled public safety officers and the families of fallen officers. "(h) Summary of Backlogged Claims.--Not later than 30 days after publishing the report required under subsection (e)(2), the Bureau shall submit a summary of the information required to be reported under subsection (e)(2)(E) to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. "(i) Audit of Backlogged Claims.--On an annual basis, the Comptroller General shall conduct an audit of any pending claims under this part that were submitted to the Bureau more than 1 year before the date on which the audit is commenced, to identify programmatic challenges to the timely processing of death, disability, and educational assistance claims. As part of the audit, the Comptroller General shall also review-- "(1) where the claim is in the determination process; "(2) the reasons for delay, including any processes, such as legal review, that prevent timely processing of claims; "(3) whether the agency has used its subpoena authority for the claims; "(4) the frequency of outreach to the claimant and efforts to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of outreach and claims assistance efforts; "(5) the efforts of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a claims processing manual to ensure consistency across staff in determining claims; and "(6) efforts to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of outreach and claims assistance efforts.". (b) Subpoena Requirement.--Section 1206(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10288(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking "and" at the end; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(3) with respect to information or documentation in the possession of a public agency that the Bureau has determined is necessary to adjudicate the claim that the public agency has failed to provide by the date that is 30 days after the date of the Bureau's or the claimant's request to provide the information or documentation, shall issue a subpoena to the public agency to obtain the information or documentation, unless the Bureau has approved an extension not exceeding 60 days.". (c) Definitions.-- (1) In general.--Section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10284) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii), by striking "parapalegic" and inserting "paraplegic"; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (14) as paragraphs (9) through (15), respectively; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: "(8) `gainful work' means gainful work activity, as defined in section 32.23 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulation;". (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) Internal revenue code.--Section 402(l)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "(42 U.S.C. 3796b(9)(A))". (B) Title 28.--Section 1863(b)(5)(B) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking "section 1203(6)" and inserting "section 1204". SEC. 3. EXPEDITED PAYMENT FOR VCF OR WTCHP DETERMINATIONS. Section 1205(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10285(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(4) In making determinations under section 1201(a), the Bureau shall, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, as determined by the Bureau, approve any claim if the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note; Public Law 107-42) (commonly referred to as the `VCF') or the World Trade Center Health Program under title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300mm et seq.) provides a certification of facts that-- "(A) the claim is eligible for death benefits under the Victim Compensation Fund; or "(B) the cause of claimant's death is a World Trade Center Health Program-related condition.". SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN GAO RECOMMENDATIONS. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall ensure that the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance implements the recommendations provided in the report of the Government Accountability Office entitled "Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Transparency, Claims Assistance, and Program Management Improvements Needed" (GAO-24-105549), published on September 27, 2024. The bill (S. 3897), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act

Pages S4550–S4551 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 4850 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (116 characters)

A bill (S. 4850) to amend title 28, United States Code, to adjust thresholds relating to jurisdiction for inflation.

There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (S. 4850) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed as follows:

Text printed in the Record (2,551 characters)

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act". SEC. 2. INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS. Section 1332 of title 28, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a), by striking "of $75,000" and inserting "described in subsection (b)"; and (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: "(b)(1) The matter in controversy described in this subsection is not less than $150,000, as adjusted under paragraph (2), exclusive of interest and costs. "(2)(A) In this paragraph-- "(i) the term `appropriate year' means the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which the adjustment under paragraph (1) is to take effect; and "(ii) the term `Consumer Price Index' means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor. "(B) Effective on January 1, 2030, and January 1 of each tenth year thereafter, the dollar amount then in effect as the minimum amount in controversy applicable under paragraph (1) shall be adjusted by an amount, rounded to the nearest $25,000 (or, if midway between multiples, to the next higher multiple of $25,000) which reflects the change in the Consumer Price Index for the month of September of the appropriate year, over the Consumer Price Index for-- "(i) in the case of the initial adjustment, the month of September 2025; and "(ii) in the case of each subsequent adjustment, September of the year preceding the last adjustment. "(C) The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall determine the amount of each adjustment under paragraph (1) and, not later than November 15 of the appropriate year, shall submit for publication in the Federal Register the amount (and the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index that is the basis for the amount) and the new minimum amount in controversy to take effect on January 1 of the succeeding calendar year. "(3) Except when express provision therefor is otherwise made in a statute of the United States, where the plaintiff who files the case originally in the Federal courts is finally adjudged to be entitled to recover less than the sum or value required under paragraph (1) without regard to any setoff or counterclaim to which the defendant may be adjudged to be entitled, and exclusive of interest and costs, the district court may deny costs to the plaintiff and, in addition, may impose costs on the plaintiff.".

Common Cents Act

Page S4551 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs be discharged from further consideration of S. 1525 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (185 characters)

A bill (S. 1525) to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to stop minting the penny, to require cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents, and for other purposes.

There being no objection, the committee was discharged and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the Lummis substitute amendment, which is at the desk, be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment (No. 6766) in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.

(The amendment is printed in today's Record under "Text of Amendments.")

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The bill (S. 1525), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

Expanding the Sharing of Information with Respect to Suspected Violations of Intellectual Property Rights in Trade

Page S4551 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Finance be discharged from further consideration of S. 2677 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (132 characters)

A bill (S. 2677) to expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade.

There being no objection, the committee was discharged and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Grassley substitute amendment at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be considered read a third time and passed; and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The amendment (No. 6767) in the nature of a substitute was agreed to, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (1,958 characters)

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHARING OF INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Section 628A of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1628a) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "suspects" and inserting "has a reasonable suspicion"; (B) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by inserting ", packing materials, containers," after "its packaging" the first place it appears; (ii) by striking "and its packaging and labels" after "images of the merchandise" and inserting ", its packaging, packing materials, containers, and labels"; and (iii) by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon; (C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: "(3) may provide to the person nonpublic information about the merchandise that was generated by an online marketplace or other similar market platform, express consignment operator, freight forwarder, or any other entity that plays a role in the sale or importation of merchandise, or the facilitation thereof, into the United States that has been provided to, shared with, or obtained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and "(4) in the case of the provision of nonpublic information described in paragraph (3), shall provide to the person notification of the information transmitted, in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe."; and (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in paragraph (3), by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting "; and"; and (C) by adding at the end the following: "(5) any other party with an interest in the merchandise, as determined appropriate by the Commissioner.". The bill (S. 2677), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Extension Act

Page S4551 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 2196 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (218 characters)

A bill (H.R. 2196) to provide for an extension of the legislative authority of the National Emergency Medical Services Memorial Foundation to establish a commemorative work in the District of Columbia and its environs.

There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 2196) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

Removing Restrictions from a Parcel of Land in Paducah, Kentucky

Pages S4551–S4552 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1276 and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the bill by title.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (85 characters)

A bill (H.R. 1276) to remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.

There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

I ask unanimous consent that the bill be considered read a third time and passed and that the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The bill (H.R. 1276) was ordered to a third reading, was read the third time, and passed.

Commending the Chicago Cubs Baseball Team as It Celebrates Its 150th Anniversary on August 29, 2026

Pages S4552–S4553 · Official text

COMMENDING THE CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL TEAM AS IT CELEBRATES ITS 150TH ANNIVERSARY ON AUGUST 29, 2026

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res 815.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (127 characters)

A resolution (S. Res. 815) commending the Chicago Cubs baseball team as it celebrates its 150th anniversary on August 29, 2026.

There being no objection, the committee was discharged and the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to; that the substitute amendment to the preamble at the desk be considered and agreed to; that the preamble, as amended, be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 815) was agreed to. The amendment (No. 6765) to the preamble, in the nature of a substitute, was agreed to as follows:

Text printed in the Record (11,177 characters)

Strike the preamble and insert the following: Whereas the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs in 1876; Whereas, since 1876, more than 182,000,000 fans have attended Chicago Cubs games, and millions more have listened to games on the radio and watched on television across the United States and the world; Whereas the founding team had only 11 players for the entire season, including hall of famers James "Deacon" White, Adrian "Cap" Anson and Albert G. Spalding; Whereas Albert G. Spalding, a native of Illinois and founder of the sporting goods company which still bears his name today, served as the pitcher and manager; Whereas the 1906 Chicago Cubs finished the season with a record of 116-36, before losing the World Series to the Chicago White Sox; Whereas the Chicago Cubs' 116 victories in the 1906 season remain tied for the Major League Baseball single-season record; Whereas the Chicago Cubs won both the 1907 and 1908 World Series against the Detroit Tigers while playing home games at the West Side Grounds; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have played at Wrigley Field since 1916, which is a designated National Historic Landmark and the second oldest active ballpark in Major League Baseball; Whereas Wrigley Field was the last baseball stadium to have lights installed in 1988, the first stadium to have an organ playing music, the first stadium to build permanent concession stands, and the first ballpark to broadcast an entire season of home games live; Whereas "Wrigleyville" is the vibrant neighborhood that surrounds Wrigley Field, providing a location for fans to support surrounding small businesses, galvanize the city of Chicago, and come together to root the Chicago Cubs to victory; Whereas Harry Caray, whose trademark call of "Holy Cow" became known to baseball fans around the world, broadcasted thousands of baseball games during a career spanning more than 50 years, including 16 seasons as the beloved television voice of the Chicago Cubs from 1982 through 1997, was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and received the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse, who served as the voice of the Chicago Cubs on the radio from 1940 through 1944, became the television announcer from 1947 through 1981, and was known for his "Hey-Hey!" catchphrase, was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas Pat Hughes, the Chicago Cubs lead play-by-play radio announcer, whose voice is woven into the fabric of sports culture in Chicago, called the 2016 World Series championship that ended the 108-year drought for the Cubs, and was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas, between 1948 and 2019, WGN-TV revolutionized baseball broadcasting and brought Chicago Cubs baseball to the masses, airing more than 7,000 Cubs games and helping spread the thrills of Cubs baseball through its unsurpassed sports coverage and its historic partnership with the team; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have won 8 division titles, 17 National League pennants, and 3 World Series championships, including in 2016 when the Cubs completed a historic comeback from down 3 games to 1 to defeat the Cleveland Indians in 7 games; Whereas the parade following the 2016 World Series championship, attended by an estimated 5,000,000 people, celebrated the Cubs making the World Series for the first time since 1945 and breaking the so-called "Curse of the Billy Goat"; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have scored more than 103,400 runs, have more than 200,000 hits, and are only the third franchise in Major League Baseball to have hit over 15,000 home runs; Whereas more than 50 players, managers, and executives for the Chicago Cubs have been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York; Whereas Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins became one of the most dominant pitchers in the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1971 went 24-13, throwing complete games in 30 of his 39 starts and becoming the first pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and the first Canadian to win the Cy Young Award; Whereas, between 1953 and 1971, Ernie Banks, who was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama and inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, played as shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs and was well-known for his catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame . . . Let's play two!"; Whereas, in 1998, Sammy Sosa, 1 of 8 players in history with more than 600 home runs, famously battled with the rival Cardinals' Mark McGwire to break Roger Maris' single-season record of 61 home runs, earning the National League Most Valuable Player Award and leading the Cubs to the playoffs; Whereas Ron Santo, who played third base for the Cubs for 14 seasons, was selected to 9 All-Star Games, won 5 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Billy Williams, left fielder and 6-time All Star, was named 1961 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting 25 home runs with 86 runs batted in and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg made 10 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, won 9 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 through 1991, and delivered one of the most memorable performances in Chicago Cubs history during what is known as the "Sandberg Game," hitting game-tying home runs in the ninth and tenth innings against future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter and helping the Cubs defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 12-11 in 11 innings; Whereas famous Chicago Cubs such as Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker, Mordecai Brown, Gabby Hartnett, Hack Wilson, Stan Hack, Phil Cavarretta, Andre Dawson, Lee Smith, Kerry Wood, Anthony Rizzo, and more than 2,000 others have brought joy to fans for generations; and Whereas, since 2009, Cubs Charities has donated more than $51,000,000 to promote youth sports and improve the well- being of children and families throughout Chicago and Illinois: Now, therefore, be it The preamble, as amended, was agreed to. The resolution, with its preamble, as amended, reads as follows: Whereas the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs in 1876; Whereas, since 1876, more than 182,000,000 fans have attended Chicago Cubs games, and millions more have listened to games on the radio and watched on television across the United States and the world; Whereas the founding team had only 11 players for the entire season, including hall of famers James "Deacon" White, Adrian "Cap" Anson and Albert G. Spalding; Whereas Albert G. Spalding, a native of Illinois and founder of the sporting goods company which still bears his name today, served as the pitcher and manager; Whereas the 1906 Chicago Cubs finished the season with a record of 116-36, before losing the World Series to the Chicago White Sox; Whereas the Chicago Cubs' 116 victories in the 1906 season remain tied for the Major League Baseball single-season record; Whereas the Chicago Cubs won both the 1907 and 1908 World Series against the Detroit Tigers while playing home games at the West Side Grounds; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have played at Wrigley Field since 1916, which is a designated National Historic Landmark and the second oldest active ballpark in Major League Baseball; Whereas Wrigley Field was the last baseball stadium to have lights installed in 1988, the first stadium to have an organ playing music, the first stadium to build permanent concession stands, and the first ballpark to broadcast an entire season of home games live; Whereas "Wrigleyville" is the vibrant neighborhood that surrounds Wrigley Field, providing a location for fans to support surrounding small businesses, galvanize the city of Chicago, and come together to root the Chicago Cubs to victory; Whereas Harry Caray, whose trademark call of "Holy Cow" became known to baseball fans around the world, broadcasted thousands of baseball games during a career spanning more than 50 years, including 16 seasons as the beloved television voice of the Chicago Cubs from 1982 through 1997, was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and received the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse, who served as the voice of the Chicago Cubs on the radio from 1940 through 1944, became the television announcer from 1947 through 1981, and was known for his "Hey-Hey!" catchphrase, was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas Pat Hughes, the Chicago Cubs lead play-by-play radio announcer, whose voice is woven into the fabric of sports culture in Chicago, called the 2016 World Series championship that ended the 108-year drought for the Cubs, and was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas, between 1948 and 2019, WGN-TV revolutionized baseball broadcasting and brought Chicago Cubs baseball to the masses, airing more than 7,000 Cubs games and helping spread the thrills of Cubs baseball through its unsurpassed sports coverage and its historic partnership with the team; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have won 8 division titles, 17 National League pennants, and 3 World Series championships, including in 2016 when the Cubs completed a historic comeback from down 3 games to 1 to defeat the Cleveland Indians in 7 games; Whereas the parade following the 2016 World Series championship, attended by an estimated 5,000,000 people, celebrated the Cubs making the World Series for the first time since 1945 and breaking the so-called "Curse of the Billy Goat"; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have scored more than 103,400 runs, have more than 200,000 hits, and are only the third franchise in Major League Baseball to have hit over 15,000 home runs; Whereas more than 50 players, managers, and executives for the Chicago Cubs have been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York; Whereas Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins became one of the most dominant pitchers in the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1971 went 24-13, throwing complete games in 30 of his 39 starts and becoming the first pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and the first Canadian to win the Cy Young Award; Whereas, between 1953 and 1971, Ernie Banks, who was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama and inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, played as shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs and was well-known for his catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame . . .

Text printed in the Record (2,019 characters)

Let's play two!"; Whereas, in 1998, Sammy Sosa, 1 of 8 players in history with more than 600 home runs, famously battled with the rival Cardinals' Mark McGwire to break Roger Maris' single-season record of 61 home runs, earning the National League Most Valuable Player Award and leading the Cubs to the playoffs; Whereas Ron Santo, who played third base for the Cubs for 14 seasons, was selected to 9 All-Star Games, won 5 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Billy Williams, left fielder and 6-time All Star, was named 1961 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting 25 home runs with 86 runs batted in and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg made 10 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, won 9 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 through 1991, and delivered one of the most memorable performances in Chicago Cubs history during what is known as the "Sandberg Game," hitting game-tying home runs in the ninth and tenth innings against future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter and helping the Cubs defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 12-11 in 11 innings; Whereas famous Chicago Cubs such as Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker, Mordecai Brown, Gabby Hartnett, Hack Wilson, Stan Hack, Phil Cavarretta, Andre Dawson, Lee Smith, Kerry Wood, Anthony Rizzo, and more than 2,000 others have brought joy to fans for generations; and Whereas, since 2009, Cubs Charities has donated more than $51,000,000 to promote youth sports and improve the well-being of children and families throughout Chicago and Illinois: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate commends the Chicago Cubs on the celebration of their 150th anniversary on August 29, 2026, in light of their successes on the field, their significant contributions to the sport, and the tremendous sense of pride they have provided for all those who have played for, worked for, and enjoyed the triumphs of the Chicago Cubs.

National Lighthouse Day

Page S4553 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration and the Senate now proceed to S. Res 820.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (83 characters)

A resolution (S. Res 820) designating August 7, 2026, as "National Lighthouse Day".

There being no objection, the committee was discharged and the Senate proceeded to consider the resolution.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to; that the preamble be agreed to; and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolution (S. Res. 820) was agreed to.

The preamble was agreed to. (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in the Record of July 30, 2026, under "Submitted Resolutions.")

Resolutions Submitted Today

Page S4553 · Official text

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the en bloc consideration of the following resolutions, which are at the desk: S. Res. 843, S. Res. 844, S. Res. 845, and S. Res. 846.

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the resolutions en bloc.

I ask unanimous consent that the resolutions be agreed to, the preambles be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered. The resolutions were agreed to. The preambles were agreed to.

(The resolutions, with their preambles, are printed in today's Record under "Submitted Resolutions.")

AGOA EXTENSION ACT--Continued

Pages S4553–S4555 · Official text

(Mr. MORENO assumed the Chair.)

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Lee)

The majority leader.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, the Senate vote on the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to S. 4668 at a time to be determined by the majority leader, in consultation with the Democratic leader, no earlier than September 15 and no later than September 23.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I also ask unanimous consent that all pending amendments and motions be withdrawn and the only amendments remaining in order be the following to be offered by the sponsor or their designee and with 2 minutes of debate, equally divided, prior to each vote: Collins No. 6732; Collins No. 6750; and Budd No. 6747; further, upon the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate vote in relation to the Budd amendment, if offered; and upon disposition of the amendment, the Collins amendment No. 6732, as amended, if amended, be agreed to; that the bill, as amended, be read a third time and the Senate vote on passage of the bill, as amended, with 60 affirmative votes required for passage; finally, if passed, the Collins amendment to the title, No. 6750, be agreed to and the title, as amended, be agreed to and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or debate; further, that following disposition of H.R. 6500, the cloture motion with respect to the Blanche nomination ripen and, if cloture is invoked, all time be expired and the Senate vote on confirmation of the nomination and, if confirmed, the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table and the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action and the Senate resume legislative session; provided, that it then be in order for the Senator from Ohio Mr. Husted or his designee to move to proceed to S. 5271 and present a motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed and the motion ripen immediately and the Senate vote on the motion to invoke cloture without intervening action or debate; provided, that if the cloture motion is agreed to, the motion to proceed be agreed to and that there be up to 2 hours of debate on the bill, with no amendments or motions in order, and that upon the use or yielding back of that time, the bill be read a third time and the Senate vote on the bill with a 60-affirmative vote threshold required for passage; further, if cloture on the motion to proceed is not agreed to, it then be in order for the majority leader to make a motion for the Senate to adjourn pursuant to this order and if the Senate has agreed to a motion to adjourn pursuant to this order, when the Senate completes its business on Saturday, August 8, following the recognition of the majority leader to dispense with wrapup items, the Senate convene for pro forma sessions only, with no business conducted, on the following dates and times: August 10 at 10 a.m., August 13 at 8 a.m., August 17 at 1:30 p.m., August 20 at 11:30 a.m., August 24 at 12:30 p.m., August 27 at 8 a.m., August 31 at 11:30 a.m., September 1 at 12:30 p.m., September 4 at 10 a.m., September 8 at 1:15 p.m., and September 10 at 3 p.m.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will call the roll.

The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno)

Without objection, it is so ordered. Under the previous order, all pending amendments and motions are withdrawn, with the exception of amendment No. 6732.

Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 6747 and ask that it be reported by number.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the amendment by number.

The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (101 characters)

The Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Budd) proposes an amendment numbered 6747 to amendment No. 6732.

The amendment is as follows:

Text printed in the Record (20 characters)

Strike section 2019.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

There is now 2 minutes of debate, equally divided. The Senator from North Carolina.

Mr. President, 9 months ago, both Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly voted to close the hemp loophole. It happened right here. They wanted to stop intoxicating hemp products being sold and marketed to kids. It is no accident that these products are made to look exactly like something that a kid would want. Emergency departments have seen a 461-percent increase in cases of pediatric cannabis poisoning, and most of those were children 4 years old or younger. This body agreed right here 9 months ago that we wouldn't compromise the health and safety of the American people--especially our kids--so today, I am simply asking my colleagues just to reaffirm a decision we made 9 months ago right here. My opponents have asked: What is the harm in a monthlong delay? I am going to tell you. The goal is not an extra month to work on policy, as many have said. The well-oiled hemp lobbying machine has already had 9 months to do that. The real goal is to jam us in December on a must-pass package and to permanently entrench their intoxicating products into the machinery of government. Opponents say that this would stop research into hemp-derived products for seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare, but what does allowing unregulated, intoxicating edibles on gas station shelves have to do with CMS' ability to study hemp-derived products for pain relief? Not a thing. Not a thing at all. So once again, I ask my colleagues to join me in doing what we have already done 9 months ago. Support my amendment. Just vote no to table this and close this dangerous loophole, just as 76 of us, Republicans and Democrats, did just 9 months ago.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Minnesota.

Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

Mr. President, I rise this evening on behalf of myself and Senator Sheehy and several others, Democrats and Republicans. I represent farmers, small businesses, brewers, and consumers in my State, and I urge my colleagues to table Senator Budd's amendment and give this body 4 more weeks to work toward legislation that supports a thriving hemp industry, ensures proper regulation, and protects kids from dangerous products. As is, the bipartisan continuing resolution that is before us delays a ban on naturally produced hemp products for 4 weeks while taking synthetic hemp derivatives off the market. That is important to note. That is included in this continuing resolution. The original ban, the broad ban, the entire ban--and I know that in my State, we have safety rules in place that have worked very well. The product is taxed. We have not had issues with it since we put those rules in place. The original ban was tucked into a bill to reopen the government last November. Many Members didn't have the chance to learn about it. There had been no hearings. Now they have learned more. Bills have been introduced in the Senate and the House--bipartisan bills--to regulate this market. Back then, that ban moved forward without input from the people who would be impacted. In my State alone, hemp products brought in $16 million of State tax revenue in 2025. Senator Budd has raised concerns about certain hemp products, and I agree with him. That is why bad actors that sell synthetic products will not be allowed to sell them, in this continuing resolution. I urge my colleagues to join me in voting to table this amendment and maintaining the bipartisan agreement included in the continuing resolution. Mr. President, I move to table amendment No. 6747, and I ask for the yeas and nays.

Mr. President, I ask for remaining time.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

There is no remaining time.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The question now occurs on agreeing to the motion. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second.

The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Boozman), the Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Cotton), the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer), the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). Further, if present and voting: the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis) would have voted "nay."

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)

I announce that the Senator from Maine (Mr. King) is necessarily absent. The result was announced--yeas 61, nays 32, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (1,331 characters)

Alsobrooks Baldwin Barrasso Bennet Blumenthal Booker Cantwell Coons Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Duckworth Fetterman Gallego Graham Hickenlooper Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kaine Kelly Kim Klobuchar Lee Lujan Markey Marshall McCormick Moody Moreno Murphy Murray Ossoff Paul Peters Reed Risch Sanders Schatz Schmitt Schumer Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Slotkin Smith Sullivan Thune Tuberville Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wicker Wyden Armstrong Banks Blackburn Blunt Rochester Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cortez Masto Durbin Ernst Fischer Gillibrand Grassley Hagerty Hassan Hawley Heinrich Hirono Kennedy Lummis Merkley Moran Murkowski Padilla Ricketts Rosen Rounds Schiff Young Boozman Cotton Cramer King Lankford McConnell Tillis The motion was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Husted). Under the previous order, amendment No. 6732 is agreed to, and the clerk will read the bill by title for the third time. The amendment (No. 6732) was agreed to. The amendment was ordered to be engrossed and the bill to be read a third time. The bill was read the third time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maine. Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I urge my colleagues to pass the continuing resolution in order to prevent a government shutdown. I yield back all time.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The bill having been read the third time, the question is, Shall the bill pass, as amended?

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second.

The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant legislative clerk called the roll.

The following Senators are necessarily absent: the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Lankford), the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell), and the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Tillis). The result was announced--yeas 90, nays 6, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (1,493 characters)

Alsobrooks Armstrong Baldwin Banks Barrasso Bennet Blackburn Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Boozman Britt Budd Cantwell Capito Collins Coons Cornyn Cortez Masto Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Duckworth Durbin Ernst Fetterman Fischer Gallego Gillibrand Grassley Hagerty Hassan Hawley Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kelly Kennedy Kim King Klobuchar Lee Lujan Lummis Marshall McCormick Merkley Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Ricketts Risch Rosen Rounds Schatz Schiff Schmitt Schumer Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Shaheen Sheehy Slotkin Smith Sullivan Thune Tuberville Van Hollen Warner Warnock Welch Whitehouse Wicker Wyden Young Cassidy Kaine Markey Paul Sanders Warren Graham Lankford McConnell Tillis The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mrs. Moody). On this vote, the yeas are 90, the nays are 6. The 60-vote threshold having been achieved, the bill is passed. One Senator responded present. The bill is passed. The bill (H.R. 6500) was passed. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Under the previous order, the Collins amendment numbered 6750 to the title is agreed to. The amendment (No. 6750) to the title was agreed to as follows: Amend the title so as to read: "An act making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.". The PRESIDING OFFICER. The title, as amended, is agreed to, and the motions to reconsider are considered made and laid upon the table. The majority leader.

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum calls with respect to the Blanche nomination and the cloture motion on the motions to proceed to S. 5271.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Cloture Motion

Page S4555 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state.

The senior assistant bill clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (511 characters)

We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 914, Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General. John Thune, Ted Budd, Tom Cotton, Mike Crapo, Katie Boyd Britt, Tommy Tuberville, Tim Sheehy, Kevin Cramer, Shelley Moore Capito, John Barrasso, Roger F. Wicker, John Boozman, Bill Hagerty, Bernie Moreno, John Cornyn, Marsha Blackburn, James Lankford.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Under the previous order, the mandatory quorum call under rule XXII has been waived. The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on the nomination of Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General, shall be brought to a close? The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.

The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant bill clerk called the roll.

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 50, nays 49, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (783 characters)

Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Collins Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden McConnell

The PRESIDING OFFICER

On this vote, the yeas are 50, the nays are 49, and the motion is agreed to.

The motion was agreed to.

Executive Calendar

Page S4555 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the nomination.

The senior assistant executive clerk read the nomination of Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General.

Vote on Blanche Nomination (Executive Calendar)

Pages S4555–S4556 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Blanche nomination?

Roger F. Wicker (R-MS)

I ask for the yeas and nays.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second.

The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant executive clerk called the roll.

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell). The result was announced--yeas 50, nays 49, as follows:

Text printed in the Record (784 characters)

Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Collins Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murkowski Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Welch Whitehouse Wyden McConnell

The nomination was confirmed.

The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Lummis)

Under the previous order, the motion to reconsider is considered made and laid upon the table, and the President will be immediately notified of the Senate's action.

Legislative Session

Page S4556 · Official text

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senate will resume legislative session. The majority leader.

AMENDING THE HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT OF 2002 TO REQUIRE VOTERS TO PROVIDE PHOTO IDENTIFICATION--Motion to Proceed

Page S4556 · Official text

Madam President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 547, S. 5271.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report.

The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (148 characters)

Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 547, S. 5271, a bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Pursuant to rule XXII, the Chair lays before the Senate the pending cloture motion, which the clerk will state.

The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:

Text printed in the Record (561 characters)

We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 547, S. 5271, a bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification. John Thune, Jon A. Husted, Steve Daines, John R. Curtis, Bill Cassidy, Katie Boyd Britt, Bernie Moreno, James E. Risch, Pete Ricketts, John Barrasso, John Cornyn, Mike Crapo, Mike Rounds, James C. Justice, David McCormick, Tom Cotton, Ted Budd.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from Ohio.

Jon Husted (R-OH)

Madam President, using a photo ID to vote is common sense. It is an issue Americans broadly support. So tonight, this early morning, I am offering a clean, simple straightforward bill to require a photo ID to vote in America. Voters can use a driver's license, a state-issued ID, passport, military or veterans ID, or Tribal ID. No additional restrictions. No tricks. No games. No prohibitions on absentee voting. Thirty-six States require some form of photo ID. Photo ID laws have been tested in elections across this country, and they work. So tonight, I am asking my colleagues to answer one simple question: Should you have to prove who you are when you vote? Americans think we should, and tonight, we will find out if their Senators agree. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill to establish nationwide photo ID standards and give Americans better-run and honest and fair elections. I yield the floor.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The Senator from California.

Alex Padilla (D-CA)

Madam President, colleagues, here we are after months and months and months of continuing to debate this bill, which still hasn't passed. We should be debating how to bring costs down for working families across the country. I would love to hear from my colleagues how we are going to get out of this war in Iran. Instead, here is this measure again, which is not a simple voter ID bill. As written, it is stricter than most voter ID bills in States that already have a voter ID law in place. But this goes even further, requiring voters to include a copy of their ID when they vote by mail, as well as tens of millions of Americans who vote by mail. This bill would do away with secret ballots as we know it. So colleagues, I urge you to vote no on this measure.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Under the previous order, the mandatory quorum call under rule XXII has been waived. The question is, Is it the sense of the Senate that debate on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 547, S. 5271, a bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification, shall be brought to a close? The yeas and nays are mandatory under the rule.

The clerk will call the roll. The senior assistant executive clerk called the roll.

The following Senator is necessarily absent: the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. McConnell).

Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)

I announce that the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Welch) is necessary absent. The yeas and nays resulted--yeas 52, nays 46, as follows:

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Armstrong Banks Barrasso Blackburn Boozman Britt Budd Capito Cassidy Collins Cornyn Cotton Cramer Crapo Cruz Curtis Daines Ernst Fischer Graham Grassley Hagerty Hawley Hoeven Husted Hyde-Smith Johnson Justice Kennedy Lankford Lee Lummis Marshall McCormick Moody Moran Moreno Murkowski Paul Ricketts Risch Rounds Schmitt Scott (FL) Scott (SC) Sheehy Sullivan Thune Tillis Tuberville Wicker Young Alsobrooks Baldwin Bennet Blumenthal Blunt Rochester Booker Cantwell Coons Cortez Masto Duckworth Durbin Fetterman Gallego Gillibrand Hassan Heinrich Hickenlooper Hirono Kaine Kelly Kim King Klobuchar Lujan Markey Merkley Murphy Murray Ossoff Padilla Peters Reed Rosen Sanders Schatz Schiff Schumer Shaheen Slotkin Smith Van Hollen Warner Warnock Warren Whitehouse Wyden McConnell Welch The PRESIDING OFFICER. On this vote, the yeas are 52, the nays are 46. Three-fifths of the Senators duly chosen and sworn not having voted in the affirmative, the motion is not agreed to. The motion was rejected. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.

Vote on Motion to Adjourn

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Madam President, I move to adjourn pursuant to the previous order.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The question is on agreeing to the motion to adjourn.

The motion was agreed to.

Mike Lee (R-UT)

Madam President, if the motion for the Senate to adjourn with pro forma sessions scheduled until September 14 would have been a recorded rollcall vote, I would have voted no.

John Kennedy (R-LA)

Madam President, had there been a rollcall vote on the motion to adjourn, I would have voted nay.

Josh Hawley (R-MO)

Madam President, had there been a recorded vote on the motion for the Senate to adjourn, I would have voted nay.

Rick Scott (R-FL)

Madam President, if the motion for the Senate to adjourn with pro forma sessions scheduled until September 14 would have been a recorded rollcall vote, I would have voted no.

Bill Hagerty (R-TN)

Madam President, if the motion for the Senate to adjourn with pro forma sessions scheduled until September 14 would have been a recorded rollcall vote, I would have voted no.

Eric Schmitt (R-MO)

Madam President, if the motion for the Senate to adjourn with pro forma sessions scheduled until September 14 would have been a recorded rollcall vote, I would have voted no.

David McCormick (R-PA)

Madam President, had there been a rollcall vote on the motion to adjourn, I would have voted nay.

Madam President, if the motion for the Senate to adjourn with pro forma sessions scheduled until September 14 would have been a recorded rollcall vote, I would have voted no.

Jon Husted (R-OH)

Madam President, had there been a rollcall vote on the motion to adjourn, I would have voted nay.

Ashley Moody (R-FL)

Madam President, if the motion for the Senate to adjourn with pro forma sessions scheduled until September 14 were to have been a rollcall vote, I would have voted no.

Darline Graham (R-SC)

Madam President, if the motion for the Senate to adjourn with pro forma sessions scheduled until September 14 would have been a recorded rollcall vote, I would have voted no.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The majority leader.

EXECUTIVE CALENDAR (Executive Session)

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Madam President, I move to proceed to executive session to consider Calendar No. 902.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The question is on agreeing to the motion.

The motion was agreed to.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report the nomination.

The senior assistant executive clerk read the nomination of Matthew R. Byrne, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio.

Cloture Motion (Executive Session)

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Madam President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.

The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:

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We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the nomination of Executive Calendar No. 902, Matthew R. Byrne, of Ohio, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Ohio. John Thune, Tim Sheehy, John Barrasso, Pete Ricketts, Thom Tillis, Rick Scott of Florida, John Cornyn, Steve Daines, Bernie Moreno, John R. Curtis, Chuck Grassley, Ashley B. Moody, Jim Banks, Mike Crapo, James Lankford, Kevin Cramer, Mike Rounds.

Legislative Session

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Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate resume legislative session.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

DIGITAL ASSET MARKET CLARITY ACT OF 2025--Motion to Proceed

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Madam President, I move to proceed to Calendar No. 423, H.R. 3633.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The clerk will report.

The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows:

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Motion to proceed to Calendar No. 423, H.R. 3633, a bill to provide for a system of regulation of the offer and sale of digital commodities by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, to amend the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit the Federal reserve banks from offering certain products or services directly to an individual, to prohibit the use of central bank digital currency for monetary policy, and for other purposes.

Madam President, I send a cloture motion to the desk.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.

The senior assistant executive clerk read as follows: We, the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring to a close debate on the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 423, H.R. 3633, a bill to provide for a system of regulation of the offer and sale of digital commodities by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, to amend the Federal Reserve Act to prohibit the Federal reserve banks from offering certain products or services directly to an individual, to prohibit the use of central bank digital currency for monetary policy, and for other purposes. John Thune, Cynthia M. Lummis, Tim Sheehy, John Barrasso, John Cornyn, John Hoeven, Mike Crapo, James Lankford, Kevin Cramer, Steve Daines, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Tom Cotton, Thom Tillis, Jon A. Husted, Pete Ricketts, Bill Hagerty, Marsha Blackburn.

Unanimous Consent Agreement--H. Con. Res. 89

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Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding rule XXII, at a time to be determined by the majority leader in concurrence with the Democratic leader, no later than Friday, October 2, H. Con Res. 89 be discharged from the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Senate proceed to its consideration; further, there be 6 hours of debate only, with time divided between the leaders or their designees on the concurrent resolution and that following the use or yielding back of that time, the Senate vote on adoption of the concurrent resolution.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Signing Authority

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Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that all Members of the Republican conference be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions from August 7 through September 14.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Appointments Authority

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Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to Commissions, Committees, Boards, Conferences, or Interparliamentary Conferences authorized by law, by concurrent action of the two Houses, or by order of the Senate.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Morning Business

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Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)

Madam President, while I voted No on S. Res. 817, which calls for an up or down vote on 74 nominations, en bloc, I would have voted yes on the following nominations if I had the opportunity to vote on each nomination separately: 1. Calendar No. 729: John Breslow, of Arizona, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Cyprus. 2. Calendar No. 730: Todd Steggerda, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva. 3. Calendar No. 731: Adam Cassady, of Virginia, to be Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy. 4. Calendar No. 732: Preston Wells Griffith III, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Vienna Office of the United Nations. 5. Calendar No. 733: Preston Wells Griffith III, of Virginia, to be Representative of the United States of America to the International Atomic Energy Agency. 6. Calendar No. 734: Fleet White, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Political-Military Affairs). 7. Calendar No. 739: Kenneth Sorenson, of Hawaii, to be United States Attorney for the District of Hawaii for the term of four years. 8. Calendar No. 740: Johnson TeeHee II, of Oklahoma, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. 9. Calendar No. 746: Timothy VerHey, of Michigan, to be United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan for the term of four years. 10. Calendar No. 748: Jack Chambers, of West Virginia, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of West Virginia for the term of four years. 11. Calendar No. 749: Jason Holt, of Oklahoma, to be United States Marshal for the

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Northern District of Oklahoma for the term of four years. 12. Calendar No. 757: Michael Kavoukjian, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Norway. 13. Calendar No. 761: Eric Wendt, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Albania. 14. Calendar No. 762: David Brat, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of Australia. 15. Calendar No. 781: Sean Costello, of Alabama, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama for the term of four years. 16. Calendar No. 822: David M. Prouty, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Labor Relations Board for the term of five years expiring August 27, 2031. (Reappointment). 17. Calendar No. 823: Brett Matsumoto, of Maryland, to be Commissioner of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor, for a term of four years. 18. Calendar No. 826: Kaveh Farzad, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (International Affairs). 19. Calendar No. 835: Christopher Michael De Bono, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. 20. Calendar No. 836: Sharon E. Goodie, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. 21. Calendar No. 837: Bradford Pentony Wilson, of New Jersey, to be Archivist of the United States. 22. Calendar No. 842: Michael Christopher DiLorenzo, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. 23. Calendar No. 843: Craig Edward Leen, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. 24. Calendar No. 844: Christine Michelle Macey, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. 25. Calendar No. 845: John Barlow Timmer, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years. 26. Calendar No. 848: James Andrew Crowell IV, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. 27. Calendar No. 849: Stuart Gordon Nash, of the District of Columbia, to be an Associate Judge of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the term of fifteen years. 28. Calendar No. 850: Rudolph Bauer, of South Carolina, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Belize. 29. Calendar No. 853: Barbera Thornhill, of North Carolina, to be Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking, with the rank of Ambassador at Large. 30. Calendar No. 854: Christopher Anderson, of Wisconsin, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Cambodia. 31. Calendar No. 855: Stanley Brown, of Virginia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea. 32. Calendar No. 856: Joseph Burkhalter, of Georgia, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova. 33. Calendar No. 857: John Hurley, of California, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, with the rank of Ambassador. 34. Calendar No. 858: Daniel Perez, of Florida, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to Brazil. 35. Calendar No. 859: Laurence Socha, of Illinois, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of The Gambia. 36. Calendar No. 860: Juan Segura, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Western Hemisphere Affairs). 37. Calendar No. 863: Brendan Hanrahan, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs). 38. Calendar No. 864: Donald Blome, of Illinois, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Near Eastern Affairs). 39. Calendar No. 865: Katherine Bowles, of Alabama, to be an Assistant Secretary of State (Legislative Affairs). 40. Calendar No. 868: Thomas B. Chapman, of Maryland, to be a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board for a term expiring December 31, 2028. (Reappointment). 41. Calendar No. 869: Karen Jean Hedlund, of New York, to be a Member of the Surface Transportation Board for a term expiring December 31, 2030. (Reappointment). 42. Calendar No. 874: Roger Mason, of Virginia, to be Director of the National Reconnaissance Office. 43. Calendar No. 899: Mark Cruz, of Oregon, to be Director of the Indian Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, for the term of four years. 44. Calendar No. 903: Christopher Nassar, of Oklahoma, to be US Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Tribute to David Stacy

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Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)

Madam President, I rise today to recognize the work of David Stacy, former government affairs director at the Human Rights Campaign, HRC. For more than 30 years, Mr. Stacy has been a tireless advocate for the LGBTQ community in Wisconsin and across the United States. His vital work has helped to ensure that LGBTQ people across the country and the world are treated as full and equal citizens and human beings. Mr. Stacy earned his bachelor of arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1990 and served two terms as president of the United Council of University of Wisconsin Students, the statewide student association for the UW system. He later received his master of arts in history, U.S. foreign relations, and civil rights history from New York University in 1991. In 1994, Mr. Stacy was instrumental in helping me to found Fair Wisconsin. Fair Wisconsin is a statewide advocacy organization with the mission of protecting and advancing the civil rights of LGBTQ individuals through legislative advocacy and electoral involvement. He worked on the 1996 Clinton-Gore campaign and various other State and local races throughout Wisconsin, as well as on nearly all of my own campaigns for public office during this time. He began his work in the legislative branch as an intern and then a legislative staffer for representatives in the Wisconsin State Assembly. In 1999, he joined my staff in Washington, DC, as a legislative assistant after I was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. For the 6 years he spent on my staff, he worked on a variety of issues including telecommunications, defense, LGBTQ issues, foreign policy, education, veterans, intellectual property, and homeland security. I valued David's thoughtful counsel and his dedication to his work and passion for the issues he covered. In November of 2005, Mr. Stacy joined HRC as their senior public policy advocate during a time in which our Nation was hotly debating a proposed amendment to our Constitution that would have defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman. Through more than 20 years of hard, dedicated work, Mr. Stacy has steadily built support and coalitions to advance the cause of equality. Discriminatory bans such as "Don't Ask Don't Tell" have been repealed, ensuring that gay, lesbian, and bisexual Americans who want to serve their country can do so openly and proudly. Later, when Federal marriage equality was established by the courts, he worked alongside me and my staff to pass and codify into law the Respect for Marriage Act, ensuring a critical backstop against an activist court. He built a model for how sustained work and partnership can bring about meaningful change to the lives of our fellow citizens. He was and is a vital partner in the continued fight for a more, not less, equal country. I am proud to call him a friend and a trusted partner in the fight for equality. I wish him all the best in this next chapter.

Recognizing the 80th Anniversary of the Vermont Country Store

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Peter Welch (D-VT)

Madam President, I rise today to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Vermont Country Store opening its doors in Weston, VT. Eight decades after its founding, the Vermont Country Store remains a staple of Vermont's business community and is known to folks across the country for its selection of high-quality products and old-fashioned charm. Throughout the store's history, its owners, the Orton family--who pride themselves as the "Purveyors of the Practical and Hard-to-Find"--have maintained the store's traditions while continuously adapting the store to the changing economy. The Vermont Country Store started as an aspiration of Vrest Orton's in the early 1900s. Vrest grew up in Calais, VT, where, as a child, he helped run his father's country store. Vrest hatched the idea for the Vermont Country Store decades later while working at the Pentagon during World War II. Vrest wanted to bring old-fashioned, high-quality products--like those sold in his father's store--to customers far and wide at a time when country stores like his father's were dying around the country as the United States grew and consumption patterns changed. Vrest and his wife Mildred started the Vermont Country Store as a catalog mailing business, headquartered in their kitchen. Vrest and Mildred were savvy entrepreneurs. Because catalog mailing businesses were innovative at the time, customers were skeptical of sending cash through the mail, so the Ortons included a "Customer's Bill of Rights" in each catalog to make people feel confident about doing business with the Vermont Country Store. The couple mailed their first catalog in 1946 to about 1,000 customers. It was 12 pages long, and its products were drawn in black and white, captioned by Vrest himself. The Ortons' first catalog was so successful that they were able to open the doors to Vermont Country Store's first retail location in Weston, VT, a year later in 1947, where it remains to this day. The store was cluttered but curated, and customers appreciated its rustic character. In 1984, the Weston store, along with the entire Weston Village Historic District, was rightfully included in the National Register of Historic Places. By 1967, the Vermont Country Store had grown so much that the Ortons were able to open a second location in nearby Rockingham, allowing them to expand their merchandise, storage, and customer service offerings. Like the Weston store, the new location maintained its hallmark old-fashioned appeal, featuring a restored covered bridge and a gristmill. Vrest's and Mildred's son Lyman took over running the Vermont Country Store in 1972, at a time when business in America was changing by the minute. Lyman worked to carry on his parents' legacy and improved customer service by expanding phone-ordering capabilities and further expanding the store's offerings. He made exclusive agreements with merchandisers, cementing Vermont Country Store's reputation for having niche and high-quality products. Now, Lyman's sons Cabot, Eliot, and Gardner, help him run the Vermont Country Store. Together, they have adapted to the digital age while retaining much of the old-fashioned appeal that has made Vermont Country Store so special and successful. Despite having a website, most of the store's business is still driven by catalog sales, which today is 100 pages long and features professionally shot and color-printed photos of handmade fudge, wool rugs, and seersucker pajamas. The Vermont Country Store is now celebrating its 80th anniversary under a third generation of Ortons and is thriving. I wish the Orton family nothing but continued success and extend my deep gratitude for what they have done to bring little pieces of Vermont to every corner of the country and the world.

Tribute to Tim Massa

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Jon Husted (R-OH)

Madam President, today I would like to recognize a fellow Ohioan and a fellow Dayton Flyer, Tim Massa, who this September will retire after 37 remarkable years in the human resources profession, the last 16 of them at The Kroger Co., one of Ohio's and America's great companies. Tim joined Kroger in 2010 as vice president of talent development, after 21 years building his craft at Procter & Gamble. Over the following decade and a half, he rose to lead human resources and labor relations, then to serve as Kroger's chief people officer, and ultimately as executive vice president and chief associate experience officer. In Cincinnati, he has served the American Cancer Society, sat on the Cincinnati Zoo's board of trustees, and supported the city's Workforce Innovation Center, always finding time to give back to the community he and his wife Lisa have called home while raising their two daughters. On behalf of the people of Ohio, I want to congratulate Tim Massa on an extraordinary 37-year career, thank him for his dedicated service to Kroger's associates and to the human resources profession, and wish him, Lisa, and their family all the best as they begin this well-earned next chapter.

Tribute to Lieutenant Colonel Mark L. Haaland

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Tim Kaine (D-VA)

Madam President, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize an exemplary Virginian and outstanding citizen, LTC Mark L. Haaland, U.S. Army, Retired. Lieutenant Colonel Haaland is retiring from his position as director of government affairs for the Association of the United States Army, AUSA, where he has been a leading advocate and voice for the total Army--Regular Army, Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, Army civilians, Army families, and veterans--for nearly 8 years. He exemplifies a lifetime of commitment and service to our Nation, his community, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and his family. As the son of an Army officer and Vietnam war veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Haaland knew from a young age that his life's path would be one of service. After his family moved to Hampton, VA, in 1972, when his father was assigned to the Army Training and Doctrine Command, Mark attended Kecoughtan High School, where he met his future wife Toni Minetti. Following his graduation in 1975, he attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, graduating with the Class of 1979 before beginning a 20-year Army career as an armor officer serving in operational units and on the Army staff at the Pentagon. Virginia has remained central to Lieutenant Colonel Haaland's life and service. He and Toni, a Hampton native whose father Pat Minetti devoted his own career to public service as a Hampton police officer before retiring as the city's chief of police, were married at Fort Monroe in 1979. During Lieutenant Colonel Haaland's Army service, the family returned to Hampton, while he served at the Army Training and Doctrine Command. Since his assignment to Headquarters, Department of the Army in 1993, Mark and Toni have made Fairfax County their home for more than three decades. Both of their children were born in Virginia, attended Virginia public schools, and graduated from Virginia universities. After retiring from Active Duty, Lieutenant Colonel Haaland continued to dedicate his career to strengthening our national security. Whether serving on Capitol Hill, in the private sector, or in the nonprofit community, he has earned a reputation for steady leadership, a positive outlook, kindness, and professionalism. These qualities have been a source of strength for the many people he has led, mentored, and taught throughout his career. At AUSA, headquartered in Arlington, VA, Lieutenant Colonel Haaland led the development and implementation of the association's outreach and advocacy strategy to advance AUSA's priorities before Congress and the executive branch. AUSA's government affairs mission is to educate, inform, and connect in support of the total Army through consistent, principled, and effective advocacy. Lieutenant Colonel Haaland has excelled in every aspect of that mission and has often remarked that it has been one of the greatest honors of his career to advocate for soldiers, Army civilians, veterans, retirees, and military families. He will be missed by all who have had the privilege to work with him. Lieutenant Colonel Haaland's commitment to service extends well beyond his professional career. He and Toni are active parishioners at Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church in Fairfax, where Mark ministers to homebound seniors and volunteers to help provide meals for those experiencing food insecurity. He also remains deeply engaged in Virginia's military and veterans community through the American Legion and the Military Officers Association of America. Lieutenant Colonel Haaland has served the Nation he loves with distinction and has been an exemplary leader for soldiers, his coworkers, and his community. On behalf of the U.S. Senate, we thank LTC Mark L. Haaland, his wife Toni, and their entire family for their decades of commitment, sacrifice, and service to our Nation and to the Commonwealth of Virginia. We join our colleagues in wishing him a long, healthy, and joyful retirement.

Tribute to Tucker Fagan

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Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY)

Madam President, I am honored to speak today about a remarkable man who has given decades of service to Wyoming and to our Nation: Tucker Fagan. Tucker's story begins in the New York City area, where he was raised alongside five siblings by parents who instilled in him a strong work ethic. His father, a firefighter, taught him to master whatever job he held, to be accountable no matter what, and to always keep a sense of humor along the way. That lesson would define his career. After college, Tucker enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in the late 1960s and was assigned to F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Cheyenne as a missile launch officer. It was quite a change from New York City, but the Cowboy State would soon become home, and if you see him today in his wranglers, boots, and hat, you would never guess he wasn't born to it. During his time at F.E. Warren, he mastered every detail of the missile system, from circuit breakers to hydraulic lines. That expertise caught the attention of senior military leadership during the height of the Cold War, and he was assigned to help develop a comprehensive war plan for national security. His work eventually brought him to the Pentagon, where the Joint Chiefs of Staff selected him to lead the nuclear warfare branch. There, he became the Nation's foremost expert on our war plan, ready to walk through it at a moment's notice. At one point, he knew the exact location of every nuclear site in the world by latitude and longitude. Let me say that again: by latitude and longitude. His work also helped shape what we now know as the "nuclear football," the case of critical information kept always within reach of the President. Tucker's talent for explaining complex military strategy in plain terms drew the notice of President Ronald Reagan. In one briefing, after Tucker described his role as the expert on our war plan, President Reagan turned to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and said, "We go to war, this is the guy I want to talk to." It is hard to imagine a greater compliment. After 30 years of distinguished service, Tucker retired at F.E. Warren, the place he had come to call home. Wyoming's gain was significant. Gov. Jim Geringer recruited him to serve the State, and it was around that time that I first came to know him. As CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, Tucker helped make our State one of the most business-friendly in the country, working closely and effectively with the legislature. Like so many others who have spent time in a room with him, I was struck by how he could command attention, spark real debate, and still be one of the kindest gentlemen you would ever hope to meet. When I ran for Wyoming's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, I asked Tucker to join my campaign. He agreed, and after we won, I asked him to serve as my chief of staff. He accepted on one condition: that he remain in Wyoming. Being a Cheyenne girl myself, I understood completely. It was an unconventional arrangement, but it worked perfectly. For my entire tenure in the House, Tucker served as my chief of staff, trusted adviser, and friend. He also led my Service Academy Selection Committee, helping identify Wyoming's best and brightest for appointment to our Nation's service academies, work he continues as I serve in the U.S. Senate. After 8 years in the House of Representatives, I chose to not run for reelection and came home to Cheyenne. Tucker on the other hand, continued to find ways to serve Wyoming. He has been a longtime supporter of Cheyenne Frontier Days and was inducted into its Hall of Fame, quite an achievement for a man who had never ridden a horse before coming to Wyoming. He even officiated my daughter's wedding, somehow managing to work in a Mick Jagger reference, and it could not have gone any better. I have yet to find something Tucker cannot do, and believe me, I have tried. Tucker remains active in the community to this day. This August, he will be inducted into the Air Force Missileers Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a career defined by expertise, dedication, and service. Wyoming has been fortunate that the Air Force sent a young man from New York to Cheyenne all those years ago. If it were a lottery, we would have won the jackpot, though Tucker, ever modest, would likely just credit his father's advice: work hard, know your job, and never let anyone outwork you. Those of us who know him understand that his impact goes far beyond that. If he ever writes a book about his life, I will be first in line, asking for an inscription. Thank you, Tucker, for everything you have done for our dear State of Wyoming and our beloved country.

Recognizing the Summer 2026 Interns

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David McCormick (R-PA)

Madam President, I rise today to recognize and commend the outstanding students who served as interns in my office during the summer of 2026. These talented young men and women dedicated their time, energy, and skills to serving the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania while gaining firsthand experience in the legislative process and public service. Throughout the summer, our interns made meaningful contributions to the daily operations of the office. They assisted constituents through phone calls, supported legislative and communications efforts, conducted policy research, and helped ensure that our office continued to provide responsive service to Pennsylvanians. Each week, our Washington, DC, interns also played a significant role in Keystone Coffee, a weekly event I look forward to that allows me to meet with constituents from around the Commonwealth. Our first college summer session played an instrumental role in supporting my office's Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit, helping coordinate one of the office's signature events that brought together leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of energy and technological innovation. The second college summer session, in my Washington, DC, office, provided invaluable support during the inaugural Great American State Fair, helping showcase Pennsylvania's rich agricultural heritage, manufacturing excellence, and vibrant communities while welcoming thousands of visitors to celebrate our Commonwealth. Our two high school internship sessions also demonstrated remarkable initiative and creativity. Working on emerging artificial intelligence projects, these students explored innovative ways technology can strengthen constituent services and improve the efficiency of congressional offices. Their curiosity, technical skills, and fresh perspectives reflect the next generation of American leadership. Public service depends upon young people who are willing to step forward, learn, and contribute to their communities. I am grateful for the dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm each of these interns brought to my office, and I congratulate them on a successful summer. These lessons in service and hard work will carry them well beyond this summer. I have no doubt they will continue to accomplish great things in their academic pursuits, careers, and service to our Nation. I ask that the names of these outstanding interns be entered into the Congressional Record: Aarushi Dedhiya, Alexandra Bauman, Allie Ross Tomas, Andrew Vescio, Anna Diederich, Arabella Kushner, Arden Ryan, Arlo Cohen, Avani Ganesan, Beauregard Baker, Bridget Fitzpatrick, Cameron Blews, Carter Kojima, Catherine Kolosky, Charlotte Walter, Christopher Stauffer, Claudia Kronk, Colin Neary, Emily Montgomery, Frederick Malek, Gigi Griffin, Georgina Songhurst, Hannah Levine, Helena Inzerillo, Jack Conner, Jenna Witters, John Wayne-Kravitz, Juliana Burke, Kathryn Hucaluk, Lauren Oschal, Lilly Banks, Lucas Konzelmann, Mackenzie Mercuri, Maddalena DiMuccio, Michael Ricks, Noah Steirer, Peyton Cosover, Rafe Poole, Ryan Jubulis, Sahana Patel, Savanna Friel, Spencer Havey, Tim Schugsta.

Tribute to Larry Cudmore

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James E. Risch (R-ID)

Madam President, the Gem State is made strong by the hardworking, dedicated, and selfless actions of Idahoans. Across our State, hundreds of thousands of veterans, first responders, volunteers, and public servants go above and beyond for the communities they call home. These people are pillars of our State and are essential to keeping Idaho the best place to live, work, and raise a family. Through my Idaho Service Spotlight, I recognize these exceptional Idahoans whose service and leadership have made a lasting impact on the Gem State. Today, I am pleased to recognize Larry Cudmore as an Idaho Service Spotlight recipient for the Month of August 2026. Larry Cudmore has devoted his life to serving others and bringing hope. For nearly four decades, Larry served as a pastor in several churches across north Idaho before moving to Idaho Falls in 2002. There, Larry spent the next 16 years practicing ministry at First Evangelical Lutheran Church until an aggressive cancer diagnosis forced him to retire. While Larry was declared in remission in 2018, he was unable to return to full-time pastoral work. Larry still felt called to do more for his community. Drawing on his love for horses and childhood memories on the farm, Larry started Champs Heart in 2019. The nonprofit serves children with special needs, veterans, and their families, helping them reconnect and offering opportunities for healing through horse encounters. Larry was inspired to start Champs Heart after interacting with patients at Primary Children's Hospital while he was undergoing treatment. Among them was Emily Baum, an 18-year-old from Ashton facing a severe cancer diagnosis. Larry spoke with Emily many times during his treatment, sharing stories about his horse Champ to lift her spirits. Emily passed away at the age of 19 in December 2017, just 2 months before Larry was declared cancer-free. To honor her memory, Larry decided to create a place where children with cancer and special needs could get a break from the stress of doctor appointments and feel joy. His goal was simple: bring a smile to these children's faces without putting a financial burden on their families. Today, on the Champs Heart property is a facility called Emily's House, and the organization's volunteers are called Emily's Angels. Champs Heart now serves around 500 participants each month and has expanded its services to include survivors of domestic violence, police and first responders, foster children, and at-risk youth. From providing a child who experienced abuse a judgment-free space to build confidence to helping a teenager with disabilities find the balance to ride on a horse, Larry is proud of every Champs Heart success story. On behalf of the people of Idaho, I thank and congratulate Larry for being selected as an Idaho Service Spotlight recipient for the month of August 2026. You reflect the very best of our State, and Idaho is stronger because of your actions.

Recognizing Grooveberries

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James E. Risch (R-ID)

Madam President, as a member and former chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each month I recognize and celebrate the American entrepreneurial spirit by highlighting the success of a small business in my home State of Idaho. Today, I am proud to honor Grooveberries in Coeur d'Alene as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for August 2026. Since opening its doors in 2012, Grooveberries has become a favorite place for families in the Coeur d'Alene community seeking delicious frozen yogurt. Chase and Sarah Gibson purchased the company in the fall of 2021 when they moved to north Idaho and have continued building on its success. After taking ownership, the Gibsons expanded Grooveberries' menu to include more than 80 rotating frozen yogurt flavors, 70 toppings, and added a full espresso bar. Locals have especially enjoyed the shop's coffee offerings, including their Original Tart flavor and signature Yoguccino, a blend of frozen yogurt and espresso. Chase and Sarah also developed a homemade eggless cookie dough, which has become a well-loved addition to the topping bar. Committed to serving their community through more than just fro-yo, the Gibsons regularly open their doors by hosting monthly worship nights, bringing together local bands, customers, staff, and neighbors. Following the death of Charlie Kirk last fall, Chase and Sarah decided to honor his memory by placing stickers bearing Charlie's image on each cup. The overwhelming response from the Coeur d'Alene community led Grooveberries to continue the initiative, which now offers customers their choice of Turning Point USA and Bible verse stickers. Grooveberries also partners with Turning Point USA by donating 5 percent of related sales to local Club America and TPUSA chapters. Congratulations to the Gibsons and the Grooveberries team on being recognized as the Idaho Small Business of the Month for August 2026. Your dedication to excellence makes Idaho proud, and I look forward to your continued growth and success.

Tribute to Kellen Edward

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Kellen Edward for his hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office this summer. Kellen is a native of Billings, MT. He will be attending the University of Chicago in the fall, where he will be studying to obtain a degree in global studies and public policy. Kellen has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and his efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Kellen for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having him as part of our team this summer, and I wish him all the best as he continues to build a bright future for himself.

Tribute to Sean Franke

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Sean Franke for his hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office this summer. Sean is a native of Baltimore, MD. He attends the University of Delaware, where he is studying to obtain a degree in political science. Sean has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and his efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Sean for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having him as part of our team this summer, and I wish him all the best as he continues to build a bright future for himself.

Tribute to Derek Fyksen

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Derek Fyksen for his hard work as a fellow in my Washington, DC, office this summer. Derek is a native of Minneapolis, MN. He attends Harvard University and the Kennedy School, where he is studying to obtain a degree in foreign relations and public policy. Derek has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and his efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Derek for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having him as part of our team this summer, and I wish him all the best as he continues to build a bright future for himself.

Tribute to Gaige Homer

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Gaige Homer for his hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office this summer. Gaige is a native of Truckee, CA. He attends Montana State University, where he is studying to obtain a degree in political science. Gaige has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and his efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Gaige for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having him as part of our team this summer, and I wish him all the best as he continues to build a bright future for himself.

Tribute to Maxwell Leray

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Maxwell Leray for his hard work as an intern in my Great Falls office this summer. Maxwell is a native of Great Falls, MT. He recently graduated from Grand Canyon University, where he obtained a degree in political science. Maxwell has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and his efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Maxwell for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having him as part of our team this summer, and I wish him all the best as he continues to build a bright future for himself.

TRIBUTE TO CHLOE McCULLOCH

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Chloe McCulloch for her hard work as an intern in my Washington, DC, office this summer. Chloe is a native of Missoula, MT. She attends Vanderbilt University, where she is studying to obtain a degree in medicine, health, and society (MHS) and law, history, and society (LHS). Chloe has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and her efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Chloe for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having her as part of our team this summer, and I wish her all the best as she continues to build a bright future for herself.

Tribute to Brynn Notbohm

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Brynn Notbohm for her hard work as an intern in my Billings office this summer. Jane is a native of Miles City, MT. She attends Carrol College, where she is studying to obtain a degree in political science. Brynn has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and her efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Brynn for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having her as part of our team this summer, and I wish her all the best as she continues to build a bright future for herself.

Tribute to Kira Renne

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Kira Renne for her hard work as an intern in my Helena office this summer. Jane is a native of Pony, MT. She attends Virginia Military Institute, where she is studying to obtain a degree in mechanical engineering. Kira has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and her efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Kira for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having her as part of our team this summer, and I wish her all the best as she continues to build a bright future for herself.

Tribute to Isabella Rosa

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Isabella Rosa for her hard work as an intern in my Bozeman office this summer. Jane is a native of Bozeman, MT. She attends University of Greenwich, where she is studying to obtain a degree in politics and international relations. Isabella has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and her efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Isabella for the dedication she has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having her as part of our team this summer, and I wish her all the best as she continues to build a bright future for herself.

Tribute to Morgan Sites

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Madam President, I would like to take a moment to express my appreciation to Morgan Sites for his hard work as an intern in my Bozeman office this summer. Morgan is a native of Livingston, MT. He attends Hillsdale College, where he is studying to obtain a degree in political science and theology. Morgan has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and his efforts have been key to our mission to serve the people of Montana here in our Nation's Capital. I want to thank Morgan for the dedication he has shown while working for me and my staff. It has been a pleasure having him as part of our team this summer, and I wish him all the best as he continues to build a bright future for himself.

Messages from the President

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Messages from the President of the United States were communicated to the Senate by Mr. Hanley, one of his secretaries.

Executive Messages Referred

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In executive session the Presiding Officer laid before the Senate messages from the President of the United States submitting sundry nominations which were referred to the appropriate committees. (The messages received today are printed at the end of the Senate proceedings.)

Measures Discharged

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The following concurrent resolutions were discharged from the Committee on the Budget pursuant to Section 300 of the Congressional Budget Act and placed on the calendar:

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S. Con. Res. 38. Concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2027 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036. S. Con. Res. 39. Concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2027 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036.

Executive and Other Communications

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The following communications were laid before the Senate, together with accompanying papers, reports, and documents, and were referred as indicated:

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EC-4361. A communication from the Senior Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to section 36(b)(5)(C) of the Arms Export Control Act, the notification of enhancements or upgrades from the level of sensitivity of technology or capability ((RSAT Case 26-0B) (OSS-2026-0285)); to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-4362. A communication from the Senior Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to section 36(b)(1) and 36(c)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act, the Memorandum of Justification to authorize the immediate transfer and licensing of U.S.-origin defense articles to the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan (OSS-2026-0236); to the Committee on Foreign Relations. EC-4363. A communication from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, transmitting, a letter expressing support for the reauthorization of section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) (OSS-2026-0299); to the Select Committee on Intelligence. EC-4364. A communication from the Senior Bureau Official, Legislative Affairs, Department of State, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Visas: Visa Bond Program" (RIN1400-AG33) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on the Judiciary. EC-4365. A communication from the Director of Legislative Affairs, Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the Treasury, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Office of the Comptroller's 2025 Office of Minority and Women Inclusion Annual Report to Congress; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. EC-4366. A communication from the Acting Branch Chief of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Alaska: Final Authorization of State Hazardous Waste Program" (FRL No. 13305-02-R10) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. EC-4367. A communication from the Acting Branch Chief of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, telomer with 1-dodecanethiol, and 2-methyloxirane polymer with oxirane monoether with 1,2-propanediol mono(2-methyl-2-propenoate) in Pesticide Formulations; Exemption from the Requirement for a Tolerance" (FRL No. 13511-01-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-4368. A communication from the Acting Branch Chief of the Regulatory Management Division, Environmental Protection Agency, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Bacillus thuringiensis eCry1Gb.1lg Protein; Exemption from the Requirement of a Pesticide Tolerance" (FRL No. 13446-01-OCSPP) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. EC-4369. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden for Family Assistance Programs" (RIN0970-AD38) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-4370. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Administration for Children, Youth, and Families, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Reducing Bureaucracy and Burden in Family Violence and Prevention Services" (RIN0970-AD42) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. EC-4371. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Medicare Program; Prospective Payment System and Consolidated Billing for Skilled Nursing Facilities; Updates to the Quality Reporting Program for Federal Fiscal Year 2027" (RIN0938-AV75) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Finance. EC-4372. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Medicare Program; Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System for Federal Fiscal Year 2027 and Updates to the IRF Quality Reporting Program" (RIN0938-AV76) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Finance. EC-4373. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Medicare Program; Fiscal Year 2027 Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities Prospective Payment System-Rate Update" (RIN0938-AV77) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Finance. EC-4374. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Medicaid Program; Fiscal Year 2027 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Program Requirements" (RIN0938-AV78) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Finance. EC-4375. A communication from the Regulations Coordinator, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, transmitting, pursuant to law, the report of a rule entitled "Medicare Program; Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems for Acute Care Hospitals (IPPS) and the Long Term Care Hospital Prospective Payment System and Policy Changes and Fiscal Year 2027 Rates; Requirements for Quality Programs; Other Policy Changes; and Adoption of Updated Versions of Certain Health Information Technology Standards" ((RIN0938-AV79) (RIN0938-AV44)) received in the Office of the President of the Senate on August 5, 2026; to the Committee on Finance.

Reports of Committees

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The following reports of committees were submitted:

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By Mr. CASSIDY, from the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute: S. 4189. A bill to reduce the price of insulin and provide for patient protections with respect to the cost of insulin.

Introduction of Bills and Joint Resolutions

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The following bills and joint resolutions were introduced, read the first and second times by unanimous consent, and referred as indicated:

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By Mr. THUNE (for himself and Mr. Rounds): S. 5359. A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to convey to Pennington County, South Dakota, certain National Forest System land; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. McCORMICK (for himself, Ms. Cortez Masto, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Curtis, and Mr. Hoeven): S. 5360. A bill to amend the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to reauthorize the Rural and Municipal Utility Advanced Cybersecurity Grant and Technical Assistance Program, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Ms. ROSEN (for herself and Mr. Sheehy): S. 5361. A bill to improve the use and management of mobile medical units by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Mr. MERKLEY (for himself, Mr. Risch, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Young, Ms. Rosen, and Mr. Scott of Florida): S. 5362. A bill to direct the Secretary of State to advocate for the inclusion and recognition of the Central Tibetan Administration, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. HUSTED (for himself and Ms. Lummis): S. 5363. A bill to amend sections 111, 169, and 171 of the Clean Air Act to clarify when a physical change in, or change in the method of operation of, a stationary source constitutes a modification or construction, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. By Mrs. HYDE-SMITH: S. 5364. A bill to support rural families; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. BOOKER: S. 5365. A bill to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, to award grants to train community mental wellness workers, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. GALLEGO (for himself and Mr. Rounds): S. 5366. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow 5-year carrybacks for the low-income housing tax credit; to the Committee on Finance. By Mr. GALLEGO: S. 5367. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to eliminate the recoupment of separation pay, special separation benefits, and voluntary separation incentive payments from members of the Armed Forces who subsequently receive disability compensation under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs and to impose limitations on the authority of the Secretary of Defense to recoup such pay from members who subsequently receive military retired or retainer pay; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. By Mr. SCHIFF (for himself and Ms. Klobuchar): S. 5368. A bill to amend the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to establish or modify cybersecurity requirements for drinking water and wastewater systems, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. By Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Mr. Kaine): S. 5369. A bill to reauthorize and expand the imposition of sanctions under the Nicaragua Investment Conditionality Act of 2018, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. BUDD (for himself and Mr. Kaine): S. 5370. A bill to state the policy of the United States with respect to international religious freedom in the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. LEE (for himself, Mr. Tuberville, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Cruz, Mr. Scott of Florida, and Mr. Banks): S. 5371. A bill to close loopholes in the immigration laws that serve as incentives to aliens to attempt to enter the United States unlawfully, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. LEE: S. 5372. A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for the issuance of natural lifetime injunctions for certain victims; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. ROUNDS: S. 5373. A bill to amend title 39, United States Code, to limit the compensation and benefits provided to executive officers of the Postal Service, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. By Mr. RISCH (for himself and Mr. Crapo): S. 5374. A bill to facilitate the conveyance of certain land in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, platted under section 2387 of the Revised Statutes, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. ROUNDS (for himself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Tillis, and Mr. Coons): S. 5375. A bill to provide for records preservation processes for certain at-risk Afghan allies; to the Committee on Armed Services. By Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. Blumenthal): S. 5376. A bill to establish minimum hiring, training, and suitability standards for Federal law enforcement officers, to prohibit accelerated or abbreviated basic training and provisional appointments, to provide for enforcement and oversight, and for other purposes; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. SCOTT of Florida: S. 5377. A bill to amend the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to establish certain procedures for consideration of appropriation bills, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Rules and Administration. By Mr. KING (for himself and Mr. Padilla): S. 5378. A bill to provide for the disposition of surrendered offshore wind energy lease areas, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. By Mr. HUSTED (for himself and Mr. Warner): S. 5379. A bill to provide the Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security with authority to attract highly qualified experts; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. By Mr. HUSTED (for himself and Mr. Warner): S. 5380. A bill to provide for a ten-year statute of limitations for export control violations under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. By Mr. HUSTED (for himself and Mr. Warner): S. 5381. A bill to require an analysis of threats posed by foreign adversary access to controlled items within the United States; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. By Mr. HUSTED (for himself and Mr. Warner): S. 5382. A bill to require a report on the artificial intelligence power of the People's Republic of China; to the Committee on Foreign Relations. By Mr. SCHMITT: S.J. Res. 212. A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to ensure that only citizens are eligible to vote Federal in elections; to the Committee on the Judiciary. By Mr. MORENO: S. 5383. A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act to schedule MGM-15 and MGM-16 as schedule I controlled substances, and to amend the controlled Substances Act to schedule synthetic 7-hydroxymitragynine, and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl, as a Schedule I above a specific threshold under the controlled substance act, and to expand enforcement actions against drug manufacturers and distributors of emerging synthetic opioids, commonly known as gas station heroin; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Submission of Concurrent and Senate Resolutions

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The following concurrent resolutions and Senate resolutions were read, and referred (or acted upon), as indicated:

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By Mrs. MOODY: S. Res. 842. A resolution expressing recognition and appreciation for the contributions of hotel employees and supporting the goals and ideals of National Hotel Employee Day; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Justice, Mr. Lankford, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Marshall, Mrs. Fischer, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Welch, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Booker, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Blumenthal, and Ms. Klobuchar): S. Res. 843. A resolution expressing support for the designation of the first week of August 2026, as "National Community Health Center Week", encouraging all people of the United States to participate by visiting their local community health center, and celebrating the important partnership between community health centers and the communities they serve; considered and agreed to. By Mr. BENNET (for himself, Mr. Lee, Mr. Hickenlooper, and Mr. Curtis): S. Res. 844. A resolution honoring the lives and service of Emily Barker, Nicholas Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, Nathan Matthews, Nicholas Dale, and all those who serve on the front lines of wildland firefighting efforts in the United States; considered and agreed to. By Mr. LANKFORD (for himself and Ms. Hassan): S. Res. 845. A resolution designating September 2026 as "National Child Awareness Month" to promote awareness of charities that benefit children as well as youth-serving organizations throughout the United States and recognizing the efforts made by those charities and organizations on behalf of children and youth as critical contributions to the future of the United States; considered and agreed to. By Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen): S. Res. 846. A resolution designating August 21, 2026, as "Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day"; considered and agreed to. By Mr. JOHNSON: S. Con. Res. 38. A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2027 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036; placed on the calendar. By Mr. PAUL: S. Con. Res. 39. A concurrent resolution setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2027 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036; placed on the calendar. By Mr. McCORMICK (for himself and Mr. Fetterman): S. Res. 847. A resolution commending and congratulating the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team for winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Championship; to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. By Mr. WARNOCK (for himself and Mr. Ossoff): S. Res. 848. A resolution celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the premier public health institute of the United States; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Mr. PETERS (for himself and Mr. Kennedy): S. Res. 849. A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of September 11 through September 17, 2026, as "Patriot Week"; to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Additional Cosponsors

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At the request of Mr. Rounds, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 427, a bill to require the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies to take risk profiles and business models of institutions into account when taking regulatory actions, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Hoeven, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 489, a bill to require the Secretary of the Air Force to establish a permanent program to provide tuition assistance to members of the Air National Guard. At the request of Mrs. Moody, the name of the Senator from Oklahoma (Mr. Armstrong) was added as a cosponsor of S. 978, a bill to amend the National Housing Act to establish a mortgage insurance program for first responders, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Crapo, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 995, a bill to repeal a rule of the Environmental Protection Agency with respect to multi-pollutant emissions standards, to amend the Clean Air Act to ensure that tailpipe regulations do not limit the availability of new motor vehicles, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1001, a bill to develop and disseminate a civic education curriculum and oral history resources regarding certain political ideologies, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schmitt, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1247, a bill to ensure the ability of public safety officers to retain their right to free speech on matters related to public safety, working conditions, and other matters. At the request of Mrs. Gillibrand, the names of the Senator from Hawaii (Ms. Hirono), the Senator from Maryland (Mr. Van Hollen), the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Hagerty), the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kelly), the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) and the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis) were added as cosponsors of S. 1289, a bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States and to support programs at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center. At the request of Mr. Fetterman, the name of the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1540, a bill to amend the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, to expand the replacement of stolen EBT benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. At the request of Mr. Daines, the names of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds) and the Senator from Washington (Mrs. Murray) were added as cosponsors of S. 1547, a bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to reauthorize the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund, and for other purposes. At the request of Ms. Lummis, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1894, a bill to amend MAP-21 to modify provisions relating to a categorical exclusion for projects of limited Federal assistance, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Hyde-Smith, the name of the Senator from Virginia (Mr. Warner) was added as a cosponsor of S. 1919, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to establish a domestic cotton consumption credit. At the request of Ms. Warren, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kelly) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2006, a bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit discrimination in the Armed Forces on the basis of gender identity, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Padilla, the name of the Senator from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2265, a bill to require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, California, and the 2034 Olympics and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the request of Mr. Warner, the name of the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2329, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to protect beneficiaries with limb loss and other orthopedic conditions by providing access to appropriate, safe, effective, patient-centered orthotic and prosthetic care, to reduce fraud, waste, and abuse with respect to orthotics and prosthetics, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Blackburn, the name of the Senator from Vermont (Mr. Welch) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2530, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to expand the ability to expense certain qualified productions. At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2715, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to require hospitals with approved medical residency training programs to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services certain information regarding osteopathic and allopathic candidates for such programs. At the request of Mr. Banks, the name of the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Tuberville) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2821, a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to reform the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Kim, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Ossoff) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2898, a bill to reauthorize the Traumatic Brain Injury program. At the request of Mr. Banks, the name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Husted) was added as a cosponsor of S. 2955, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to establish Federal penalties for the knowing and intentional administration of any abortion-inducing drug to a woman without her informed consent, if the abortion-inducing drug has been shipped or transported in interstate commerce, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Blackburn, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3038, a bill to establish a real-time data dashboard for graduate medical education training positions to improve health care workforce planning and distribution for the purposes of alleviating physician shortages in medically underserved communities. At the request of Ms. Collins, the names of the Senator from Rhode Island (Mr. Whitehouse) and the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan) were added as cosponsors of S. 3267, a bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide for Medicare coverage of blood-based dementia screening tests. At the request of Mr. Crapo, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3345, a bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to ensure accurate payments to pharmacies under Medicaid and prevent the use of abusive spread pricing in Medicaid, and to assure pharmacy access and choice for Medicare beneficiaries and modernize and ensure PBM accountability under Medicare. At the request of Ms. Lummis, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3416, a bill to prohibit public comments from governments and individuals designated as foreign adversaries. At the request of Mr. Marshall, the names of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Moreno), the Senator from Wyoming (Ms. Lummis) and the Senator from Maine (Mr. King) were added as cosponsors of S. 3623, a bill to amend the Electronic Fund Transfer Act to require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve system to prescribe regulations relating to network competition in credit card transactions, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Hawley, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3643, a bill to establish the Office of the Special Inspector General for Program Fraud, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Hawley, the name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) was added as a cosponsor of S. 3852, a bill to impose certain requirements on data centers to ensure the prioritization of residential ratepayers, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. McCormick, the names of the Senator from South Carolina (Ms. Graham) and the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Wyden) were added as cosponsors of S. 3900, a bill to promote human rights, internet freedom and accountability in Iran, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Cruz, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Warnock) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4009, a bill to provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to forced organ harvesting within the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Young, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kelly) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4023, a bill to establish the America's Living Library Project, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Kelly, the name of the Senator from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4297, a bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the tax credit for contributions of individuals to scholarship granting organizations, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Kennedy, the name of the Senator from Georgia (Mr. Warnock) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4379, a bill to require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly submit a report on efforts by the Government of the Russian Federation to violate the religious freedoms of the people of Ukraine, to require the President to impose all applicable sanctions with respect to foreign persons determined to have engaged in such efforts, and for other purposes. At the request of Mrs. Shaheen, the names of the Senator from California (Mr. Padilla) and the Senator from Massachusetts (Ms. Warren) were added as cosponsors of S. 4436, a bill to nullify certain rules related to foreign assistance. At the request of Mr. Armstrong, the names of the Senator from North Carolina (Mr. Budd), the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. Wicker) and the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Husted) were added as cosponsors of S. 4944, a bill to streamline permitting under the Natural Gas Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Murphy, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4981, a bill to place Federal minimum wage on a durable path toward a living wage aligned with the national median wage, to require large, highly profitable corporations to lead the transition, to end all subminimum wages, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Moreno, the name of the Senator from Alabama (Mr. Tuberville) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4983, a bill to curb criminal activity by aliens, to defend against acts of international terrorism, to protect American workers from unfair labor competition, and to relieve pressure on public services by strengthening border security and stabilizing immigration into the United States. At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) was added as a cosponsor of S. 4992, a bill to require the Secretary of the Army to issue guidance relating to the review of applications for alteration or temporary or permanent occupation or use of certain hydropower projects, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schiff, the name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5036, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit officers and employees of the judiciary from engaging in official acts affecting personal financial interests. At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Crapo) was added as a cosponsor of S.

5048, a bill to amend the Federal Power Act to modernize the hydropower licensing process, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Warner, the name of the Senator from Ohio (Mr. Husted) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5057, a bill to prohibit the use of certain artificial intelligence models across the Federal Government, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schmitt, the name of the Senator from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5148, a bill to amend title 28, United States Code, concerning case assignment procedures for district and circuit courts to ensure randomized case assignments. At the request of Mr. Sanders, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Kelly) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5185, a bill to provide for auditing of the Pentagon. At the request of Mr. Blumenthal, the name of the Senator from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5201, a bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect more victims of domestic violence by preventing their abusers from possessing or receiving firearms, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Warner, the name of the Senator from Arizona (Mr. Gallego) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5223, a bill to prohibit the purchase or sale of securities while aware of nonpublic information contained in certain social media accounts controlled by Government officials, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Hagerty, the names of the Senator from Pennsylvania (Mr. McCormick) and the Senator from New Hampshire (Mrs. Shaheen) were added as cosponsors of S. 5252, a bill to prevent foreign adversaries from threatening the national security of the United States by extracting key technical features of closed-source, United States-owned artificial intelligence models, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Husted, the names of the Senator from Florida (Mrs. Moody) and the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan) were added as cosponsors of S. 5271, a bill to amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require voters to provide photo identification. At the request of Mr. Lujan, the name of the Senator from Maryland (Ms. Alsobrooks) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5321, a bill to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to require coverage of, and expand access to, home and community-based services under the Medicaid program, to award grants for the creation, recruitment, training and education, retention, and advancement of the direct care workforce and to award grants to support family caregivers, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Moran, the name of the Senator from North Dakota (Mr. Cramer) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5335, a bill to amend the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 to provide for fair audits and inspections for examinations. At the request of Mr. Murphy, the name of the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5341, a bill to require the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to delegate to the Commandant of the Coast Guard authority to enter into intergovernmental support agreements relating to installation-support services, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Merkley, the name of the Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Booker) was added as a cosponsor of S. 5357, a bill to impose requirements for certain Federal positions to promote transparency, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Schmitt, the name of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan) was added as a cosponsor of S.J. Res. 206, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Notice of Decision Granting a Waiver of Clean Air Act Preemption for California's 2009 and Subsequent Model Year Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for New Motor Vehicles". At the request of Mr. Husted, the name of the Senator from Alaska (Mr. Sullivan) was added as a cosponsor of S.J. Res. 208, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "California State Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Standards; Advanced Clean Car Program; Reconsideration of a Previous Withdrawal of a Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision". At the request of Mr. Risch, the name of the Senator from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 827, a resolution recognizing the 100th anniversary of the creation of the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute, Inc. (SAAMI) and commending its work establishing industry standards that ensure the safe interoperability of firearms and ammunition. At the request of Mrs. Shaheen, the name of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 835, a resolution celebrating the July 2026 North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit in Ankara, Turkiye, and reaffirming priorities pertaining to transatlantic security and the United States commitment to NATO. At the request of Mr. Daines, the name of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds) was added as a cosponsor of S. Res. 837, a resolution designating the week of August 22 through August 30, 2026, as "National Park Week". At the request of Mrs. Shaheen, the names of the Senator from South Dakota (Mr. Rounds), the Senator from Indiana (Mr. Young), the Senator from Alaska (Ms. Murkowski), the Senator from Oregon (Mr. Merkley), the Senator from Nevada (Ms. Cortez Masto), the Senator from New Mexico (Mr. Lujan) and the Senator from Michigan (Mr. Peters) were added as cosponsors of S. Res. 841, a resolution celebrating the 35th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine from the former Soviet Union. At the request of Mr. Welch, the name of the Senator from Delaware (Ms. Blunt Rochester) was added as a cosponsor of amendment No. 6716 intended to be proposed to H.R. 5334, an act to impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation, as championed by the late Senator Lindsey O. Graham, and for other purposes. At the request of Mr. Hawley, the names of the Senator from Idaho (Mr. Risch) and the Senator from Kentucky (Mr. Paul) were added as cosponsors of amendment No. 6744 intended to be proposed to S. 4668, a bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.

Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Pages S4567–S4568 · Official text

But under the Postal Service's Regional Transportation Optimization initiative, mail from post offices located more than 50 miles from a processing facility are only sent to processing facilities once in a single morning dispatch, and in many cases, this adds up to a full-day delay before a letter starts its journey to the processing facility. Now, that is bad enough, but it also means that despite a letter being in the post office's legal possession, it is not postmarked until at least the next day. For many, this can be the difference between a tax return being on time or an absentee ballot being counted, simply because of where you live. And despite these cost-saving measures, now the U.S. Postal Service is asking for billions more, all while senior executives receive large bonuses and lavish benefits like wellness reimbursement incentives, financial planning, retirement counseling services, TSA PreCheck--reimbursement for it--and membership in up to two airline lounge clubs per year. The post office also created a deferred compensation program. Yes, a deferred compensation program to pay its highest paid officers above compensation limits that have been imposed by Congress. That needs to end. And that is the reason that I am introducing the USPS Executive Benefit and Bonus Removal Act. Incompetent bureaucrats should not get bonuses when the mail does not run on time. If the Postal Service were serious about cutting costs, they should have cut costs inside its own ivory tower before passing costs on to the American people who are still receiving terrible service. In addition, I have announced that I am placing holds on every nominee for the Postal Service board of directors until their leaders take steps to fix mail service in South Dakota. I suspect other Senators from rural States may do the same. To lift these holds, I want the Postal Service to commit to making these three fixes in South Dakota at a minimum: No. 1, immediately suspend their Regional Transportation Optimization in South Dakota on a permanent basis; No. 2, start delivering intrastate mail--meaning, mail inside of South Dakota--within 1 to 2 days using our existing facilities that they have already been scaling back; and No. 3, they need to commit fully to implementing all findings of the OIG investigation when it becomes available. Now, I have spoken with some of my Senate colleagues who are seeing the same issues in rural parts of their States. I look forward to working together to find a different model for the Postal Service that actually works for the American people, again, despite the blinders that our Postal Service leadership seem to have on. It is way past time that we put the "service" back into the Postal Service.

Introductory Statement on S. 5373

Pages S4567–S4568 · Official text

But under the Postal Service's Regional Transportation Optimization initiative, mail from post offices located more than 50 miles from a processing facility are only sent to processing facilities once in a single morning dispatch, and in many cases, this adds up to a full-day delay before a letter starts its journey to the processing facility. Now, that is bad enough, but it also means that despite a letter being in the post office's legal possession, it is not postmarked until at least the next day. For many, this can be the difference between a tax return being on time or an absentee ballot being counted, simply because of where you live. And despite these cost-saving measures, now the U.S. Postal Service is asking for billions more, all while senior executives receive large bonuses and lavish benefits like wellness reimbursement incentives, financial planning, retirement counseling services, TSA PreCheck--reimbursement for it--and membership in up to two airline lounge clubs per year. The post office also created a deferred compensation program. Yes, a deferred compensation program to pay its highest paid officers above compensation limits that have been imposed by Congress. That needs to end. And that is the reason that I am introducing the USPS Executive Benefit and Bonus Removal Act. Incompetent bureaucrats should not get bonuses when the mail does not run on time. If the Postal Service were serious about cutting costs, they should have cut costs inside its own ivory tower before passing costs on to the American people who are still receiving terrible service. In addition, I have announced that I am placing holds on every nominee for the Postal Service board of directors until their leaders take steps to fix mail service in South Dakota. I suspect other Senators from rural States may do the same. To lift these holds, I want the Postal Service to commit to making these three fixes in South Dakota at a minimum: No. 1, immediately suspend their Regional Transportation Optimization in South Dakota on a permanent basis; No. 2, start delivering intrastate mail--meaning, mail inside of South Dakota--within 1 to 2 days using our existing facilities that they have already been scaling back; and No. 3, they need to commit fully to implementing all findings of the OIG investigation when it becomes available. Now, I have spoken with some of my Senate colleagues who are seeing the same issues in rural parts of their States. I look forward to working together to find a different model for the Postal Service that actually works for the American people, again, despite the blinders that our Postal Service leadership seem to have on. It is way past time that we put the "service" back into the Postal Service.

Senate Resolution 842--Expressing Recognition and Appreciation for the Contributions of Hotel Employees and Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Hotel Employee Day

Page S4568 · Official text

Mrs. MOODY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

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Whereas hotels are an essential part of the travel and tourism industry and support economic activity in communities throughout the United States; Whereas nearly 2,000,000 individuals in the United States work in the hotel industry; Whereas hotel employees serve guests in a wide variety of roles, including front desk and guest services, housekeeping and laundry services, food and beverage services, engineering and maintenance, security, recreation and event services, sales and marketing, accounting and finance, human resources, and hotel management; Whereas hotel employees help facilitate family vacations, business travel, weddings, conferences, reunions, sporting events, and other significant occasions; Whereas hotel employees work each day to provide guests with safe, welcoming, clean, and memorable experiences; Whereas the dedication and professionalism of hotel employees are essential to the successful operation of hotels and the broader travel and tourism economy of the United States; Whereas the hotel industry provides more than 200 different career paths and offers employees opportunities for professional development and advancement; Whereas more than half of hotel general managers began their careers in entry-level positions, demonstrating the opportunities for advancement available within the hotel industry; Whereas hotel employees strengthen their communities by supporting local businesses, welcoming visitors, assisting during emergencies and natural disasters, and contributing to charitable and civic activities; Whereas the American Hotel & Lodging Association and National Day Calendar established "National Hotel Employee Day" in 2022 to recognize the service, professionalism, hard work, and dedication of hotel employees; and Whereas National Hotel Employee Day is observed annually on September 1: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) recognizes and expresses appreciation for the service, professionalism, hard work, and dedication of hotel employees throughout the United States; (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Hotel Employee Day; (3) recognizes the important contributions of hotel employees to the travel and tourism industry, the economy of the United States, and communities throughout the United States; and (4) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Hotel Employee Day by thanking hotel employees and recognizing their contributions to the United States.

Senate Resolution 843--Expressing Support for the Designation of the First Week of August 2026, as "National Community Health Center Week", Encouraging All People of the United States To...

Pages S4568–S4569 · Official text

SENATE RESOLUTION 843--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST 2026, AS "NATIONAL COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER WEEK", ENCOURAGING ALL PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES TO PARTICIPATE BY VISITING THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, AND CELEBRATING THE IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE Mr. CORNYN (for himself, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Justice, Mr. Lankford, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Marshall, Mrs. Fischer, Ms. Lummis, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Welch, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Booker, Mr. Bennet, Mr. Wyden, Mr. Blumenthal, and Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

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Whereas, for over 60 years, community health centers have provided access to high-quality, affordable, comprehensive, preventive care for individuals in the United States, having a positive impact on the health system of the United States; Whereas, as the largest primary care network in the United States, over 1,500 community health centers provide high quality care for up to 52,000,000 individuals in 17,000 communities, such that 1 in 7 individuals across the United States and 1 in 3 in rural areas rely on community health centers; Whereas community health centers are an important element of the health system of the United States, serving rural, suburban, island, frontier, and urban communities, often as the only accessible and dependable source of primary care; Whereas community health centers are responding to the growing burden of chronic disease by expanding access to nutrition services and lifestyle counseling, reducing expensive emergency room visits and hospital admissions, and keeping the people of the United States healthy; Whereas community health centers integrate a wide range of services into primary care, such as mental health, dental, vision, hearing, and pharmacy services, creating a one-stop shop for all health-related needs; Whereas community health centers are uniquely governed by patient-majority boards, ensuring communities are fully engaged in the strategy of community health centers for improving care access and quality; Whereas community health centers are locally operated nonprofit organizations that empower local economies by generating nearly $262,000,000,000 in economic activity across the United States; Whereas community health centers nationally support 809,000 jobs, including physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, counselors, dentists, pharmacists, and community health workers on multidisciplinary teams; Whereas the community health center model of care is effective at overcoming barriers to access, improving health outcomes, and saving taxpayer dollars; Whereas, in 2025, community health centers provided cancer screening to nearly 11,000,000 patients and helped more than 4,000,000 patients control their hypertension and nearly 2,500,000 patients control their diabetes; Whereas community health centers are on the front lines of addressing opioid overdoses, responding to health care needs arising from natural disasters, expanding access to care for our veterans, and operating nearly 4,600 school-based sites and over 1,300 mobile units to reach people living in rural and remote areas; and Whereas National Community Health Center Week offers the opportunity to recognize the contributions of every community health center: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) honors the dedicated staff, board members, patients, and all those responsible for the continued success of community health centers since the first centers opened their doors 6 decades ago; (2) celebrates the legacy of community health centers and their vital role in shaping the past, present, and future of the health system of the United States; (3) supports the designation of the first week of August 2026, as "National Community Health Center Week"; and (4) encourages all people of the United States to participate in National Community Health Center Week by visiting their local community health center and celebrating the important partnership between community health centers and the communities they serve.

Senate Resolution 844--Honoring the Lives and Service of Emily Barker, Nicholas Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, Nathan Matthews, Nicholas Dale, and All Those Who Serve on the Front Lines of Wildland...

Page S4569 · Official text

Mr. BENNET (for himself, Mr. Lee, Mr. Hickenlooper, and Mr. Curtis) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

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Whereas the 2026 wildfire season has already placed extraordinary demands on wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders, dispatchers, and support personnel across the Western United States; Whereas, on June 27, 2026, 2 members of the Rifle, Colorado, Helitack crew, Emily Barker of Michigan and Sydney Watson of Alabama, and 1 member of the Pitman Valley, Arizona, Helitack crew on temporary assignment in Rifle, Colorado, Nicholas Hutcherson of Arizona, gave their lives while responding to the Knowles and Gore Fires, which later merged into the Snyder Fire, along the Utah-Colorado border; Whereas 2 additional firefighters were seriously injured while responding alongside their fallen colleagues, including Nathan Matthews of Nebraska assigned to the Rifle Helitack crew, who died as a result of his injuries on July 24, 2026; Whereas, on July 12, 2026, firefighting pilot Nicholas Dale of British Columbia, Canada, gave his life while supporting suppression efforts on the Gold Mountain Fire in Colorado; Whereas Emily Barker, Nicholas Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, Nathan Matthews, and Nicholas Dale answered the call to protect others, and in doing so, gave their lives; Whereas the members of the Rifle and Pitman Valley Helitack crews carried out one of the most demanding assignments in wildland firefighting, deploying by helicopter into remote terrain to slow the advance of dangerous wildfires; and Whereas wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders, dispatchers, and support personnel continue to put themselves in danger to protect lives, communities, infrastructure, and natural resources throughout the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) honors the lives, service, and ultimate sacrifice of Emily Barker, Nicholas Hutcherson, Sydney Watson, Nathan Matthews, and Nicholas Dale; (2) expresses its deepest sympathies to their families, friends, and colleagues, and recognizes the courage and continued recovery of the firefighters who were injured in the line of duty; (3) expresses the gratitude of the people of the United States to the wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders, dispatchers, and support personnel who continue to protect communities throughout the United States; (4) recognizes that protecting communities from catastrophic wildfire requires both responsible stewardship of forests and public lands and continued support for the wildland firefighters, aviation crews, emergency responders, dispatchers, and support personnel who put themselves in danger to protect lives, communities, and natural resources; and (5) invites the people of the United States to honor the courage, sacrifice, and service of the men and women who risk their lives each wildfire season in defense of their fellow citizens.

Senate Resolution 845--Designating September 2026 as "National Child Awareness Month" to Promote Awareness of Charities That Benefit Children as Well as Youth-Serving Organizations Throughout The...

Page S4569 · Official text

SENATE RESOLUTION 845--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2026 AS "NATIONAL CHILD AWARENESS MONTH" TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF CHARITIES THAT BENEFIT CHILDREN AS WELL AS YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS MADE BY THOSE CHARITIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ON BEHALF OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH AS CRITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUTURE OF THE UNITED STATES Mr. LANKFORD (for himself and Ms. Hassan) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

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Whereas the millions of children and youth in the United States represent the hopes and the future of the United States; Whereas numerous individuals, charities benefitting children, and youth-serving organizations that work with children and youth collaborate to provide invaluable services to enrich and better the lives of children and youth throughout the United States; Whereas raising awareness of and increasing support for organizations that provide access to health care, social services, education, the arts, sports, and other services will result in the development of character in, and the future success of, the children and youth of the United States; Whereas the month of September, as the school year begins, is a time when parents, families, teachers, school administrators, and communities increase the focus on children and youth throughout the United States; Whereas the month of September is a time for the people of the United States to highlight and be mindful of the needs of children and youth; Whereas private corporations and businesses have joined with hundreds of national and local charitable organizations throughout the United States in support of a month-long focus on children and youth; and Whereas a long-term commitment to children and youth is in the public interest and will encourage widespread support for charities and organizations that seek to provide a better future for the children and youth of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate designates September 2026 as "National Child Awareness Month"-- (1) to promote awareness of-- (A) charities that benefit children; and (B) youth-serving organizations throughout the United States; (2) to recognize the efforts made by the charities and organizations described in paragraph (1) on behalf of children and youth as critical contributions to the future of the United States; and (3) to recognize the importance of meeting the needs of children and youth, including children and youth who-- (A) have experienced homelessness; (B) are in the foster care system; (C) have been victims, or are at risk of becoming victims, of child sex trafficking; (D) have been impacted by violence; (E) have experienced trauma; (F) have serious physical and mental health needs; (G) benefit from access to arts and cultural opportunities that foster creativity and self-expression; and (H) require educational development initiatives that address learning gaps and promote academic success.

Senate Resolution 846--Designating August 21, 2026, as "Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day"

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SENATE RESOLUTION 846--DESIGNATING AUGUST 21, 2026, AS "FENTANYL PREVENTION AND AWARENESS DAY" Mr. GRASSLEY (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

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Whereas families in the United States affected by the use of illicit fentanyl use Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day-- (1) to preserve the memory of individuals lost to illicit fentanyl overdose or poisoning who were unsuspecting victims, experimenting with the drug, or suffering from substance use disorder; (2) to acknowledge the devastation caused by the use of illicit fentanyl and other dangerous drugs; and (3) to increase awareness about the dangers of the use of illicit fentanyl to prevent a public health crisis, self-harm, addiction, and death; Whereas Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is celebrated each year on August 21 by State governors and attorneys general, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, parent-teacher associations, the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program, the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Drug Enforcement Administration (referred to in this preamble as the "DEA"), and hundreds of other organizations throughout the United States; Whereas fentanyl is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that is 100 times more potent than morphine; Whereas, according to the DEA, illicit fentanyl is-- (1) manufactured with other illicit drugs to increase potency; (2) sold as a powder or mixed with other illicit drugs; and (3) pressed into counterfeit pills to look like a legitimate pharmaceutical drug; Whereas the illicit fentanyl crisis in the United States is a serious public safety threat; Whereas the illicit fentanyl poisoning rate in 2025 was among the highest in the history of the United States, and fentanyl poisoning is a leading cause of death among citizens of the United States aged 18 to 45; Whereas synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl and the analogues of fentanyl, are devastating communities and families at an unprecedented rate, claiming nearly \2/3\ of the more than 69,973 lives lost to drug overdoses in 2025; Whereas individuals increasingly use pills or other drugs without knowing those substances contain fentanyl; Whereas, as of June 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel have seized more than 8,600 pounds of illicit fentanyl, and Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies continue to make record-breaking seizures of illicit fentanyl to ensure the safety of the people of the United States; Whereas families in the United States affected by the use of illicit fentanyl have gained momentum in educating the public about the dangers of the use of illicit fentanyl and other drugs and actively engage with Federal agencies to promote such education and awareness; Whereas families in the United States affected by the use of illicit fentanyl seek to raise awareness of the use of illicit fentanyl, prevent illicit fentanyl-related deaths, and join together in the effort to save lives on Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day; and Whereas parents, young people, schools, businesses, law enforcement agencies, religious institutions and faith-based organizations, service organizations, senior citizens, medical and military personnel, sports teams, and individuals throughout the United States will demonstrate a commitment to healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles on Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) designates August 21, 2026, as "Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day"; (2) encourages the people of the United States to promote prevention of the use of illicit fentanyl and to educate young people on Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, symbolizing a commitment to a healthy, drug-free lifestyle; (3) encourages children, teenagers, and other individuals to choose to live drug-free lives; and (4) encourages the people of the United States-- (A) to promote drug prevention and the creation of drug-free communities; and (B) to participate in drug prevention activities to show support for healthy, productive, and drug-free lifestyles.

Senate Resolution 847--Commending and Congratulating the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions Men's Wrestling Team for Winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I...

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SENATE RESOLUTION 847--COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY NITTANY LIONS MEN'S WRESTLING TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2026 NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION I NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Mr. McCORMICK (for himself and Mr. Fetterman) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation:

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Whereas the sport of wrestling has an enduring positive impact on the lives of wrestlers, fostering values such as perseverance, discipline, courage, responsibility, and respect; Whereas Pennsylvania State University has long exemplified greatness in the sport of wrestling; Whereas the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team won the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association (in this preamble, referred to as the "NCAA") Division I National Championship, which is their fifth consecutive championship; Whereas the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team has won 13 NCAA Division I National Championships since 2011; Whereas every member of the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team contributed to the successful 2026 championship season; and Whereas the coaches and staff of the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team played a vital role in their success during the 2026 season: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) congratulates the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team for winning the 2026 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I National Championship; (2) recognizes the dedication, teamwork, and perseverance of the student-athletes, coaches, and staff of the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team who contributed to this extraordinary achievement; and (3) commends the Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions men's wrestling team for continuing the tradition of excellence and leadership in collegiate wrestling.

Senate Resolution 848--Celebrating the 80th Anniversary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Premier Public Health Institute of the United States

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Mr. WARNOCK (for himself and Mr. Ossoff ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

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Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (referred to in this preamble as the "CDC") celebrated its 80th anniversary on July 1, 2026; Whereas, on July 1, 1946, the CDC was first established in Atlanta, Georgia, as the Communicable Disease Center to control the spread of malaria after World War II; Whereas, since the 1940s, the CDC expanded from fewer than 400 employees in Atlanta, Georgia, to nearly 13,000 employees across more than 60 countries in early 2025 to spearhead its lifesaving mission of preventing and protecting the people of the United States from diseases and other emerging health threats; Whereas the CDC has contributed to major public health achievements, including the eradication of smallpox in 1980, the prevention of more than 1,100,000 deaths through the Vaccines for Children program between 1994 and 2023, and the control of numerous outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic fevers; Whereas the CDC contributed to the decline in drug overdoses in the United States by surveilling overdoses, prescribing guidelines, and partnering with High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas programs in States; Whereas the CDC has addressed the leading cause of preventable death through its Tips From Former Smokers campaign, which helped 1,000,000 individuals successfully quit smoking and prevented an estimated 129,000 premature deaths; Whereas the CDC protects the health of the people of the United States by leading cross-cutting scientific research on public health threats, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, injuries, chronic diseases, zoonotic infectious diseases, and environmental health issues, among others; Whereas the CDC plays a critical role in providing public health guidance to health professionals and patients on safe pregnancies and childbirth, environmental and occupational exposures, disabilities, and the prevention and control of injuries and diseases; Whereas the CDC provides financial and technical support to States, territories, Tribes, and local public health organizations to implement major public health initiatives, such as the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, to improve domestic disease monitoring and emergency preparedness; Whereas the CDC helps bridge the rural health gap by funding public awareness, preventive screenings, and workforce training programs that promote education, detection, and early intervention for public health threats in underserved communities; Whereas the CDC trains and recruits the world's leading epidemiologists, researchers, and public health experts by facilitating fellowship and internship programs; Whereas the CDC is a key implementer of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in collaboration with the Department of State, a program credited with saving more than 26,000,000 lives from the global HIV epidemic since its inception in 2003; Whereas the CDC works with foreign ministries of health and other partners to strengthen disease surveillance, laboratory systems, emergency preparedness, and outbreak response and deploys experts to areas affected by public health emergencies; Whereas CDC employees dedicate their lives to improving health outcomes worldwide through data-driven research and public health interventions; Whereas, on August 8, 2025, a gunman fired more than 500 shots at buildings at the CDC headquarters, including near a childcare center, leading to the tragic death of Officer David Rose, a DeKalb County law enforcement officer, and critical damage to the Atlanta campus; and Whereas the shooting attack caused devastation, trauma, and grief to thousands of public health workers across the United States and many hardworking CDC employees who still had to show up at the office for months with bullet holes in the windows: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) condemns the act of violence during the shooting on August 8, 2025, and offers condolences to the loved ones of Officer David Rose, who died in the line of duty; (2) affirms the responsibility of Congress to protect the integrity of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (referred to in this resolution as the "CDC") and the dignity of dedicated CDC employees who put their lives on the line for millions of individuals in the United States; (3) commits to supporting the lifesaving mission of the CDC of protecting the people of the United States and keeping them healthy, safe, and secure through data-driven scientific research, innovation, and public health initiatives; (4) expresses hope that the CDC, with continued investment, will continue its important work of saving lives from public health threats; and (5) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the Director of the CDC.

Senate Resolution 849--Expressing Support for the Designation of the Week of September 11 Through September 17, 2026, as "Patriot Week"

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SENATE RESOLUTION 849--EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 17, 2026, AS "PATRIOT WEEK" Mr. PETERS (for himself and Mr. Kennedy) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

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Whereas the events that led to the signing of the Constitution of the United States by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, have significance for every citizen of the United States and are honored in public schools across the United States on Constitution Day, which is September 17 of each year; Whereas the rule of law, the social compact, democracy, liberty, equality, and unalienable human rights are the essential values upon which the United States flourishes; Whereas diversity is one of the greatest strengths of the United States, and the motto inscribed on the Great Seal of the United States, "E pluribus unum", Latin for "out of many, one", symbolizes that individuals in the United States from all walks of life are unified by shared values; Whereas exceptional, visionary, and indispensable individuals such as Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry, John Adams, John Marshall, George Washington, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King, Jr., Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison founded or advanced the United States; Whereas the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, the Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions signed in Seneca Falls, New York, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the "I Have a Dream" speech delivered by Martin Luther King, Jr., express sentiments that have advanced liberty in the United States; and Whereas the Bennington flag (commonly known as the "'76 flag"), the Betsy Ross flag, the current flag of the United States, the flag of the women's suffrage movement, the Union flag (commonly known as the "Fort Sumter flag"), the Gadsden flag, and the flags of the States are physical symbols of the history of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate-- (1) supports the designation of the week of September 11 through September 17, 2026, as "Patriot Week"; (2) recognizes that understanding the history of the United States and the first principles of the United States is indispensable to the survival of the United States as a free people; (3) acknowledges, in great reverence to the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks, that citizens of the United States should take time to honor the first principles, founders, documents, and symbols of their history; (4) recognizes that each generation should renew the spirit of the United States based on the first principles, historical figures, founding documents, and symbols of the United States; and (5) encourages citizens, schools and other educational institutions, and Federal, State, and local governments and their agencies to recognize and participate in Patriot Week by honoring, celebrating, and promoting the study of the history of the United States so that all people of the United States may offer the reverence that is due to the free republic.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 38--Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2027 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years...

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THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY LEVELS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2028 THROUGH 2036 Mr. JOHNSON submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was placed on the calendar:

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Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), SECTION 1. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. (a) Declaration.--Congress declares that this resolution is the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2027 and that this resolution sets forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this concurrent resolution is as follows: Sec. 1. Concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2027. Sec. 1101. Recommended levels and amounts. Sec. 1102. Major functional categories. Sec. 1201. Social Security in the Senate. Sec. 1202. Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses in the Senate. Sec. 2001. Reconciliation in the House of Representatives. Sec. 2002. Reconciliation in the Senate. Sec. 3001. Reserve fund for reconciliation legislation. Sec. 4001. Enforcement filing. Sec. 4002. Budgetary treatment of administrative expenses. Sec. 4003. Application and effect of changes in allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels. Sec. 4004. Adjustments to reflect changes in concepts and definitions. Sec. 4005. Adjustment for changes in the baseline. Sec. 4006. Emergency requirements in the House of Representatives. Sec. 4007. Additional adjustments in the House of Representatives. Sec. 4008. Exercise of rulemaking powers. SEC. 1101. RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS. The following budgetary levels are appropriate for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2036: (1) Federal revenues.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution: (A) The recommended levels of Federal revenues are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $4,481,487,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $4,613,874,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $4,804,166,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $5,019,004,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $5,231,798,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $5,430,293,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $5,629,428,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $5,843,060,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $6,079,841,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $6,340,095,000,000. (B) The amounts by which the aggregate levels of Federal revenues should be changed are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $0. Fiscal year 2028: $0. Fiscal year 2029: $0. Fiscal year 2030: $0. Fiscal year 2031: $0. Fiscal year 2032: $0. Fiscal year 2033: $0. Fiscal year 2034: $0. Fiscal year 2035: $0. Fiscal year 2036: $0. (2) New budget authority.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the appropriate levels of total new budget authority are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $5,970,796,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $6,123,042,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $6,228,057,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $6,510,728,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $6,700,183,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $6,935,858,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $7,317,354,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $7,482,024,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $7,579,255,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $7,982,009,000,000. (3) Budget outlays.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the appropriate levels of total budget outlays are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $6,083,143,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $6,254,653,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $6,257,411,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $6,522,342,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $6,666,776,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $6,866,535,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $7,267,790,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $7,376,820,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $7,408,167,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $7,855,672,000,000. (4) Deficits.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the amounts of the deficits are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $1,601,656,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $1,640,779,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $1,453,245,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $1,503,338,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $1,434,978,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $1,436,242,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $1,638,362,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $1,533,760,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $1,328,326,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $1,515,577,000,000. (5) Public debt.--Pursuant to section 301(a)(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 632(a)(5)), the appropriate levels of the public debt are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $41,360,158,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $43,206,385,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $44,846,113,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $46,504,741,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $48,085,473,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $49,805,327,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $52,062,180,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $54,294,571,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $56,444,871,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $58,761,343,000,000. (6) Debt held by the public.--The appropriate levels of debt held by the public are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $33,936,608,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $35,853,228,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $37,607,786,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $39,443,315,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $41,246,165,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $43,097,467,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $45,176,216,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $47,178,134,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $49,009,966,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $51,067,355,000,000. SEC. 1102. MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES. Congress determines and declares that the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for fiscal years 2027 through 2036 for each major functional category are: (1) National Defense (050): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $955,085,000,000. (B) Outlays, $978,947,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $982,359,000,000. (B) Outlays, $992,690,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $1,007,889,000,000. (B) Outlays, $996,559,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $1,029,810,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,015,126,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $1,053,576,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,030,291,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $1,079,344,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,048,606,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $1,105,691,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,081,405,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $1,131,379,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,097,992,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $1,157,331,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,112,803,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $1,184,416,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,148,892,000,000. (2) International Affairs (150): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $60,346,000,000. (B) Outlays, $50,221,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $62,670,000,000. (B) Outlays, $53,816,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $65,885,000,000. (B) Outlays, $61,625,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $67,295,000,000. (B) Outlays, $62,196,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $68,779,000,000. (B) Outlays, $63,496,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $70,272,000,000. (B) Outlays, $64,937,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $71,782,000,000. (B) Outlays, $66,509,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $73,349,000,000. (B) Outlays, $67,971,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $74,913,000,000. (B) Outlays, $69,451,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $76,562,000,000. (B) Outlays, $70,914,000,000. (3) General Science, Space, and Technology (250): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $42,383,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,604,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $43,346,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,665,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $44,317,000,000. (B) Outlays, $45,250,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $45,255,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,932,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $46,239,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,982,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $47,230,000,000. (B) Outlays, $45,791,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $48,222,000,000. (B) Outlays, $46,754,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $49,249,000,000. (B) Outlays, $47,750,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $50,288,000,000. (B) Outlays, $48,768,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $51,371,000,000. (B) Outlays, $49,807,000,000. (4) Energy (270): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $22,037,000,000. (B) Outlays, $26,556,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $19,254,000,000. (B) Outlays, $27,302,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $19,067,000,000. (B) Outlays, $25,974,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $18,036,000,000. (B) Outlays, $21,993,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $17,812,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,225,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $19,580,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,269,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $19,831,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,011,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $20,154,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,262,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $20,772,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,817,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $21,304,000,000. (B) Outlays, $19,283,000,000. (5) Natural Resources and Environment (300): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $67,830,000,000. (B) Outlays, $77,459,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $69,086,000,000. (B) Outlays, $77,893,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $69,959,000,000. (B) Outlays, $77,970,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $70,257,000,000. (B) Outlays, $75,843,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $71,477,000,000. (B) Outlays, $75,005,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $72,684,000,000. (B) Outlays, $74,386,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $74,618,000,000. (B) Outlays, $75,378,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $76,513,000,000. (B) Outlays, $74,748,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $77,417,000,000. (B) Outlays, $75,511,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $79,379,000,000. (B) Outlays, $76,948,000,000. (6) Agriculture (350): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $41,847,000,000. (B) Outlays, $50,233,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $41,600,000,000. (B) Outlays, $46,906,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $41,499,000,000. (B) Outlays, $41,828,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $39,255,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,754,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $39,267,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,063,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $39,994,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,476,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $40,606,000,000. (B) Outlays, $39,517,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $40,870,000,000. (B) Outlays, $40,249,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $41,269,000,000. (B) Outlays, $41,042,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $41,827,000,000. (B) Outlays, $41,211,000,000. (7) Commerce and Housing Credit (370): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $25,633,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,626,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, -$57,105,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$82,333,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $27,701,000,000. (B) Outlays, $8,112,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $26,621,000,000. (B) Outlays, $4,237,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $26,516,000,000. (B) Outlays, $2,212,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $26,534,000,000. (B) Outlays, $848,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $20,492,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$6,635,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $29,326,000,000. (B) Outlays, $284,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $29,727,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$853,000,000. Fiscal year

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2036: (A) New budget authority, $30,424,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$2,080,000,000. (8) Transportation (400): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $166,534,000,000. (B) Outlays, $163,408,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $169,908,000,000. (B) Outlays, $170,876,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $171,775,000,000. (B) Outlays, $173,510,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $170,989,000,000. (B) Outlays, $173,079,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $173,090,000,000. (B) Outlays, $175,852,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $178,360,000,000. (B) Outlays, $181,371,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $180,675,000,000. (B) Outlays, $184,337,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $183,042,000,000. (B) Outlays, $186,059,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $185,346,000,000. (B) Outlays, $188,036,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $187,775,000,000. (B) Outlays, $192,319,000,000. (9) Community and Regional Development (450): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $41,195,000,000. (B) Outlays, $66,116,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $41,946,000,000. (B) Outlays, $63,807,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $42,857,000,000. (B) Outlays, $55,194,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $43,734,000,000. (B) Outlays, $49,744,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $44,625,000,000. (B) Outlays, $47,110,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $45,494,000,000. (B) Outlays, $45,585,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $46,332,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,128,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $47,237,000,000. (B) Outlays, $43,653,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $48,218,000,000. (B) Outlays, $43,582,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $49,251,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,176,000,000. (10) Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services (500): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $136,286,000,000. (B) Outlays, $139,557,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $138,324,000,000. (B) Outlays, $136,177,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $140,974,000,000. (B) Outlays, $138,114,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $143,692,000,000. (B) Outlays, $140,448,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $146,554,000,000. (B) Outlays, $143,133,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $149,749,000,000. (B) Outlays, $146,147,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $152,984,000,000. (B) Outlays, $149,233,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $155,900,000,000. (B) Outlays, $152,119,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $158,838,000,000. (B) Outlays, $155,006,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $161,864,000,000. (B) Outlays, $157,933,000,000. (11) Health (550): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $1,012,489,000,000. (B) Outlays, $991,303,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $1,017,963,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,009,904,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $1,043,294,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,026,048,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $1,068,044,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,056,193,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $1,090,585,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,087,706,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $1,133,789,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,125,873,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $1,180,147,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,169,326,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $1,225,708,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,213,058,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $1,275,106,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,260,928,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $1,329,236,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,314,489,000,000. (12) Medicare (570): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $1,149,338,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,148,649,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $1,294,352,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,293,601,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $1,214,269,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,213,516,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $1,366,819,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,366,064,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $1,447,843,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,447,086,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $1,537,619,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,536,866,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $1,766,981,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,766,187,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $1,771,433,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,770,648,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $1,745,418,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,744,596,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $1,982,616,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,981,764,000,000. (13) Income Security (600): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $721,101,000,000. (B) Outlays, $715,202,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $734,371,000,000. (B) Outlays, $734,156,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $734,872,000,000. (B) Outlays, $719,411,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $754,343,000,000. (B) Outlays, $744,691,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $769,512,000,000. (B) Outlays, $758,425,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $787,995,000,000. (B) Outlays, $775,944,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $809,966,000,000. (B) Outlays, $805,125,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $820,962,000,000. (B) Outlays, $809,124,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $829,297,000,000. (B) Outlays, $807,646,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $853,928,000,000. (B) Outlays, $840,186,000,000. (14) Social Security (650): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $71,135,000,000. (B) Outlays, $71,135,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $74,970,000,000. (B) Outlays, $74,970,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $82,084,000,000. (B) Outlays, $82,084,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $87,394,000,000. (B) Outlays, $87,394,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $91,336,000,000. (B) Outlays, $91,336,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $95,906,000,000. (B) Outlays, $95,906,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $101,080,000,000. (B) Outlays, $101,080,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $106,598,000,000. (B) Outlays, $106,598,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $112,559,000,000. (B) Outlays, $112,559,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $118,538,000,000. (B) Outlays, $118,538,000,000. (15) Veterans Benefits and Services (700): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $450,026,000,000. (B) Outlays, $449,840,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $472,729,000,000. (B) Outlays, $494,955,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $495,351,000,000. (B) Outlays, $468,176,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $516,490,000,000. (B) Outlays, $513,230,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $533,555,000,000. (B) Outlays, $529,785,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $554,300,000,000. (B) Outlays, $550,972,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $576,778,000,000. (B) Outlays, $601,751,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $600,111,000,000. (B) Outlays, $598,973,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $624,549,000,000. (B) Outlays, $589,870,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $649,609,000,000. (B) Outlays, $645,497,000,000. (16) Administration of Justice (750): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $91,423,000,000. (B) Outlays, $111,372,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $90,880,000,000. (B) Outlays, $118,929,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $92,952,000,000. (B) Outlays, $120,040,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $95,468,000,000. (B) Outlays, $121,409,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $97,296,000,000. (B) Outlays, $114,659,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $104,427,000,000. (B) Outlays, $115,579,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $107,057,000,000. (B) Outlays, $108,068,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $109,246,000,000. (B) Outlays, $108,546,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $111,973,000,000. (B) Outlays, $109,286,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $114,820,000,000. (B) Outlays, $112,048,000,000. (17) General Government (800): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $31,675,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,393,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $32,811,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,741,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $33,865,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,977,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $35,194,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,526,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $36,045,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,220,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $37,220,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,252,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $38,030,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,927,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $38,859,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,433,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $39,736,000,000. (B) Outlays, $39,249,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $40,681,000,000. (B) Outlays, $40,112,000,000. (18) Net Interest (900): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $1,146,866,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,146,866,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $1,236,463,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,236,463,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $1,313,485,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,313,485,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $1,383,390,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,383,390,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $1,454,965,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,454,965,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $1,519,836,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,519,836,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $1,588,216,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,588,216,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $1,658,335,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,658,335,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $1,719,369,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,719,369,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $1,786,098,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,786,098,000,000. (19) Allowances (920): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. (20) Government-Wide Savings (930): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, -$124,103,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$49,236,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, -$199,332,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$134,368,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, -$261,367,000,000.

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(B) Outlays, -$194,791,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, -$286,812,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$250,361,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, -$333,252,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$318,138,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, -$380,167,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$371,801,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, -$427,358,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$423,751,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, -$476,296,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$476,031,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, -$543,470,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$548,098,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, -$594,536,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$599,309,000,000. (21) Undistributed Offsetting Receipts (950): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, -$138,330,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$138,108,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, -$143,553,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$143,497,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, -$152,671,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$152,671,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, -$164,546,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$164,546,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, -$175,637,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$175,637,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, -$184,308,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$184,308,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, -$184,776,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$184,776,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, -$179,951,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$179,951,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, -$179,401,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$179,401,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, -$183,154,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$183,154,000,000. SEC. 1201. SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE SENATE. (a) Social Security Revenues.--For purposes of Senate enforcement under sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633 and 642), the amounts of revenues of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $1,403,711,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $1,457,594,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $1,515,623,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $1,575,995,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $1,637,695,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $1,699,389,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $1,762,048,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $1,825,863,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $1,892,022,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $1,960,660,000,000. (b) Social Security Outlays.--For purposes of Senate enforcement under sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633 and 642), the amounts of outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $1,613,963,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $1,717,385,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $1,819,101,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $1,924,297,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $2,034,773,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $2,151,750,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $2,253,309,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $2,354,460,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $2,456,557,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $2,559,808,000,000. (c) Social Security Administrative Expenses.--In the Senate, the amounts of new budget authority and budget outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for administrative expenses are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $6,717,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,604,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $6,927,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,794,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $7,127,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,990,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $7,328,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,191,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $7,540,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,398,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $7,754,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,609,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $7,972,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,824,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $8,198,000,000. (B) Outlays, $8,044,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $8,429,000,000. (B) Outlays, $8,272,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $8,671,000,000. (B) Outlays, $8,508,000,000. SEC. 1202. POSTAL SERVICE DISCRETIONARY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES IN THE SENATE. In the Senate, the amounts of new budget authority and budget outlays of the Postal Service for discretionary administrative expenses are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $279,000,000. (B) Outlays, $279,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $289,000,000. (B) Outlays, $289,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $298,000,000. (B) Outlays, $298,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $308,000,000. (B) Outlays, $308,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $319,000,000. (B) Outlays, $319,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $329,000,000. (B) Outlays, $329,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $340,000,000. (B) Outlays, $340,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $351,000,000. (B) Outlays, $351,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $363,000,000. (B) Outlays, $363,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $375,000,000. (B) Outlays, $375,000,000. SEC. 2001. RECONCILIATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (a) Submissions.--In the House of Representatives, not later than September 11, 2026, the committees named in subsection (b) shall submit their recommendations on changes in laws within their jurisdictions to the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to carry out this section. (b) Instructions.-- (1) Committee on agriculture.--The Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $12,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (2) Committee on armed services.--The Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $60,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (3) Permanent select committee on intelligence.--The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $13,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (4) Committee on house administration.--The Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $10,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. SEC. 2002. RECONCILIATION IN THE SENATE. (a) Submissions.--In the Senate, not later than September 11, 2026, the committees named in subsection (b) shall submit their recommendations to the Committee on the Budget of the Senate. Upon receiving all such recommendations, the Committee on the Budget of the Senate shall report to the Senate a reconciliation bill carrying out all such recommendations without any substantive revision. (b) Instructions.-- (1) Committee on agriculture, nutrition, and forestry.--The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $12,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (2) Committee on armed services.--The Committee on Armed Services of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $60,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (3) Committee on commerce, science, and transportation.--The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (4) Committee on energy and natural resources.--The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (5) Committee on foreign relations.--The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (6) Committee on homeland security and governmental affairs.--The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $20,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (7) Committee on indian affairs.--The Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (8) Select committee on intelligence.--The Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $13,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (9) Committee on the judiciary.--The Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $20,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (10) Committee on rules and administration.--The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $20,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (11) Committee on veterans' affairs.--The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. SEC. 3001.

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RESERVE FUND FOR RECONCILIATION LEGISLATION. (a) House of Representatives.-- (1) In general.--In the House of Representatives, the chair of the Committee on the Budget may revise the allocations of a committee or committees, aggregates, and other appropriate levels in this resolution for any bill or joint resolution considered pursuant to section 2001 containing the recommendations of one or more committees, or for one or more amendments to, a conference report on, or an amendment between the Houses in relation to such a bill or joint resolution, by the amounts necessary to accommodate the budgetary effects of the legislation, if the budgetary effects of the legislation comply with the reconciliation instructions under this concurrent resolution. (2) Determination of compliance.--For purposes of this subsection, compliance with the reconciliation instructions under this concurrent resolution shall be determined by the chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives. (b) Senate.-- (1) In general.--In the Senate, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may revise the allocations of a committee or committees, aggregates, and other appropriate levels in this resolution, and make adjustments to the pay-as-you-go ledger, for any bill or joint resolution considered pursuant to section 2002 containing the recommendations of one or more committees, or for one or more amendments to, a conference report on, or an amendment between the Houses in relation to such a bill or joint resolution, by the amounts necessary to accommodate the budgetary effects of the legislation, if the budgetary effects of the legislation comply with the reconciliation instructions under this concurrent resolution. (2) Determination of compliance.--For purposes of this subsection, compliance with the reconciliation instructions under this concurrent resolution shall be determined by the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate. (3) Exceptions for legislation.-- (A) Short-term.--Section 404 of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010, as amended by section 3201(b)(2) of S. Con. Res. 11 (114th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016, shall not apply to legislation for which the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate has exercised the authority under paragraph (1). (B) Long-term.--Section 3101 of S. Con. Res. 11 (114th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016, shall not apply to legislation for which the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate has exercised the authority under paragraph (1). SEC. 4001. ENFORCEMENT FILING. (a) In the House of Representatives.--In the House of Representatives, if a concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2027 is adopted without the appointment of a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses with respect to this concurrent resolution on the budget, for the purpose of enforcing the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) and applicable rules and requirements set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget, the allocations provided for in this subsection shall apply in the House of Representatives in the same manner as if such allocations were in a joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the budget for fiscal year 2027. The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives shall submit a statement for publication in the Congressional Record containing-- (1) for the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal year 2027 consistent with title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633); and (2) for all committees other than the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations consistent with title I for fiscal year 2027 and for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036 for the purpose of enforcing 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633). (b) In the Senate.--If this concurrent resolution on the budget is agreed to by the Senate and House of Representatives without the appointment of a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may submit a statement for publication in the Congressional Record containing-- (1) for the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal year 2027 consistent with the levels in title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633); and (2) for all committees other than the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal years 2027, 2027 through 2031, and 2027 through 2036 consistent with the levels in title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633). SEC. 4002. BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. (a) Senate.-- (1) In general.--In the Senate, notwithstanding section 302(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(1)), section 13301 of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 632 note), and section 2009a of title 39, United States Code, the report or the joint explanatory statement accompanying this concurrent resolution on the budget or the statement filed pursuant to section 4101(b), as applicable, shall include in an allocation under section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)) to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate of amounts for the discretionary administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration and the United States Postal Service. (2) Special rule.--In the Senate, for purposes of enforcing section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(f)), estimates of the level of total new budget authority and total outlays provided by a measure shall include any discretionary amounts described in paragraph (1). (b) House of Representatives.-- (1) In general.--In the House of Representatives, notwithstanding section 302(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(1)), section 13301 of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 632 note), and section 2009a of title 39, United States Code, the report or the joint explanatory statement accompanying this concurrent resolution on the budget or the statement filed pursuant to section 4101(a), as applicable, shall include in an allocation under section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)) to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives of amounts for the discretionary administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration and the United States Postal Service. (2) Special rule.--In the House of Representatives, for purposes of enforcing section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(f)), estimates of the level of total new budget authority and total outlays provided by a measure shall include any discretionary amounts described in paragraph (1). SEC. 4003. APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ALLOCATIONS, AGGREGATES, AND OTHER BUDGETARY LEVELS. (a) Application.--Any adjustments of allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels made pursuant to this concurrent resolution shall-- (1) apply while that measure is under consideration; (2) take effect upon the enactment of that measure; and (3) be published in the Congressional Record as soon as practicable. (b) Effect of Changed Allocations, Aggregates, and Other Budgetary Levels.--Revised allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels resulting from these adjustments shall be considered for the purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) as the allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels contained in this concurrent resolution. (c) Budget Committee Determinations.--For purposes of this concurrent resolution, the levels of new budget authority, outlays, direct spending, new entitlement authority, revenues, deficits, and surpluses for a fiscal year or period of fiscal years shall be determined on the basis of estimates made by the chair of the Committee on the Budget of the applicable House of Congress. (d) Aggregates, Allocations and Application.--In the House of Representatives, for purposes of this concurrent resolution and budget enforcement, the consideration of any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, for which the chair of the Committee on the Budget makes adjustments or revisions in the allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels of this concurrent resolution shall not be subject to the point of order set forth in clause 10 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. SEC. 4004. ADJUSTMENTS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS. (a) House of Representatives.--In the House of Representatives, the chair of the Committee on the Budget may adjust the appropriate aggregates, allocations, and other budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution for any change in budgetary concepts and definitions consistent with section 251(b)(1) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(1)). (b) Senate.--In the Senate, upon the enactment of a bill or joint resolution providing for a change in concepts or definitions, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may make adjustments to the levels and allocations in this concurrent resolution in accordance with section 251(b) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)). SEC. 4005. ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN THE BASELINE. The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution to reflect changes resulting from the Congressional Budget Office's updates to its baseline for fiscal years 2027 through 2036, including the effects of legislation enacted before the date on which this concurrent resolution is agreed to. SEC. 4006.

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EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (a) In General.--In the House of Representatives, if a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making appropriations for discretionary amounts contains a provision providing new budget authority and outlays, and a designation of such provision as an emergency requirement, the chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives shall not count the budgetary effects of such provision for any purpose in the House of Representatives. (b) Application.-- (1) Exclusion.--A proposal to strike a designation under subsection (a) shall be excluded from an evaluation of budgetary effects for any purpose in the House of Representatives. (2) Amendment.--An amendment offered under subsection (a) that also proposes to reduce each amount appropriated or otherwise made available by the pending measure that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available shall be in order at any point in the reading of the pending measure in the House of Representatives. (c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) Emergency.--The term "emergency" means a situation that-- (A) requires new budget authority and outlays (or new budget authority and the outlays flowing therefrom) for the prevention or mitigation of, or response to, loss of life or property, or a threat to national security; and (B) is unanticipated. (2) Unanticipated.--The term "unanticipated" means that the underlying situation is-- (A) sudden, which means quickly coming into being or not building up over time; (B) urgent, which means a pressing and compelling need requiring immediate action; (C) unforeseen, which means not predicted or anticipated as an emerging need; and (D) temporary, which means not of a permanent duration. SEC. 4007. ADDITIONAL ADJUSTMENTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (a) Adjustment for Disaster Relief.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report makes discretionary appropriations that Congress designates as being for disaster relief, the adjustment for fiscal year 2027 shall be the total of such appropriations for fiscal year 2027 designated as being for disaster relief, but not to exceed the amount equal to the total amount calculated for fiscal year 2027 in accordance with the formula in section 251(b)(2)(D)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(D)(i)) except that such formula shall be applied by substituting "fiscal year 2027" for "fiscal years 2024 and 2025". (2) Definition.--As used in this subsection, the term "disaster relief" means activities carried out pursuant to a determination under section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)). (b) Adjustment for Wildfire Suppression.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2027 specifies an amount for wildfire suppression operations in the Wildland Fire Management accounts at the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior, then the adjustment shall be the amount of additional new budget authority specified in such measure as being for wildfire suppression operations for fiscal year 2027, but shall not exceed $2,950,000,000. (2) Definitions.--As used in this subsection, the terms "additional new budget authority" and "wildfire suppression operations" have the meanings specified in subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, of section 251(b)(2)(F)(ii) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(F)(ii)(I) and (II)). (c) Adjustment for Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2027 specifies an amount for the health care fraud and abuse control program at the Department of Health and Human Services (75-8393-0-7-571), then the adjustment shall be the amount of additional new budget authority specified in such measure for such program for fiscal year 2027, but shall not exceed $658,000,000. (2) Definition.--As used in this subsection, the term "additional new budget authority" means the amount provided for fiscal year 2027, in excess of $311,000,000, in a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations and specified to pay for the costs of the health care fraud and abuse control program. (d) Adjustment for Continuing Disability Reviews and Redeterminations.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2027 specifies an amount for continuing disability reviews under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq., 1381 et seq.), for the cost associated with conducting redeterminations of eligibility under title XVI of the Social Security Act, for the cost of co-operative disability investigation units, and for the cost associated with the prosecution of fraud in the programs and operations of the Social Security Administration by Special Assistant United States Attorneys, then the adjustment shall be the additional new budget authority specified in such measure for such expenses for fiscal year 2027, but shall not exceed $2,124,000,000. (2) Definitions.--As used in this subsection-- (A) the term "continuing disability reviews" means continuing disability reviews under sections 221(i) and 1614(a)(4) of the Social Security Act, including work-related continuing disability reviews to determine whether earnings derived from services demonstrate an individual's ability to engage in substantial gainful activity; (B) the term "redetermination" means redetermination of eligibility under sections 1611(c)(1) and 1614(a)(3)(H) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382(c)(1), 1382c(a)(3)(H)); and (C) the term "additional new budget authority" means the amount provided for fiscal year 2027, in excess of $273,000,000, in a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report and specified to pay for the costs of continuing disability reviews, redeterminations, co-operative disability investigation units, and fraud prosecutions under the heading "Limitation on Administrative Expenses" for the Social Security Administration. (e) Adjustment for Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2027 specifies an amount for grants to States under section 306 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 506) for claimants of regular compensation, as defined in such section, including those who are profiled as most likely to exhaust their benefits, then the adjustment shall be the additional new budget authority specified in such measure for such grants for fiscal year 2027, but shall not exceed $400,000,000. (2) Definitions.--As used in this subsection, the term "additional new budget authority" means the amount provided for fiscal year 2027, in excess of $117,000,000, in a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations and specified to pay for grants to States under section 306 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 506) for claimants of regular compensation, as defined in such section, including those who are profiled as most likely to exhaust their benefits. SEC. 4008. EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWERS. Congress adopts the provisions of this title-- (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such they shall be considered as part of the rules of each House or of that House to which they specifically apply, and such rules shall supersede other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent with such other rules; and (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either the Senate or the House of Representatives to change those rules (insofar as they relate to that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as is the case of any other rule of the Senate or House of Representatives.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 39--Setting Forth the Congressional Budget for the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2027 and Setting Forth the Appropriate Budgetary Levels for Fiscal Years...

Pages S4577–S4583 · Official text

THE APPROPRIATE BUDGETARY LEVELS FOR FISCAL YEARS 2028 THROUGH 2036 Mr. PAUL submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was placed on the calendar:

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Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), SECTION 1. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027. (a) Declaration.--Congress declares that this resolution is the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2027 and that this resolution sets forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2028 through 2036. (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this concurrent resolution is as follows: Sec. 1. Concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2027. Sec. 1101. Recommended levels and amounts. Sec. 1102. Major functional categories. Sec. 1201. Social Security in the Senate. Sec. 1202. Postal Service discretionary administrative expenses in the Senate. Sec. 2001. Reconciliation in the House of Representatives. Sec. 2002. Reconciliation in the Senate. Sec. 3001. Reserve fund for reconciliation legislation. Sec. 4001. Enforcement filing. Sec. 4002. Budgetary treatment of administrative expenses. Sec. 4003. Application and effect of changes in allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels. Sec. 4004. Adjustments to reflect changes in concepts and definitions. Sec. 4005. Adjustment for changes in the baseline. Sec. 4006. Emergency requirements in the House of Representatives. Sec. 4007. Additional adjustments in the House of Representatives. Sec. 4008. Exercise of rulemaking powers. SEC. 1101. RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS. The following budgetary levels are appropriate for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2036: (1) Federal revenues.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution: (A) The recommended levels of Federal revenues are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $4,481,487,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $4,613,874,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $4,804,166,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $5,019,004,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $5,231,798,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $5,430,293,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $5,629,428,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $5,843,060,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $6,079,841,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $6,340,095,000,000. (B) The amounts by which the aggregate levels of Federal revenues should be changed are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $0. Fiscal year 2028: $0. Fiscal year 2029: $0. Fiscal year 2030: $0. Fiscal year 2031: $0. Fiscal year 2032: $0. Fiscal year 2033: $0. Fiscal year 2034: $0. Fiscal year 2035: $0. Fiscal year 2036: $0. (2) New budget authority.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the appropriate levels of total new budget authority are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $5,970,796,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $6,123,042,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $6,228,057,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $6,510,728,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $6,700,183,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $6,935,858,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $7,317,354,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $7,482,024,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $7,579,255,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $7,982,009,000,000. (3) Budget outlays.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the appropriate levels of total budget outlays are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $6,083,143,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $6,254,653,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $6,257,411,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $6,522,342,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $6,666,776,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $6,866,535,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $7,267,790,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $7,376,820,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $7,408,167,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $7,855,672,000,000. (4) Deficits.--For purposes of the enforcement of this resolution, the amounts of the deficits are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $1,601,656,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $1,640,779,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $1,453,245,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $1,503,338,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $1,434,978,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $1,436,242,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $1,638,362,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $1,533,760,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $1,328,326,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $1,515,577,000,000. (5) Public debt.--Pursuant to section 301(a)(5) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 632(a)(5)), the appropriate levels of the public debt are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $41,360,158,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $43,206,385,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $44,846,113,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $46,504,741,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $48,085,473,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $49,805,327,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $52,062,180,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $54,294,571,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $56,444,871,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $58,761,343,000,000. (6) Debt held by the public.--The appropriate levels of debt held by the public are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $33,936,608,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $35,853,228,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $37,607,786,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $39,443,315,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $41,246,165,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $43,097,467,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $45,176,216,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $47,178,134,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $49,009,966,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $51,067,355,000,000. SEC. 1102. MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES. Congress determines and declares that the appropriate levels of new budget authority and outlays for fiscal years 2027 through 2036 for each major functional category are: (1) National Defense (050): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $955,085,000,000. (B) Outlays, $978,947,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $982,359,000,000. (B) Outlays, $992,690,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $1,007,889,000,000. (B) Outlays, $996,559,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $1,029,810,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,015,126,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $1,053,576,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,030,291,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $1,079,344,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,048,606,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $1,105,691,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,081,405,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $1,131,379,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,097,992,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $1,157,331,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,112,803,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $1,184,416,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,148,892,000,000. (2) International Affairs (150): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $60,346,000,000. (B) Outlays, $50,221,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $62,670,000,000. (B) Outlays, $53,816,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $65,885,000,000. (B) Outlays, $61,625,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $67,295,000,000. (B) Outlays, $62,196,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $68,779,000,000. (B) Outlays, $63,496,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $70,272,000,000. (B) Outlays, $64,937,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $71,782,000,000. (B) Outlays, $66,509,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $73,349,000,000. (B) Outlays, $67,971,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $74,913,000,000. (B) Outlays, $69,451,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $76,562,000,000. (B) Outlays, $70,914,000,000. (3) General Science, Space, and Technology (250): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $42,383,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,604,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $43,346,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,665,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $44,317,000,000. (B) Outlays, $45,250,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $45,255,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,932,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $46,239,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,982,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $47,230,000,000. (B) Outlays, $45,791,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $48,222,000,000. (B) Outlays, $46,754,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $49,249,000,000. (B) Outlays, $47,750,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $50,288,000,000. (B) Outlays, $48,768,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $51,371,000,000. (B) Outlays, $49,807,000,000. (4) Energy (270): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $22,037,000,000. (B) Outlays, $26,556,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $19,254,000,000. (B) Outlays, $27,302,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $19,067,000,000. (B) Outlays, $25,974,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $18,036,000,000. (B) Outlays, $21,993,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $17,812,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,225,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $19,580,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,269,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $19,831,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,011,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $20,154,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,262,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $20,772,000,000. (B) Outlays, $18,817,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $21,304,000,000. (B) Outlays, $19,283,000,000. (5) Natural Resources and Environment (300): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $67,830,000,000. (B) Outlays, $77,459,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $69,086,000,000. (B) Outlays, $77,893,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $69,959,000,000. (B) Outlays, $77,970,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $70,257,000,000. (B) Outlays, $75,843,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $71,477,000,000. (B) Outlays, $75,005,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $72,684,000,000. (B) Outlays, $74,386,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $74,618,000,000. (B) Outlays, $75,378,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $76,513,000,000. (B) Outlays, $74,748,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $77,417,000,000. (B) Outlays, $75,511,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $79,379,000,000. (B) Outlays, $76,948,000,000. (6) Agriculture (350): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $41,847,000,000. (B) Outlays, $50,233,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $41,600,000,000. (B) Outlays, $46,906,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $41,499,000,000. (B) Outlays, $41,828,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $39,255,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,754,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $39,267,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,063,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $39,994,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,476,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $40,606,000,000. (B) Outlays, $39,517,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $40,870,000,000. (B) Outlays, $40,249,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $41,269,000,000. (B) Outlays, $41,042,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $41,827,000,000. (B) Outlays, $41,211,000,000. (7) Commerce and Housing Credit (370): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $25,633,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,626,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, -$57,105,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$82,333,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $27,701,000,000. (B) Outlays, $8,112,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $26,621,000,000. (B) Outlays, $4,237,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $26,516,000,000. (B) Outlays, $2,212,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $26,534,000,000. (B) Outlays, $848,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $20,492,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$6,635,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $29,326,000,000. (B) Outlays, $284,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $29,727,000,000. (B) Outlays,

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-$853,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $30,424,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$2,080,000,000. (8) Transportation (400): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $166,534,000,000. (B) Outlays, $163,408,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $169,908,000,000. (B) Outlays, $170,876,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $171,775,000,000. (B) Outlays, $173,510,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $170,989,000,000. (B) Outlays, $173,079,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $173,090,000,000. (B) Outlays, $175,852,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $178,360,000,000. (B) Outlays, $181,371,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $180,675,000,000. (B) Outlays, $184,337,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $183,042,000,000. (B) Outlays, $186,059,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $185,346,000,000. (B) Outlays, $188,036,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $187,775,000,000. (B) Outlays, $192,319,000,000. (9) Community and Regional Development (450): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $41,195,000,000. (B) Outlays, $66,116,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $41,946,000,000. (B) Outlays, $63,807,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $42,857,000,000. (B) Outlays, $55,194,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $43,734,000,000. (B) Outlays, $49,744,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $44,625,000,000. (B) Outlays, $47,110,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $45,494,000,000. (B) Outlays, $45,585,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $46,332,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,128,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $47,237,000,000. (B) Outlays, $43,653,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $48,218,000,000. (B) Outlays, $43,582,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $49,251,000,000. (B) Outlays, $44,176,000,000. (10) Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services (500): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $136,286,000,000. (B) Outlays, $139,557,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $138,324,000,000. (B) Outlays, $136,177,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $140,974,000,000. (B) Outlays, $138,114,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $143,692,000,000. (B) Outlays, $140,448,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $146,554,000,000. (B) Outlays, $143,133,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $149,749,000,000. (B) Outlays, $146,147,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $152,984,000,000. (B) Outlays, $149,233,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $155,900,000,000. (B) Outlays, $152,119,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $158,838,000,000. (B) Outlays, $155,006,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $161,864,000,000. (B) Outlays, $157,933,000,000. (11) Health (550): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $1,012,489,000,000. (B) Outlays, $991,303,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $1,017,963,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,009,904,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $1,043,294,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,026,048,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $1,068,044,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,056,193,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $1,090,585,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,087,706,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $1,133,789,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,125,873,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $1,180,147,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,169,326,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $1,225,708,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,213,058,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $1,275,106,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,260,928,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $1,329,236,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,314,489,000,000. (12) Medicare (570): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $1,149,338,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,148,649,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $1,294,352,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,293,601,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $1,214,269,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,213,516,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $1,366,819,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,366,064,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $1,447,843,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,447,086,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $1,537,619,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,536,866,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $1,766,981,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,766,187,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $1,771,433,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,770,648,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $1,745,418,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,744,596,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $1,982,616,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,981,764,000,000. (13) Income Security (600): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $721,101,000,000. (B) Outlays, $715,202,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $734,371,000,000. (B) Outlays, $734,156,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $734,872,000,000. (B) Outlays, $719,411,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $754,343,000,000. (B) Outlays, $744,691,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $769,512,000,000. (B) Outlays, $758,425,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $787,995,000,000. (B) Outlays, $775,944,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $809,966,000,000. (B) Outlays, $805,125,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $820,962,000,000. (B) Outlays, $809,124,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $829,297,000,000. (B) Outlays, $807,646,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $853,928,000,000. (B) Outlays, $840,186,000,000. (14) Social Security (650): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $71,135,000,000. (B) Outlays, $71,135,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $74,970,000,000. (B) Outlays, $74,970,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $82,084,000,000. (B) Outlays, $82,084,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $87,394,000,000. (B) Outlays, $87,394,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $91,336,000,000. (B) Outlays, $91,336,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $95,906,000,000. (B) Outlays, $95,906,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $101,080,000,000. (B) Outlays, $101,080,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $106,598,000,000. (B) Outlays, $106,598,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $112,559,000,000. (B) Outlays, $112,559,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $118,538,000,000. (B) Outlays, $118,538,000,000. (15) Veterans Benefits and Services (700): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $450,026,000,000. (B) Outlays, $449,840,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $472,729,000,000. (B) Outlays, $494,955,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $495,351,000,000. (B) Outlays, $468,176,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $516,490,000,000. (B) Outlays, $513,230,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $533,555,000,000. (B) Outlays, $529,785,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $554,300,000,000. (B) Outlays, $550,972,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $576,778,000,000. (B) Outlays, $601,751,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $600,111,000,000. (B) Outlays, $598,973,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $624,549,000,000. (B) Outlays, $589,870,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $649,609,000,000. (B) Outlays, $645,497,000,000. (16) Administration of Justice (750): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $91,423,000,000. (B) Outlays, $111,372,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $90,880,000,000. (B) Outlays, $118,929,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $92,952,000,000. (B) Outlays, $120,040,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $95,468,000,000. (B) Outlays, $121,409,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $97,296,000,000. (B) Outlays, $114,659,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $104,427,000,000. (B) Outlays, $115,579,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $107,057,000,000. (B) Outlays, $108,068,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $109,246,000,000. (B) Outlays, $108,546,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $111,973,000,000. (B) Outlays, $109,286,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $114,820,000,000. (B) Outlays, $112,048,000,000. (17) General Government (800): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $31,675,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,393,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $32,811,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,741,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $33,865,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,977,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $35,194,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,526,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $36,045,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,220,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $37,220,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,252,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $38,030,000,000. (B) Outlays, $37,927,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $38,859,000,000. (B) Outlays, $38,433,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $39,736,000,000. (B) Outlays, $39,249,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $40,681,000,000. (B) Outlays, $40,112,000,000. (18) Net Interest (900): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $1,146,866,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,146,866,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $1,236,463,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,236,463,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $1,313,485,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,313,485,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $1,383,390,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,383,390,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $1,454,965,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,454,965,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $1,519,836,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,519,836,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $1,588,216,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,588,216,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $1,658,335,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,658,335,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $1,719,369,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,719,369,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $1,786,098,000,000. (B) Outlays, $1,786,098,000,000. (19) Allowances (920): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $0. (B) Outlays, $0. (20) Government-Wide Savings (930): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, -$124,103,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$49,236,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, -$199,332,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$134,368,000,000.

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Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, -$261,367,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$194,791,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, -$286,812,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$250,361,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, -$333,252,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$318,138,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, -$380,167,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$371,801,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, -$427,358,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$423,751,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, -$476,296,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$476,031,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, -$543,470,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$548,098,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, -$594,536,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$599,309,000,000. (21) Undistributed Offsetting Receipts (950): Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, -$138,330,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$138,108,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, -$143,553,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$143,497,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, -$152,671,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$152,671,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, -$164,546,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$164,546,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, -$175,637,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$175,637,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, -$184,308,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$184,308,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, -$184,776,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$184,776,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, -$179,951,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$179,951,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, -$179,401,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$179,401,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, -$183,154,000,000. (B) Outlays, -$183,154,000,000. SEC. 1201. SOCIAL SECURITY IN THE SENATE. (a) Social Security Revenues.--For purposes of Senate enforcement under sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633 and 642), the amounts of revenues of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $1,403,711,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $1,457,594,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $1,515,623,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $1,575,995,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $1,637,695,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $1,699,389,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $1,762,048,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $1,825,863,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $1,892,022,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $1,960,660,000,000. (b) Social Security Outlays.--For purposes of Senate enforcement under sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633 and 642), the amounts of outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: $1,613,963,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: $1,717,385,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: $1,819,101,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: $1,924,297,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: $2,034,773,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: $2,151,750,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: $2,253,309,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: $2,354,460,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: $2,456,557,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: $2,559,808,000,000. (c) Social Security Administrative Expenses.--In the Senate, the amounts of new budget authority and budget outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund for administrative expenses are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $6,717,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,604,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $6,927,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,794,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $7,127,000,000. (B) Outlays, $6,990,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $7,328,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,191,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $7,540,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,398,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $7,754,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,609,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $7,972,000,000. (B) Outlays, $7,824,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $8,198,000,000. (B) Outlays, $8,044,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $8,429,000,000. (B) Outlays, $8,272,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $8,671,000,000. (B) Outlays, $8,508,000,000. SEC. 1202. POSTAL SERVICE DISCRETIONARY ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES IN THE SENATE. In the Senate, the amounts of new budget authority and budget outlays of the Postal Service for discretionary administrative expenses are as follows: Fiscal year 2027: (A) New budget authority, $279,000,000. (B) Outlays, $279,000,000. Fiscal year 2028: (A) New budget authority, $289,000,000. (B) Outlays, $289,000,000. Fiscal year 2029: (A) New budget authority, $298,000,000. (B) Outlays, $298,000,000. Fiscal year 2030: (A) New budget authority, $308,000,000. (B) Outlays, $308,000,000. Fiscal year 2031: (A) New budget authority, $319,000,000. (B) Outlays, $319,000,000. Fiscal year 2032: (A) New budget authority, $329,000,000. (B) Outlays, $329,000,000. Fiscal year 2033: (A) New budget authority, $340,000,000. (B) Outlays, $340,000,000. Fiscal year 2034: (A) New budget authority, $351,000,000. (B) Outlays, $351,000,000. Fiscal year 2035: (A) New budget authority, $363,000,000. (B) Outlays, $363,000,000. Fiscal year 2036: (A) New budget authority, $375,000,000. (B) Outlays, $375,000,000. SEC. 2001. RECONCILIATION IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (a) Submissions.--In the House of Representatives, not later than September 11, 2026, the committees named in subsection (b) shall submit their recommendations on changes in laws within their jurisdictions to the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives to carry out this section. (b) Instructions.-- (1) Committee on agriculture.--The Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $12,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (2) Committee on armed services.--The Committee on Armed Services of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $60,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (3) Permanent select committee on intelligence.--The Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $13,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (4) Committee on house administration.--The Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives shall submit changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $10,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. SEC. 2002. RECONCILIATION IN THE SENATE. (a) Submissions.--In the Senate, not later than September 11, 2026, the committees named in subsection (b) shall submit their recommendations to the Committee on the Budget of the Senate. Upon receiving all such recommendations, the Committee on the Budget of the Senate shall report to the Senate a reconciliation bill carrying out all such recommendations without any substantive revision. (b) Instructions.-- (1) Committee on agriculture, nutrition, and forestry.--The Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $12,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (2) Committee on armed services.--The Committee on Armed Services of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $60,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (3) Committee on commerce, science, and transportation.--The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (4) Committee on energy and natural resources.--The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (5) Committee on finance.--The Committee on Finance of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that decrease the deficit by not less than $500,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (6) Committee on foreign relations.--The Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (7) Committee on homeland security and governmental affairs.--The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $20,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (8) Committee on indian affairs.--The Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (9) Select committee on intelligence.--The Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $13,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (10) Committee on the judiciary.--The Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $20,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (11) Committee on rules and administration.--The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $20,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. (12) Committee on veterans' affairs.--The Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate shall report changes in laws within its jurisdiction that increase the deficit by not more than $1,000,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036. SEC. 3001.

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RESERVE FUND FOR RECONCILIATION LEGISLATION. (a) House of Representatives.-- (1) In general.--In the House of Representatives, the chair of the Committee on the Budget may revise the allocations of a committee or committees, aggregates, and other appropriate levels in this resolution for any bill or joint resolution considered pursuant to section 2001 containing the recommendations of one or more committees, or for one or more amendments to, a conference report on, or an amendment between the Houses in relation to such a bill or joint resolution, by the amounts necessary to accommodate the budgetary effects of the legislation, if the budgetary effects of the legislation comply with the reconciliation instructions under this concurrent resolution. (2) Determination of compliance.--For purposes of this subsection, compliance with the reconciliation instructions under this concurrent resolution shall be determined by the chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives. (b) Senate.-- (1) In general.--In the Senate, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may revise the allocations of a committee or committees, aggregates, and other appropriate levels in this resolution, and make adjustments to the pay-as-you-go ledger, for any bill or joint resolution considered pursuant to section 2002 containing the recommendations of one or more committees, or for one or more amendments to, a conference report on, or an amendment between the Houses in relation to such a bill or joint resolution, by the amounts necessary to accommodate the budgetary effects of the legislation, if the budgetary effects of the legislation comply with the reconciliation instructions under this concurrent resolution. (2) Determination of compliance.--For purposes of this subsection, compliance with the reconciliation instructions under this concurrent resolution shall be determined by the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate. (3) Exceptions for legislation.-- (A) Short-term.--Section 404 of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010, as amended by section 3201(b)(2) of S. Con. Res. 11 (114th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016, shall not apply to legislation for which the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate has exercised the authority under paragraph (1). (B) Long-term.--Section 3101 of S. Con. Res. 11 (114th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2016, shall not apply to legislation for which the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate has exercised the authority under paragraph (1). SEC. 4001. ENFORCEMENT FILING. (a) In the House of Representatives.--In the House of Representatives, if a concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2027 is adopted without the appointment of a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses with respect to this concurrent resolution on the budget, for the purpose of enforcing the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) and applicable rules and requirements set forth in the concurrent resolution on the budget, the allocations provided for in this subsection shall apply in the House of Representatives in the same manner as if such allocations were in a joint explanatory statement accompanying a conference report on the budget for fiscal year 2027. The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives shall submit a statement for publication in the Congressional Record containing-- (1) for the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal year 2027 consistent with title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633); and (2) for all committees other than the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations consistent with title I for fiscal year 2027 and for the period of fiscal years 2027 through 2036 for the purpose of enforcing 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633). (b) In the Senate.--If this concurrent resolution on the budget is agreed to by the Senate and House of Representatives without the appointment of a committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may submit a statement for publication in the Congressional Record containing-- (1) for the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal year 2027 consistent with the levels in title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633); and (2) for all committees other than the Committee on Appropriations, committee allocations for fiscal years 2027, 2027 through 2031, and 2027 through 2036 consistent with the levels in title I for the purpose of enforcing section 302 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633). SEC. 4002. BUDGETARY TREATMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. (a) Senate.-- (1) In general.--In the Senate, notwithstanding section 302(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(1)), section 13301 of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 632 note), and section 2009a of title 39, United States Code, the report or the joint explanatory statement accompanying this concurrent resolution on the budget or the statement filed pursuant to section 4101(b), as applicable, shall include in an allocation under section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)) to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate of amounts for the discretionary administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration and the United States Postal Service. (2) Special rule.--In the Senate, for purposes of enforcing section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(f)), estimates of the level of total new budget authority and total outlays provided by a measure shall include any discretionary amounts described in paragraph (1). (b) House of Representatives.-- (1) In general.--In the House of Representatives, notwithstanding section 302(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)(1)), section 13301 of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 632 note), and section 2009a of title 39, United States Code, the report or the joint explanatory statement accompanying this concurrent resolution on the budget or the statement filed pursuant to section 4101(a), as applicable, shall include in an allocation under section 302(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(a)) to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives of amounts for the discretionary administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration and the United States Postal Service. (2) Special rule.--In the House of Representatives, for purposes of enforcing section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 633(f)), estimates of the level of total new budget authority and total outlays provided by a measure shall include any discretionary amounts described in paragraph (1). SEC. 4003. APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ALLOCATIONS, AGGREGATES, AND OTHER BUDGETARY LEVELS. (a) Application.--Any adjustments of allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels made pursuant to this concurrent resolution shall-- (1) apply while that measure is under consideration; (2) take effect upon the enactment of that measure; and (3) be published in the Congressional Record as soon as practicable. (b) Effect of Changed Allocations, Aggregates, and Other Budgetary Levels.--Revised allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels resulting from these adjustments shall be considered for the purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) as the allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels contained in this concurrent resolution. (c) Budget Committee Determinations.--For purposes of this concurrent resolution, the levels of new budget authority, outlays, direct spending, new entitlement authority, revenues, deficits, and surpluses for a fiscal year or period of fiscal years shall be determined on the basis of estimates made by the chair of the Committee on the Budget of the applicable House of Congress. (d) Aggregates, Allocations and Application.--In the House of Representatives, for purposes of this concurrent resolution and budget enforcement, the consideration of any bill or joint resolution, or amendment thereto or conference report thereon, for which the chair of the Committee on the Budget makes adjustments or revisions in the allocations, aggregates, and other budgetary levels of this concurrent resolution shall not be subject to the point of order set forth in clause 10 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. SEC. 4004. ADJUSTMENTS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS. (a) House of Representatives.--In the House of Representatives, the chair of the Committee on the Budget may adjust the appropriate aggregates, allocations, and other budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution for any change in budgetary concepts and definitions consistent with section 251(b)(1) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(1)). (b) Senate.--In the Senate, upon the enactment of a bill or joint resolution providing for a change in concepts or definitions, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may make adjustments to the levels and allocations in this concurrent resolution in accordance with section 251(b) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)). SEC. 4005. ADJUSTMENT FOR CHANGES IN THE BASELINE. The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives and the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution to reflect changes resulting from the Congressional Budget Office's updates to its baseline for fiscal years 2027 through 2036, including the effects of legislation enacted before the date on which this concurrent resolution is agreed to. SEC. 4006.

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EMERGENCY REQUIREMENTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (a) In General.--In the House of Representatives, if a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making appropriations for discretionary amounts contains a provision providing new budget authority and outlays, and a designation of such provision as an emergency requirement, the chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives shall not count the budgetary effects of such provision for any purpose in the House of Representatives. (b) Application.-- (1) Exclusion.--A proposal to strike a designation under subsection (a) shall be excluded from an evaluation of budgetary effects for any purpose in the House of Representatives. (2) Amendment.--An amendment offered under subsection (a) that also proposes to reduce each amount appropriated or otherwise made available by the pending measure that is not required to be appropriated or otherwise made available shall be in order at any point in the reading of the pending measure in the House of Representatives. (c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply: (1) Emergency.--The term "emergency" means a situation that-- (A) requires new budget authority and outlays (or new budget authority and the outlays flowing therefrom) for the prevention or mitigation of, or response to, loss of life or property, or a threat to national security; and (B) is unanticipated. (2) Unanticipated.--The term "unanticipated" means that the underlying situation is-- (A) sudden, which means quickly coming into being or not building up over time; (B) urgent, which means a pressing and compelling need requiring immediate action; (C) unforeseen, which means not predicted or anticipated as an emerging need; and (D) temporary, which means not of a permanent duration. SEC. 4007. ADDITIONAL ADJUSTMENTS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (a) Adjustment for Disaster Relief.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report makes discretionary appropriations that Congress designates as being for disaster relief, the adjustment for fiscal year 2027 shall be the total of such appropriations for fiscal year 2027 designated as being for disaster relief, but not to exceed the amount equal to the total amount calculated for fiscal year 2027 in accordance with the formula in section 251(b)(2)(D)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(D)(i)) except that such formula shall be applied by substituting "fiscal year 2027" for "fiscal years 2024 and 2025". (2) Definition.--As used in this subsection, the term "disaster relief" means activities carried out pursuant to a determination under section 102(2) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122(2)). (b) Adjustment for Wildfire Suppression.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2027 specifies an amount for wildfire suppression operations in the Wildland Fire Management accounts at the Department of Agriculture or the Department of the Interior, then the adjustment shall be the amount of additional new budget authority specified in such measure as being for wildfire suppression operations for fiscal year 2027, but shall not exceed $2,950,000,000. (2) Definitions.--As used in this subsection, the terms "additional new budget authority" and "wildfire suppression operations" have the meanings specified in subclauses (I) and (II), respectively, of section 251(b)(2)(F)(ii) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(F)(ii)(I) and (II)). (c) Adjustment for Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2027 specifies an amount for the health care fraud and abuse control program at the Department of Health and Human Services (75-8393-0-7-571), then the adjustment shall be the amount of additional new budget authority specified in such measure for such program for fiscal year 2027, but shall not exceed $658,000,000. (2) Definition.--As used in this subsection, the term "additional new budget authority" means the amount provided for fiscal year 2027, in excess of $311,000,000, in a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations and specified to pay for the costs of the health care fraud and abuse control program. (d) Adjustment for Continuing Disability Reviews and Redeterminations.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2027 specifies an amount for continuing disability reviews under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq., 1381 et seq.), for the cost associated with conducting redeterminations of eligibility under title XVI of the Social Security Act, for the cost of co-operative disability investigation units, and for the cost associated with the prosecution of fraud in the programs and operations of the Social Security Administration by Special Assistant United States Attorneys, then the adjustment shall be the additional new budget authority specified in such measure for such expenses for fiscal year 2027, but shall not exceed $2,124,000,000. (2) Definitions.--As used in this subsection-- (A) the term "continuing disability reviews" means continuing disability reviews under sections 221(i) and 1614(a)(4) of the Social Security Act, including work-related continuing disability reviews to determine whether earnings derived from services demonstrate an individual's ability to engage in substantial gainful activity; (B) the term "redetermination" means redetermination of eligibility under sections 1611(c)(1) and 1614(a)(3)(H) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1382(c)(1), 1382c(a)(3)(H)); and (C) the term "additional new budget authority" means the amount provided for fiscal year 2027, in excess of $273,000,000, in a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report and specified to pay for the costs of continuing disability reviews, redeterminations, co-operative disability investigation units, and fraud prosecutions under the heading "Limitation on Administrative Expenses" for the Social Security Administration. (e) Adjustment for Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments.--The chair of the Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives may adjust the allocations, aggregates, and other appropriate budgetary levels in this concurrent resolution as follows: (1) In general.--If a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations for fiscal year 2027 specifies an amount for grants to States under section 306 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 506) for claimants of regular compensation, as defined in such section, including those who are profiled as most likely to exhaust their benefits, then the adjustment shall be the additional new budget authority specified in such measure for such grants for fiscal year 2027, but shall not exceed $400,000,000. (2) Definitions.--As used in this subsection, the term "additional new budget authority" means the amount provided for fiscal year 2027, in excess of $117,000,000, in a bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report making discretionary appropriations and specified to pay for grants to States under section 306 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 506) for claimants of regular compensation, as defined in such section, including those who are profiled as most likely to exhaust their benefits. SEC. 4008. EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWERS. Congress adopts the provisions of this title-- (1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such they shall be considered as part of the rules of each House or of that House to which they specifically apply, and such rules shall supersede other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent with such other rules; and (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either the Senate or the House of Representatives to change those rules (insofar as they relate to that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as is the case of any other rule of the Senate or House of Representatives.

Text of Amendments

Pages S4583–S4606 · Official text

SA 6756. Mrs. BLACKBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

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At the end of title I, add the following: SEC. ___. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION ON SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to waive, abrogate, modify, or limit the rights of sovereign immunity of a public institution of higher education available at law. ______

SA 6757. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:

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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Collegiate Sports Integrity Act". SEC. 2. ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Antitrust laws.--The term "antitrust laws" has the meaning given the term in the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition. (2) Institution of higher education.--The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). (3) Intercollegiate athletic conference.--The term "intercollegiate athletic conference" means-- (A) an organization or association that-- (i) exclusively has as members 2 or more institutions of higher education; and (ii) arranges championships and sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition; or (B) any institution of higher education that competes against another institution of higher education in an athletic competition. (4) Interstate intercollegiate athletic association.--The term "interstate intercollegiate athletic association"-- (A) means a not-for-profit corporation, an association, or any other group organized in the United States that-- (i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic competition between institutions and intercollegiate athletic conferences; (ii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic competition at institutions; (iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences that are located in different States; and (B) does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition. (b) Exemption.--The antitrust laws shall not apply to intercollegiate athletic conferences or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations. ______

SA 6758. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Strike section 1 and all that follows through the end and insert the following:

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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Collegiate Sports Integrity Act". SEC. 2. ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Antitrust laws.--The term "antitrust laws" has the meaning given the term in the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition. (2) Institution of higher education.--The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). (3) Intercollegiate athletic conference.--The term "intercollegiate athletic conference" means-- (A) an organization or association that-- (i) exclusively has as members 2 or more institutions of higher education; and (ii) arranges championships and sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition; or (B) any institution of higher education that competes against another institution of higher education in an athletic competition. (4) Interstate intercollegiate athletic association.--The term "interstate intercollegiate athletic association"-- (A) means a not-for-profit corporation, an association, or any other group organized in the United States that-- (i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic competition between institutions and intercollegiate athletic conferences; (ii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic competition at institutions; (iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences that are located in different States; and (B) does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition. (b) Exemption.--The antitrust laws shall not apply to intercollegiate athletic conferences or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations. ______

SA 6759. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title I, insert the following:

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SEC. ___. ADDING SUICIDE PREVENTION CONTACT INFORMATION TO SCHOOL IDENTIFICATION CARDS. (a) In General.--Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(30)(A) In the case of an institution that creates and distributes-- "(i) physical student identification cards for students at any time after the effective date of this paragraph, such institution shall include phone contact information of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on each such card and may print, on one side of such card, a contact number for-- "(I)(aa) the Crisis Text Line; or "(bb) another nonprofit organization that-- "(AA) is dedicated to suicide prevention; "(BB) has mobile messaging capabilities; and "(CC) has demonstrated the capacity to provide mental health support; or "(II) a campus mental health center or local program, as determined by the institution; and "(ii) digital student identification cards for students at any time after the effective date of this paragraph, such institution shall include phone contact information of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on each such card and may include a contact number for-- "(I)(aa) the Crisis Text Line; or "(bb) another nonprofit organization that-- "(AA) is dedicated to suicide prevention; "(BB) has mobile messaging capabilities; and "(CC) has demonstrated the capacity to provide mental health support; or "(II) a campus mental health center or local program, as determined by the institution. "(B) In the case of an institution that does not create and distribute identification cards for students at any time after the effective date of this paragraph, such institution shall publish the suicide prevention contact information specified in subparagraph (A)(i) on the website of such institution. "(C) In this paragraph-- "(i) the term `digital student identification card' means a digital identification, digital wallet, mobile identification, or similar application or representation issued by an institution of higher education to identify and authenticate the status or information of a student at the institution of higher education; and "(ii) the term `physical student identification card' means a tangible, nondigital card or document issued by an institution of higher education to identify and authenticate the status or information of a student at the institution of higher education.". (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect beginning on the day that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the amendment made by subsection (a) shall be construed to require an institution of higher education to reissue an unexpired physical student identification card or a digital student identification card issued to a student of the institution of higher education prior to the effective date of such subsection. ______

SA 6760. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title I, insert the following:

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SEC. ___. LIMITATION ON COLLEGE ATHLETICS TICKET PRICE INCREASES. With respect to intercollegiate athletic competitions for an intercollegiate sport held during an academic year, an institution, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association may not increase the price of tickets to attend such competitions by an amount that is greater than 4 percent of the amount charged for tickets to attend such competitions for the same intercollegiate sport during the preceding academic year. ______

SA 6761. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of section 118, add the following: (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to absolve an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution of any liability incurred before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act. ______ SA 6762. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Beginning on page 85, strike line 2 and all that follows through page 89, line 17, and insert the following: "the Commission shall be composed of 40 members, of whom--(A) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (B) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (D) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (E) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (F) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (G) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (H) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (I) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chair of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (J) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the ranking member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (K) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the chair of the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives; (L) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives; (M) 1 member shall be a representative of a historically Black college or university, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

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(N) 1 member shall be a representative of a historically Black college or university, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (O) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-sized conference, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; and (P) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-sized conference, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (2) Requirements.--Members of the Commission shall be individuals who are nationally recognized for expertise, knowledge, or experience in matters related to college athletics, university administration, sports law, labor law, athlete welfare, sports economics, health care, or sports medicine. (3) Co-chairs, executive director, and staff.-- (A) Co-chairs.--The Commission shall have 2 co-chairs, of whom-- (i) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected by the majority party; and (ii) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected by the minority party. (B) Executive director and staff.--The co-chairs of the Commission shall appoint an executive director of the Commission and such staff as appropriate, with compensation. (4) Historically black college or university defined.--In this subsection, the term "historically Black college or university" has the meaning given the term "part B institution" in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). (5) Mid-sized conference defined.--In this subsection, the term "mid-sized conference" means any conference that has generated less than $500,000,000 in total annual revenue during the preceding academic year. (c) Authority.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Commission-- (1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths as the Commission considers relevant to the purpose of the Commission; and (2) require, by subpoena issued upon a majority vote of the Commission, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as the Commission considers relevant to the purpose of the Commission, provided that the Commission shall take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to preserve the confidentiality of trade secrets or other confidential information of conferences, intercollegiate athletic associations, institutions, or other entities the Commission deems appropriate. (d) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are as follows: (1) To study and develop recommendations regarding-- (A) an alternative structure for providing compensation for student athletes, including-- (i) consideration of the positive and negative implications associated with a collective bargaining structure and employment status for student athletes; and (ii) consideration of the opportunities, legal barriers, and regulatory barriers of institutions providing student athletes non-cash compensation, such as equity in an athletic program or team for which the student athlete competes, through the revenue share cap and retention fund amount described in section 114, including by considering how such non-cash compensation may promote the long-term financial stability of student athletes and the sustainability of athletic programs; ______

SA 6763. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

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On page 13, strike lines 17 through 25 and insert the following: (20) Student athlete.-- (A) In general.--The term "student athlete" means an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student (as defined in section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act)) at an institution or is enrolled as a student at an institution on less than a full-time basis as described in subparagraph (B), and who-- (i) makes satisfactory academic progress (as determined in accordance with section 668.34 of such title 34 (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act)) toward completing a degree; and (ii) participates in intercollegiate athletic competition or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the institution's educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs. (B) Less than full-time enrollment.--A student is described in this subparagraph if the student is enrolled at an institution on less than a full-time basis due to-- (i) a disability; (ii) practice with the United States Olympic team in preparation for the Olympic games; or (iii) a medical reason. (C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be construed to preclude an institution, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association from establishing satisfactory academic progress standards for student athletes that are more stringent than the requirements described in such subparagraph. ______

SA 6764. Mr. MORENO (for Mrs. Gillibrand) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 3897, to revise administrative procedures relating to public safety officers' death benefits, and for other purposes; as follows:

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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026". SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFITS. (a) In General.--Section 1205 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10285) is amended-- (1) in subsection (e)(2)(E), by inserting ", including whether the delay is due to the inaction of the claimant or an agency from which information is required" after "basis for delay"; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(f) Notice and Interim Benefits.-- "(1) Notice of missing information.--Not later than 90 calendar days after receiving a claim filed under this subpart, the Bureau shall notify the claimant or the relevant agency of any missing information required to process the claim. "(2) Notice of determination.-- "(A) In general.--Not later than 270 calendar days after receiving all information required to process the claim, the Bureau shall inform the claimant of the Bureau's final, appealable determination as to the claimant's benefit eligibility. "(B) Interim benefits as notice.--Provision of interim benefits under section 1201(c) shall be deemed to be notice under subparagraph (A). "(3) Interim benefits.-- "(A) Entitlement.--If the Bureau fails to inform a claimant of the Bureau's determination on or before the date that is 270 calendar days after receiving all information required to process the claim, the Bureau shall issue a single interim benefit payment with respect to the claim, payable only to-- "(i) a claimant whose status as an eligible beneficiary is undisputed; or "(ii) if beneficiary status remains unresolved, an escrow or fiduciary account, pending final determination under section 1201. "(B) Rescission or repayment.--Any interim benefits paid under this subsection-- "(i) shall be credited against any final benefit determination made under section 1201; "(ii) shall not be subject to recoupment or affirmative repayment by the Bureau, except in cases of fraud or material misrepresentation; and "(iii) shall not be construed to create an entitlement to benefits if the claimant or decedent is determined to be ineligible under this part. "(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to-- "(A) limit the Bureau's authority to deny a claim for failure to meet statutory eligibility requirements; "(B) alter the determination of eligible beneficiaries under section 1201; or "(C) require payment of interim benefits to multiple claimants if the statute authorizes payment to only 1 or more mutually exclusive beneficiaries. "(g) Outreach.--The Bureau shall-- "(1) conduct outreach efforts on an ongoing basis to ensure that public safety officers and underserved public agencies are aware of the program under this part, including outreach efforts for disabled public safety officers; and "(2) include in the outreach efforts under paragraph (1) regular communications with national public safety organizations, public safety agencies, and organizations supporting disabled public safety officers and the families of fallen officers. "(h) Summary of Backlogged Claims.--Not later than 30 days after publishing the report required under subsection (e)(2), the Bureau shall submit a summary of the information required to be reported under subsection (e)(2)(E) to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. "(i) Audit of Backlogged Claims.--On an annual basis, the Comptroller General shall conduct an audit of any pending claims under this part that were submitted to the Bureau more than 1 year before the date on which the audit is commenced, to identify programmatic challenges to the timely processing of death, disability, and educational assistance claims. As part of the audit, the Comptroller General shall also review-- "(1) where the claim is in the determination process; "(2) the reasons for delay, including any processes, such as legal review, that prevent timely processing of claims; "(3) whether the agency has used its subpoena authority for the claims; "(4) the frequency of outreach to the claimant and efforts to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of outreach and claims assistance efforts; "(5) the efforts of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a claims processing manual to ensure consistency across staff in determining claims; and "(6) efforts to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of outreach and claims assistance efforts.". (b) Subpoena Requirement.--Section 1206(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10288(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking "and" at the end; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(3) with respect to information or documentation in the possession of a public agency that the Bureau has determined is necessary to adjudicate the claim that the public agency has failed to provide by the date that is 30 days after the date of the Bureau's or the claimant's request to provide the information or documentation, shall issue a subpoena to the public agency to obtain the information or documentation, unless the Bureau has approved an extension not exceeding 60 days.". (c) Definitions.-- (1) In general.--Section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10284) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii), by striking "parapalegic" and inserting "paraplegic"; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (14) as paragraphs (9) through (15), respectively; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: "(8) `gainful work' means gainful work activity, as defined in section 32.23 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulation;". (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) Internal revenue code.--Section 402(l)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "(42 U.S.C. 3796b(9)(A))". (B) Title 28.--Section 1863(b)(5)(B) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking "section 1203(6)" and inserting "section 1204". SEC. 3. EXPEDITED PAYMENT FOR VCF OR WTCHP DETERMINATIONS. Section 1205(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10285(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(4) In making determinations under section 1201(a), the Bureau shall, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, as determined by the Bureau, approve any claim if the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note; Public Law 107-42) (commonly referred to as the `VCF') or the World Trade Center Health Program under title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300mm et seq.) provides a certification of facts that-- "(A) the claim is eligible for death benefits under the Victim Compensation Fund; or "(B) the cause of claimant's death is a World Trade Center Health Program-related condition.". SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN GAO RECOMMENDATIONS. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall ensure that the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance implements the recommendations provided in the report of the Government Accountability Office entitled "Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Transparency, Claims Assistance, and Program Management Improvements Needed" (GAO-24-105549), published on September 27, 2024. ______

SA 6765. Mr. MORENO (for Mr. Durbin) proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Res. 815, commending the Chicago Cubs baseball teams as it celebrates its 150th anniversary on August 29, 2026; as follows:

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Strike the preamble and insert the following: Whereas the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs in 1876; Whereas, since 1876, more than 182,000,000 fans have attended Chicago Cubs games, and millions more have listened to games on the radio and watched on television across the United States and the world; Whereas the founding team had only 11 players for the entire season, including hall of famers James "Deacon" White, Adrian "Cap" Anson and Albert G. Spalding; Whereas Albert G. Spalding, a native of Illinois and founder of the sporting goods company which still bears his name today, served as the pitcher and manager; Whereas the 1906 Chicago Cubs finished the season with a record of 116-36, before losing the World Series to the Chicago White Sox; Whereas the Chicago Cubs' 116 victories in the 1906 season remain tied for the Major League Baseball single-season record; Whereas the Chicago Cubs won both the 1907 and 1908 World Series against the Detroit Tigers while playing home games at the West Side Grounds; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have played at Wrigley Field since 1916, which is a designated National Historic Landmark and the second oldest active ballpark in Major League Baseball; Whereas Wrigley Field was the last baseball stadium to have lights installed in 1988, the first stadium to have an organ playing music, the first stadium to build permanent concession stands, and the first ballpark to broadcast an entire season of home games live; Whereas "Wrigleyville" is the vibrant neighborhood that surrounds Wrigley Field, providing a location for fans to support surrounding small businesses, galvanize the city of Chicago, and come together to root the Chicago Cubs to victory; Whereas Harry Caray, whose trademark call of "Holy Cow" became known to baseball fans around the world, broadcasted thousands of baseball games during a career spanning more than 50 years, including 16 seasons as the beloved television voice of the Chicago Cubs from 1982 through 1997, was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and received the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse, who served as the voice of the Chicago Cubs on the radio from 1940 through 1944, became the television announcer from 1947 through 1981, and was known for his "Hey-Hey!" catchphrase, was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas Pat Hughes, the Chicago Cubs lead play-by-play radio announcer, whose voice is woven into the fabric of sports culture in Chicago, called the 2016 World Series championship that ended the 108-year drought for the Cubs, and was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas, between 1948 and 2019, WGN-TV revolutionized baseball broadcasting and brought Chicago Cubs baseball to the masses, airing more than 7,000 Cubs games and helping spread the thrills of Cubs baseball through its unsurpassed sports coverage and its historic partnership with the team; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have won 8 division titles, 17 National League pennants, and 3 World Series championships, including in 2016 when the Cubs completed a historic comeback from down 3 games to 1 to defeat the Cleveland Indians in 7 games; Whereas the parade following the 2016 World Series championship, attended by an estimated 5,000,000 people, celebrated the Cubs making the World Series for the first time since 1945 and breaking the so-called "Curse of the Billy Goat"; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have scored more than 103,400 runs, have more than 200,000 hits, and are only the third franchise in Major League Baseball to have hit over 15,000 home runs; Whereas more than 50 players, managers, and executives for the Chicago Cubs have been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York; Whereas Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins became one of the most dominant pitchers in the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1971 went 24-13, throwing complete games in 30 of his 39 starts and becoming the first pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and the first Canadian to win the Cy Young Award; Whereas, between 1953 and 1971, Ernie Banks, who was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama and inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, played as shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs and was well-known for his catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame ... Let's play two!"; Whereas, in 1998, Sammy Sosa, 1 of 8 players in history with more than 600 home runs, famously battled with the rival Cardinals' Mark McGwire to break Roger Maris' single-season record of 61 home runs, earning the National League Most Valuable Player Award and leading the Cubs to the playoffs; Whereas Ron Santo, who played third base for the Cubs for 14 seasons, was selected to 9 All-Star Games, won 5 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Billy Williams, left fielder and 6-time All Star, was named 1961 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting 25 home runs with 86 runs batted in and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg made 10 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, won 9 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 through 1991, and delivered one of the most memorable performances in Chicago Cubs history during what is known as the "Sandberg Game," hitting game-tying home runs in the ninth and tenth innings against future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter and helping the Cubs defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 12-11 in 11 innings; Whereas famous Chicago Cubs such as Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker, Mordecai Brown, Gabby Hartnett, Hack Wilson, Stan Hack, Phil Cavarretta, Andre Dawson, Lee Smith, Kerry Wood, Anthony Rizzo, and more than 2,000 others have brought joy to fans for generations; and Whereas, since 2009, Cubs Charities has donated more than $51,000,000 to promote youth sports and improve the well-being of children and families throughout Chicago and Illinois: Now, therefore, be it

SA 6766. Mr. MORENO (for Ms. Lummis (for herself and Mrs. Gillibrand)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1525, to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to stop minting the penny, to require cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents, and for other purposes; as follows:

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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Common Cents Act". SEC. 2. SPECIFICATIONS OF 5-CENT COINS AND CEASING PRODUCTION OF ONE-CENT COINS. Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (5), by striking "weighs 5 grams." and inserting the following: "weighs-- "(A) 5 grams, with respect to such coin that is an alloy of copper and nickel; or "(B) between 4 and 6 grams, with respect to such coin as described in subsection (c)."; and (B) in paragraph (6)-- (i) by striking "except as provided under subsection (c) of this section,"; and (ii) by striking "and weighs 3.11 grams"; (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in the sixth sentence-- (i) by inserting "either" before "an alloy"; and (ii) by inserting "or a composition described in subsection (c)" before the period; (B) by inserting "with respect to such coins that are an alloy of copper and nickel" after "nickel required"; and (C) by striking "Except" through "zinc" and inserting "The one-cent coin is composed of copper and zinc"; (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: "(c) 5-cent Coin.-- "(1) In general.--The 5-cent coin may be a coin with an inner layer of zinc and an outer layer of nickel. "(2) Composition.--The Secretary may prescribe the composition of zinc and nickel in the 5-cent coin, subject to testing and evaluation that such composition-- "(A) reduces the cost incurred to produce such coin; and "(B) to the greatest extent practicable, has a minimal adverse impact on machines designed to accept coins."; and (4) by adding at the end the following: "(bb) Ceasing Production of One-cent Coin.-- "(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall cease production of one-cent coins for general circulation, but may continue to produce and issue one-cent coins for sale as numismatic items. "(2) No effect on legal tender.--Any one-cent coin that is minted and issued on any date before the date of the enactment of this subsection shall remain legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues.". SEC. 3. CASH TRANSACTION ROUNDING. (a) In General.--Any person, including a financial institution, selling goods or services in a cash transaction or entering into any other transaction that results in a payment or transfer of cash between the parties to the transaction may, if exact change cannot be provided at that time of such transaction, round the covered amount in the following manner: (1) Rounding down.--Except as provided in paragraph (2)(B), in any case in which the covered amount ends with 1 cent, 2 cents, 6 cents, or 7 cents as the final digit, the amount of cents in the sum may be rounded down to the nearest amount divisible by 5 for any person seeking to make payment with cash. (2) Rounding up.-- (A) In general.--In any case in which the covered amount ends with 3 cents, 4 cents, 8 cents, or 9 cents as the final digit, the amount of cents in the sum may be rounded up to the nearest amount divisible by 5 for any person seeking to make payment with cash. (B) Small transactions.--In any case in which the covered amount totals $0.01 or $0.02, such amount may be rounded up to $.05 for any person seeking to make payment with cash. (b) Additional Authority to Round.--With respect to a person, including a financial institution, conducting a cash transaction with a customer of the person, the amount of cents in the sum of the transaction may be rounded, if such rounding is in favor of the customer, as follows: (1) Up to the nearest amount divisible by 5, if the person is paying the customer in cash. (2) Down to the nearest amount divisible by 5, if the customer is paying the person in cash. (c) Employer Payments to Employees.-- (1) In general.--With respect to an employer providing a cash payment to an employee in an amount that is not divisible by 5 cents, if the employer chooses to round the amount of cents in such payment, the employer shall round the amount of cents in such payment up to the nearest amount divisible by 5 cents. (2) No rounding requirement.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to require rounding by an employer described in paragraph (1) who provides a cash payment to an employee in an exact amount. (d) Application.--Subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to any transaction for which payment is made by any demand or negotiable instrument, electronic fund transfer, check, gift card, money order, credit card, or other like instrument or method. (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to require any person to round a payment as described in subsections (a) or (b). (f) Covered Amount Defined.--In this section, the term "covered amount" means-- (1) the total transaction amount, including taxes; or (2) in the case of a person selling goods or services in a cash transaction or entering into any other transaction that results in a payment or transfer of cash between the parties to the transaction, the amount of change due to the customer if the customer provides a cash payment that exceeds the total transaction amount, including taxes. SEC. 4. TREATMENT OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND TRIBAL LAW WITH RESPECT TO CASH TRANSACTION ROUNDING. (a) Federal Law.--Any person selling goods or services in a cash transaction, including a financial institution, entering into any other transaction that results in a payment or transfer of cash between the parties to the transaction shall not be in violation of any Federal requirement, law, regulation, or standard based on the adherence to the cash rounding provisions described in section 3. (b) State and Tribal Law.--Any person selling goods or services in a cash transaction, including a financial institution, entering into any other transaction that results in a payment or transfer of cash between the parties to the transaction shall not be in violation of any requirement, law, regulation, or standard of a State, Tribe, or a political subdivision of a State based on the adherence to the cash rounding provisions described in section 3. (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act or of any order thereunder shall excuse noncompliance with any Federal, State, Tribal, or local law, regulation, ordinance, or requirement establishing a minimum wage, providing for overtime pay requirements, or providing for paid leave. SEC. 5. STRATEGIC PLAN AND REPORT ON COIN TERMINAL OPERATIONS AND COIN DISTRIBUTION STABILITY. (a) Strategic Plan and Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall submit to the covered committees and make publicly available a report that outlines a strategic plan for the acceptance of penny orders and deposits at commercial coin terminals providing services under agreements with the Federal reserve banks nationwide, including-- (1) a description of the Board's approach to limiting disruptions in penny supply and maintaining the stability of and efficiency of the coin distribution system, to the greatest extent practicable; (2) an evaluation of such coin terminals where the Federal reserve banks no longer accept penny deposits or penny orders; (3) an assessment of whether processing penny deposits or penny orders at such coin terminals could mitigate any challenges related to ceasing the production of the penny, including challenges related to the implementation of rounding practices; (4) an assessment by the Secretary of the Treasury, which the Secretary shall conduct and deliver to the Board not less than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act-- (A) on the impact of penny supply and demand disruptions, and rounding practices for check cashing, on low-income communities, older consumers, debanked, unbanked, and underbanked individuals, including feedback from State or local entities; and (B) that includes recommendations to the Congress to address any adverse impacts identified under subparagraph (A); and (5) any additional considerations the Board determines relevant to maintaining penny distribution stability. (b) Evaluation.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after submission of the report required under subsection (a), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall submit to the covered committees and make publicly available a report that evaluates the progress of implementing the strategic plan described in subsection (a), including-- (A) any material changes to the plan; and (B) any identified or emerging stress in the penny distribution system. (2) Successive reports.--The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall submit to the covered committees and make publicly available 2 additional reports that evaluate the progress described in paragraph (1) on dates that are not later than-- (A) 18 months after the submission of the report required under subsection (a); and (B) 30 months after the submission of the report required under subsection (a). SEC. 6. DISCONTINUATION OF CIRCULATION OF COINS. Section 5111 of title 31, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (3), by striking "and" at the end; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and (C) by adding at the end the following: "(5) may discontinue the minting for circulation of any coin that is described in paragraph (1) (and that is minted for circulation, as of the date of enactment of this paragraph) only in accordance with the procedures described in subsection (e)."; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(e) Discontinuation.-- "(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `covered committees' means-- "(A) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate; and "(B) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives. "(2) Requirements.--The Secretary of the Treasury may not discontinue the minting for circulation of a coin described in subsection (a)(5) unless the Secretary-- "(A) not later than 60 days before that discontinuation, and in coordination with the Director of the United States Mint, submits to the covered committees notice regarding that discontinuation, which shall include-- "(i) a description of the reasoning for that discontinuation, including fiscal and operational considerations; and "(ii) a comprehensive plan for phasing out the circulating coin, taking into consideration-- "(I) the potential impacts of that discontinuation on consumers and businesses; and "(II) the potential economic impacts of that discontinuation; and "(B) not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits the notice required under subparagraph (A), provides a briefing to the covered committees regarding the plan for implementing that discontinuation.". SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Covered committees.--The term "covered committees" means-- (A) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. (2) Financial institution.--The term "financial institution" means any person, other than an individual, the business of which is engaging in financial activities in section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843(k)). ______

SA 6767. Mr. MORENO (for Mr. Grassley) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 2677, to expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade; as follows:

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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHARING OF INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Section 628A of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1628a) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "suspects" and inserting "has a reasonable suspicion"; (B) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by inserting ", packing materials, containers," after "its packaging" the first place it appears; (ii) by striking "and its packaging and labels" after "images of the merchandise" and inserting ", its packaging, packing materials, containers, and labels"; and (iii) by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon; (C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: "(3) may provide to the person nonpublic information about the merchandise that was generated by an online marketplace or other similar market platform, express consignment operator, freight forwarder, or any other entity that plays a role in the sale or importation of merchandise, or the facilitation thereof, into the United States that has been provided to, shared with, or obtained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and "(4) in the case of the provision of nonpublic information described in paragraph (3), shall provide to the person notification of the information transmitted, in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe."; and (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in paragraph (3), by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting "; and"; and (C) by adding at the end the following: "(5) any other party with an interest in the merchandise, as determined appropriate by the Commissioner.". ______

SA 6768. Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Ms. Cantwell) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the "Protect College Sports Act of 2026". (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I--PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION Sec. 100. Definitions. Sec. 101. Name, image, and likeness protections. Sec. 102. Modifications to Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act. Sec. 103. Agent registry requirements for intercollegiate athletic associations. Sec. 104. Disclosures and establishment of name, image, and likeness agreement database. Sec. 105. Academic protections. Sec. 106. Medical coverage requirements. Sec. 107. Health, wellness, and safety standards. Sec. 108. Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman. Sec. 109. Comparable standards for access to facilities, services, and events. Sec. 110. Rules governing certain mid-season coaching transitions. Sec. 111. Student athlete representation on intercollegiate athletic association governing boards. Sec. 112. Transfer protections. Sec. 113. Eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports. Sec. 114. Prohibited compensation and agreements. Sec. 115. Congressional approval of continuation of revenue share cap and retention fund. Sec. 116. Commission on the Future of College Athletics. Sec. 117. Recruitment and tampering. Sec. 118. Limitation on liability. Sec. 119. Private right of action. Sec. 120. Whistleblower protection. Sec. 121. Relationship to existing law. Sec. 122. Neutrality on employee or non-employee status. Sec. 123. Applicability. Sec. 124. Severability. Sec. 125. Protection of women's sports and Olympic sports. Sec. 126. Mid-sized conference representation on intercollegiate athletic association governing boards. Sec. 127. Title IX savings clause. Sec. 128. Protecting opportunities for American student athletes. Sec. 201. Definitions. Sec. 202. Limitation on liability for transmission of collegiate sports competitions. Sec. 203. Requirements for entities selling media rights. Sec. 204. Market level broadcast access for college football and basketball. Sec. 205. Prohibition on certain conference mergers or acquisition. Sec. 206. Amendments to intercollegiate and interscholastic football contest limitations. Sec. 207. Media rights utilization requirement for college sports other than football and basketball. Sec. 301. Short title. Sec. 302. Grants for improvement of broadband, technology, media, and sports broadcast infrastructure of HBCUs. Sec. 303. Grant uses. Sec. 304. Coordination. Sec. 305. Reports and evaluation. Sec. 306. Definitions. Sec. 307. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE I--PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION SEC. 100. DEFINITIONS. In this title: (1) Antitrust laws.--The term "antitrust laws" has the meaning given that term in the 1st section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12) and includes-- (A) section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition; and (B) any similar State antitrust law, including a State law provision that applies to covering unfair methods of competition having the force and effect of law. (2) Associated entity.--The term "associated entity" means any individual or entity, including a collective, that-- (A) is known, or was known, or should have been known to the athletics department staff of an institution to exist, in significant part, for the purpose of-- (i) promoting or supporting a particular institution's intercollegiate athletics program or student athletes; or (ii) creating or identifying name, image, and likeness opportunities solely for a particular institution's student athletes; (B) is or was a member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A); (C) directly or indirectly (including contributions by an affiliated entity, individual, or family member) has contributed more than $50,000 over their lifetime to a particular institution or to an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A); (D) has-- (i) been directed or requested by an institution's athletic department staff to assist in the recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective student athletes; or (ii) otherwise assisted in the recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective student athletes; or (E) is owned, controlled, or operated by, or otherwise affiliated with the individuals or entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D), other than a publicly traded corporation. (3) Athlete agent.--The term "athlete agent" has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801). (4) Collective.--The term "collective"-- (A) means a person, corporation, booster organization, tax-exempt organization, or other entity that provides donations or other support directly or indirectly to or for the benefit or support of-- (i) a student athlete who is enrolled, or who may enroll, at an institution; or (ii) the intercollegiate athletics program or any booster organization of an institution; and (B) does not include-- (i) an immediate family member of a student athlete; or (ii) an individual or entity that-- (I) licenses trademark rights of an institution; and (II) does not-- (aa) license name, image, and likeness rights of student athletes; or (bb) make payments earmarked or designated to fund name, image, or likeness licenses or other payments to student athletes. (5) Compensation.--The term "compensation"-- (A) means any payment, remuneration, or benefit provided to a student athlete or a prospective student athlete; and (B) does not include-- (i) grants-in-aid; (ii) Federal Pell Grants provided under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) or any other Federal or State grants unrelated to and not awarded with regard to participation in intercollegiate sports; (iii) health insurance and the costs of health care funded by an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or conference; (iv) disability and loss-of-value insurance, including disability and loss-of-value insurance funded by an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or conference; (v) career counseling, job placement services, or other guidance available to all students at an institution; (vi) hourly wages and benefits for work performed outside of participating in intercollegiate sports at a rate commensurate with the prevailing rate in the relevant State or locality for similar work; (vii) enhanced education benefits, including academic awards; (viii) financial literacy or tax education resources; or (ix) any program to connect student athletes with employers and facilitate employment opportunities, if-- (I) the financial terms of such employment opportunities are consistent with the terms offered to similarly situated employees who are not student athletes; and (II) such program is not used to induce a student athlete to attend a particular institution. (6) Conference.--The term "conference" means any organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic association and that-- (A) has 2 or more institutions as members; and (B) arranges championships for intercollegiate athletic competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition. (7) Cost of attendance.--The term "cost of attendance"-- (A) has the meaning given that term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll); and (B) shall be calculated by the financial aid office of an institution applying the same standards, policies, and procedures for all students. (8) Grant-in-aid.--The term "grant-in-aid" means-- (A) a scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of financial assistance, including the provision of tuition, room, board, books, or funds for fees or personal expenses, that-- (i) is paid or provided by an institution to a student for the undergraduate or graduate education of the student; and (ii) is in an amount that does not exceed the cost of attendance for such student at the institution; and (B) does not include compensation paid to a student athlete. (9) Image.--With respect to a student athlete, the term "image" means a picture, video, computer-generated representation, or other depiction that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete. (10) Institution.--Except as otherwise explicitly provided, the term "institution" has the meaning given the term "institution of higher education" under section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.

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1001). (11) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term "intercollegiate athletic association"-- (A) means any organization, not-for-profit corporation, association, or any other group organized in the United States that-- (i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic competition between institutions; (ii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic competition; (iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences that are located in different States or participate in intercollegiate athletic competition in more than 1 State; and (iv) is not a conference; (B) includes-- (i) the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and (ii) any other national intercollegiate athletic association; and (C) does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition. (12) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The term "intercollegiate athletic competition" means any intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament, regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student athletes or varsity sports teams compete. (13) Intercollegiate sport.--The term "intercollegiate sport"-- (A) means a sport played between institutions for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by an intercollegiate athletic association; and (B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club sport. (14) Likeness.--With respect to a student athlete, the term "likeness" means a physical or digital depiction or representation that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete, including -- (A) the uniquely identifiable body, physical characteristics, or voice of the student athlete; (B) any other mark that identifies or distinguishes the student athlete; or (C) the jersey number associated with the student athlete during the period of athletic participation by the student athlete at an institution if the jersey number is accompanied by-- (i) a logo or color scheme that is clearly associated with the institution; or (ii) some other means by which the jersey number is associated with the student athlete. (15) Name.--With respect to a student athlete, the term "name" means the first or last name that identifies the student athlete, a nickname or assumed name of the student athlete, or a username associated with the student athlete on any public-facing internet platform when used in a context that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete. (16) Name, image, and likeness agreement.--The term "name, image, and likeness agreement" means a contract or similar agreement between a student athlete (or group of student athletes) and a conference, institution, intercollegiate athletic association, associated entity, collective, or third party regarding the commercial use of the name, image, and likeness rights of the student athlete (or group of student athletes). (17) Name, image, and likeness rights.--The term "name, image, and likeness rights" means the ability of a student athlete to market and profit from the commercial use of his or her name, image, or likeness. (18) Prospective student athlete.--The term "prospective student athlete" means an individual who is recruited, actively being recruited, or has been contacted for the purposes of recruitment to attend an institution as a student athlete, but has not yet enrolled at the institution. (19) Revenue share cap.--The term "revenue share cap" means the Benefits Pool Limit set forth in the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), or as modified pursuant to the amendment provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement. (20) Student athlete.--The term "student athlete" means an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student at an institution and who-- (A) makes satisfactory progress towards completing a degree; and (B) participates in intercollegiate athletic competition or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the institution's educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs. (21) Third party.--The term "third party" means an individual or entity that is not an institution, associated entity, collective, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association. (22) Valid business purpose.--The term "valid business purpose" means a purpose genuinely related to the promotion of goods or services provided to the general public for profit. (23) Varsity sports team.--The term "varsity sports team" means a sports team composed of student athletes that is organized by an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate athletic competition. SEC. 101. NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS PROTECTIONS. (a) Student Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Compensation.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in this title, an institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association, or any representative of such an entity may not-- (A) restrict the ability of a student athlete, group of student athletes, or prospective student athlete-- (i) to market or earn compensation for the value of their name, image, or likeness rights; or (ii) to enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement; (B) restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition for a student athlete or prospective student athlete on the basis of the student athlete or prospective student athlete entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement or marketing or earning compensation for the value of their name, image, or likeness; (C) unless otherwise required by law, limit the eligibility or opportunity of a student athlete or prospective student athlete to apply for or receive a grant-in-aid, including the amount, duration, or renewal of such grant-in-aid, on the basis of the student athlete or prospective student athlete entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement, or marketing or earning compensation for the value of their name, image, or likeness; or (D) unless otherwise required by law, revoke, reduce, or decline to renew a grant-in-aid for a student athlete or prospective student athlete based on the student athlete or prospective student athlete entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement or marketing or earning compensation for the value of their name, image, or likeness. (2) Consent and compensation for group use.--An institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association, collective, third party, or any representative thereof, may not use the name, image, or likeness of any group of student athletes to sell or promote any product or service unless the institution, conference, athletic association, collective, or third party, as the case may be, obtains an agreement from each member of the group for that purpose. (3) Exceptions.-- (A) Certain agreements.--An institution may restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition of a student athlete or prospective student athlete who enters into a name, image, and likeness agreement that violates the code of student conduct of the institution that applies to all students enrolled at the institution. (B) Certain uses.--An institution may restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition of a student athlete or prospective student athlete if, in connection with a name, image, and likeness agreement, the student athlete or prospective student athlete uses a facility, uniform, equipment, registered or unregistered trademark, copyright-protected product, or the official logo, mark, or other indicia of the institution without the express consent of the institution. (b) Mandatory Disclosures by Student Athletes.-- (1) In general.--All student athletes shall report to their institution and their intercollegiate athletic association, or to an entity designated by their intercollegiate athletic association and under the control of that intercollegiate athletic association pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025)-- (A) not later than 5 days after entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement, the terms of any such agreement, including the amount and source, that exceeds $600 in value, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period; and (B) to the extent not reported under subparagraph (A), not later than 30 days after receiving compensation for the name, image, or likeness of the student athlete, the amount and source of any such compensation that exceeds $600, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period. (2) Mandatory disclosures by recruited athletes.--With respect to a student athlete or prospective student athlete who is recruited to attend, but is not yet enrolled in, an institution, the student athlete or prospective student athlete shall report to the institution at which the student athlete enrolls and their intercollegiate athletic association, or to an entity designated by that intercollegiate athletic association and under the control of that intercollegiate athletic association pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.

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June 6, 2025)-- (A) the terms of any current or ongoing name, image, and likeness agreement that exceeds $600 in value, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period; and (B) to the extent not reported under subparagraph (A), the amount and source of any current or ongoing name, image, and likeness compensation that exceeds $600, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same person that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period. (3) Exception.-- (A) In general.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to either marketing or earning compensation for the value of the name, image, and likeness rights of a student athlete or to the compensation within a name, image, and likeness agreement in which a student athlete receives less than $600, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same person that totals less than $600 over a 12-month period. (B) Adjustment for inflation.--The amount described in subparagraph (A) shall be adjusted for inflation by the percent increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor for the most recent 12-month period for which applicable data is available. (4) Release of information.--Except as provided in section 104 or as necessary to comply with this Act, an institution may not release any information that would identify a student athlete or prospective student athlete in a disclosure under paragraph (1) or (2) without the express written consent of the student athlete, prospective student athlete, athlete agent of the student athlete or prospective student athlete, or, in case of a minor, the parent or legal guardian of the minor. (5) Limitation.--This subsection shall apply only to student athletes and prospective student athletes of institutions whose primary membership is in Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw. (c) Name, Image, or Likeness Compensation by Institutions.--Subject to the requirements of this title, an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, conference, collective, associated entity, or third party, may pay, provide, or facilitate compensation to a student athlete for the use of the name, image, or likeness of the student athlete. (d) Right to Representation.--An institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or conference may not restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition, or any other event or activity relating to intercollegiate athletic competition, of a prospective student athlete or student athlete based on the prospective student athlete or student athlete having obtained an athlete agent or legal representative. (e) Educational Resources Regarding This Title.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall provide student athletes and prospective student athletes and the parents or guardians of student athletes or prospective student athletes with educational materials relating to this title. SEC. 102. MODIFICATIONS TO SPORTS AGENT RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUST ACT. (a) In General.--The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801 et seq.) is amended-- (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 7801)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking "an oral or written agreement" and inserting "a written agreement"; (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting before the period the following: "and includes any name, image, and likeness agreement as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026"; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: "(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term `intercollegiate athletic association' has the meaning given that term in section 100 of Protect College Sports Act of 2026"; (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 7802)-- (A) in subsection (a)-- (i) in paragraph (2), by striking "or" at the end; (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: "(4) enter into an agency contract or represent a student athlete in a manner that violates section 9; "(5) charge a student athlete a fee in connection with an endorsement contract that exceeds 5 percent of the value of the endorsement contract; "(6) enter into an agency contract with an athlete for a term that extends beyond the eligibility of the student athlete to participate in intercollegiate sport; "(7) make any materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent representation as an athlete agent, including any materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent statement to a student athlete or prospective student athlete that misrepresents the existence, nature, or value of a name, image, or likeness opportunity the athlete agent can arrange on behalf of the student athlete or prospective student athlete through recruitment or transfer to an institution (as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026); or "(8) make a materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent statement in the application for registration as an athlete agent."; and (B) in subsection (b)(3), by striking "Warning to Student Athlete: If you agree orally or in writing to be represented by an agent now or in the future you may lose your eligibility to compete as a student athlete in your sport."; (3) by inserting after section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7804) the following: "SEC. 5A. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION. "(a) In General.--Any current or former student athlete alleging a violation of paragraphs (4) through (8) of section 3(a), section 9, or section 10 may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States or in an appropriate State court. "(b) Relief.--In a civil action brought under subsection (a) in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award-- "(1) a declaratory judgment that a name, image, or likeness agreement (as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026) or an agency contract, as applicable, is null and void; and "(2) actual damages. "(c) Attorney's Fees and Costs.--In a civil action brought under subsection (a) in which the defendant is not an institution (as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026), the court may, in its discretion, award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs. "(d) Invalidity of Pre-dispute Arbitration Agreements and Pre-dispute Joint Action Waivers.-- "(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no pre-dispute arbitration agreement or pre-dispute joint action waiver shall be valid or enforceable against a student athlete with respect to a dispute arising under this Act. "(2) Applicability.--Any determination as to whether or how paragraph (1) applies to any dispute shall be made by a court, rather than an arbitrator, without regard to whether the agreement or waiver that is the subject of the dispute purports to delegate such determination to an arbitrator. "(3) Definitions.--In this subsection: "(A) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.--The term `pre-dispute arbitration agreement' means any agreement to arbitrate a dispute that has not arisen at the time of the making of the agreement. "(B) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.--The term `pre-dispute joint-action waiver' means an agreement, whether or not part of a pre-dispute arbitration agreement, that would prohibit, or waive the right of, one of the parties to the agreement to participate in a joint, class, or collective action in a judicial, arbitral, administrative, or other forum, concerning a dispute that has not yet arisen at the time of the making of the agreement."; and (4) by adding at the end the following: "SEC. 9. REGISTRATION OF ATHLETE AGENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. "(a) In General.--An athlete agent who seeks to represent a student athlete in an endorsement contract shall-- "(1) register with a State before representing a student athlete for an endorsement contract; and "(2) enter into an agency contract with the student athlete before providing representation in an endorsement contract. "(b) Registration Established.--An individual is deemed to be registered with a State for purposes of this section if the individual is-- "(1) a registered professional sports agent with a professional sports league or players association, in good standing; or "(2) registered and certified under the All State Uniform Agent Acts in the State in which the agent operates, in good standing. "(c) Certification to Intercollegiate Athletic Associations.-- "(1) Requirement.--An athlete agent that represents a student athlete shall certify to each applicable intercollegiate athletic association that the athlete agent is registered with a State. "(2) Prohibition.--It is unlawful for an individual to certify to an intercollegiate athletic association that the individual is an athlete agent if the individual is not registered with a State. "(d) Requirements for Agency Contracts.--To be a valid contract, an agency contract shall-- "(1) state the name of each party to the contract; "(2) state the term of the contract; "(3) state the registration information for the athlete agent; and "(4) state the fee or commission charged by the athlete agent. "SEC. 10. ENDORSEMENT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS. "An endorsement contract made in interstate or foreign commerce is, at the option of the student athlete, void from the inception of such contract if such contract does not satisfy the following requirements: "(1) The contract is in writing. "(2) The contract plainly states that the student athlete has the right to obtain or retain an athlete agent or legal representation with respect to the contract. "(3) The contract contains-- "(A) a description of services rendered; "(B) the names of each party to the contract; "(C) the terms of the contract; "(D) the amount of compensation to be provided to the student athlete under the contract; "(E) a provision specifying the circumstance or event that would result in the termination of the contract due to nonperformance of obligations by the student athlete or other parties to the contract; and "(F) a provision specifying that the validity and effectiveness of the contract, and the provision of compensation to the student athlete under the contract, is not conditioned upon any express or implicit requirement that the student athlete enroll or remain enrolled at an institution or reside in a particular location within the United States, unless the party making the contract with the student athlete is an institution, conference, associated entity, or collective affiliated with the institution and the contract is entered into after the student athlete has enrolled at such institution. "(4) The contract is not for a term that extends beyond the eligibility of the student athlete to participate in intercollegiate sports.". (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents for the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act is amended-- (1) by inserting after the item relating to section 5 the following: "Sec. 5A. Private right of action."; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "Sec. 9. Registration of athlete agents and other requirements. "Sec. 10. Endorsement contract requirements.". SEC. 103.

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AGENT REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS. (a) Requirements of Intercollegiate Athletic Associations.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall maintain a publicly available website that includes a searchable database of athlete agents that-- (1) are registered with a State and certified pursuant to section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act, as added by section 102; and (2) have certified compliance with all rules and bylaws of such intercollegiate athletic association, including any recruitment and tampering rules adopted under section 117. (b) Decertification Permitted.-- (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association may decertify or fine an athlete agent for any violations of section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act, as added by section 102, or any violation of section 117 on recruitment and tampering. (2) Effect of decertification.--An athlete agent that is decertified pursuant to paragraph (1) may not represent or contact a student athlete or prospective student athlete of an institution that is a member of such intercollegiate athletic association. SEC. 104. DISCLOSURES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS AGREEMENT DATABASE. (a) Disclosures by Institutions.-- (1) Disclosure of data on name, image, and likeness agreements.--Not later than July 1 of the first year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each July 1 thereafter, each institution shall disclose to the intercollegiate athletic association of which the institution is a member, in an anonymized manner, the following data: (A) With respect to each name, image, and likeness agreement disclosed to the institution by a student athlete as required by section 101(b)-- (i) a description of services rendered; and (ii) the amount of compensation to be provided to the student athlete or group of athletes under the agreement. (B) With respect to each name, image, and likeness agreement entered into between the institution and a student athlete, and any other compensation provided or to be provided by an institution to a student athlete-- (i) the amount of compensation provided or to be provided to the student athlete by the institution; and (ii) disaggregated by intercollegiate sports program-- (I) the number of agreements and payments; (II) the average value of the agreements and payments; and (III) the total value of the agreements and payments. (2) Report on revenue and student outcomes.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which an academic year ends, each institution with 1 or more intercollegiate sports programs shall submit to the governing athletic association for such institution a report that includes, for the academic year, the following: (A) The amount of revenues and expenditures of each such sports program, including the amount of associated entity and third-party donations, Federal funds, and State funds, including the total amount of remuneration for personnel of each intercollegiate sports program, individually by program and in the aggregate. (B) The average number of hours student athletes spent on intercollegiate athletic events and intercollegiate athletic competition, disaggregated by sports program. (C) The academic outcomes and majors for student athletes, disaggregated by sports program. (3) Treatment of men's and women's programs.--An institution shall treat men's and women's sports programs as distinct sports programs for the purposes of disclosure and reporting obligations under this subsection. (4) Protection of personally identifiable information.--In making a disclosure under paragraph (1), an institution shall ensure that no personally identifiable information of a student athlete is transmitted to an intercollegiate athletic association. (b) Disclosures by Associations and Database.-- (1) In general.--Not later than September of the first year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, each intercollegiate athletic association shall establish and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable database for student athletes and their agents to estimate the fair market value for name, image, and likeness agreements, which shall include data collected under subsection (a)(2). (2) Content of database.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall include the data reported by institutions pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) in the database described in paragraph (1). (3) Update of database.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall update the database described in paragraph (1) each September 1. (4) Privacy.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall take reasonable technical measures to ensure that information available in the database described in paragraph (1) may not be used to identify a student athlete. (c) Limitation.--This section shall apply only to institutions whose primary membership is in Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, and shall not apply to any Division II or Division III institution (as so defined) that participates in a limited number of sports at the Division I level. SEC. 105. ACADEMIC PROTECTIONS. (a) Prohibitions Relating to Coursework and Extracurricular Activities.-- (1) In general.--An employee or volunteer of an athletic department of an institution may not-- (A) exert undue pressure over or prevent a student athlete from selecting a course or an academic major of the student athlete's choice; (B) retaliate against a student athlete based on the student athlete's selection of any course or academic major; or (C) prevent a student athlete who seeks to secure employment or internships, participate in student groups or events, or serve as a volunteer from doing so, unless such activity interferes with mandatory class time or mandatory events related to intercollegiate athletic competition or membership on a varsity sports team. (2) Participation in athletic related activities.--In order to ensure each student athlete makes satisfactory progress toward the completion of a degree, each intercollegiate athletic association and any institution that is a member of such association may limit a student athlete to only participate in countable athletic-related activities as part of the educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs of the institution. (3) Rule of construction.--Paragraph (1) may not be construed as preventing an institution, an athletic department of an institution, or a representative thereof from-- (A) informing a student athlete of academic eligibility requirements and mandatory and expected team activities; or (B) providing other legitimate academic counseling and support services, in collaboration with the institution, to help the student athlete pursue the academic interests of and improve academic outcomes for the student athlete. (b) Financial Literacy and Life Skills.--An institution that offers financial literacy and life skills programming directed to student athletes may not include any marketing, advertising, referral, or solicitation offers in such programming. (c) Scholarship Protections.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an institution that awards a grant-in-aid to a student athlete may not revoke, reduce, or condition the grant-in-aid of the student athlete-- (A) based on the athletic ability or performance of the student athlete or the contribution of the student athlete to the success of a varsity sports team; (B) as a result of an injury or illness based on a physical or mental medical condition of the student athlete; or (C) roster management decisions. (2) Exception.-- (A) In general.--An institution may revoke, reduce, or condition the grant-in-aid of a student athlete or former student athlete who-- (i) transfers to another institution; or (ii) does not remain in good standing in accordance with-- (I) the standards or code of conduct of the institution applicable to all students; (II) the established athletics program policies for participating in mandatory team athletic activities for a varsity sports team; or (III) the academic standards for athletic eligibility. (B) Notice.--An institution shall provide a student athlete with timely written notice with respect to any possible revocation or reduction of, or condition on, the grant-in-aid or athletic eligibility of the student athlete. (C) Reinstatement.--In the case of a revocation or reduction of, or condition on, the grant-in-aid of a student athlete under this paragraph, an institution may reinstate or remove any condition placed on such grant-in-aid if the student athlete subsequently cures or satisfies the reasons provided by the notice in subparagraph (B). (D) Former student athletes.-- (i) In general.--With respect to a former student athlete described in clause (ii), an institution shall provide the former student athlete-- (I) the opportunity to resume study at the institution for the purpose of completing the requirements necessary to earn a degree; and (II) either-- (aa) the amount of grant-in-aid the former student athlete received while previously enrolled at the institution and participating-- (AA) in intercollegiate athletic competition; or (BB) as a member of a varsity sports team; or (bb) in the case of grant-in-aid previously awarded solely on the basis of demonstrated financial need, grant-in-aid awarded based on the current demonstrated financial need of the former student athlete. (ii) Former student athlete described.--A former student athlete described in this subparagraph is a former student athlete of an institution who-- (I) was enrolled at the institution during their last year of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition during the preceding 10-year period; (II) received grant-in-aid while enrolled at the institution; (III) was not subject to the revocation of grant-in-aid under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I); and (IV) has not completed the course of study for an undergraduate degree. (E) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to preclude-- (i) an institution from providing additional grant-in-aid protections for student athletes or former student athletes; or (ii) an intercollegiate athletic association, conference, institution, student athlete, or former student athlete from requesting or advocating for additional grant-in-aid protections. (3) Limitation.--Paragraph (2)(D) shall apply only to institutions that compete in Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw. SEC. 106.

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MEDICAL COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS. (a) In General.--Each Division I institution, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, each institution whose primary membership is in Division II or Division III (as so defined) only with respect to student athletes of the institution who compete in Division I, or an intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised of Division I member institutions shall provide or cause to be provided-- (1) during the participation of a student athlete in an intercollegiate sport-- (A) all out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as copayments or deductibles, for the health care coverage of a student athlete for any injury or disease incurred through participation in an intercollegiate sport; (B) the expense for obtaining a medical second opinion independent of the institution for any injury or disease the student athlete incurred through participation in an intercollegiate sport; (C) catastrophic injury medical insurance for any injury or disease incurred through participation in an intercollegiate sport that exceeds $90,000 in medical costs; and (D) an end-of-college physical examination for a student athlete for the purpose of documenting and diagnosing any injury or condition related to the student athlete's participation in an intercollegiate sport; and (2) with respect to a student athlete enrolled at the institution during their last year of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition, for the 5-year period beginning on the day after the last intercollegiate competition for the student athlete, the cost of all out-of-pocket medical expenses of the student athlete for health care coverage for any injury or disease incurred through participation in an intercollegiate sport. (b) Intercollegiate Athletic Association Post-eligibility Insurance and Catastrophic Injury Fund or Program.-- (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association comprised of member institutions that compete in Division I, Division II, or Division III, as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, on behalf of its member institutions must establish a fund or program to help cover the cost of-- (A) in the case of a Division I institution that generates less than $20,000,000 in total annual athletics revenue during the preceding academic year, compliance with subsection (a)(2) (or, in the case of a Division II or Division III institution, voluntary compliance with subsection (a)(2)), in the event of demonstrated financial hardship; and (B) post-eligibility medical expenses for the student athletes of a member institution who are diagnosed with significant long-term conditions related to their participation in an intercollegiate sport, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy and any other cognitive impairment. (2) Amount of fund.-- (A) In general.--Subject to increases under subparagraph (B) and the limitation under subparagraph (C), the intercollegiate athletic association described in this subsection shall ensure that the fund or program established under this subsection is funded at an amount that totals not less than $60,000,000 on the first day of each academic year. (B) Subsequent increase.--Subject to the limitation under subparagraph (C), if the amount funded for the fund or program established under this subsection is depleted for an academic year, that amount for the next academic year shall be increased by $5,000,000 as compared to the amount for the previous academic year. (C) Limitation.--The amount funded for the fund or program established under this subsection shall not exceed $100,000,000. (3) Use of collective media rights.--In ensuring that the fund or program established under paragraph (2) is adequately funded, an intercollegiate athletic association may use the collective media rights revenue from a covered entity, in accordance with section 5(d)(3) of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as added by section 203. (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude an intercollegiate athletic association from-- (1) providing or causing to be provided to student athletes medical coverage in addition to the medical coverage required by subsection (a); or (2) exceeding $60,000,000 for the fund or program established in subsection (b) for any academic year. SEC. 107. HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY STANDARDS. (a) Establishment of Standards.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each institution, conference, and intercollegiate athletic association shall adhere to standards to protect student athletes from sports-related serious injury, conditions, and death, including-- (1) brain injury, by adhering to the concussion management practices, protocols, and legislation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association effective January 15, 2024, and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes; (2) heat-related illness, by adhering to the American College of Sports Medicine Expert Consensus Statement on Exertional Heat Illness: Recognition, Management, and Return to Activity (April 2023), and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes; (3) rhabdomyolysis, in accordance with the guidelines of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for exertional rhabdomyolysis published in 2025, and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes; and (4) for any student athlete who is identified with-- (A) sickle cell trait, by following the guidelines published by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2025, and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes; and (B) asthma, by following the guidelines of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management of Asthma in Athletes (September 2005), and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes. (b) Measures To Prevent, Assess, and Remediate Abuse or Misconduct.--Each institution, conference, and intercollegiate athletic association shall take reasonable actions to prevent, assess, and remediate-- (1) abuse or hazing of any student athlete, including physical and sexual abuse; and (2) sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment. (c) Provision of Information on Contact for Student Athlete Ombudsman.-- (1) Intercollegiate athletic association.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall provide to student athletes information on how to contact the Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in section 108, on the internet website of the association. (2) Institution.--At the beginning of each academic year, an institution shall provide to student athletes information on how to locate the website specified under paragraph (1) or a link to the website and information on how to contact the Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in section 108. (d) Athletic Health and Safety Officers.-- (1) In general.--Each institution shall designate an employee, who is independent of the athletic department, as the athletic health and safety officer for the institution. (2) Reporting.--The athletic health and safety officer designated under paragraph (1) shall report to an employee of the institution who is independent of the athletic department. (3) Officer responsibilities.--An employee who is designated by an institution under paragraph (1) as an athletic health and safety officer shall be responsible for, at a minimum-- (A) overseeing implementation of the applicable requirements the institution is subject to under this section, including any applicable training, oversight practices, policies, and procedures; and (B) consulting with student athletes and athletic department personnel and reporting any suspected violations of this section to the employee specified under paragraph (2). (e) Independence of Medical Professionals.-- (1) In general.--Medical personnel, including athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians, shall have the autonomous, unchallengeable authority to determine medical management and return to play decisions for student athletes under their care at an institution. (2) Limitation on nonmedical personnel.--No coach or other nonmedical personnel of an institution may attempt to influence or disregard the decisions of medical personnel with respect to the medical management and return to play decisions for student athletes under their care at the institution. (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude-- (1) an intercollegiate athletic association from establishing additional health, wellness, and safety standards to protect student athletes; or (2) an intercollegiate athletic association, conference, institution, or student athletes from requesting or advocating for additional health, wellness, and safety standards to protect student athletes. SEC. 108.

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OFFICE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE OMBUDSMAN. (a) In General.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall establish an office to support student athletes, known as the "Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman" (in this section referred to as the "Office"). (b) Duties.--The Office shall-- (1) provide independent advice to student athletes at no cost about the applicable requirements of this title and the amendments made by this title, including with respect to their rights and responsibilities and the resources available; (2) assist in the resolution of student athlete concerns regarding the intercollegiate athletic association, conferences, or institutions; (3) provide independent advice to student athletes with respect to the role, responsibility, authority, and jurisdiction of the intercollegiate athletic association, conferences, or institutions; (4) provide student athletes with current contact information for external third-party resources for student athletes; (5) provide independent advice to student athletes with respect to the relative value of engaging legal counsel; (6) develop standard language to explain the rights and responsibilities of student athletes under this Act that institutions shall be required to conspicuously display in common areas where student athletes congregate, such as locker rooms, dormitories, or study areas, to ensure that student athletes are properly informed of their rights, responsibilities, and ability to contact the Ombudsman; and (7) as appropriate, develop curricula to educate student athletes on their rights and responsibilities under this Act that is capable of being shared through in person or online classes, training sessions, or other means. (c) Administration.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall hire and provide salary, benefits, and administrative expenses for an Ombudsman and support staff for the Office. (d) Confidentiality.-- (1) In general.--The Office shall maintain as confidential any information communicated or provided to the Office in confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the official duties of the Office. (2) Exception.--The Office may, with the permission of the parties involved, disclose information described in paragraph (1) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute. (3) Application.--The confidentiality requirements under this subsection shall not apply to information-- (A) as necessary to comply with applicable reporting requirements mandated by Federal law; (B) relating to a felony personally witnessed by a member of the Office; (C) if necessary to protect an individual at imminent risk of serious harm; or (D) with the permission of the parties involved, as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute. (4) Judicial and administrative proceedings.-- (A) In general.--The Ombudsman and any staff of the Office shall not be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the duties of the Office. (B) Confidentiality.--Any memorandum, work product, notes, or case file of the Office-- (i) shall be confidential; and (ii) shall not be-- (I) subject to discovery, subpoena, or any other means of legal compulsion; or (II) admissible as evidence in a judicial or administrative proceeding. (5) Prohibition on retaliation.--No employee, contractor, agent, volunteer, or member of an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution shall take or threaten to take any action against a student athlete as a reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking assistance from the Office. (e) Independence in Carrying Out Duties.--The board of directors or other governing board or committee of an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution shall not prevent or prohibit the Office from carrying out any duty or responsibility under this section. SEC. 109. COMPARABLE STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND EVENTS. Intercollegiate athletic associations and conferences shall maintain comparable standards for medical care, lodging, meals, rest, transportation, publicity and promotion, and, if applicable, athletic facilities for championship events or tournaments, across similarly situated men's and women's athletic programs. SEC. 110. RULES GOVERNING CERTAIN MID-SEASON COACHING TRANSITIONS. (a) In General.--An individual who serves, or has served at any point during a competitive season, as football athletic personnel for a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at an institution shall not, during that same competitive season, perform for another institution any duties or responsibilities customarily associated with a head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football, including, at a minimum-- (1) recruiting or contacting prospective or current student athletes; (2) directing, participating in, or materially influencing recruiting strategy or evaluations; (3) directing, participating in, or materially influencing roster management decisions, including decisions relating to transfers; (4) facilitating, coordinating, negotiating, or otherwise materially influencing name, image, and likeness activities involving student athletes; (5) directing, supervising, or materially influencing coaching staff or team operations; (6) participating in practice planning, game preparation, strategic decision-making, or on-field activities; (7) publicly representing the institution in an intercollegiate football-related capacity in a manner that reflects or implies authority over the intercollegiate football program; and (8) undertaking any other activity customarily associated with a head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football. (b) Application.--Subsection (a) shall apply without regard to title, formal designation, compensation structure, employment status, or timing of any public announcement, and the applicable intercollegiate athletic association may prohibit any arrangement that, in substance or effect, provides an individual described in subsection (a) with authority or responsibilities customarily exercised by a head coach. (c) Determination of Ineligibility.--An individual described in subsection (a) who accepts employment, appointment, or designation as head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at another institution during the same competitive season is ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate football as head coach for the hiring institution through the conclusion of the competitive season, including any postseason competition, of the prior institution or the hiring institution, whichever occurs later. (d) Penalties for Non-compliance.--In the event an individual who accepts employment, appointment, or designation as head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at another institution violates this section, that individual shall be ineligible to assume the duties as head coach of the varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at the hiring institution for the subsequent competitive season after the season in which the violation occurred and be subject to additional penalties sufficient to ensure compliance with this section. (e) Application.--This section applies only to institutions that compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw. (f) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Applicable intercollegiate athletic association.--The term "applicable intercollegiate athletic association" means only an intercollegiate athletic association that has at least one member institution that is a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw. (2) Competitive season.--The term "competitive season" means the period beginning with the first regularly scheduled intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate football for an institution during a season and ending with the conclusion of the final intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate football for the institution during that season. (3) Football athletic personnel.--The term "football athletic personnel" means any individual employed by, contracted with, or otherwise engaged by an institution who provides coaching, instruction, recruiting, roster management, or training as the head coach or a coordinator, including an offensive, defensive, or special teams coordinator, of student athletes who are members of or participate with the varsity sports team for intercollegiate football of the institution. (4) Intercollegiate football.--The term "intercollegiate football"-- (A) means football played between institutions for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by an intercollegiate athletic association; and (B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club sport. SEC. 111. STUDENT ATHLETE REPRESENTATION ON INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GOVERNING BOARDS. (a) In General.--Not less than 1/3 of the membership and voting power of any board of directors or other governing board, or committees with authority to establish and enforce rules or bylaws shall be comprised of current student athletes or former student athletes who have graduated from their institution during the preceding 10-year period. (b) Limitation.-- (1) A former student athlete who is a current or former employee of an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or a member institution may not count towards the student athlete membership requirement pursuant to subsection (a); and (2) no member of any such board or committee shall vote on any matter that presents a conflict of interest for such member. SEC. 112. TRANSFER PROTECTIONS. An institution, a conference, an intercollegiate athletic association, or any representative of such entity shall permit a student athlete to transfer from one four-year institution to another four-year institution-- (1) once without losing or delaying eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports; (2) except as provided in paragraph (3), a second time with a loss of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports during the first academic year following the transfer; and (3) additionally, without losing or delaying eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports, upon-- (A) discontinuation of a sport in which the student athlete competes; (B) the departure of the head coach of the student athlete's varsity sports team; (C) sexual assault or harassment of the student athlete by an individual associated with the student athlete's institution; or (D) the student athlete pursuing a graduate degree. SEC. 113.

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ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS. (a) In General.--An individual is eligible to participate on a Division I or Division II (as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw) varsity sports team or in intercollegiate athletic competition for a Division I or Division II institution (as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw) if the individual-- (1) is a student athlete; (2) meets uniform academic standards established by the relevant intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or institution; (3) is not a professional athlete; and (4) complies with established rules that restrict eligibility for violations of State or Federal law. (b) Years of Eligibility.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a student athlete is eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletic competition for a Division I or Division II institution (as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw) for a maximum of 5 calendar years beginning on, whichever occurs first-- (A) the beginning of the academic year following the 19th birthday of the student athlete; or (B) the date the student athlete initially enrolls full time at an institution. (2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not apply during a period of absence for any of the following: (A) Reasons of pregnancy. (B) Religious mission. (C) Active-duty military service. (D) Other periods of absence, which may include serious athletic injury or medical condition, adopted by rule or bylaw by an intercollegiate athletic association that apply uniformly to all student athletes. (c) Restrictions on Eligibility.-- (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association or a conference may restrict the eligibility of a student athlete to participate in intercollegiate sports if the student athlete-- (A) used an illegal or performance enhancing drug; or (B) participated in sports wagering activities or sports-related event contracts. (2) Code of conduct.--An institution may restrict the eligibility of a student athlete to participate in intercollegiate sports if the student athlete violated the code of conduct of the institution that applies to all students. (d) Clarification on Youth Activities and Prize Money.--For purposes of subsection (a)(3)-- (1) a student athlete who competes in basketball shall not be considered a professional athlete based on their participation in athletic competitions prior to, whichever occurs first-- (A) the 19th birthday of the student athlete; or (B) the date the student athlete initially enrolls full time at an institution; and (2) a student athlete who competes in a sport other than football or basketball shall not be considered a professional athlete based solely on the amount of prize money the student athlete received based on place finish or performance in an athletic event before or after enrollment in an institution, so long as-- (A) the prize money was provided only by the sponsor of the athletics event; and (B) the sponsor of the athletics event is not an institution, employee of an institution, volunteer of an institution, collective, or an associated entity. (e) Transfer From 2-year Institution.--No intercollegiate athletic association or conference shall require a student athlete who transfers from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution to meet additional or more stringent academic standards than the academic standards required for student athletes who transfer from a 4-year institution. (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the ability of an institution to-- (1) require student athletes to meet or maintain academic standards that are in addition to, or more stringent than, the standards described in subsection (a) if such standards are required of all students enrolled at the institution; (2) discipline or sanction a student athlete for violating a rule, regulation, or code of conduct that applies to all students enrolled at the institution; or (3) discipline or sanction a student athlete for violating a rule, regulation, or a code of conduct that applies to all student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic competition at that institution. SEC. 114. PROHIBITED COMPENSATION AND AGREEMENTS. (a) Certain Agreements and Compensation Prohibited.-- (1) Prohibition.--An institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated entity shall not-- (A) except as provided in paragraph (2) and subsection (b), arrange, provide, offer, or permit, directly or indirectly, compensation in an amount that would circumvent or result in the institution exceeding the revenue share cap to-- (i) a student athlete, a group of student athletes, or their family members; or (ii) a prospective student athlete, a group of prospective student athletes, or their family members; (B) except for a name, image, and likeness agreement between a student athlete and an institution or between a prospective student athlete and an institution, enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement with a student athlete or prospective student athlete that is not-- (i) for a valid business purpose; and (ii) commensurate with compensation paid by third parties to individuals with a similar profile, reputation, or notability who are not student athletes or prospective student athletes at the institution; or (C) provide compensation for any purpose to a prospective student athlete prior to enrollment in an institution, but nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit an institution from providing compensation to attend a development camp or program if that camp or program is open to non-prospective student athletes and such compensation does not exceed the reasonable costs of attendance. (2) Retention fund.-- (A) Retention fund exception.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an institution may exceed the revenue share cap by not more than $22,500,000 per academic year for the purpose of retaining a student athlete or group of student athletes who have spent at least one full competitive season at the institution. (B) Non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs.-- (i) In general.--An institution may further exceed the revenue share cap for the purpose described in subparagraph (A) by up to an additional $5,000,000 per academic year in proportion to the amount of name, image, and likeness compensation provided by the institution through the revenue share cap described in subsection (a)(1) and the retention fund amount described in subparagraph (A) to a student athlete or group of student athletes competing in non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs. (ii) Clarification.--Nothing in clause (i) shall be interpreted to preclude an institution from providing name, image, and likeness compensation through the revenue share cap described in subsection (a)(1) and the retention fund amount described in subparagraph (A) in excess of $5,000,000 to a student athlete or group of student athletes competing in non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs, provided such compensation complies with subparagraph (A) and subsection (a)(1). (C) Time limitation.--The exception described in subparagraph (A) shall apply only during the nine-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Personal Athletic and Education Benefits Permitted.--An intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, an institution, or any representative thereof shall not, pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.

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June 6, 2025), restrict the ability of a student athlete enrolled at an institution to receive compensation from an intercollegiate athletic association, an institution, a conference, or an associated entity, for personal benefits related to education or intercollegiate athletics, if those benefits are-- (1) reasonable costs of transportation and temporary lodging for family members of a student athlete while the student athlete is experiencing a documented physical or mental health concern or participating in an intercollegiate athletic competition; (2) reasonable costs for meals, shelter, medical coverage, and medical expenses not provided or covered by the institution; or (3) reasonable education-related financial benefits, such as institution fees, books, or other incidental educational expenses that are not otherwise provided by the institution. (c) Multimedia Rights Holders, Sponsors, Apparel Companies, and Vendors.--In the case of a name, image, and likeness agreement involving, or brokered by, a multimedia rights holder, or a sponsor of the institution in which the student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll that has a commercial relationship with the institution, an apparel company that has a commercial relationship with the institution, or a vendor for the athletic department or athletic facilities that has a commercial relationship with the institution-- (1) the multimedia rights holder shall provide a signed certification to the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated enforcement entity affirming that the institution in which the student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll is not the originating source of the compensation to be paid to the student athlete or prospective student athlete and that payment of the compensation is not coming directly or indirectly from the institution; (2) the third party or the sponsor, apparel company, or vendor benefitting from the name, image, and likeness of the student athlete or prospective student athlete shall provide a signed certification to the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated enforcement entity affirming that it is the originating source of the compensation to be paid to the student athlete, that it did not receive funds, directly or indirectly, from the institution in which the student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll for the purpose of financing the agreement, that the institution did not forgo funds due from the third party or the sponsor, apparel company, or vendor for the purpose of financing the agreement, and that the institution did not negotiate for and determine the amount of compensation to be paid to the student athlete or prospective student athlete through the agreement; and (3) the institution at which the student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll, if required by the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated enforcement entity, shall provide a signed certification to the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated enforcement entity that the institution is not circumventing the revenue share cap through the name, image, and likeness agreement, or negotiating for and determining the amount of compensation to be paid to the student athlete or prospective student athlete through the agreement. (d) Valid Business Purpose.--Except for a name, image, and likeness agreement with an institution, a name, image, and likeness agreement with a student athlete shall be for a valid business purpose. (e) Payments to Coaches and Managers.-- (1) In general.--An institution described in paragraph (2) may not compensate or otherwise provide or promise any type of payment or benefit of more than $500,000 to any coach, assistant coach, general manager, or other person who coaches or manages a varsity sports team by using, diverting, budgeting, or otherwise obtaining funds from any source other than college sports revenue or a donation or contribution to the athletic department of the institution. (2) Institution described.--An institution described in this paragraph is an institution with more than $80,000,000 in total annual athletics revenue during the preceding academic year. (f) Institution Defined.--In this section, the term "institution" means-- (1) an institution of higher education, as that term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); and (2) an institution that is a party to, through membership in a conference or otherwise, "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), or has opted in to the Injunctive Relief Settlement in that case. SEC. 115. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF CONTINUATION OF REVENUE SHARE CAP AND RETENTION FUND. (a) Continuation Upon Congressional Approval.-- (1) Cessation absent approval.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the covered settlement agreement expires or terminates but no joint resolution of approval relating to the notice of the expiration or termination is enacted into law during the applicable congressional approval period, the provisions of section 114 relating to the revenue share cap, and, notwithstanding section 114(a)(2)(C), the retention fund, shall-- (A) in the case of an expiration-- (i) cease to have force or effect on the date of such expiration, if the applicable congressional approval period ends before that date; or (ii) if the applicable congressional approval period ends after the date of such expiration, at the end of the applicable congressional approval period; or (B) in the case of a termination, remain in effect without interruption notwithstanding such termination until, and cease to have force or effect at, the end of the applicable congressional approval period. (2) Continuation upon approval.--If a joint resolution of approval relating to the notice of the expiration or termination is enacted into law, the provisions of section 114 relating to the revenue share cap and, only if specified in the joint resolution of approval, the retention fund, in effect immediately before such expiration or termination or at the time the notice is provided to Congress pursuant to subsection (b), subject to paragraph (3), shall continue in effect without interruption beginning on the date of such expiration or termination. (3) Recalculation of revenue share cap dollar amount.--In the first 2 years following a continuation under paragraph (2), the revenue share cap shall increase by 4 percent each year over the previous year's amount. In the third year following a continuation under paragraph (2), and every 3 years thereafter, the revenue share cap shall be recalculated based on 22 percent of the Average Shared Revenue based on the most recent Membership Financial Reporting System Reports available, or, if the covered settlement agreement is modified, pursuant to the amendment provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement, pursuant to the calculation process in effect immediately before the expiration or termination of the covered settlement agreement or at the time the notice is provided to Congress pursuant to subsection (b). In each of the 2 years following each such recalculation, the revenue share cap shall increase by 4 percent each year over the previous year's amount. For purposes of this paragraph, all information used to calculate the revenue share cap pursuant to the covered settlement agreement, or as modified pursuant to the amendment provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement, shall be subject to a publicly available, independent third-party audit to verify the accuracy of such information for purposes of complying with this subsection. (b) Notice to Congress.-- (1) Scheduled expiration.--Not later than 180 calendar days before the date on which the covered settlement agreement is scheduled to expire, the defendant parties, or in the case of disagreement, a majority of defendant parties, to the covered settlement agreement shall transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written notice of the scheduled expiration. If the scheduled expiration date is established less than 180 calendar days before that date, any defendant party to the covered settlement agreement shall transmit the notice not later than 1 calendar day after the scheduled expiration date is established. (2) Early termination.--Not later than 1 calendar day after the date on which the defendant parties to the covered settlement become aware of a court order that provides for the termination of the covered settlement agreement before its scheduled expiration, any defendant party to the covered settlement agreement shall transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written notice of the termination. (3) Contents.--A notice under this subsection shall include-- (A) the scheduled, expected, or actual date of the expiration or termination, if known, and the basis for the expiration or termination; and (B) the dollar amounts and material terms of the revenue share cap in effect, or expected to be in effect, immediately before the expiration or termination. (4) Date of receipt.--Congress receives a notice under this subsection on the date on which both the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives receive the notice.

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In the event a notice is not provided to Congress under this subsection, notice shall be deemed to have been received by Congress not later than 3 calendar days after the date of the expiration or termination of the covered settlement agreement. (5) Deemed receipt.--Notwithstanding paragraph (4), for purposes of this section, a notice required under this subsection received after the expiration or termination of the covered settlement agreement shall be deemed to have been received by Congress on the date on which covered settlement agreement expired or terminated. (c) Joint Resolution of Approval.-- (1) Applicable congressional approval period.--With respect to a notice under subsection (b), the term "applicable congressional approval period" means the 30-calendar-day period beginning on the date on which Congress receives the notice, except that the congressional approval period shall immediately terminate upon the passage a of a joint resolution of approval by the Senate and the House of Representatives. (2) Joint resolution of approval.--For purposes of this section, the term "joint resolution of approval" means only any joint resolution-- (A) that is introduced not later than 10 calendar days after the date on which Congress receives the notice under subsection (b) to which the joint resolution relates; (B) that does not have a preamble; (C) the title of which is either of the following: (i) "Joint resolution approving the continuation of the revenue share cap and retention fund under the Protect College Sports Act of 2026"; or (ii) "Joint resolution approving the continuation of the revenue share cap under the Protect College Sports Act of 2026"; and (D) the sole matter after the resolving clause of which is either of the following: (i) for a joint resolution with a title described in subparagraph (C)(i): "That Congress approves, under section 115 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, the continuation, after the expiration or termination described in the notice received by Congress on __________, of the revenue share cap and retention fund in effect immediately before such expiration or termination or at the time the notice was provided to Congress pursuant to subsection (b) of that section, and of the provisions of section 114 of such Act relating to that cap and fund."; or (ii) for a joint resolution with a title described in subparagraph (C)(ii): "That Congress approves, under section 115 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, the continuation, after the expiration or termination described in the notice received by Congress on __________, of the revenue share cap in effect immediately before such expiration or termination or at the time the notice was provided to Congress pursuant to subsection (b) of that section, and of the provisions of section 114 of such Act relating to that cap.". (3) Date in resolving text.--The date inserted in the blank in paragraph (2)(D)(i) or (2)(D)(ii) shall be the date on which Congress receives the notice under subsection (b) to which the joint resolution relates. (4) Introduction.--A joint resolution of approval may be introduced in either House of Congress by any Member of that House. (d) Fast Track Consideration in House of Representatives.-- (1) Reconvening.--Upon receipt of a notice under subsection (b), the Speaker of the House of Representatives, if the House would otherwise be adjourned, shall notify the Members of the House that, pursuant to this section, the House shall convene not later than the second calendar day after receipt of the notice. (2) Referral, reporting, and discharge.--A joint resolution of approval introduced in the House of Representatives shall be referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The committee shall report the joint resolution to the House not later than 10 calendar days after the date on which Congress receives the notice under subsection (b) to which the joint resolution relates. If the committee fails to report the joint resolution within that period, the committee shall be discharged from further consideration of the joint resolution and the joint resolution shall be referred to the appropriate calendar. (3) Proceeding to consideration.--After the committee referred to in paragraph (2) reports a joint resolution of approval to the House or is discharged from its consideration, it shall be in order, not later than the 16th day after the date on which Congress receives the notice under subsection (b) to which the joint resolution relates, to move to proceed to consider the joint resolution in the House. All points of order against the motion are waived. Such a motion shall not be in order after the House has disposed of a motion to proceed on the joint resolution. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the motion to its adoption without intervening motion. The motion shall not be debatable. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is disposed of shall not be in order. (4) Consideration.--The joint resolution shall be considered as read. All points of order against the joint resolution and against its consideration are waived. The previous question shall be considered as ordered on the joint resolution to its passage without intervening motion except 2 hours of debate equally divided and controlled by the proponent and an opponent. A motion to reconsider the vote on passage of the joint resolution shall not be in order. (e) Fast Track Consideration in Senate.-- (1) Reconvening.--Upon receipt of a notice under subsection (b), if the Senate has adjourned or recessed for more than 2 days, the majority leader of the Senate, after consultation with the minority leader of the Senate, shall notify the Members of the Senate that, pursuant to this section, the Senate shall convene not later than the fifteenth calendar day after receipt of the notice. (2) Placement on calendar.--Upon introduction in the Senate, a joint resolution of approval shall be placed immediately on the calendar. (3) Floor consideration.-- (A) In general.--It is in order at any time during the period beginning on the 10th day after the date on which Congress receives the notice under subsection (b) to which the joint resolution relates to move to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution. The motion to proceed is privileged and not debatable. All points of order against the joint resolution and against consideration of the joint resolution are waived. The motion is not subject to a motion to postpone. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the motion is agreed to or disagreed to shall not be in order. If a motion to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution is agreed to, the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business until disposed of. (B) Debate.--Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the joint resolution shall be debatable and shall be subject to rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate. If cloture is invoked on the joint resolution, post-cloture consideration of the joint resolution shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between the majority and minority leaders or their designees. After cloture is invoked, a motion further to limit debate is in order and not debatable. An amendment to, or a motion to postpone, or a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit, the joint resolution is not in order. (C) Vote on passage.--After cloture is invoked on the joint resolution, the vote on passage shall occur immediately following the conclusion of the period of post-cloture consideration under subparagraph (B) and, if requested in accordance with the rules of the Senate, a single quorum call. (D) Rulings of the chair on procedure.--Appeals from the decisions of the Chair relating to the application of the rules of the Senate to the procedure relating to a joint resolution shall be decided without debate. (f) Rules Relating to Senate and House of Representatives.-- (1) Coordination with action by other house.--If, before the passage by one House of a joint resolution of approval of that House, that House receives from the other House a joint resolution of approval relating to the same notice under subsection (b), the following procedures shall apply: (A) The joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee. (B) With respect to the joint resolution of the House receiving the joint resolution-- (i) the procedure in that House shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House; but (ii) the vote on passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other House. (2) Treatment of joint resolution of other house.--If one House fails to introduce or consider a joint resolution of approval under this section, the joint resolution of approval of the other House shall be entitled to expedited floor procedures under this section. (3) Treatment of companion measures.--If, following passage of a joint resolution of approval in the Senate, the Senate then receives the companion measure from the House of Representatives, the companion measure shall not be debatable. (4) Rules of house of representatives and senate.--This subsection and subsections (c), (d), and (e) are enacted by Congress-- (A) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such are deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of a joint resolution of approval, and supersede other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent with such rules; and (B) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules, so far as relating to the procedure of that House, at any time, in the same manner and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House. (g) Covered Settlement Agreement Defined.--In this section, the term "covered settlement agreement" means the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025) or as modified pursuant to the amendment provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement. SEC. 116.

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COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS. (a) Commission on the Future of College Athletics.-- (1) In general.--There is established within the legislative branch a commission, to be known as the "Congressional Commission on the Future of College Athletics" (referred to in this section as the "Commission"), for the purpose of providing recommendations on the future of college athletics. (2) Purpose.--The purpose of the commission is to provide recommendations for the future of college athletics. (b) Membership.-- (1) Composition.--Subject to paragraph (2), the Commission shall be composed of 24 members, of whom-- (A) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (B) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (D) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (E) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (F) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (G) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; (H) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; (I) 1 member shall be a representative of a historically Black college or university, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (J) 1 member shall be a representative of a historically Black college or university, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (K) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-sized conference, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; and (L) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-sized conference, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (2) Requirements.--Members of the Commission shall be individuals who are nationally recognized for expertise, knowledge, or experience in matters related to college athletics, university administration, sports law, labor law, athlete welfare, sports economics, health care, or sports medicine. (3) Co-chairs, executive director, and staff.-- (A) Co-chairs.--The Commission shall have 2 co-chairs, of whom-- (i) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected by the majority party; and (ii) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected by the minority party. (B) Executive director and staff.--The co-chairs of the Commission shall appoint an executive director of the Commission and such staff as appropriate, with compensation. (4) Historically black college or university defined.--In this subsection, the term "historically Black college or university" has the meaning given the term "part B institution" in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). (5) Mid-sized conference defined.--In this subsection, the term "mid-sized conference" means any conference that has generated less than $500,000,000 in total annual revenue during the preceding academic year. (c) Authority.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Commission-- (1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths as the Commission considers relevant to the purpose of the Commission; and (2) require, by subpoena issued upon a majority vote of the Commission, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as the Commission considers relevant to the purpose of the Commission, provided that the Commission shall take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to preserve the confidentiality of trade secrets or other confidential information of conferences, intercollegiate athletic associations, institutions, or other entities the Commission deems appropriate. (d) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are as follows: (1) To study and develop recommendations regarding-- (A) an alternative structure for providing compensation for student athletes, including consideration of the positive and negative implications associated with a collective bargaining structure and employment status for student athletes; (B) protecting and preserving athletic opportunities for student athletes, particularly in non-revenue generating, women's, and Olympic sports intercollegiate athletic programs; (C) whether any intercollegiate sport should be subject to spending or cost limitations; (D) whether to eliminate, extend, or change the revenue share cap and retention fund described in section 114(a)(2), including consideration of the calculation of the revenue share cap and additional categories of revenue that should be included in such calculation; (E) compliance with endorsement contract reporting requirements established by an athletic association or a conference; (F) adequacy of health and safety standards established pursuant to this title and compliance with those standards by institutions, including consideration of options for increased oversight (including by a third-party oversight organization) to improve compliance and enforcement of such standards; (G) the adequacy of the athlete agent provisions of this title; (H) the extent to which student athletes experience abuse or mistreatment and measures that could protect student athletes from such abuse or mistreatment, including consideration of options for greater oversight (including by a third-party oversight organization) to reduce instances of abuse and mistreatment; (I) the benefits of the intercollegiate athletic system, including consideration of how the balance of education and athletics impacts the life skills, educational opportunities, leadership skills, character development, and personal growth of the student athlete; (J) within the Student Athlete Retention Council established under subsection (e), whether the retention fund exception under section 114(a)(2)(A) should be adjusted after the date of the enactment of this Act, and if so, the amount of annual compensation that should be subject to the retention fund exception; and (K) any other recommendations regarding intercollegiate athletics. (2) To draft a joint resolution of approval under subsection (j) that provides for implementation of the recommendation of the Commission on whether to eliminate, raise, or lower the Pool Benefits Limit in section 114(a). (3) Not later than 30 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, to submit a preliminary report on the Commission's findings related to matters under paragraph (1) to-- (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and (C) the President. (4) Not later than 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, to submit a report on the activities of the Commission, including recommendations for such legislative action as the Commission considers appropriate, to-- (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and (C) the President. (e) Student Athlete Retention Council.-- (1) In general.--There is established within the Commission a council, to be known as the "Student Athlete Retention Council", for the purposes of providing recommendations pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(J) on the future of the retention fund exception under section 114(a)(2)(A). (2) Membership.--The Student Athlete Retention Council shall be composed of 16 members, of whom-- (A) 8 shall be representatives of Division I institutions, with not more than one institution coming from the same conference; and (B) 8 shall be student athletes elected by all Division I student athletes. (3) Authority.--The Student Athlete Retention Council may sit and act at such times and places as necessary for the purpose of providing recommendations specified in subsection (d)(1)(J). (f) Quorum.--Twelve members of the Commission, of which 5 members shall be current or former student athletes, shall constitute a quorum. (g) Initial Meeting.--The Commission shall hold an initial meeting not later than 30 days after the date on which a sufficient number of members have been appointed under subsection (b) to constitute a quorum pursuant to subsection (f). (h) Public Hearings.--The Commission shall hold 1 or more public hearings. (i) Status.--The Commission is not an agency (as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code). (j) Joint Resolution.--Any Member of Congress may introduce a joint resolution for consideration to adopt any of the recommendations of the Commission, in whole or in part, including any recommendations from the Commission on whether to eliminate, raise, or lower the Pool Benefits Limit. (k) Termination.--The Commission shall terminate 90 days after the date on which the Commission submits the report required by this section. (l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission such sums as may be necessary in any fiscal year, half of which shall be derived from the applicable account of the House of Representatives and half of which shall be derived from the contingent fund of the Senate. SEC. 117.

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RECRUITMENT AND TAMPERING. An intercollegiate athletic association may enforce provisions on recruitment and tampering of student athletes or prospective student athletes before and during their eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition that-- (1) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated entity from contacting a student athlete who is enrolled at or committed to another institution for the purpose of recruiting that student athlete to transfer to or enroll at an institution except for during a reasonable period (or periods) of time established for each intercollegiate sport that in no case shall be less than 2 weeks or greater than 5 weeks starting after the last intercollegiate athletic competition in an academic year in the intercollegiate sport in which the student athlete competes and in which student athletes from the same intercollegiate athletic association competed; (2) prohibit an athlete agent from contacting an institution, employee of an institution, or associated entity on behalf of a student athlete who is enrolled at or committed to another institution for the purpose of facilitating the transfer or enrollment of the student athlete at the contacted institution except for during a reasonable period (or periods) of time for each intercollegiate sport that in no case shall be less than 2 weeks or greater than 5 weeks starting after the last intercollegiate athletic competition in an academic year in the intercollegiate sport in which the student athlete competes and in which student athletes from the same intercollegiate athletic association competed; (3) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated entity from contacting a prospective student athlete, who has not enrolled in an institution, for the purpose of recruiting that prospective student athlete to attend an institution as a student athlete except for during a reasonable period (or periods) of time established for each sport that in no case shall be less than 2 weeks or greater than 5 weeks; (4) prohibit an athlete agent from contacting an institution, employee of an institution, or associated entity on behalf of a prospective student athlete, who has not enrolled in an institution, for the purpose of facilitating the enrollment of the prospective student athlete at an institution as a student athlete except for during a reasonable period (or periods) of time for each sport that in no case shall be less than 2 weeks or greater than 5 weeks; (5) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, an associated entity, or an athlete agent from recruiting or contacting a student athlete or prospective student athlete who has not affirmatively opted in to receive such recruitment or contact; (6) prohibit an institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an institution, an associated entity, an athlete agent, a conference, an employee of a conference, or a volunteer of a conference from inducing a student athlete or a prospective student athlete to enroll at an institution or transfer to an institution by offering compensation to a student athlete in violation of any of paragraphs (1) through (5); or (7) notwithstanding paragraph (1) or (2) of this section, ensure that a student athlete permitted to transfer under one or more of the exceptions specified in section 112(3) may affirmatively opt in to receive recruitment or contact at a time outside the times described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section for the purpose of transferring pursuant to one or more of such exceptions. SEC. 118. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY. (a) In General.--It shall not be unlawful under the antitrust laws for an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution to enforce or comply with, including through rules or bylaws-- (1) section 114; (2) section 115; (3) section 113; (4) sections 101(a)(3) and 101(b)(1) and subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 101(b)(2); (5) section 117; (6) section 112; (7) rules, bylaws, or requirements of an intercollegiate athletic association that determine whether a specific institution is selected to participate in a championship or tournament if the process for selecting participants is not entitled to antitrust exemption under this subsection; (8) section 103; and (9) section 110. (b) Sanctions by an Intercollegiate Athletic Association.--It shall not be unlawful under the antitrust laws for an intercollegiate athletic association or conference to, including through rules or bylaws-- (1) impose a fine against an institution, an employee, or volunteer of an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated entity for a violation of sections 110, 112, 113, 114, 115, or 117; (2) restrict an institution, employee or volunteer of an institution, a conference, or an employee of a conference, from participation in intercollegiate athletic competition, including championships or tournaments, for a violation of sections 110, 112, 113, 114, 115, or 117; (3) restrict the eligibility of a student athlete who-- (A) is not eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition or participate on a varsity sports team under section 113; (B) has transferred to an institution in a manner that does not comply with section 112; or (C) has received compensation in contravention of section 114 or section 115; or (4) decertify an athlete agent for violations of section 103 or the amendments made by section 102. (c) Requirements for an Intercollegiate Athletic Association.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall not be entitled to the antitrust exemptions set forth in subsections (a) and (b) unless the intercollegiate athletic association has established rules, bylaws, or other regulations implementing paragraphs (1) through (9) of subsection (a) and paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (b). (d) Designation of Entity.-- (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association or conference may designate an entity under its control pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025) for which it shall not be unlawful to enforce or comply with section 114. (2) Notice and comment requirement.--If an entity designated under paragraph (1) proposes to issue a measure, rule, guidance, or policy interpreting or implementing the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), the designated entity shall give reasonable prior notice and an opportunity to comment to the defendant parties in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation". SEC. 119. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION. (a) Violations.--A person may file a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States or in an appropriate State court only for a violation of the following: (1) Subsections (a) and (c) of section 101. (2) Section 104. (3) Section 105. (4) Section 106. (5) Section 107. (6) Section 108. (7) Section 109. (8) Section 111. (9) Section 112, only to the extent the claim-- (A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution has not complied with the transfer standard set forth in section 112; (B) is filed against a Division I, Division II, or Division III institution, as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date of the enactment of this Act, or an intercollegiate athletic association or a conference comprised of any such institutions; and (C) is filed in an appropriate district court of the United States. (10) Section 113, only to the extent the claim-- (A) alleges an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution has not complied with the eligibility standard set forth in section 113; (B) is filed against a Division I or Division II institution, as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date of the enactment of this Act, or an intercollegiate athletic association or a conference comprised of any such institutions; and (C) is filed in an appropriate district court of the United States. (11) Section 114(b). (b) Limitation.--The protection from antitrust liability set forth in section 118 shall not be limited by a private right of action filed under subsection (a). (c) Relief.--In a civil action brought under subsection (a) in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award the plaintiff-- (1) actual damages; and (2) any other relief, including equitable relief or declaratory relief, that the court determines appropriate (including attorney's fees, if otherwise allowed under applicable law). (d) Limitation on Pre-dispute Agreements and Waivers.-- (1) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.-- (A) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or institution shall include a pre-dispute arbitration agreement (as defined in section 401 of title 9, United States Code) in an agreement with a student athlete regarding a provision of this title or an amendment made to this title. (B) Treatment of claim.--If a claim for a violation of this title arises, a student athlete has the option to arbitrate the dispute if the intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or institution agrees to the arbitration. (2) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no intercollegiate athletic association or conference shall enforce a pre-dispute joint-action waiver (as defined in section 401 of title 9, United States Code) against a student athlete or group of student athletes with respect to a dispute arising under this title or an amendment made to this title, so long as there are not fewer than 7 named plaintiffs. (e) Disputes Arising From Enforcement of Injunctive Relief Settlement.--Notwithstanding subsection (d)-- (1) a claim made by any entity or individual subject to the injunctive relief provisions in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), regarding whether a name, image, or likeness agreement is for a valid business purpose shall follow the procedure set forth in article 6, section 2, of such settlement; and (2) in any dispute regarding whether an institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated entity complied with paragraph (1) or (2) of section 114(a), an institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated entity shall follow the procedure set forth in article 6, section 2 of "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025). (f) Notice Requirement for Civil Actions.-- (1) In general.--A civil action may be brought by a person under this section only if, prior to filing such action, the plaintiff provides to the defendant 30 days written notice identifying the specific provisions set forth in subsection (a) that the plaintiff alleges have been or are being violated. (2) Effect of cure.--In the event a cure is possible, if, within the 30-day period under paragraph (1), the defendant cures the violation and provides the plaintiff with an express written statement that the violation has been cured and no such further violation shall occur, an action shall not be permitted. SEC. 120.

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WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION. (a) In General.--No institution, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association, or any agent thereof, may discharge, demote, suspend, withdraw or reduce benefits from, threaten, harass, or in any other manner discriminate against an employee, a student athlete, a prospective student athlete, a former student athlete, a contractor, a subcontractor, a service provider, or an agent of an institution, a conference, or an intercollegiate athletic association because of any lawful act done by such individual-- (1) to provide information to, or cause information to be provided to, an agency of the Federal Government, an agency of State government, Congress, or any law enforcement agency regarding any act or omission that such individual reasonably believes to be a violation of this title or title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.); or (2) to file, cause to be filed, testify, participate in, or otherwise assist in a proceeding filed or about to be filed relating to an alleged violation of this title or title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.). (b) Enforcement Action.-- (1) In general.--An individual aggrieved by a violation of subsection (a) may bring an action in the appropriate district court of the United States for the relief set forth in paragraph (2). (2) Relief.--An individual prevailing in any action under paragraph (1) may obtain-- (A) compensatory damages and the cost of the action, including reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred; (B) in addition to any other relief available at law, equitable relief that may be necessary or appropriate to correct a violation of subsection (a) or make the individual whole again; (C) temporary relief while the case is pending; and (D) if the prevailing individual is an employee-- (i) reinstatement with the same seniority status that the individual would have had, but for the discrimination; and (ii) backpay otherwise owed to the individual, with interest. (c) Rights Retained by Individual.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any individual under any Federal or State law, or under any labor contract. (d) Nonenforceability of Certain Provisions Waiving Rights and Remedies or Requiring Arbitration of Disputes.-- (1) Waiver of rights and remedies.--The rights and remedies provided for in this section may not be waived by any agreement, policy form, condition of employment, or athletic agreement or participation. (2) Predispute arbitration agreements.--No predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if the agreement requires arbitration of a dispute arising under this section. SEC. 121. RELATIONSHIP TO EXISTING LAW. (a) In General.--No State or political subdivision of a State may adopt, maintain, enforce, or continue in effect any law, regulation, rule, requirement, or standard that-- (1) conflicts with any provision of this title that would prevent compliance with this title; or (2) governs, regulates, or invalidates policies or rules of an institution, a conference, or an intercollegiate athletic association that regulates-- (A) the compensation to a student athlete or prospective student athlete for the use of their name, image, or likeness, except as necessary to comply with this title; (B) transfers of student athletes between institutions; or (C) any provision described in section 113 relating to the eligibility of a student athlete to participate in intercollegiate athletics. (b) Preservation of State Laws.--The following State laws, rules, regulations, or requirements, or common law rights or remedies shall not be preempted, displaced, or supplanted: (1) Except to the extent that such law rule, regulation, requirement, or common law right or remedy conflicts with subsection (a), the following: (A) Uniform Athlete Agent Acts. (B) Civil rights laws. (C) Tort law, unless otherwise specified in paragraph (2). (D) Criminal law. (E) Laws that relate to student or campus safety. (F) Fraud. (G) Privacy or data breach. (H) Contract law. (I) Trademark law. (J) Copyright law. (K) Consumer protection law. (2) Except to the extent that such law conflicts with subsection (a)(2), any law, whether statutory or common law, that gives rise to a cause of action for the following: (A) Personal injury, including psychological injury. (B) Wrongful death. (C) Property damage. (D) Sexual assault. (E) Injury. (F) Harassment. (G) Any cause of action derivative of any of subparagraphs (A) through (F). (c) Rules of Construction.-- (1) Antitrust laws.--To the extent liability for violations of the antitrust laws is not limited by this title, subsection (a) shall not be construed to preempt, displace, or supplant the antitrust laws. (2) Federal trademark and copyright law.--Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title may be construed to override, modify, or amend the applicability of Federal trademark or copyright law. SEC. 122. NEUTRALITY ON EMPLOYEE OR NON-EMPLOYEE STATUS. This title is neutral on, and does nothing to alter, employee or non-employee status for student athletes. SEC. 123. APPLICABILITY. Section 113(c)(1)(B) shall apply with respect to any action or proceeding that is pending on or commenced on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. SEC. 124. SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this title, or an amendment made by this title, is determined to be unenforceable or invalid, the remaining provisions of this title and the amendments made by this title shall not be affected. SEC. 125. PROTECTION OF WOMEN'S SPORTS AND OLYMPIC SPORTS. (a) In General.--An intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised of Division I institutions, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, shall not reduce the minimum intercollegiate athletic competitions, minimum participants on a varsity sports team, or the number of varsity sports teams, including the number of men's and women's varsity sports teams or Olympic varsity sports teams, that an institution must sponsor for membership within-- (1) Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw; or (2) the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or successor bylaw. (b) Large-sized Institutions.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised of institutions shall provide that each institution shall, consistent with applicable intercollegiate athletic association rules, offer and maintain at least as many total grant-in-aid opportunities and total roster spots for non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs, during each academic year as the member institution provided during academic year 2024-2025. (2) Waiver.-- (A) In general.--An institution may be granted a waiver from compliance with paragraph (1) for not more than one academic year at a time by an intercollegiate athletic association if the institution provides evidence that-- (i) annual athletics revenues have declined not less than 15 percent based on the average of the preceding three academic years, and total grant-in-aid accounts for not less than 45 percent of the total expenses of the athletic department of the institution; (ii) compliance with paragraph (1) would materially impair the ability of the institution to comply with Federal law; or (iii) there are extraordinary circumstances relating to financial hardship, including from a natural disaster, act of war, or another catastrophe, that are beyond the control of the institution or materially impair the ability of the institution to comply with paragraph (1). (B) Condition.--As a condition of seeking a waiver under subparagraph (A)(i), an institution shall first reduce the total compensation of the coaching staff of its revenue-generating varsity sports programs by the same proportion as any planned reduction in expenditures for its non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs during the waiver period. (3) Definitions.--In this subsection: (A) Institution.--The term "institution" means an institution, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, that, upon the date of the enactment of this Act, reports, as required under section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)), having generated not less than $80,000,000 in total annual athletics revenue during the preceding academic year. (B) Non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports program.--the term "non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports program" means an intercollegiate sports program at an institution for which, during an academic year, the revenues generated specifically attributable to that sports program are less than the direct and allocated operating expenses of that sports program. (4) Sunset.--This subsection shall terminate on the date that is 9 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Transitional Protection for Women's and Olympic Sports at Mid-sized Institutions.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised of covered mid-sized institutions shall provide that each such institution shall, consistent with applicable intercollegiate athletic association rules, offer and maintain at least as many total grant-in-aid opportunities and total roster spots for non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs, during each academic year as the institution provided during academic year 2024-2025. (2) Exemptions.--An institution shall be exempt from the requirement under paragraph (1) for an academic year if-- (A) the total annual athletics revenue of the institution, as reported under section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1092(g)), declined by not less than 15 percent from the immediately preceding academic year; (B) the institution petitions the relevant intercollegiate athletic association for, and is granted, an exemption based on a demonstrable financial hardship; (C) compliance with that paragraph would materially impair the ability of the institution to comply with Federal law; or (D) there are extraordinary circumstances relating to financial hardship, including from a natural disaster, act of war, or other circumstance that is beyond the control of the institution or materially impair the ability of the institution to comply with that paragraph. (3) Covered mid-sized institution defined.--In this subsection, the term "covered mid-sized institution" means an institution, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, that, upon the date of the enactment of this Act, reports, as required under section 485(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.

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1092(g)), having generated not less than $50,000,000 but less than $80,000,000 in total annual athletics revenue during the preceding academic year. (4) Sunset.--This subsection shall terminate on the date that is 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (d) Clarification of Flexibility.--Nothing in this section may be construed to prevent an institution or a covered mid-sized institution from modifying or substituting which varsity sports it sponsors, or the number of roster spots and grant-in-aid opportunities on each varsity sport, so long as the institution-- (1) complies with bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, or bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw; and (2) as applicable under subsections (b) and (c), offers and maintains at least as many total grant-in-aid opportunities and total roster spots for non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs during each academic year as the institution provided during academic year 2024-2025. (e) Clarification of Walk-on Athlete Eligibility for Para Athletes.-- (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any provision of this Act-- (A) an institution and the athletic director of an institution shall retain full authority to include para athletes on their roster spots for intercollegiate sports as walk-on athletes; (B) subparagraph (A) does not constitute a violation of roster or scholarship limits for intercollegiate sports covered under this Act or under "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025); and (C) para athletes included as walk-on athletes shall not be counted toward any roster cap or scholarship count established for that intercollegiate sport. (2) Definitions.--In this subsection: (A) Para athlete.--The term "para athlete" means a nationally or internationally classified athlete eligible to compete in the Paralympic Games pursuant to qualifications determined by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee under chapter 2205 of title 36, United States Code. (B) Walk-on athlete.--The term "walk-on athlete" means an enrolled student athlete who participates on a sport roster without receiving athletics-based scholarship aid. SEC. 126. MID-SIZED CONFERENCE REPRESENTATION ON INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GOVERNING BOARDS. (a) In General.--An intercollegiate athletic association, of which a mid-sized conference is a member, shall ensure any board of directors or other governing board of the intercollegiate athletic association, or any committee of the intercollegiate athletic association with authority to establish and enforce rules or bylaws, is comprised of adequate representation by mid-sized conferences. (b) Mid-sized Conference Defined.--In this section, the term "mid-sized conference" means any conference that has generated less than $500,000,000 in total annual revenue during the preceding academic year. SEC. 127. TITLE IX SAVINGS CLAUSE. Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title shall be construed to override, modify, or amend the applicability of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.). SEC. 128. PROTECTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMERICAN STUDENT ATHLETES. It is the policy of the United States that any institution of higher education participating in intercollegiate athletics should prioritize domestic students in the selection of student athletes and the awarding of athletic opportunities, including grant-in-aid and roster positions, on the varsity sports teams of that institution. SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS. (a) References to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.--In this Act, the term "Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961" means the Act of September 30, 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291 et seq.). (b) Amendments to Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961.--The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended-- (1) by redesignating sections 5 and 6 (15 U.S.C. 1295, 1291 note) as sections 8 and 9, respectively; and (2) in section 8, as so redesignated-- (A) by striking "As used in this Act, `persons' means" and inserting the following: "As used in this Act:" "(12) Persons.--The term `persons' means"; (B) by inserting before paragraph (12), as so designated, the following: "(1) Collective media rights revenue.--The term `collective media rights revenue' means revenue derived from the sale or transfer of the media rights of the member institutions and member conferences of the covered entity resulting from the joint agreement described in section 5. "(2) Conference.--The term `conference' means any organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic association and that-- "(A) has 2 or more institutions as members; and "(B) arranges championships for intercollegiate athletic competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competitions. "(3) Covered entity.--The term `covered entity' means the entity formed by a joint agreement of institutions or conferences described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of section 5(b)(1) that meets each of the requirements under section 5. "(4) Grant-in-aid.--The term `grant-in-aid'-- "(A) means a scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of financial assistance, including the provision of tuition, room, board, books, or funds for fees or personal expenses, that-- "(i) is paid or provided by an institution to a student for the undergraduate or graduate course of study of the student; and "(ii) is in an amount that does not exceed the cost of attendance for the student at the institution; and "(B) does not include compensation paid to an individual who is a student athlete or a former student athlete. "(5) Institution.--The term `institution' has the meaning given the term `institution of higher education' in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). "(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term `intercollegiate athletic association'-- "(A) means any organization, not-for-profit corporation, association, or other group organized in the United States that-- "(i) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences that-- "(I) are located in different States; or "(II) participate in intercollegiate athletic competitions in more than 1 State; "(ii) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic competitions between institutions; "(iii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic competition; and "(iv) is not a conference; "(B) includes-- "(i) the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and "(ii) any other national intercollegiate athletic association; and "(C) does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition. "(7) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The term `intercollegiate athletic competition' means any varsity intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament, regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student athletes or varsity sports teams compete. "(8) Intercollegiate football.--The term `intercollegiate football' means the intercollegiate sport of football. "(9) Intercollegiate sport.--The term `intercollegiate sport'-- "(A) means a sport played at the intercollegiate level, administered by an athletic department, between institutions for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by an intercollegiate athletic association; and "(B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club sport. "(10) Member conference.--The term `member conference', with respect to the covered entity, means a conference that is a member of the covered entity. "(11) Member institution.--The term `member institution', with respect to the covered entity, means an institution that is a member of the covered entity."; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (12), as so redesignated, the following: "(13) Student athlete.--The term `student athlete' means an individual who-- "(A) is enrolled as a full-time student at an institution; "(B) makes satisfactory progress towards completing a degree; and "(C) participates in intercollegiate athletic competitions or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the institution's educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs. "(14) Top 5 historic opponents in intercollegiate football.--The term `top 5 historic opponents in intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution, means the 5 other institutions against which the institution has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions within intercollegiate football. "(15) Top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football.--The term `top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football', with respect to an institution, means the 10 other institutions against which the institution has played the most intercollegiate athletic competitions within intercollegiate football. "(16) Traditional rivalry.--The term `traditional rivalry' means an intercollegiate athletic competition within intercollegiate football that is between varsity sports teams of 2 institutions that-- "(A) are both members of the covered entity; "(B) are not members of the same conference; and "(C) rank among each other's top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football. "(17) Varsity sports team.--The term `varsity sports team' means a team composed of student athletes that is organized by an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate athletic competitions.". SEC. 202. LIMITATION ON LIABILITY FOR TRANSMISSION OF COLLEGIATE SPORTS COMPETITIONS. (a) In General.--Section 1 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1291) is amended-- (1) by striking "That the" and inserting the following: "SECTION 1. EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS FROM ANTITRUST LAWS. "(a) Professional Sports.--The"; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(b) College Sports.--The antitrust laws, as defined in subsection (a), shall not apply to any joint agreement, by or among institutions engaging in or conducting organized intercollegiate sports, or conferences that have such institutions as members, to form and operate a covered entity that complies with and enforces the requirements of section 5 and sells or otherwise transfers to a third party all or any part of the rights of the institutions or conferences in the sponsored telecasting of the intercollegiate athletic competitions engaged in or conducted by the institutions or conferences.". (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended-- (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 1292)-- (A) by striking "Section 1" and inserting "Section 1(a)"; and (B) by striking "in section 1" and inserting "in section 1(a)"; (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 1293), by striking "section 1" each place it appears and inserting "section 1(a)"; and (3) in section 4 (15 U.S.C. 1294), by striking "section 1" and inserting "section 1(a)". SEC. 203. REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA RIGHTS. The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by section 201(b)(1) of this Act, is amended by inserting after section 4 (15 U.S.C. 1294) the following: "SEC. 5.

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REQUIREMENTS FOR ENTITIES SELLING MEDIA RIGHTS. "(a) Condition on Antitrust Exemption.--Section 1(b) shall not apply to any joint agreement entered into by institutions or conferences to form the covered entity unless the covered entity complies with the requirements under this section and section 6. "(b) Membership of the Covered Entity.-- "(1) Eligible membership.--A joint agreement to form the covered entity shall be comprised of a voluntary association of institutions or conferences that includes, at a minimum, as of the date on which the joint agreement is entered into, not less than 75 percent of the institutions participating in the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by Bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. "(2) Invitation requirement.-- "(A) In general.--The covered entity shall offer membership on fair and nondiscriminatory terms to each conference and each institution that is in Division I, as defined by Bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as of the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026. "(B) Optional participation.--No conference or institution shall be required to join the covered entity or accept an offer under subparagraph (A), but no conference or institution eligible for membership under subparagraph (A) may be refused an invitation to join the covered entity. "(c) Voting Rights.-- "(1) In general.-- "(A) Votes of conferences and institutions.--Subject to subparagraph (C), the covered entity shall-- "(i) in the bylaws of the covered entity-- "(I) provide that each member conference or member institution has 1 vote on each type of decision or determination described in paragraph (2); and "(II) specify the minimum number of votes required for each type of decision or determination described in paragraph (2); and "(ii) require the bylaws to be adopted unanimously by the member conferences and member institutions. "(B) Votes of student athletes.--The covered entity shall-- "(i) for purposes of decisions and determinations described in paragraph (2)(C), designate not fewer than 10 individuals who, as of the date of designation, are student athletes or were student athletes during the preceding 10-year period; and "(ii) ensure that each individual designated under clause (i) has 1 vote on a decision or determination described in paragraph (2)(C). "(C) Non-voting member conferences.--If a conference and 1 or more of the institutions of the conference are members of the covered entity, the conference shall be a non-voting member of the covered entity. "(2) Voting thresholds.-- "(A) Major decisions.--A major decision, as defined by the bylaws of the covered entity, shall require a vote totaling not less than \2/3\ of the member conferences or member institutions exercising their voting rights. "(B) Non-major decisions.--A non-major decision, as defined by the bylaws of the covered entity, shall require a vote totaling not less than a majority of the member conferences or member institutions exercising their voting rights. "(C) Revenue distributions or changes to voting allocations.--A determination regarding the allocation of collective media rights revenue or a decision to change a voting threshold described in this paragraph shall require a unanimous vote of the member conferences, member institutions, or current or former student athletes exercising their voting rights. "(D) Media rights requirement.--A determination of which media rights shall be contributed to the covered entity pursuant to subsection (f) shall require a unanimous vote of the member conferences or member institutions exercising their voting rights. "(d) Revenue Allocation Formula.-- "(1) Method.--Not less frequently than once each academic year, the covered entity shall distribute the collective media rights revenue among member conferences and member institutions-- "(A) according to the allocation of collective media rights revenue most recently determined in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(C); and "(B) in accordance with the requirements of this subsection. "(2) Requirements.--The distribution of collective media rights revenue under paragraph (1) shall-- "(A) ensure that-- "(i) each member conference or member institution receives a minimum distribution of collective media rights revenue, the amount of which shall be established under a bylaw adopted in accordance with subsection (c)(2)(C); and "(ii) each member institution receives more collective media rights revenue (excluding revenue from the College Football Playoff) during each academic year than the largest amount of collective media rights revenue (excluding revenue from the College Football Playoff) that the institution received in any single academic year during the period of academic year 2021-2022 through academic year 2024-2025; "(B) distribute not less than 15 percent of the collective media rights revenue that remains after compliance with subparagraph (A) equally among all member institutions that received revenue from intercollegiate athletic competitions within intercollegiate football in the Football Bowl Subdivision during academic year 2024-2025; and "(C) distribute the collective media rights revenue that remains after compliance with subparagraphs (A) and (B) to member institutions based on the performance of each institution during the academic year with respect to the institution's contribution to the collective media rights revenue. "(3) Transfer of revenue.--Before distributing collective media rights revenue under paragraph (1), the covered entity shall, in accordance with section 106, transfer an amount of collective media rights revenue to the fund or program established under that section to ensure that the program or fund is adequately funded. "(e) Protection of Women's and Olympic Sports.-- "(1) In general.--Any member institution that receives collective media rights revenue shall, consistent with applicable intercollegiate athletic association rules, offer and maintain at least as many grant-in-aid opportunities and roster spots for non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs, during each academic year as the member institution provided during the 2024-2025 academic year. "(2) Definition.--For purposes of this subsection, the term `non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports program' means an intercollegiate sports program at an institution for which, during an academic year, the revenues generated specifically attributable to that sports program are less than the direct and allocated operating expenses of that sports program. "(f) Contribution of Media Rights.-- "(1) Condition of participation.--The covered entity shall require each member institution or member conference, as a condition of receiving a distribution of collective media rights revenue from the covered entity, to contribute to the covered entity, for sale by the covered entity, the media rights of the member institution or member conference, determined by a vote described in subsection (c)(2)(D), with the exception of the rights in the sponsored telecasting of the basketball tournaments organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. "(2) Exclusive authority.--The covered entity shall have the exclusive authority to negotiate, sell, license, sublicense, and otherwise transfer on a pooled basis media rights contributed under paragraph (1), with the exception of the rights in the sponsored telecasting of the basketball tournaments organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. "(3) Binding agreement.--The covered entity shall maintain a written agreement, binding on all member institutions or member conferences, that governs the collection and distribution of collective media rights revenue for the duration of the agreement. "(4) Preservation of carriage, distribution, and promotion of women's and olympic sports.--In any joint agreement entered into by a covered entity which includes media rights in football or basketball conveyed pursuant to a vote described in subsection (c)(2)(D), the covered entity shall take reasonable efforts to promote and distribute the media rights for non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs in the regular season and post-season, as well as preserve the current levels of carriage, distribution, and promotion. "(g) Preservation of Conference Opponents and Traditional Rivalries.-- "(1) Conference opponents.--If, as of the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more than 6 of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football of a member institution were intra-conference opponents of the member institution in intercollegiate football during the most recently completed season, the covered entity shall require the member institution to preserve, to the maximum extent practicable, intercollegiate athletic competitions within intercollegiate football amongst all of its current conference opponents as of that date of enactment. "(2) Traditional rivalries.-- "(A) In general.--If, as of the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, more than 2 of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football of a member institution were out-of-conference opponents of the member institution in intercollegiate football during the most recently completed season, the covered entity shall require the member institution to play intercollegiate athletic competitions within intercollegiate football that constitute traditional rivalries, and ensure that-- "(i) the member institution plays not fewer than 2 intercollegiate athletic competitions within intercollegiate football that constitute a traditional rivalry every 4 years; and "(ii) the member institution plays not less than 1 intercollegiate athletic competition within intercollegiate football each year with an institution that is in a different conference and is one of the top 5 historic opponents in intercollegiate football of the member institution. "(B) Institutions with fewer than 4 out-of-conference rivals.--If a member institution is subject to the requirements under subparagraph (A), and fewer than 4 of the top 10 historic opponents of the member institution in intercollegiate football are member institutions that belong to a different conference, the member institution shall seek to comply with clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) to the extent practicable. "(C) Savings clause.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to affect the ability of a member institution to engage in intercollegiate athletic competitions within intercollegiate football against any other member institution within the same conference that was 1 of the top 10 historic opponents in intercollegiate football of the member institution as of the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026. "(3) Periodic review; authority to modify requirements.--8 years after the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, and periodically thereafter, but not more frequently than once every 4 years, the covered entity-- "(A) may review the effects of the requirements under this subsection on fan interest, student athletes, media revenues, and preservation of traditional rivalries and historic opponents; and "(B) may modify the requirements under this subsection. "(4) No effect on conferences and institutions outside covered entity.--Nothing in this subsection requires any conference or institution that is not in the covered entity to schedule an intercollegiate athletic competition against any other institution, regardless of whether such an intercollegiate athletic competition is a traditional rivalry. "(h) Enforcement of the Act; Right to Cure.-- "(1) Private right of action.--Subject to paragraph (2), a person aggrieved by a violation of section 1(b), this section, section 6, or section 7,

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including a party to a joint agreement to form the covered entity, may bring a civil action against the covered entity in an appropriate district court of the United States. "(2) Notice and opportunity to cure.--A person may only bring a civil action under paragraph (1) for a violation of section 1(b), this section, section 6, or section 7 if-- "(A) not later than 1 year before bringing the civil action, the person provides to the defendant specific notice of the violation and an opportunity to cure the violation; and "(B) the defendant does not cure the violation during the 1-year period beginning on the date of the notice described in subparagraph (A). "(i) Participation in Covered Entity Optional.-- "(1) In general.--Nothing in this Act shall, under Federal or State law, establish or be construed to require, mandate, or encourage any institution or conference to join, participate in, or transfer any media rights to the covered entity or to create or give rise to any duty, obligation, or standard of care to take such action. "(2) Effect on liability.--Nothing in this Act, any amendments made by this Act, or a decision by an institution or conference to decline to join or participate in the covered entity may be used to support any claim, cause of action, or theory of liability under Federal or State law that would impose liability on an institution or conference or compel an institution or conference to join or participate in the covered entity. "(3) No abrogation of existing contracts.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate, terminate, or modify a contract or other legally enforceable agreement in effect on the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, or to provide a defense to or immunity from a claim arising from breach or nonperformance of such contract or legally enforceable agreement. "(4) No liability for declining to participate in covered entity.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to permit a person to bring an action under Federal or State law to challenge a decision by an institution or conference to not join or participate in the covered entity.". SEC. 204. MARKET LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL. The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by inserting after section 5 (as added by section 203 of this Act) the following: "SEC. 6. MARKET-LEVEL BROADCAST ACCESS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL. "(a) Definitions.--In this section: "(1) Designated market area.--The term `designated market area' has the meaning given the term in section 122(j)(2)(C) of title 17, United States Code. "(2) Local designated market area.-- "(A) In general.--The term `local designated market area' means an area that-- "(i) consists of a designated market area that includes the principal campus of an institution that is a member of the covered entity; and "(ii) at the election of the member institution and the applicable network, distributor, or licensee holding market-level rights, may include not more than 1 additional geographically adjacent designated market area, or designated market area within the State in which the principal campus of the member institution is located, in which a substantial portion of the student body, alumni, or in-State resident population of the member institution resides. "(B) Publication of list.--The Federal Communications Commission shall-- "(i) not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, publish a list of designated market areas described in subparagraph (A); and "(ii) maintain the list described in clause (i) on a public website. "(3) Local outlet option.--The term `Local Outlet option' means the opportunity for not less than 1 outlet to carry a live intercollegiate athletic competition without charge to viewers within the local designated market area of a member institution that is participating in the competition. "(b) Requirement of Local Outlet Option.-- "(1) In general.--As a condition of the exemption under section 1(b)(1), the covered entity shall make commercially available by purchase or license, on a non-exclusive basis, for each intercollegiate athletic competition in football or basketball, not less than 1 Local Outlet option in the local designated market area of each member institution participating in the competition. "(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall be construed to require carriage of an intercollegiate athletic competition by more than 1 Local Outlet in a given designated market area. "(3) No effect on national media agreements.--Nothing in paragraph (1) shall limit the covered entity's ability to negotiate nationwide or regional media agreements. "(4) Requirement fulfillment.--A national rights holder may satisfy the requirement under paragraph (1) by making intercollegiate athletic competitions available to viewers in the applicable local designated market areas using an offering that the rights holder owns or is affiliated with that is freely available to viewers. "(c) Good Faith Negotiation.-- "(1) In general.--Each covered entity, and any network, distributor, or licensee holding market-level rights or seeking Local Outlet option rights to intercollegiate athletic competitions described in subsection (b), shall negotiate in good faith to fulfill the requirement of that subsection. "(2) Enforcement.--The Federal Communications Commission shall have jurisdiction over complaints alleging a violation of paragraph (1).". SEC. 205. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS OR ACQUISITION. The Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 is amended by inserting after section 6 (as added by section 204 of this Act) the following: "SEC. 7. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN CONFERENCE MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS. "(a) Violation of Antitrust Laws.--It shall be unlawful under the antitrust laws, as defined in section 1(a), for-- "(1) any covered conference that reported more than $700,000,000 in revenue on its fiscal year 2025 tax return or any subsequent tax return to-- "(A) merge or consolidate with, or acquire the assets or media rights of, another covered conference or a covered institution, if as a result of the transaction, the number of institutions that are members of the covered conference would be less than 75 percent of the institutions participating in the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by Bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association; or "(B) acquire the assets or media rights of an institution that is not a covered institution, unless, as a result of the transaction, the number of institutions that are members of the covered conference does not exceed 19 institutions; or "(2) any entity to merge with, acquire, or consolidate the assets or media rights of a covered institution, or multiple covered institutions, for the purpose of creating a new conference or intercollegiate athletic association. "(b) Defenses Not Applicable.--A transaction prohibited under subsection (a) may not be justified by efficiencies, procompetitive effects, or any other defense under the antitrust laws, as defined in section 1(a). "(c) Effect.--Any transaction consummated in violation of subsection (a) shall be void. "(d) No Impact on Covered Entity.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the creation of the covered entity under section 5. "(e) Applicability.--Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to apply to a covered conference that-- "(1) is in existence on the date of enactment of this section or a subsidiary of such covered conference; and "(2) has not reported more than $700,000,000 on its fiscal year 2025 tax return or any subsequent tax return. "(f) Definitions.--In this section: "(1) Covered conference.--The term `covered conference' means a conference, the primary athletic revenue of which is derived from the sale or transfer of media rights relating to intercollegiate football. "(2) Covered institution.--The term `covered institution' means an institution that has, at least once in the preceding 5 years, competed in intercollegiate football as a member of a covered conference that reported more than $700,000,000 in revenue on its fiscal year 2025 tax return or any subsequent tax return.". SEC. 206. AMENDMENTS TO INTERCOLLEGIATE AND INTERSCHOLASTIC FOOTBALL CONTEST LIMITATIONS. (a) In General.--Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1293) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2), by striking "and" at the end; (2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting ", and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(4) the season and any postseason, including championships, of such intercollegiate football contests conclude not later than January 8 of any year, to the extent practicable.". (b) Protection of Army-Navy Game.--Section 3 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 (15 U.S.C. 1293) is amended-- (1) by inserting "(a)" before "The first sentence"; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(b)(1) Section 1(b) shall not apply to any joint agreement described in that section that permits any person to sponsor, telecast, or authorize the telecast of any postseason intercollegiate football contest involving an institution participating in the Football Bowl Subdivision during the protected Army-Navy Game broadcast window. "(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term `protected Army-Navy Game broadcast window' means the period beginning 1 hour before scheduled kickoff and ending 30 minutes after the official conclusion of the telecast of the annual football game between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy occurring on the second Saturday in December in any year.". SEC. 207. MEDIA RIGHTS UTILIZATION REQUIREMENT FOR COLLEGE SPORTS OTHER THAN FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL. (a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms "covered entity", "intercollegiate athletic competition", "member conference", and "member institution" have the meanings given those terms in section 8 of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as redesignated by section 201(b)(1) of this Act. (b) Requirement of Use.--A distributor to which any media rights for intercollegiate athletic competitions in a sport other than football or basketball are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed by the covered entity or its member institutions or member conferences after the date of enactment of this Act shall affirmatively use those rights by making the competitions reasonably available to the public not later than 1 year after the effective date of the agreement under which the rights are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed. (c) Reversion of Rights.-- (1) Failure to use rights; opportunity to cure.--If a distributor to which media rights for intercollegiate athletic competitions in a sport other than football or basketball are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed as described in subsection (b) does not use the rights during the 1-year period beginning on the effective date of the agreement under which the rights are sold, licensed, or otherwise conveyed, the covered entity, member institution, or member conference notifies the distributor after the expiration of that 1-year period of the distributor's failure to use the rights, and the distributor does not use the rights during the 180-day period beginning on the date of the notification, the rights for that sport shall revert to the originating covered entity, member institution, or member conference. (2) Reconveyance.--Upon the reversion of rights under paragraph (1), the covered entity, member institution, or member conference may resell, relicense, or otherwise reconvey the rights to another entity without penalty or liability for breach of the original agreement described in that paragraph. (d) Savings.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to modify the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as amended by this title. SEC. 301.

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SHORT TITLE. This title may be cited as the "HBCU Sports Media and Connectivity Program". SEC. 302. GRANTS FOR IMPROVEMENT OF BROADBAND, TECHNOLOGY, MEDIA, AND SPORTS BROADCAST INFRASTRUCTURE OF HBCUS. (a) In General.-- (1) Grants authorized.--The Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary, shall award grants to eligible entities, on a competitive basis, to support long-term improvements to broadband, information technology, media infrastructure, including infrastructure for the production, transmission, and distribution of live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events, and local journalism for student learning. (2) Grant period.--With respect to each eligible entity that is awarded a grant under this section, such grant shall be for a period determined appropriate by the Assistant Secretary based on the information submitted by such entity under subsection (b) that is not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years. (3) Multiple grants permitted.--An eligible entity may apply for, and be awarded, more than 1 grant under this section. (b) Application.--To be considered for a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Assistant Secretary that includes-- (1) to the extent possible, the information necessary for the Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary, to make the determinations under subsection (c); (2) a description of the projects that such eligible entity plans to carry out with the grant and how such projects will advance the long-term goals of the entity; (3) an assessment of the broadband service available on the campus of the eligible entity, and to the students of the eligible entity, as of the date of the application; (4) an explanation of-- (A) how such investments in broadband, information technology, and media production, including sports media and live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events, and local journalism at such eligible entity will promote and advance educational opportunities; and (B) the anticipated number of years that any facilities constructed, improved, or replaced under such projects may be used to facilitate the opportunities and investments described in subparagraph (A); (5) the median age of the facilities that such entity plans to improve or replace under such projects, if existing and applicable; (6) if the eligible entity proposes a project described in paragraph (2) or (4) of section 303(a), a description of how the project will expand the capacity of the eligible entity to produce, transmit, or distribute live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events, including events in women's sports and Olympic sports, and, as applicable, to make such live coverage available in the local market of the entity as well as for digital distribution; and (7) if relevant to the application-- (A) baseline measurements as of the date of the application, in the form prescribed by the Assistant Secretary, of-- (i) available network capacity and average and peak utilization over the preceding 12 months; and (ii) the number and percentage of enrolled students who lack access to broadband, and the methodology used to determine that figure; and (B) for each baseline measurement submitted under subparagraph (A), a specific, numerical target the entity commits to achieve by the end of the grant period, and the date by which each target will be met. (c) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary-- (1) shall give priority to an eligible entity that-- (A) demonstrates the greatest need to improve campus broadband and information technology infrastructure, as determined by a comparison of factors identified by the Assistant Secretary, which may include-- (i) the availability, capacity, and condition of broadband service and network infrastructure on the campus of the eligible entity; (ii) the median age of the network and information technology infrastructure that the entity will use grant funds to improve; (iii) the extent to which student enrollment and instructional demands exceed existing network capacity; and (iv) the total amount of deferred maintenance of the network and information technology infrastructure of the entity; (B) demonstrates the most limited capacity to raise funds for the long-term improvement of campus broadband and information technology infrastructure, as determined by an assessment of-- (i) the current and historic ability of the eligible entity to raise funds for construction, renovation, modernization, and major repair projects for campus; (ii) whether the eligible entity has been able to issue bonds or receive other funds to support school construction projects; (iii) the bond rating of the eligible entity; (iv) the number of students enrolled as of the date on which the application is submitted; (v) the total value of the endowment of the eligible entity as of the date on which the application is submitted; (vi) the total amount of deferred maintenance of such infrastructure; and (vii) the amount and sources of institutional revenue; (C) enrolls the highest percentages of students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant under subpart 1 of part A of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a et seq.), and whose families qualify for other Federal need-based aid; (D) is a public institution that-- (i) faces declining State support or investment; and (ii) demonstrates limited ability to generate revenue, as determined by assessing-- (I) the total value of the endowment of the institution as of the date on which the application is submitted; and (II) the costs of the deferred maintenance of the institution relative to the total revenue of the institution; (E) demonstrates an effort to seek support from public and private entities for projects carried out with a grant awarded under this title; and (F) proposes a project with the lowest total cost per student projected to be served, taking into account short-term and long-term costs of the project, cost differentials between geographical regions, and other key cost drivers over the lifetime of the project, and demonstrates how those factors contribute to overall cost efficiency; and (2) may give priority to an eligible entity-- (A) that did not receive a grant under this title in the preceding fiscal year; (B) that proposes projects aligned with long-term infrastructure priorities that-- (i) serve as regional models, as determined by the Secretary; (ii) address multiple needs on the campus of the entity; or (iii) address the needs of at least 1 eligible entity in addition to the entity receiving the grant; (C) that is a member of an HBCU athletic conference; (D) that commits to using the facilities and equipment funded under the grant to produce or distribute live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events in women's sports and Olympic sports; or (E) that has entered into, or demonstrates plans to enter into, a partnership, licensing arrangement, or distribution agreement with a covered entity, a conference, an intercollegiate athletic association, or a video programming distributor with respect to media rights to intercollegiate athletic events of the eligible entity. (d) Geographic Distribution.--In evaluating applications receiving equivalent scores under the criteria published under subsection (f)(2), the Assistant Secretary may consider the geographic distribution of eligible entities in the United States. (e) Technical Assistance.--The Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary, shall provide technical assistance to eligible entities to prepare the entities to qualify for, apply for, and maintain a grant under this title. (f) Program Accountability.-- (1) Public input.--Not later than 120 days after the date on which amounts are first appropriated to carry out this title, the Assistant Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a request for public comment on the design and administration of the grant program under this title, with a comment period of not less than 45 days. (2) Program guidance.--Not later than 120 days after the close of the comment period under paragraph (1), and before accepting any application, the Assistant Secretary shall publish-- (A) guidance for the grant program under this title, including all application requirements; (B) the criteria the Assistant Secretary will use to evaluate applications, including the numerical weight assigned to each criterion; and (C) the process and timeline for awarding grants. (3) No post hoc changes.--The Assistant Secretary shall endeavor to evaluate an application on the basis of the criteria and weights published under paragraph (2) that were in effect on the date on which the application window opened. (4) Publication of scores.--Not later than 30 days after awarding grants for a fiscal year, the Assistant Secretary shall make available to the appropriate congressional committees, for each grant awarded, the name of the recipient, the amount of the grant, and the score assigned to the recipient's application under each criterion published under paragraph (2). SEC. 303.

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GRANT USES. (a) Permitted Uses.--Except as provided in subsection (c), an eligible entity that receives a grant under this title shall use the grant funds to carry out at least one of the following activities: (1)(A) Install, upgrade, or extend the life of-- (i) high-speed broadband internet infrastructure sufficient to support digital and technology-based learning, except that no funds may be used for broadband infrastructure deployment to any location that is already served by qualifying broadband service or is subject to enforceable deployment obligations, as determined by the Assistant Secretary; (ii) campus-wide broadband networks, including adjacent infrastructure and 5G and future network generations; and (iii) other broadband infrastructure that provides support for teaching, learning and research. (B) Modernize, renovate, or retrofit campus facilities, including preserving facilities with historic significance, to facilitate projects under this paragraph. (2)(A) Construct, install, maintain, or facilitate-- (i) equipment or infrastructure used for training and education in digital media production and distribution facilities, including tools and equipment that support instruction in television or radio broadcasting on stations located on the campus of or affiliated with the eligible entity; and (ii) facilities, equipment, or services for the studio of digital media production or production for television or radio broadcast stations located on the campus of or affiliated with the eligible entity. (B) Support technology, broadcast engineering, and journalism instruction through existing courses and supervised training programs that are-- (i) operated by or affiliated with the eligible entity; and (ii) used primarily for instructional and experiential learning purposes. (3) Establish new, or improve existing, laboratories or research facilities relating to the fields of communications technology, broadcast engineering, media, journalism, and other disciplines, as determined by the Assistant Secretary in consultation with the Secretary. (4) Construct, install, upgrade, or operate-- (A) media production facilities, including production control rooms, master control facilities, and mobile or remote production units, for the coverage of intercollegiate athletic events; (B) cameras, replay, graphics, audio, and other production equipment, and transmission infrastructure, including fiber, satellite, and internet protocol transmission, sufficient to produce live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events at the technical standards of national and regional video programming distributors; (C) streaming and digital distribution infrastructure enabling the eligible entity to distribute live coverage of intercollegiate athletic events directly to the public, including in the local market of the eligible entity; and (D) programs that train students of the eligible entity in sports programming, including coverage, production, distribution, and all other aspects of media operations, integrated where practicable with the journalism and media programs of the entity. (b) Additional Resources.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this title may use the grant funds to-- (1) purchase or lease eligible equipment, excluding personal devices, for shared instructional and research use by students, faculty, and other designated instructional and research personnel of the eligible entity, provided that equipment is relevant to uses described in subsection (a); (2) establish, expand, or operate information technology and network operations capacity, including hiring and training information technology personnel to support student learning; (3) strengthen the cybersecurity posture of the networks and information systems of the eligible entity, including through network monitoring, endpoint protection, and cybersecurity workforce training to support student learning; (4) provide digital skills and relevant occupational training to students; (5) subscribe to broadband internet access service, for each eligible student through a single broadband connection that provides sufficient speed, reliability, and data capacity to support online learning for enrolled students of the eligible entity who individually demonstrate financial need through information submitted through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (commonly known as the "FAFSA") and lack access to broadband for learning; or (6) acquire and install research-related equipment and technology in the campus facilities of the eligible entity related to telecommunications, journalism, media, and cybersecurity. (c) Prohibited Uses.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under this title may not use the grant funds for-- (1) payment of routine and predictable maintenance costs or minor repairs; (2) the purchase or support of any communications equipment or service (as defined in section 9 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (47 U.S.C. 1608)) that poses a risk to national security; (3) activities that are funded, in whole or in part, under part B of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1060 et seq.), unless the Secretary approves such use; (4) last-mile deployment of broadband service to a campus of an eligible entity-- (A) that already has access to broadband service at a download speed of not less than 1 gigabit per second at the eligible entity's primary network aggregation point; or (B) where there is a legally enforceable obligation to deploy broadband service at the speed described in subparagraph (A); or (5) technology whose primary purpose is fundraising or the conduct of ceremonial events. (d) Encouraging Partnerships.--The Assistant Secretary and the Secretary shall encourage partnerships between eligible entities and public and private entities to-- (1) provide funding in addition to the grants provided under this title; and (2) assist in carrying out the activities funded by grants awarded under this title. SEC. 304. COORDINATION. (a) In General.--In carrying out this title, the Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary, shall coordinate with the following entities to ensure efficient administration, avoid duplication of funding and efforts, and maximize student achievement: (1) The Federal Communications Commission, including with respect to-- (A) the E-Rate program set forth in subpart F of part 54 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations; (B) broadband availability data collected under title VIII of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 641 et seq.); (C) the broadcast licensing of noncommercial educational broadcast stations operated by eligible entities; and (D) the local broadcast availability of intercollegiate athletic events. (2) State broadband offices, with respect to funds made available under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program established under section 60102 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. 1702). (3) Other Federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, that fund Federal broadband deployment programs. (4) Intercollegiate athletic associations and any covered entity, with respect to production standards, media rights, and distribution arrangements relevant to projects funded under this title. (5) The Director of the Office of Minority Broadband Initiatives. (b) Streamlined Applications.--The Assistant Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, align the application requirements under this title with the requirements of other Federal broadband programs in order to reduce administrative burdens on eligible entities. (c) Nonduplication.--In carrying out coordination activities under subsection (a), the Assistant Secretary shall ensure that any grant or other funds provided under this title avoid duplication with a project that has received Federal funds from a Federal entity described in that subsection. SEC. 305. REPORTS AND EVALUATION. (a) Report to Congress.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the first award of a grant under this title, and annually thereafter, the Assistant Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the projects carried out with grant funds awarded under this title. (2) Elements.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall include-- (A) with respect to projects carried out by eligible entities with grant funds awarded under this title, an assessment of-- (i) the types of such projects; (ii) the total cost of each such project; (iii) the geographic distribution of such projects; and (iv) the demographic and socioeconomic composition of the student population served by such projects; (B) an evaluation of a sample of grant recipients, selected by the Assistant Secretary taking into account size and geographic location of each grantee, to determine how such recipients are using the grant and the effectiveness of the activities carried out with the grant in improving student achievement; (C) with respect to projects described in paragraphs (2) and (4) of section 303(a), the number of intercollegiate athletic events and other campus media productions produced, transmitted, or distributed using facilities or equipment funded under this title, disaggregated by sport and including events in women's sports and Olympic sports; and (D) the number of students receiving training in journalism, broadcasting, or media production supported under this title. (b) Grantee Reporting Requirements.--Not later than 90 days after the end of the grant period for a grant awarded under this title, the grantee shall submit to the Assistant Secretary a final report that-- (1) describes the use of grant funds, the status of each funded asset, and the grantee's performance against each target submitted under section 302(b)(7)(B); and (2) meets any additional requirements established by the Assistant Secretary in accordance with part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations. (c) Measures of Usage and Engagement.--Device utilization, log-in counts, bandwidth consumed, platform hours, or any other measure of usage or engagement may not be-- (1) used to fully satisfy any performance metric under this title; or (2) reported as evidence of the effectiveness of a program carried out using grant funds awarded under this title. SEC. 306. DEFINITIONS. In this title: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term "appropriate congressional committees" means-- (A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; (B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (C) the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives; and (D) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. (2) Assistant secretary.--The term "Assistant Secretary" means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Telecommunications and Information. (3) Covered entity.--The term "covered entity" has the meaning given the term in the Act of September 30, 1961 (commonly known as the "Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961") (15 U.S.C. 1291 et seq.), as amended by title II of this Act. (4) Eligible entity.--The term "eligible entity" means-- (A) a part B institution; or (B) an institution or program listed under section 326(e)(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1063b(e)(1)). (5) HBCU athletic conference.--The term "HBCU athletic conference" means a conference the membership of which consists predominantly of part B institutions. (6) Intercollegiate athletic association; conference.--The terms "intercollegiate athletic association" and "conference" have the meanings given those terms in section 100 of this Act. (7) Part b institution.--The term "Part B institution" has the meaning given the term in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.

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1061). (8) Secretary.--The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Education. (9) State.--The term "State" has the meaning given the term in section 103 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1003). SEC. 307. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $180,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032.

Text of Senate Amendment 6756

Page S4583 · Official text

SA 6756. Mrs. BLACKBURN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by her to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

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At the end of title I, add the following: SEC. ___. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION ON SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. Nothing in this Act, or an amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to waive, abrogate, modify, or limit the rights of sovereign immunity of a public institution of higher education available at law.

Text of Senate Amendment 6757

Page S4583 · Official text

SA 6757. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following:

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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Collegiate Sports Integrity Act". SEC. 2. ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Antitrust laws.--The term "antitrust laws" has the meaning given the term in the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition. (2) Institution of higher education.--The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). (3) Intercollegiate athletic conference.--The term "intercollegiate athletic conference" means-- (A) an organization or association that-- (i) exclusively has as members 2 or more institutions of higher education; and (ii) arranges championships and sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition; or (B) any institution of higher education that competes against another institution of higher education in an athletic competition. (4) Interstate intercollegiate athletic association.--The term "interstate intercollegiate athletic association"-- (A) means a not-for-profit corporation, an association, or any other group organized in the United States that-- (i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic competition between institutions and intercollegiate athletic conferences; (ii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic competition at institutions; (iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences that are located in different States; and (B) does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition. (b) Exemption.--The antitrust laws shall not apply to intercollegiate athletic conferences or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations.

Text of Senate Amendment 6758

Pages S4583–S4584 · Official text

SA 6758. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Strike section 1 and all that follows through the end and insert the following:

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SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Collegiate Sports Integrity Act". SEC. 2. ANTITRUST EXEMPTION FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCES AND ASSOCIATIONS. (a) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Antitrust laws.--The term "antitrust laws" has the meaning given the term in the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12), except that such term includes section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition. (2) Institution of higher education.--The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001). (3) Intercollegiate athletic conference.--The term "intercollegiate athletic conference" means-- (A) an organization or association that-- (i) exclusively has as members 2 or more institutions of higher education; and (ii) arranges championships and sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition; or (B) any institution of higher education that competes against another institution of higher education in an athletic competition. (4) Interstate intercollegiate athletic association.--The term "interstate intercollegiate athletic association"-- (A) means a not-for-profit corporation, an association, or any other group organized in the United States that-- (i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic competition between institutions and intercollegiate athletic conferences; (ii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic competition at institutions; (iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences that are located in different States; and (B) does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition. (b) Exemption.--The antitrust laws shall not apply to intercollegiate athletic conferences or interstate intercollegiate athletic associations.

Text of Senate Amendment 6759

Page S4584 · Official text

SA 6759. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title I, insert the following:

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SEC. ___. ADDING SUICIDE PREVENTION CONTACT INFORMATION TO SCHOOL IDENTIFICATION CARDS. (a) In General.--Section 487(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1094(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(30)(A) In the case of an institution that creates and distributes-- "(i) physical student identification cards for students at any time after the effective date of this paragraph, such institution shall include phone contact information of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on each such card and may print, on one side of such card, a contact number for-- "(I)(aa) the Crisis Text Line; or "(bb) another nonprofit organization that-- "(AA) is dedicated to suicide prevention; "(BB) has mobile messaging capabilities; and "(CC) has demonstrated the capacity to provide mental health support; or "(II) a campus mental health center or local program, as determined by the institution; and "(ii) digital student identification cards for students at any time after the effective date of this paragraph, such institution shall include phone contact information of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on each such card and may include a contact number for-- "(I)(aa) the Crisis Text Line; or "(bb) another nonprofit organization that-- "(AA) is dedicated to suicide prevention; "(BB) has mobile messaging capabilities; and "(CC) has demonstrated the capacity to provide mental health support; or "(II) a campus mental health center or local program, as determined by the institution. "(B) In the case of an institution that does not create and distribute identification cards for students at any time after the effective date of this paragraph, such institution shall publish the suicide prevention contact information specified in subparagraph (A)(i) on the website of such institution. "(C) In this paragraph-- "(i) the term `digital student identification card' means a digital identification, digital wallet, mobile identification, or similar application or representation issued by an institution of higher education to identify and authenticate the status or information of a student at the institution of higher education; and "(ii) the term `physical student identification card' means a tangible, nondigital card or document issued by an institution of higher education to identify and authenticate the status or information of a student at the institution of higher education.". (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect beginning on the day that is 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the amendment made by subsection (a) shall be construed to require an institution of higher education to reissue an unexpired physical student identification card or a digital student identification card issued to a student of the institution of higher education prior to the effective date of such subsection.

Text of Senate Amendment 6760

Page S4584 · Official text

SA 6760. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the appropriate place in title I, insert the following:

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SEC. ___. LIMITATION ON COLLEGE ATHLETICS TICKET PRICE INCREASES. With respect to intercollegiate athletic competitions for an intercollegiate sport held during an academic year, an institution, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association may not increase the price of tickets to attend such competitions by an amount that is greater than 4 percent of the amount charged for tickets to attend such competitions for the same intercollegiate sport during the preceding academic year.

Text of Senate Amendment 6761

Page S4584 · Official text

SA 6761. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: At the end of section 118, add the following: (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to absolve an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution of any liability incurred before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Text of Senate Amendment 6762

Pages S4584–S4585 · Official text

SA 6762. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows: Beginning on page 85, strike line 2 and all that follows through page 89, line 17, and insert the following: "the Commission shall be composed of 40 members, of whom--(A) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (B) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (C) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (D) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (E) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (F) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (G) 4 members shall be appointed by the chair of the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (H) 4 members shall be appointed by the ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives, of which at least 1 member shall be a student athlete or former student athlete; (I) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the chair of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (J) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the ranking member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; (K) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the chair of the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives; (L) 1 member shall be a current or former student athlete appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, in consultation with the ranking member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the ranking member of the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives; (M) 1 member shall be a representative of a historically Black college or university, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;

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(N) 1 member shall be a representative of a historically Black college or university, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; (O) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-sized conference, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; and (P) 1 member shall be a representative of a mid-sized conference, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (2) Requirements.--Members of the Commission shall be individuals who are nationally recognized for expertise, knowledge, or experience in matters related to college athletics, university administration, sports law, labor law, athlete welfare, sports economics, health care, or sports medicine. (3) Co-chairs, executive director, and staff.-- (A) Co-chairs.--The Commission shall have 2 co-chairs, of whom-- (i) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected by the majority party; and (ii) 1 co-chair shall be a member selected by the minority party. (B) Executive director and staff.--The co-chairs of the Commission shall appoint an executive director of the Commission and such staff as appropriate, with compensation. (4) Historically black college or university defined.--In this subsection, the term "historically Black college or university" has the meaning given the term "part B institution" in section 322 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061). (5) Mid-sized conference defined.--In this subsection, the term "mid-sized conference" means any conference that has generated less than $500,000,000 in total annual revenue during the preceding academic year. (c) Authority.--The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out the duties of the Commission-- (1) hold such hearings and sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, receive such evidence, and administer such oaths as the Commission considers relevant to the purpose of the Commission; and (2) require, by subpoena issued upon a majority vote of the Commission, the attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers, and documents as the Commission considers relevant to the purpose of the Commission, provided that the Commission shall take such action as may be necessary and appropriate to preserve the confidentiality of trade secrets or other confidential information of conferences, intercollegiate athletic associations, institutions, or other entities the Commission deems appropriate. (d) Duties.--The duties of the Commission are as follows: (1) To study and develop recommendations regarding-- (A) an alternative structure for providing compensation for student athletes, including-- (i) consideration of the positive and negative implications associated with a collective bargaining structure and employment status for student athletes; and (ii) consideration of the opportunities, legal barriers, and regulatory barriers of institutions providing student athletes non-cash compensation, such as equity in an athletic program or team for which the student athlete competes, through the revenue share cap and retention fund amount described in section 114, including by considering how such non-cash compensation may promote the long-term financial stability of student athletes and the sustainability of athletic programs;

Text of Senate Amendment 6763

Page S4585 · Official text

SA 6763. Mr. CASSIDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

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On page 13, strike lines 17 through 25 and insert the following: (20) Student athlete.-- (A) In general.--The term "student athlete" means an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student (as defined in section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act)) at an institution or is enrolled as a student at an institution on less than a full-time basis as described in subparagraph (B), and who-- (i) makes satisfactory academic progress (as determined in accordance with section 668.34 of such title 34 (as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act)) toward completing a degree; and (ii) participates in intercollegiate athletic competition or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the institution's educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs. (B) Less than full-time enrollment.--A student is described in this subparagraph if the student is enrolled at an institution on less than a full-time basis due to-- (i) a disability; (ii) practice with the United States Olympic team in preparation for the Olympic games; or (iii) a medical reason. (C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in subparagraph (A)(i) shall be construed to preclude an institution, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association from establishing satisfactory academic progress standards for student athletes that are more stringent than the requirements described in such subparagraph.

Text of Senate Amendment 6764

Pages S4585–S4586 · Official text

SA 6764. Mr. MORENO (for Mrs. Gillibrand) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 3897, to revise administrative procedures relating to public safety officers' death benefits, and for other purposes; as follows:

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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026". SEC. 2. ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER BENEFITS. (a) In General.--Section 1205 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10285) is amended-- (1) in subsection (e)(2)(E), by inserting ", including whether the delay is due to the inaction of the claimant or an agency from which information is required" after "basis for delay"; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(f) Notice and Interim Benefits.-- "(1) Notice of missing information.--Not later than 90 calendar days after receiving a claim filed under this subpart, the Bureau shall notify the claimant or the relevant agency of any missing information required to process the claim. "(2) Notice of determination.-- "(A) In general.--Not later than 270 calendar days after receiving all information required to process the claim, the Bureau shall inform the claimant of the Bureau's final, appealable determination as to the claimant's benefit eligibility. "(B) Interim benefits as notice.--Provision of interim benefits under section 1201(c) shall be deemed to be notice under subparagraph (A). "(3) Interim benefits.-- "(A) Entitlement.--If the Bureau fails to inform a claimant of the Bureau's determination on or before the date that is 270 calendar days after receiving all information required to process the claim, the Bureau shall issue a single interim benefit payment with respect to the claim, payable only to-- "(i) a claimant whose status as an eligible beneficiary is undisputed; or "(ii) if beneficiary status remains unresolved, an escrow or fiduciary account, pending final determination under section 1201. "(B) Rescission or repayment.--Any interim benefits paid under this subsection-- "(i) shall be credited against any final benefit determination made under section 1201; "(ii) shall not be subject to recoupment or affirmative repayment by the Bureau, except in cases of fraud or material misrepresentation; and "(iii) shall not be construed to create an entitlement to benefits if the claimant or decedent is determined to be ineligible under this part. "(4) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to-- "(A) limit the Bureau's authority to deny a claim for failure to meet statutory eligibility requirements; "(B) alter the determination of eligible beneficiaries under section 1201; or "(C) require payment of interim benefits to multiple claimants if the statute authorizes payment to only 1 or more mutually exclusive beneficiaries. "(g) Outreach.--The Bureau shall-- "(1) conduct outreach efforts on an ongoing basis to ensure that public safety officers and underserved public agencies are aware of the program under this part, including outreach efforts for disabled public safety officers; and "(2) include in the outreach efforts under paragraph (1) regular communications with national public safety organizations, public safety agencies, and organizations supporting disabled public safety officers and the families of fallen officers. "(h) Summary of Backlogged Claims.--Not later than 30 days after publishing the report required under subsection (e)(2), the Bureau shall submit a summary of the information required to be reported under subsection (e)(2)(E) to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives. "(i) Audit of Backlogged Claims.--On an annual basis, the Comptroller General shall conduct an audit of any pending claims under this part that were submitted to the Bureau more than 1 year before the date on which the audit is commenced, to identify programmatic challenges to the timely processing of death, disability, and educational assistance claims. As part of the audit, the Comptroller General shall also review-- "(1) where the claim is in the determination process; "(2) the reasons for delay, including any processes, such as legal review, that prevent timely processing of claims; "(3) whether the agency has used its subpoena authority for the claims; "(4) the frequency of outreach to the claimant and efforts to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of outreach and claims assistance efforts; "(5) the efforts of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to implement a claims processing manual to ensure consistency across staff in determining claims; and "(6) efforts to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of outreach and claims assistance efforts.". (b) Subpoena Requirement.--Section 1206(b) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10288(b)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (1)(B), by striking "and" at the end; (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(3) with respect to information or documentation in the possession of a public agency that the Bureau has determined is necessary to adjudicate the claim that the public agency has failed to provide by the date that is 30 days after the date of the Bureau's or the claimant's request to provide the information or documentation, shall issue a subpoena to the public agency to obtain the information or documentation, unless the Bureau has approved an extension not exceeding 60 days.". (c) Definitions.-- (1) In general.--Section 1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10284) is amended-- (A) in paragraph (4)(B)(ii), by striking "parapalegic" and inserting "paraplegic"; (B) by redesignating paragraphs (8) through (14) as paragraphs (9) through (15), respectively; and (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: "(8) `gainful work' means gainful work activity, as defined in section 32.23 of title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, or successor regulation;". (2) Conforming amendments.-- (A) Internal revenue code.--Section 402(l)(4)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking "(42 U.S.C. 3796b(9)(A))". (B) Title 28.--Section 1863(b)(5)(B) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking "section 1203(6)" and inserting "section 1204". SEC. 3. EXPEDITED PAYMENT FOR VCF OR WTCHP DETERMINATIONS. Section 1205(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10285(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: "(4) In making determinations under section 1201(a), the Bureau shall, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, as determined by the Bureau, approve any claim if the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 (49 U.S.C. 40101 note; Public Law 107-42) (commonly referred to as the `VCF') or the World Trade Center Health Program under title XXXIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300mm et seq.) provides a certification of facts that-- "(A) the claim is eligible for death benefits under the Victim Compensation Fund; or "(B) the cause of claimant's death is a World Trade Center Health Program-related condition.". SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTAIN GAO RECOMMENDATIONS. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall ensure that the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance implements the recommendations provided in the report of the Government Accountability Office entitled "Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Transparency, Claims Assistance, and Program Management Improvements Needed" (GAO-24-105549), published on September 27, 2024.

Text of Senate Amendment 6765

Page S4586 · Official text

SA 6765. Mr. MORENO (for Mr. Durbin) proposed an amendment to the resolution S. Res. 815, commending the Chicago Cubs baseball teams as it celebrates its 150th anniversary on August 29, 2026; as follows:

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Strike the preamble and insert the following: Whereas the Chicago Cubs became a charter member of the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs in 1876; Whereas, since 1876, more than 182,000,000 fans have attended Chicago Cubs games, and millions more have listened to games on the radio and watched on television across the United States and the world; Whereas the founding team had only 11 players for the entire season, including hall of famers James "Deacon" White, Adrian "Cap" Anson and Albert G. Spalding; Whereas Albert G. Spalding, a native of Illinois and founder of the sporting goods company which still bears his name today, served as the pitcher and manager; Whereas the 1906 Chicago Cubs finished the season with a record of 116-36, before losing the World Series to the Chicago White Sox; Whereas the Chicago Cubs' 116 victories in the 1906 season remain tied for the Major League Baseball single-season record; Whereas the Chicago Cubs won both the 1907 and 1908 World Series against the Detroit Tigers while playing home games at the West Side Grounds; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have played at Wrigley Field since 1916, which is a designated National Historic Landmark and the second oldest active ballpark in Major League Baseball; Whereas Wrigley Field was the last baseball stadium to have lights installed in 1988, the first stadium to have an organ playing music, the first stadium to build permanent concession stands, and the first ballpark to broadcast an entire season of home games live; Whereas "Wrigleyville" is the vibrant neighborhood that surrounds Wrigley Field, providing a location for fans to support surrounding small businesses, galvanize the city of Chicago, and come together to root the Chicago Cubs to victory; Whereas Harry Caray, whose trademark call of "Holy Cow" became known to baseball fans around the world, broadcasted thousands of baseball games during a career spanning more than 50 years, including 16 seasons as the beloved television voice of the Chicago Cubs from 1982 through 1997, was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame and the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, and received the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse, who served as the voice of the Chicago Cubs on the radio from 1940 through 1944, became the television announcer from 1947 through 1981, and was known for his "Hey-Hey!" catchphrase, was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas Pat Hughes, the Chicago Cubs lead play-by-play radio announcer, whose voice is woven into the fabric of sports culture in Chicago, called the 2016 World Series championship that ended the 108-year drought for the Cubs, and was inducted into the Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and awarded the National Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award; Whereas, between 1948 and 2019, WGN-TV revolutionized baseball broadcasting and brought Chicago Cubs baseball to the masses, airing more than 7,000 Cubs games and helping spread the thrills of Cubs baseball through its unsurpassed sports coverage and its historic partnership with the team; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have won 8 division titles, 17 National League pennants, and 3 World Series championships, including in 2016 when the Cubs completed a historic comeback from down 3 games to 1 to defeat the Cleveland Indians in 7 games; Whereas the parade following the 2016 World Series championship, attended by an estimated 5,000,000 people, celebrated the Cubs making the World Series for the first time since 1945 and breaking the so-called "Curse of the Billy Goat"; Whereas the Chicago Cubs have scored more than 103,400 runs, have more than 200,000 hits, and are only the third franchise in Major League Baseball to have hit over 15,000 home runs; Whereas more than 50 players, managers, and executives for the Chicago Cubs have been enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York; Whereas Ferguson "Fergie" Jenkins became one of the most dominant pitchers in the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1971 went 24-13, throwing complete games in 30 of his 39 starts and becoming the first pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and the first Canadian to win the Cy Young Award; Whereas, between 1953 and 1971, Ernie Banks, who was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama and inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, played as shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs and was well-known for his catchphrase, "It's a beautiful day for a ballgame ... Let's play two!"; Whereas, in 1998, Sammy Sosa, 1 of 8 players in history with more than 600 home runs, famously battled with the rival Cardinals' Mark McGwire to break Roger Maris' single-season record of 61 home runs, earning the National League Most Valuable Player Award and leading the Cubs to the playoffs; Whereas Ron Santo, who played third base for the Cubs for 14 seasons, was selected to 9 All-Star Games, won 5 consecutive Gold Glove Awards, and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Billy Williams, left fielder and 6-time All Star, was named 1961 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting 25 home runs with 86 runs batted in and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame; Whereas Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne "Ryno" Sandberg made 10 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, won 9 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1983 through 1991, and delivered one of the most memorable performances in Chicago Cubs history during what is known as the "Sandberg Game," hitting game-tying home runs in the ninth and tenth innings against future Hall of Fame closer Bruce Sutter and helping the Cubs defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 12-11 in 11 innings; Whereas famous Chicago Cubs such as Frank Chance, Johnny Evers, Joe Tinker, Mordecai Brown, Gabby Hartnett, Hack Wilson, Stan Hack, Phil Cavarretta, Andre Dawson, Lee Smith, Kerry Wood, Anthony Rizzo, and more than 2,000 others have brought joy to fans for generations; and Whereas, since 2009, Cubs Charities has donated more than $51,000,000 to promote youth sports and improve the well-being of children and families throughout Chicago and Illinois: Now, therefore, be it

Text of Senate Amendment 6766

Pages S4586–S4588 · Official text

SA 6766. Mr. MORENO (for Ms. Lummis (for herself and Mrs. Gillibrand)) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 1525, to direct the Secretary of the Treasury to stop minting the penny, to require cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents, and for other purposes; as follows:

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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the "Common Cents Act". SEC. 2. SPECIFICATIONS OF 5-CENT COINS AND CEASING PRODUCTION OF ONE-CENT COINS. Section 5112 of title 31, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (5), by striking "weighs 5 grams." and inserting the following: "weighs-- "(A) 5 grams, with respect to such coin that is an alloy of copper and nickel; or "(B) between 4 and 6 grams, with respect to such coin as described in subsection (c)."; and (B) in paragraph (6)-- (i) by striking "except as provided under subsection (c) of this section,"; and (ii) by striking "and weighs 3.11 grams"; (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in the sixth sentence-- (i) by inserting "either" before "an alloy"; and (ii) by inserting "or a composition described in subsection (c)" before the period; (B) by inserting "with respect to such coins that are an alloy of copper and nickel" after "nickel required"; and (C) by striking "Except" through "zinc" and inserting "The one-cent coin is composed of copper and zinc"; (3) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: "(c) 5-cent Coin.-- "(1) In general.--The 5-cent coin may be a coin with an inner layer of zinc and an outer layer of nickel. "(2) Composition.--The Secretary may prescribe the composition of zinc and nickel in the 5-cent coin, subject to testing and evaluation that such composition-- "(A) reduces the cost incurred to produce such coin; and "(B) to the greatest extent practicable, has a minimal adverse impact on machines designed to accept coins."; and (4) by adding at the end the following: "(bb) Ceasing Production of One-cent Coin.-- "(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary shall cease production of one-cent coins for general circulation, but may continue to produce and issue one-cent coins for sale as numismatic items. "(2) No effect on legal tender.--Any one-cent coin that is minted and issued on any date before the date of the enactment of this subsection shall remain legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues.". SEC. 3. CASH TRANSACTION ROUNDING. (a) In General.--Any person, including a financial institution, selling goods or services in a cash transaction or entering into any other transaction that results in a payment or transfer of cash between the parties to the transaction may, if exact change cannot be provided at that time of such transaction, round the covered amount in the following manner: (1) Rounding down.--Except as provided in paragraph (2)(B), in any case in which the covered amount ends with 1 cent, 2 cents, 6 cents, or 7 cents as the final digit, the amount of cents in the sum may be rounded down to the nearest amount divisible by 5 for any person seeking to make payment with cash. (2) Rounding up.-- (A) In general.--In any case in which the covered amount ends with 3 cents, 4 cents, 8 cents, or 9 cents as the final digit, the amount of cents in the sum may be rounded up to the nearest amount divisible by 5 for any person seeking to make payment with cash. (B) Small transactions.--In any case in which the covered amount totals $0.01 or $0.02, such amount may be rounded up to $.05 for any person seeking to make payment with cash. (b) Additional Authority to Round.--With respect to a person, including a financial institution, conducting a cash transaction with a customer of the person, the amount of cents in the sum of the transaction may be rounded, if such rounding is in favor of the customer, as follows: (1) Up to the nearest amount divisible by 5, if the person is paying the customer in cash. (2) Down to the nearest amount divisible by 5, if the customer is paying the person in cash. (c) Employer Payments to Employees.-- (1) In general.--With respect to an employer providing a cash payment to an employee in an amount that is not divisible by 5 cents, if the employer chooses to round the amount of cents in such payment, the employer shall round the amount of cents in such payment up to the nearest amount divisible by 5 cents. (2) No rounding requirement.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to require rounding by an employer described in paragraph (1) who provides a cash payment to an employee in an exact amount. (d) Application.--Subsections (a), (b), and (c) shall not apply to any transaction for which payment is made by any demand or negotiable instrument, electronic fund transfer, check, gift card, money order, credit card, or other like instrument or method. (e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed to require any person to round a payment as described in subsections (a) or (b). (f) Covered Amount Defined.--In this section, the term "covered amount" means-- (1) the total transaction amount, including taxes; or (2) in the case of a person selling goods or services in a cash transaction or entering into any other transaction that results in a payment or transfer of cash between the parties to the transaction, the amount of change due to the customer if the customer provides a cash payment that exceeds the total transaction amount, including taxes. SEC. 4. TREATMENT OF FEDERAL, STATE, AND TRIBAL LAW WITH RESPECT TO CASH TRANSACTION ROUNDING. (a) Federal Law.--Any person selling goods or services in a cash transaction, including a financial institution, entering into any other transaction that results in a payment or transfer of cash between the parties to the transaction shall not be in violation of any Federal requirement, law, regulation, or standard based on the adherence to the cash rounding provisions described in section 3. (b) State and Tribal Law.--Any person selling goods or services in a cash transaction, including a financial institution, entering into any other transaction that results in a payment or transfer of cash between the parties to the transaction shall not be in violation of any requirement, law, regulation, or standard of a State, Tribe, or a political subdivision of a State based on the adherence to the cash rounding provisions described in section 3. (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this Act or of any order thereunder shall excuse noncompliance with any Federal, State, Tribal, or local law, regulation, ordinance, or requirement establishing a minimum wage, providing for overtime pay requirements, or providing for paid leave. SEC. 5. STRATEGIC PLAN AND REPORT ON COIN TERMINAL OPERATIONS AND COIN DISTRIBUTION STABILITY. (a) Strategic Plan and Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall submit to the covered committees and make publicly available a report that outlines a strategic plan for the acceptance of penny orders and deposits at commercial coin terminals providing services under agreements with the Federal reserve banks nationwide, including-- (1) a description of the Board's approach to limiting disruptions in penny supply and maintaining the stability of and efficiency of the coin distribution system, to the greatest extent practicable; (2) an evaluation of such coin terminals where the Federal reserve banks no longer accept penny deposits or penny orders; (3) an assessment of whether processing penny deposits or penny orders at such coin terminals could mitigate any challenges related to ceasing the production of the penny, including challenges related to the implementation of rounding practices; (4) an assessment by the Secretary of the Treasury, which the Secretary shall conduct and deliver to the Board not less than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act-- (A) on the impact of penny supply and demand disruptions, and rounding practices for check cashing, on low-income communities, older consumers, debanked, unbanked, and underbanked individuals, including feedback from State or local entities; and (B) that includes recommendations to the Congress to address any adverse impacts identified under subparagraph (A); and (5) any additional considerations the Board determines relevant to maintaining penny distribution stability. (b) Evaluation.-- (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after submission of the report required under subsection (a), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall submit to the covered committees and make publicly available a report that evaluates the progress of implementing the strategic plan described in subsection (a), including-- (A) any material changes to the plan; and (B) any identified or emerging stress in the penny distribution system. (2) Successive reports.--The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall submit to the covered committees and make publicly available 2 additional reports that evaluate the progress described in paragraph (1) on dates that are not later than-- (A) 18 months after the submission of the report required under subsection (a); and (B) 30 months after the submission of the report required under subsection (a). SEC. 6. DISCONTINUATION OF CIRCULATION OF COINS. Section 5111 of title 31, United States Code, is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in paragraph (3), by striking "and" at the end; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and (C) by adding at the end the following: "(5) may discontinue the minting for circulation of any coin that is described in paragraph (1) (and that is minted for circulation, as of the date of enactment of this paragraph) only in accordance with the procedures described in subsection (e)."; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "(e) Discontinuation.-- "(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `covered committees' means-- "(A) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate; and "(B) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives. "(2) Requirements.--The Secretary of the Treasury may not discontinue the minting for circulation of a coin described in subsection (a)(5) unless the Secretary-- "(A) not later than 60 days before that discontinuation, and in coordination with the Director of the United States Mint, submits to the covered committees notice regarding that discontinuation, which shall include-- "(i) a description of the reasoning for that discontinuation, including fiscal and operational considerations; and "(ii) a comprehensive plan for phasing out the circulating coin, taking into consideration-- "(I) the potential impacts of that discontinuation on consumers and businesses; and "(II) the potential economic impacts of that discontinuation; and "(B) not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary submits the notice required under subparagraph (A), provides a briefing to the covered committees regarding the plan for implementing that discontinuation.". SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: (1) Covered committees.--The term "covered committees" means-- (A) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate. (2) Financial institution.--The term "financial institution" means any person, other than an individual, the business of which is engaging in financial activities in section 4(k) of the Bank Holding Company Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1843(k)).

Text of Senate Amendment 6767

Page S4588 · Official text

SA 6767. Mr. MORENO (for Mr. Grassley) proposed an amendment to the bill S. 2677, to expand the sharing of information with respect to suspected violations of intellectual property rights in trade; as follows:

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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHARING OF INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SUSPECTED VIOLATIONS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS. Section 628A of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1628a) is amended-- (1) in subsection (a)-- (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking "suspects" and inserting "has a reasonable suspicion"; (B) in paragraph (1)-- (i) by inserting ", packing materials, containers," after "its packaging" the first place it appears; (ii) by striking "and its packaging and labels" after "images of the merchandise" and inserting ", its packaging, packing materials, containers, and labels"; and (iii) by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon; (C) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and (D) by adding at the end the following: "(3) may provide to the person nonpublic information about the merchandise that was generated by an online marketplace or other similar market platform, express consignment operator, freight forwarder, or any other entity that plays a role in the sale or importation of merchandise, or the facilitation thereof, into the United States that has been provided to, shared with, or obtained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection; and "(4) in the case of the provision of nonpublic information described in paragraph (3), shall provide to the person notification of the information transmitted, in accordance with such regulations as the Secretary may prescribe."; and (2) in subsection (b)-- (A) in paragraph (3), by striking "; and" and inserting a semicolon; (B) in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting "; and"; and (C) by adding at the end the following: "(5) any other party with an interest in the merchandise, as determined appropriate by the Commissioner.".

Text of Senate Amendment 6768

Pages S4588–S4596 · Official text

SA 6768. Mr. CRUZ (for himself and Ms. Cantwell) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 4668, to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

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Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the "Protect College Sports Act of 2026". (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. TITLE I--PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION Sec. 100. Definitions. Sec. 101. Name, image, and likeness protections. Sec. 102. Modifications to Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act. Sec. 103. Agent registry requirements for intercollegiate athletic associations. Sec. 104. Disclosures and establishment of name, image, and likeness agreement database. Sec. 105. Academic protections. Sec. 106. Medical coverage requirements. Sec. 107. Health, wellness, and safety standards. Sec. 108. Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman. Sec. 109. Comparable standards for access to facilities, services, and events. Sec. 110. Rules governing certain mid-season coaching transitions. Sec. 111. Student athlete representation on intercollegiate athletic association governing boards. Sec. 112. Transfer protections. Sec. 113. Eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports. Sec. 114. Prohibited compensation and agreements. Sec. 115. Congressional approval of continuation of revenue share cap and retention fund. Sec. 116. Commission on the Future of College Athletics. Sec. 117. Recruitment and tampering. Sec. 118. Limitation on liability. Sec. 119. Private right of action. Sec. 120. Whistleblower protection. Sec. 121. Relationship to existing law. Sec. 122. Neutrality on employee or non-employee status. Sec. 123. Applicability. Sec. 124. Severability. Sec. 125. Protection of women's sports and Olympic sports. Sec. 126. Mid-sized conference representation on intercollegiate athletic association governing boards. Sec. 127. Title IX savings clause. Sec. 128. Protecting opportunities for American student athletes. Sec. 201. Definitions. Sec. 202. Limitation on liability for transmission of collegiate sports competitions. Sec. 203. Requirements for entities selling media rights. Sec. 204. Market level broadcast access for college football and basketball. Sec. 205. Prohibition on certain conference mergers or acquisition. Sec. 206. Amendments to intercollegiate and interscholastic football contest limitations. Sec. 207. Media rights utilization requirement for college sports other than football and basketball. Sec. 301. Short title. Sec. 302. Grants for improvement of broadband, technology, media, and sports broadcast infrastructure of HBCUs. Sec. 303. Grant uses. Sec. 304. Coordination. Sec. 305. Reports and evaluation. Sec. 306. Definitions. Sec. 307. Authorization of appropriations. TITLE I--PROTECTIONS OF STUDENT ATHLETES AND FAIR COMPETITION SEC. 100. DEFINITIONS. In this title: (1) Antitrust laws.--The term "antitrust laws" has the meaning given that term in the 1st section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12) and includes-- (A) section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45) to the extent that such section 5 applies to unfair methods of competition; and (B) any similar State antitrust law, including a State law provision that applies to covering unfair methods of competition having the force and effect of law. (2) Associated entity.--The term "associated entity" means any individual or entity, including a collective, that-- (A) is known, or was known, or should have been known to the athletics department staff of an institution to exist, in significant part, for the purpose of-- (i) promoting or supporting a particular institution's intercollegiate athletics program or student athletes; or (ii) creating or identifying name, image, and likeness opportunities solely for a particular institution's student athletes; (B) is or was a member, employee, director, officer, owner, or agent of an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A); (C) directly or indirectly (including contributions by an affiliated entity, individual, or family member) has contributed more than $50,000 over their lifetime to a particular institution or to an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A); (D) has-- (i) been directed or requested by an institution's athletic department staff to assist in the recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective student athletes; or (ii) otherwise assisted in the recruitment or retention of student athletes or prospective student athletes; or (E) is owned, controlled, or operated by, or otherwise affiliated with the individuals or entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D), other than a publicly traded corporation. (3) Athlete agent.--The term "athlete agent" has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801). (4) Collective.--The term "collective"-- (A) means a person, corporation, booster organization, tax-exempt organization, or other entity that provides donations or other support directly or indirectly to or for the benefit or support of-- (i) a student athlete who is enrolled, or who may enroll, at an institution; or (ii) the intercollegiate athletics program or any booster organization of an institution; and (B) does not include-- (i) an immediate family member of a student athlete; or (ii) an individual or entity that-- (I) licenses trademark rights of an institution; and (II) does not-- (aa) license name, image, and likeness rights of student athletes; or (bb) make payments earmarked or designated to fund name, image, or likeness licenses or other payments to student athletes. (5) Compensation.--The term "compensation"-- (A) means any payment, remuneration, or benefit provided to a student athlete or a prospective student athlete; and (B) does not include-- (i) grants-in-aid; (ii) Federal Pell Grants provided under section 401 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070a) or any other Federal or State grants unrelated to and not awarded with regard to participation in intercollegiate sports; (iii) health insurance and the costs of health care funded by an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or conference; (iv) disability and loss-of-value insurance, including disability and loss-of-value insurance funded by an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or conference; (v) career counseling, job placement services, or other guidance available to all students at an institution; (vi) hourly wages and benefits for work performed outside of participating in intercollegiate sports at a rate commensurate with the prevailing rate in the relevant State or locality for similar work; (vii) enhanced education benefits, including academic awards; (viii) financial literacy or tax education resources; or (ix) any program to connect student athletes with employers and facilitate employment opportunities, if-- (I) the financial terms of such employment opportunities are consistent with the terms offered to similarly situated employees who are not student athletes; and (II) such program is not used to induce a student athlete to attend a particular institution. (6) Conference.--The term "conference" means any organization that is not an intercollegiate athletic association and that-- (A) has 2 or more institutions as members; and (B) arranges championships for intercollegiate athletic competitions or sets rules for intercollegiate athletic competition. (7) Cost of attendance.--The term "cost of attendance"-- (A) has the meaning given that term in section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll); and (B) shall be calculated by the financial aid office of an institution applying the same standards, policies, and procedures for all students. (8) Grant-in-aid.--The term "grant-in-aid" means-- (A) a scholarship, grant, stipend, or other form of financial assistance, including the provision of tuition, room, board, books, or funds for fees or personal expenses, that-- (i) is paid or provided by an institution to a student for the undergraduate or graduate education of the student; and (ii) is in an amount that does not exceed the cost of attendance for such student at the institution; and (B) does not include compensation paid to a student athlete. (9) Image.--With respect to a student athlete, the term "image" means a picture, video, computer-generated representation, or other depiction that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete. (10) Institution.--Except as otherwise explicitly provided, the term "institution" has the meaning given the term "institution of higher education" under section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.

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1001). (11) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term "intercollegiate athletic association"-- (A) means any organization, not-for-profit corporation, association, or any other group organized in the United States that-- (i) sponsors or arranges intercollegiate athletic competition between institutions; (ii) sets common rules, standards, procedures, or guidelines for the administration of intercollegiate athletic competition; (iii) is composed of 2 or more institutions or conferences that are located in different States or participate in intercollegiate athletic competition in more than 1 State; and (iv) is not a conference; (B) includes-- (i) the National Collegiate Athletic Association; and (ii) any other national intercollegiate athletic association; and (C) does not include a corporation, association, or other group affiliated with professional athletic competition. (12) Intercollegiate athletic competition.--The term "intercollegiate athletic competition" means any intercollegiate sport contest, game, meet, match, tournament, regatta, or other intercollegiate sport event in which student athletes or varsity sports teams compete. (13) Intercollegiate sport.--The term "intercollegiate sport"-- (A) means a sport played between institutions for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by an intercollegiate athletic association; and (B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club sport. (14) Likeness.--With respect to a student athlete, the term "likeness" means a physical or digital depiction or representation that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete, including -- (A) the uniquely identifiable body, physical characteristics, or voice of the student athlete; (B) any other mark that identifies or distinguishes the student athlete; or (C) the jersey number associated with the student athlete during the period of athletic participation by the student athlete at an institution if the jersey number is accompanied by-- (i) a logo or color scheme that is clearly associated with the institution; or (ii) some other means by which the jersey number is associated with the student athlete. (15) Name.--With respect to a student athlete, the term "name" means the first or last name that identifies the student athlete, a nickname or assumed name of the student athlete, or a username associated with the student athlete on any public-facing internet platform when used in a context that identifies, is linked to, or is reasonably linked to the student athlete. (16) Name, image, and likeness agreement.--The term "name, image, and likeness agreement" means a contract or similar agreement between a student athlete (or group of student athletes) and a conference, institution, intercollegiate athletic association, associated entity, collective, or third party regarding the commercial use of the name, image, and likeness rights of the student athlete (or group of student athletes). (17) Name, image, and likeness rights.--The term "name, image, and likeness rights" means the ability of a student athlete to market and profit from the commercial use of his or her name, image, or likeness. (18) Prospective student athlete.--The term "prospective student athlete" means an individual who is recruited, actively being recruited, or has been contacted for the purposes of recruitment to attend an institution as a student athlete, but has not yet enrolled at the institution. (19) Revenue share cap.--The term "revenue share cap" means the Benefits Pool Limit set forth in the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), or as modified pursuant to the amendment provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement. (20) Student athlete.--The term "student athlete" means an individual who is enrolled as a full-time student at an institution and who-- (A) makes satisfactory progress towards completing a degree; and (B) participates in intercollegiate athletic competition or competes for a varsity sports team as part of the institution's educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs. (21) Third party.--The term "third party" means an individual or entity that is not an institution, associated entity, collective, conference, or intercollegiate athletic association. (22) Valid business purpose.--The term "valid business purpose" means a purpose genuinely related to the promotion of goods or services provided to the general public for profit. (23) Varsity sports team.--The term "varsity sports team" means a sports team composed of student athletes that is organized by an institution for the purpose of intercollegiate athletic competition. SEC. 101. NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS PROTECTIONS. (a) Student Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Compensation.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in this title, an institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association, or any representative of such an entity may not-- (A) restrict the ability of a student athlete, group of student athletes, or prospective student athlete-- (i) to market or earn compensation for the value of their name, image, or likeness rights; or (ii) to enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement; (B) restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition for a student athlete or prospective student athlete on the basis of the student athlete or prospective student athlete entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement or marketing or earning compensation for the value of their name, image, or likeness; (C) unless otherwise required by law, limit the eligibility or opportunity of a student athlete or prospective student athlete to apply for or receive a grant-in-aid, including the amount, duration, or renewal of such grant-in-aid, on the basis of the student athlete or prospective student athlete entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement, or marketing or earning compensation for the value of their name, image, or likeness; or (D) unless otherwise required by law, revoke, reduce, or decline to renew a grant-in-aid for a student athlete or prospective student athlete based on the student athlete or prospective student athlete entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement or marketing or earning compensation for the value of their name, image, or likeness. (2) Consent and compensation for group use.--An institution, conference, intercollegiate athletic association, collective, third party, or any representative thereof, may not use the name, image, or likeness of any group of student athletes to sell or promote any product or service unless the institution, conference, athletic association, collective, or third party, as the case may be, obtains an agreement from each member of the group for that purpose. (3) Exceptions.-- (A) Certain agreements.--An institution may restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition of a student athlete or prospective student athlete who enters into a name, image, and likeness agreement that violates the code of student conduct of the institution that applies to all students enrolled at the institution. (B) Certain uses.--An institution may restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition of a student athlete or prospective student athlete if, in connection with a name, image, and likeness agreement, the student athlete or prospective student athlete uses a facility, uniform, equipment, registered or unregistered trademark, copyright-protected product, or the official logo, mark, or other indicia of the institution without the express consent of the institution. (b) Mandatory Disclosures by Student Athletes.-- (1) In general.--All student athletes shall report to their institution and their intercollegiate athletic association, or to an entity designated by their intercollegiate athletic association and under the control of that intercollegiate athletic association pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025)-- (A) not later than 5 days after entering into a name, image, and likeness agreement, the terms of any such agreement, including the amount and source, that exceeds $600 in value, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period; and (B) to the extent not reported under subparagraph (A), not later than 30 days after receiving compensation for the name, image, or likeness of the student athlete, the amount and source of any such compensation that exceeds $600, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period. (2) Mandatory disclosures by recruited athletes.--With respect to a student athlete or prospective student athlete who is recruited to attend, but is not yet enrolled in, an institution, the student athlete or prospective student athlete shall report to the institution at which the student athlete enrolls and their intercollegiate athletic association, or to an entity designated by that intercollegiate athletic association and under the control of that intercollegiate athletic association pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.

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June 6, 2025)-- (A) the terms of any current or ongoing name, image, and likeness agreement that exceeds $600 in value, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same entity that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period; and (B) to the extent not reported under subparagraph (A), the amount and source of any current or ongoing name, image, and likeness compensation that exceeds $600, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same person that exceeds a total of $600 over a 12-month period. (3) Exception.-- (A) In general.--Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall not apply to either marketing or earning compensation for the value of the name, image, and likeness rights of a student athlete or to the compensation within a name, image, and likeness agreement in which a student athlete receives less than $600, including multiple payments, remunerations, or benefits from the same person that totals less than $600 over a 12-month period. (B) Adjustment for inflation.--The amount described in subparagraph (A) shall be adjusted for inflation by the percent increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor for the most recent 12-month period for which applicable data is available. (4) Release of information.--Except as provided in section 104 or as necessary to comply with this Act, an institution may not release any information that would identify a student athlete or prospective student athlete in a disclosure under paragraph (1) or (2) without the express written consent of the student athlete, prospective student athlete, athlete agent of the student athlete or prospective student athlete, or, in case of a minor, the parent or legal guardian of the minor. (5) Limitation.--This subsection shall apply only to student athletes and prospective student athletes of institutions whose primary membership is in Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw. (c) Name, Image, or Likeness Compensation by Institutions.--Subject to the requirements of this title, an institution, intercollegiate athletic association, conference, collective, associated entity, or third party, may pay, provide, or facilitate compensation to a student athlete for the use of the name, image, or likeness of the student athlete. (d) Right to Representation.--An institution, intercollegiate athletic association, or conference may not restrict the eligibility for intercollegiate athletic competition, or any other event or activity relating to intercollegiate athletic competition, of a prospective student athlete or student athlete based on the prospective student athlete or student athlete having obtained an athlete agent or legal representative. (e) Educational Resources Regarding This Title.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall provide student athletes and prospective student athletes and the parents or guardians of student athletes or prospective student athletes with educational materials relating to this title. SEC. 102. MODIFICATIONS TO SPORTS AGENT RESPONSIBILITY AND TRUST ACT. (a) In General.--The Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act (15 U.S.C. 7801 et seq.) is amended-- (1) in section 2 (15 U.S.C. 7801)-- (A) in paragraph (1), by striking "an oral or written agreement" and inserting "a written agreement"; (B) in paragraph (5), by inserting before the period the following: "and includes any name, image, and likeness agreement as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026"; (C) by redesignating paragraphs (6) through (9) as paragraphs (7) through (10), respectively; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following: "(6) Intercollegiate athletic association.--The term `intercollegiate athletic association' has the meaning given that term in section 100 of Protect College Sports Act of 2026"; (2) in section 3 (15 U.S.C. 7802)-- (A) in subsection (a)-- (i) in paragraph (2), by striking "or" at the end; (ii) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: "(4) enter into an agency contract or represent a student athlete in a manner that violates section 9; "(5) charge a student athlete a fee in connection with an endorsement contract that exceeds 5 percent of the value of the endorsement contract; "(6) enter into an agency contract with an athlete for a term that extends beyond the eligibility of the student athlete to participate in intercollegiate sport; "(7) make any materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent representation as an athlete agent, including any materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent statement to a student athlete or prospective student athlete that misrepresents the existence, nature, or value of a name, image, or likeness opportunity the athlete agent can arrange on behalf of the student athlete or prospective student athlete through recruitment or transfer to an institution (as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026); or "(8) make a materially false, deceptive, or fraudulent statement in the application for registration as an athlete agent."; and (B) in subsection (b)(3), by striking "Warning to Student Athlete: If you agree orally or in writing to be represented by an agent now or in the future you may lose your eligibility to compete as a student athlete in your sport."; (3) by inserting after section 5 (15 U.S.C. 7804) the following: "SEC. 5A. PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION. "(a) In General.--Any current or former student athlete alleging a violation of paragraphs (4) through (8) of section 3(a), section 9, or section 10 may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States or in an appropriate State court. "(b) Relief.--In a civil action brought under subsection (a) in which the plaintiff prevails, the court may award-- "(1) a declaratory judgment that a name, image, or likeness agreement (as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026) or an agency contract, as applicable, is null and void; and "(2) actual damages. "(c) Attorney's Fees and Costs.--In a civil action brought under subsection (a) in which the defendant is not an institution (as defined in section 100 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026), the court may, in its discretion, award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs. "(d) Invalidity of Pre-dispute Arbitration Agreements and Pre-dispute Joint Action Waivers.-- "(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no pre-dispute arbitration agreement or pre-dispute joint action waiver shall be valid or enforceable against a student athlete with respect to a dispute arising under this Act. "(2) Applicability.--Any determination as to whether or how paragraph (1) applies to any dispute shall be made by a court, rather than an arbitrator, without regard to whether the agreement or waiver that is the subject of the dispute purports to delegate such determination to an arbitrator. "(3) Definitions.--In this subsection: "(A) Pre-dispute arbitration agreement.--The term `pre-dispute arbitration agreement' means any agreement to arbitrate a dispute that has not arisen at the time of the making of the agreement. "(B) Pre-dispute joint-action waiver.--The term `pre-dispute joint-action waiver' means an agreement, whether or not part of a pre-dispute arbitration agreement, that would prohibit, or waive the right of, one of the parties to the agreement to participate in a joint, class, or collective action in a judicial, arbitral, administrative, or other forum, concerning a dispute that has not yet arisen at the time of the making of the agreement."; and (4) by adding at the end the following: "SEC. 9. REGISTRATION OF ATHLETE AGENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS. "(a) In General.--An athlete agent who seeks to represent a student athlete in an endorsement contract shall-- "(1) register with a State before representing a student athlete for an endorsement contract; and "(2) enter into an agency contract with the student athlete before providing representation in an endorsement contract. "(b) Registration Established.--An individual is deemed to be registered with a State for purposes of this section if the individual is-- "(1) a registered professional sports agent with a professional sports league or players association, in good standing; or "(2) registered and certified under the All State Uniform Agent Acts in the State in which the agent operates, in good standing. "(c) Certification to Intercollegiate Athletic Associations.-- "(1) Requirement.--An athlete agent that represents a student athlete shall certify to each applicable intercollegiate athletic association that the athlete agent is registered with a State. "(2) Prohibition.--It is unlawful for an individual to certify to an intercollegiate athletic association that the individual is an athlete agent if the individual is not registered with a State. "(d) Requirements for Agency Contracts.--To be a valid contract, an agency contract shall-- "(1) state the name of each party to the contract; "(2) state the term of the contract; "(3) state the registration information for the athlete agent; and "(4) state the fee or commission charged by the athlete agent. "SEC. 10. ENDORSEMENT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS. "An endorsement contract made in interstate or foreign commerce is, at the option of the student athlete, void from the inception of such contract if such contract does not satisfy the following requirements: "(1) The contract is in writing. "(2) The contract plainly states that the student athlete has the right to obtain or retain an athlete agent or legal representation with respect to the contract. "(3) The contract contains-- "(A) a description of services rendered; "(B) the names of each party to the contract; "(C) the terms of the contract; "(D) the amount of compensation to be provided to the student athlete under the contract; "(E) a provision specifying the circumstance or event that would result in the termination of the contract due to nonperformance of obligations by the student athlete or other parties to the contract; and "(F) a provision specifying that the validity and effectiveness of the contract, and the provision of compensation to the student athlete under the contract, is not conditioned upon any express or implicit requirement that the student athlete enroll or remain enrolled at an institution or reside in a particular location within the United States, unless the party making the contract with the student athlete is an institution, conference, associated entity, or collective affiliated with the institution and the contract is entered into after the student athlete has enrolled at such institution. "(4) The contract is not for a term that extends beyond the eligibility of the student athlete to participate in intercollegiate sports.". (b) Clerical Amendments.--The table of contents for the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act is amended-- (1) by inserting after the item relating to section 5 the following: "Sec. 5A. Private right of action."; and (2) by adding at the end the following: "Sec. 9. Registration of athlete agents and other requirements. "Sec. 10. Endorsement contract requirements.". SEC. 103.

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AGENT REGISTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATIONS. (a) Requirements of Intercollegiate Athletic Associations.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall maintain a publicly available website that includes a searchable database of athlete agents that-- (1) are registered with a State and certified pursuant to section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act, as added by section 102; and (2) have certified compliance with all rules and bylaws of such intercollegiate athletic association, including any recruitment and tampering rules adopted under section 117. (b) Decertification Permitted.-- (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association may decertify or fine an athlete agent for any violations of section 9 of the Sports Agent Responsibility and Trust Act, as added by section 102, or any violation of section 117 on recruitment and tampering. (2) Effect of decertification.--An athlete agent that is decertified pursuant to paragraph (1) may not represent or contact a student athlete or prospective student athlete of an institution that is a member of such intercollegiate athletic association. SEC. 104. DISCLOSURES AND ESTABLISHMENT OF NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS AGREEMENT DATABASE. (a) Disclosures by Institutions.-- (1) Disclosure of data on name, image, and likeness agreements.--Not later than July 1 of the first year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, and each July 1 thereafter, each institution shall disclose to the intercollegiate athletic association of which the institution is a member, in an anonymized manner, the following data: (A) With respect to each name, image, and likeness agreement disclosed to the institution by a student athlete as required by section 101(b)-- (i) a description of services rendered; and (ii) the amount of compensation to be provided to the student athlete or group of athletes under the agreement. (B) With respect to each name, image, and likeness agreement entered into between the institution and a student athlete, and any other compensation provided or to be provided by an institution to a student athlete-- (i) the amount of compensation provided or to be provided to the student athlete by the institution; and (ii) disaggregated by intercollegiate sports program-- (I) the number of agreements and payments; (II) the average value of the agreements and payments; and (III) the total value of the agreements and payments. (2) Report on revenue and student outcomes.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which an academic year ends, each institution with 1 or more intercollegiate sports programs shall submit to the governing athletic association for such institution a report that includes, for the academic year, the following: (A) The amount of revenues and expenditures of each such sports program, including the amount of associated entity and third-party donations, Federal funds, and State funds, including the total amount of remuneration for personnel of each intercollegiate sports program, individually by program and in the aggregate. (B) The average number of hours student athletes spent on intercollegiate athletic events and intercollegiate athletic competition, disaggregated by sports program. (C) The academic outcomes and majors for student athletes, disaggregated by sports program. (3) Treatment of men's and women's programs.--An institution shall treat men's and women's sports programs as distinct sports programs for the purposes of disclosure and reporting obligations under this subsection. (4) Protection of personally identifiable information.--In making a disclosure under paragraph (1), an institution shall ensure that no personally identifiable information of a student athlete is transmitted to an intercollegiate athletic association. (b) Disclosures by Associations and Database.-- (1) In general.--Not later than September of the first year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act, each intercollegiate athletic association shall establish and maintain a publicly accessible, searchable database for student athletes and their agents to estimate the fair market value for name, image, and likeness agreements, which shall include data collected under subsection (a)(2). (2) Content of database.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall include the data reported by institutions pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) in the database described in paragraph (1). (3) Update of database.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall update the database described in paragraph (1) each September 1. (4) Privacy.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall take reasonable technical measures to ensure that information available in the database described in paragraph (1) may not be used to identify a student athlete. (c) Limitation.--This section shall apply only to institutions whose primary membership is in Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, and shall not apply to any Division II or Division III institution (as so defined) that participates in a limited number of sports at the Division I level. SEC. 105. ACADEMIC PROTECTIONS. (a) Prohibitions Relating to Coursework and Extracurricular Activities.-- (1) In general.--An employee or volunteer of an athletic department of an institution may not-- (A) exert undue pressure over or prevent a student athlete from selecting a course or an academic major of the student athlete's choice; (B) retaliate against a student athlete based on the student athlete's selection of any course or academic major; or (C) prevent a student athlete who seeks to secure employment or internships, participate in student groups or events, or serve as a volunteer from doing so, unless such activity interferes with mandatory class time or mandatory events related to intercollegiate athletic competition or membership on a varsity sports team. (2) Participation in athletic related activities.--In order to ensure each student athlete makes satisfactory progress toward the completion of a degree, each intercollegiate athletic association and any institution that is a member of such association may limit a student athlete to only participate in countable athletic-related activities as part of the educational, developmental, or extracurricular programs of the institution. (3) Rule of construction.--Paragraph (1) may not be construed as preventing an institution, an athletic department of an institution, or a representative thereof from-- (A) informing a student athlete of academic eligibility requirements and mandatory and expected team activities; or (B) providing other legitimate academic counseling and support services, in collaboration with the institution, to help the student athlete pursue the academic interests of and improve academic outcomes for the student athlete. (b) Financial Literacy and Life Skills.--An institution that offers financial literacy and life skills programming directed to student athletes may not include any marketing, advertising, referral, or solicitation offers in such programming. (c) Scholarship Protections.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), an institution that awards a grant-in-aid to a student athlete may not revoke, reduce, or condition the grant-in-aid of the student athlete-- (A) based on the athletic ability or performance of the student athlete or the contribution of the student athlete to the success of a varsity sports team; (B) as a result of an injury or illness based on a physical or mental medical condition of the student athlete; or (C) roster management decisions. (2) Exception.-- (A) In general.--An institution may revoke, reduce, or condition the grant-in-aid of a student athlete or former student athlete who-- (i) transfers to another institution; or (ii) does not remain in good standing in accordance with-- (I) the standards or code of conduct of the institution applicable to all students; (II) the established athletics program policies for participating in mandatory team athletic activities for a varsity sports team; or (III) the academic standards for athletic eligibility. (B) Notice.--An institution shall provide a student athlete with timely written notice with respect to any possible revocation or reduction of, or condition on, the grant-in-aid or athletic eligibility of the student athlete. (C) Reinstatement.--In the case of a revocation or reduction of, or condition on, the grant-in-aid of a student athlete under this paragraph, an institution may reinstate or remove any condition placed on such grant-in-aid if the student athlete subsequently cures or satisfies the reasons provided by the notice in subparagraph (B). (D) Former student athletes.-- (i) In general.--With respect to a former student athlete described in clause (ii), an institution shall provide the former student athlete-- (I) the opportunity to resume study at the institution for the purpose of completing the requirements necessary to earn a degree; and (II) either-- (aa) the amount of grant-in-aid the former student athlete received while previously enrolled at the institution and participating-- (AA) in intercollegiate athletic competition; or (BB) as a member of a varsity sports team; or (bb) in the case of grant-in-aid previously awarded solely on the basis of demonstrated financial need, grant-in-aid awarded based on the current demonstrated financial need of the former student athlete. (ii) Former student athlete described.--A former student athlete described in this subparagraph is a former student athlete of an institution who-- (I) was enrolled at the institution during their last year of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition during the preceding 10-year period; (II) received grant-in-aid while enrolled at the institution; (III) was not subject to the revocation of grant-in-aid under subparagraph (A)(ii)(I); and (IV) has not completed the course of study for an undergraduate degree. (E) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to preclude-- (i) an institution from providing additional grant-in-aid protections for student athletes or former student athletes; or (ii) an intercollegiate athletic association, conference, institution, student athlete, or former student athlete from requesting or advocating for additional grant-in-aid protections. (3) Limitation.--Paragraph (2)(D) shall apply only to institutions that compete in Division I, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw. SEC. 106.

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MEDICAL COVERAGE REQUIREMENTS. (a) In General.--Each Division I institution, as defined by bylaw 20.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, each institution whose primary membership is in Division II or Division III (as so defined) only with respect to student athletes of the institution who compete in Division I, or an intercollegiate athletic association or conference comprised of Division I member institutions shall provide or cause to be provided-- (1) during the participation of a student athlete in an intercollegiate sport-- (A) all out-of-pocket medical expenses, such as copayments or deductibles, for the health care coverage of a student athlete for any injury or disease incurred through participation in an intercollegiate sport; (B) the expense for obtaining a medical second opinion independent of the institution for any injury or disease the student athlete incurred through participation in an intercollegiate sport; (C) catastrophic injury medical insurance for any injury or disease incurred through participation in an intercollegiate sport that exceeds $90,000 in medical costs; and (D) an end-of-college physical examination for a student athlete for the purpose of documenting and diagnosing any injury or condition related to the student athlete's participation in an intercollegiate sport; and (2) with respect to a student athlete enrolled at the institution during their last year of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition, for the 5-year period beginning on the day after the last intercollegiate competition for the student athlete, the cost of all out-of-pocket medical expenses of the student athlete for health care coverage for any injury or disease incurred through participation in an intercollegiate sport. (b) Intercollegiate Athletic Association Post-eligibility Insurance and Catastrophic Injury Fund or Program.-- (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association comprised of member institutions that compete in Division I, Division II, or Division III, as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw, on behalf of its member institutions must establish a fund or program to help cover the cost of-- (A) in the case of a Division I institution that generates less than $20,000,000 in total annual athletics revenue during the preceding academic year, compliance with subsection (a)(2) (or, in the case of a Division II or Division III institution, voluntary compliance with subsection (a)(2)), in the event of demonstrated financial hardship; and (B) post-eligibility medical expenses for the student athletes of a member institution who are diagnosed with significant long-term conditions related to their participation in an intercollegiate sport, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy and any other cognitive impairment. (2) Amount of fund.-- (A) In general.--Subject to increases under subparagraph (B) and the limitation under subparagraph (C), the intercollegiate athletic association described in this subsection shall ensure that the fund or program established under this subsection is funded at an amount that totals not less than $60,000,000 on the first day of each academic year. (B) Subsequent increase.--Subject to the limitation under subparagraph (C), if the amount funded for the fund or program established under this subsection is depleted for an academic year, that amount for the next academic year shall be increased by $5,000,000 as compared to the amount for the previous academic year. (C) Limitation.--The amount funded for the fund or program established under this subsection shall not exceed $100,000,000. (3) Use of collective media rights.--In ensuring that the fund or program established under paragraph (2) is adequately funded, an intercollegiate athletic association may use the collective media rights revenue from a covered entity, in accordance with section 5(d)(3) of the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961, as added by section 203. (c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude an intercollegiate athletic association from-- (1) providing or causing to be provided to student athletes medical coverage in addition to the medical coverage required by subsection (a); or (2) exceeding $60,000,000 for the fund or program established in subsection (b) for any academic year. SEC. 107. HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND SAFETY STANDARDS. (a) Establishment of Standards.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, each institution, conference, and intercollegiate athletic association shall adhere to standards to protect student athletes from sports-related serious injury, conditions, and death, including-- (1) brain injury, by adhering to the concussion management practices, protocols, and legislation of the National Collegiate Athletic Association effective January 15, 2024, and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes; (2) heat-related illness, by adhering to the American College of Sports Medicine Expert Consensus Statement on Exertional Heat Illness: Recognition, Management, and Return to Activity (April 2023), and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes; (3) rhabdomyolysis, in accordance with the guidelines of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for exertional rhabdomyolysis published in 2025, and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes; and (4) for any student athlete who is identified with-- (A) sickle cell trait, by following the guidelines published by the National Collegiate Athletic Association in 2025, and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes; and (B) asthma, by following the guidelines of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management of Asthma in Athletes (September 2005), and as amended to strengthen protections for student athletes. (b) Measures To Prevent, Assess, and Remediate Abuse or Misconduct.--Each institution, conference, and intercollegiate athletic association shall take reasonable actions to prevent, assess, and remediate-- (1) abuse or hazing of any student athlete, including physical and sexual abuse; and (2) sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment. (c) Provision of Information on Contact for Student Athlete Ombudsman.-- (1) Intercollegiate athletic association.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall provide to student athletes information on how to contact the Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in section 108, on the internet website of the association. (2) Institution.--At the beginning of each academic year, an institution shall provide to student athletes information on how to locate the website specified under paragraph (1) or a link to the website and information on how to contact the Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman, as established in section 108. (d) Athletic Health and Safety Officers.-- (1) In general.--Each institution shall designate an employee, who is independent of the athletic department, as the athletic health and safety officer for the institution. (2) Reporting.--The athletic health and safety officer designated under paragraph (1) shall report to an employee of the institution who is independent of the athletic department. (3) Officer responsibilities.--An employee who is designated by an institution under paragraph (1) as an athletic health and safety officer shall be responsible for, at a minimum-- (A) overseeing implementation of the applicable requirements the institution is subject to under this section, including any applicable training, oversight practices, policies, and procedures; and (B) consulting with student athletes and athletic department personnel and reporting any suspected violations of this section to the employee specified under paragraph (2). (e) Independence of Medical Professionals.-- (1) In general.--Medical personnel, including athletic trainers, physical therapists, and physicians, shall have the autonomous, unchallengeable authority to determine medical management and return to play decisions for student athletes under their care at an institution. (2) Limitation on nonmedical personnel.--No coach or other nonmedical personnel of an institution may attempt to influence or disregard the decisions of medical personnel with respect to the medical management and return to play decisions for student athletes under their care at the institution. (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed to preclude-- (1) an intercollegiate athletic association from establishing additional health, wellness, and safety standards to protect student athletes; or (2) an intercollegiate athletic association, conference, institution, or student athletes from requesting or advocating for additional health, wellness, and safety standards to protect student athletes. SEC. 108.

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OFFICE OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE OMBUDSMAN. (a) In General.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall establish an office to support student athletes, known as the "Office of the Student Athlete Ombudsman" (in this section referred to as the "Office"). (b) Duties.--The Office shall-- (1) provide independent advice to student athletes at no cost about the applicable requirements of this title and the amendments made by this title, including with respect to their rights and responsibilities and the resources available; (2) assist in the resolution of student athlete concerns regarding the intercollegiate athletic association, conferences, or institutions; (3) provide independent advice to student athletes with respect to the role, responsibility, authority, and jurisdiction of the intercollegiate athletic association, conferences, or institutions; (4) provide student athletes with current contact information for external third-party resources for student athletes; (5) provide independent advice to student athletes with respect to the relative value of engaging legal counsel; (6) develop standard language to explain the rights and responsibilities of student athletes under this Act that institutions shall be required to conspicuously display in common areas where student athletes congregate, such as locker rooms, dormitories, or study areas, to ensure that student athletes are properly informed of their rights, responsibilities, and ability to contact the Ombudsman; and (7) as appropriate, develop curricula to educate student athletes on their rights and responsibilities under this Act that is capable of being shared through in person or online classes, training sessions, or other means. (c) Administration.--An intercollegiate athletic association shall hire and provide salary, benefits, and administrative expenses for an Ombudsman and support staff for the Office. (d) Confidentiality.-- (1) In general.--The Office shall maintain as confidential any information communicated or provided to the Office in confidence in any matter involving the exercise of the official duties of the Office. (2) Exception.--The Office may, with the permission of the parties involved, disclose information described in paragraph (1) as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute. (3) Application.--The confidentiality requirements under this subsection shall not apply to information-- (A) as necessary to comply with applicable reporting requirements mandated by Federal law; (B) relating to a felony personally witnessed by a member of the Office; (C) if necessary to protect an individual at imminent risk of serious harm; or (D) with the permission of the parties involved, as necessary to resolve or mediate a dispute. (4) Judicial and administrative proceedings.-- (A) In general.--The Ombudsman and any staff of the Office shall not be compelled to testify or produce evidence in any judicial or administrative proceeding with respect to any matter involving the exercise of the duties of the Office. (B) Confidentiality.--Any memorandum, work product, notes, or case file of the Office-- (i) shall be confidential; and (ii) shall not be-- (I) subject to discovery, subpoena, or any other means of legal compulsion; or (II) admissible as evidence in a judicial or administrative proceeding. (5) Prohibition on retaliation.--No employee, contractor, agent, volunteer, or member of an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution shall take or threaten to take any action against a student athlete as a reprisal for disclosing information to or seeking assistance from the Office. (e) Independence in Carrying Out Duties.--The board of directors or other governing board or committee of an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or an institution shall not prevent or prohibit the Office from carrying out any duty or responsibility under this section. SEC. 109. COMPARABLE STANDARDS FOR ACCESS TO FACILITIES, SERVICES, AND EVENTS. Intercollegiate athletic associations and conferences shall maintain comparable standards for medical care, lodging, meals, rest, transportation, publicity and promotion, and, if applicable, athletic facilities for championship events or tournaments, across similarly situated men's and women's athletic programs. SEC. 110. RULES GOVERNING CERTAIN MID-SEASON COACHING TRANSITIONS. (a) In General.--An individual who serves, or has served at any point during a competitive season, as football athletic personnel for a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at an institution shall not, during that same competitive season, perform for another institution any duties or responsibilities customarily associated with a head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football, including, at a minimum-- (1) recruiting or contacting prospective or current student athletes; (2) directing, participating in, or materially influencing recruiting strategy or evaluations; (3) directing, participating in, or materially influencing roster management decisions, including decisions relating to transfers; (4) facilitating, coordinating, negotiating, or otherwise materially influencing name, image, and likeness activities involving student athletes; (5) directing, supervising, or materially influencing coaching staff or team operations; (6) participating in practice planning, game preparation, strategic decision-making, or on-field activities; (7) publicly representing the institution in an intercollegiate football-related capacity in a manner that reflects or implies authority over the intercollegiate football program; and (8) undertaking any other activity customarily associated with a head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football. (b) Application.--Subsection (a) shall apply without regard to title, formal designation, compensation structure, employment status, or timing of any public announcement, and the applicable intercollegiate athletic association may prohibit any arrangement that, in substance or effect, provides an individual described in subsection (a) with authority or responsibilities customarily exercised by a head coach. (c) Determination of Ineligibility.--An individual described in subsection (a) who accepts employment, appointment, or designation as head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at another institution during the same competitive season is ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate football as head coach for the hiring institution through the conclusion of the competitive season, including any postseason competition, of the prior institution or the hiring institution, whichever occurs later. (d) Penalties for Non-compliance.--In the event an individual who accepts employment, appointment, or designation as head coach of a varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at another institution violates this section, that individual shall be ineligible to assume the duties as head coach of the varsity sports team for intercollegiate football at the hiring institution for the subsequent competitive season after the season in which the violation occurred and be subject to additional penalties sufficient to ensure compliance with this section. (e) Application.--This section applies only to institutions that compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw. (f) Definitions.--In this section: (1) Applicable intercollegiate athletic association.--The term "applicable intercollegiate athletic association" means only an intercollegiate athletic association that has at least one member institution that is a member of the Football Bowl Subdivision, as defined by bylaw 20.9.9 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw. (2) Competitive season.--The term "competitive season" means the period beginning with the first regularly scheduled intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate football for an institution during a season and ending with the conclusion of the final intercollegiate athletic competition for intercollegiate football for the institution during that season. (3) Football athletic personnel.--The term "football athletic personnel" means any individual employed by, contracted with, or otherwise engaged by an institution who provides coaching, instruction, recruiting, roster management, or training as the head coach or a coordinator, including an offensive, defensive, or special teams coordinator, of student athletes who are members of or participate with the varsity sports team for intercollegiate football of the institution. (4) Intercollegiate football.--The term "intercollegiate football"-- (A) means football played between institutions for which eligibility requirements for participation by a student athlete are established by an intercollegiate athletic association; and (B) does not include a recreational, intramural, or club sport. SEC. 111. STUDENT ATHLETE REPRESENTATION ON INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GOVERNING BOARDS. (a) In General.--Not less than 1/3 of the membership and voting power of any board of directors or other governing board, or committees with authority to establish and enforce rules or bylaws shall be comprised of current student athletes or former student athletes who have graduated from their institution during the preceding 10-year period. (b) Limitation.-- (1) A former student athlete who is a current or former employee of an intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, or a member institution may not count towards the student athlete membership requirement pursuant to subsection (a); and (2) no member of any such board or committee shall vote on any matter that presents a conflict of interest for such member. SEC. 112. TRANSFER PROTECTIONS. An institution, a conference, an intercollegiate athletic association, or any representative of such entity shall permit a student athlete to transfer from one four-year institution to another four-year institution-- (1) once without losing or delaying eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports; (2) except as provided in paragraph (3), a second time with a loss of eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports during the first academic year following the transfer; and (3) additionally, without losing or delaying eligibility to participate in intercollegiate sports, upon-- (A) discontinuation of a sport in which the student athlete competes; (B) the departure of the head coach of the student athlete's varsity sports team; (C) sexual assault or harassment of the student athlete by an individual associated with the student athlete's institution; or (D) the student athlete pursuing a graduate degree. SEC. 113.

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ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS. (a) In General.--An individual is eligible to participate on a Division I or Division II (as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw) varsity sports team or in intercollegiate athletic competition for a Division I or Division II institution (as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw) if the individual-- (1) is a student athlete; (2) meets uniform academic standards established by the relevant intercollegiate athletic association, conference, or institution; (3) is not a professional athlete; and (4) complies with established rules that restrict eligibility for violations of State or Federal law. (b) Years of Eligibility.-- (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), a student athlete is eligible to compete in intercollegiate athletic competition for a Division I or Division II institution (as defined by bylaw 20 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or a successor bylaw) for a maximum of 5 calendar years beginning on, whichever occurs first-- (A) the beginning of the academic year following the 19th birthday of the student athlete; or (B) the date the student athlete initially enrolls full time at an institution. (2) Exceptions.--Paragraph (1) does not apply during a period of absence for any of the following: (A) Reasons of pregnancy. (B) Religious mission. (C) Active-duty military service. (D) Other periods of absence, which may include serious athletic injury or medical condition, adopted by rule or bylaw by an intercollegiate athletic association that apply uniformly to all student athletes. (c) Restrictions on Eligibility.-- (1) In general.--An intercollegiate athletic association or a conference may restrict the eligibility of a student athlete to participate in intercollegiate sports if the student athlete-- (A) used an illegal or performance enhancing drug; or (B) participated in sports wagering activities or sports-related event contracts. (2) Code of conduct.--An institution may restrict the eligibility of a student athlete to participate in intercollegiate sports if the student athlete violated the code of conduct of the institution that applies to all students. (d) Clarification on Youth Activities and Prize Money.--For purposes of subsection (a)(3)-- (1) a student athlete who competes in basketball shall not be considered a professional athlete based on their participation in athletic competitions prior to, whichever occurs first-- (A) the 19th birthday of the student athlete; or (B) the date the student athlete initially enrolls full time at an institution; and (2) a student athlete who competes in a sport other than football or basketball shall not be considered a professional athlete based solely on the amount of prize money the student athlete received based on place finish or performance in an athletic event before or after enrollment in an institution, so long as-- (A) the prize money was provided only by the sponsor of the athletics event; and (B) the sponsor of the athletics event is not an institution, employee of an institution, volunteer of an institution, collective, or an associated entity. (e) Transfer From 2-year Institution.--No intercollegiate athletic association or conference shall require a student athlete who transfers from a 2-year institution to a 4-year institution to meet additional or more stringent academic standards than the academic standards required for student athletes who transfer from a 4-year institution. (f) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the ability of an institution to-- (1) require student athletes to meet or maintain academic standards that are in addition to, or more stringent than, the standards described in subsection (a) if such standards are required of all students enrolled at the institution; (2) discipline or sanction a student athlete for violating a rule, regulation, or code of conduct that applies to all students enrolled at the institution; or (3) discipline or sanction a student athlete for violating a rule, regulation, or a code of conduct that applies to all student athletes participating in intercollegiate athletic competition at that institution. SEC. 114. PROHIBITED COMPENSATION AND AGREEMENTS. (a) Certain Agreements and Compensation Prohibited.-- (1) Prohibition.--An institution, an employee of an institution, a volunteer of an institution, a conference, an employee of a conference, or an associated entity shall not-- (A) except as provided in paragraph (2) and subsection (b), arrange, provide, offer, or permit, directly or indirectly, compensation in an amount that would circumvent or result in the institution exceeding the revenue share cap to-- (i) a student athlete, a group of student athletes, or their family members; or (ii) a prospective student athlete, a group of prospective student athletes, or their family members; (B) except for a name, image, and likeness agreement between a student athlete and an institution or between a prospective student athlete and an institution, enter into a name, image, and likeness agreement with a student athlete or prospective student athlete that is not-- (i) for a valid business purpose; and (ii) commensurate with compensation paid by third parties to individuals with a similar profile, reputation, or notability who are not student athletes or prospective student athletes at the institution; or (C) provide compensation for any purpose to a prospective student athlete prior to enrollment in an institution, but nothing in this subparagraph shall prohibit an institution from providing compensation to attend a development camp or program if that camp or program is open to non-prospective student athletes and such compensation does not exceed the reasonable costs of attendance. (2) Retention fund.-- (A) Retention fund exception.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), an institution may exceed the revenue share cap by not more than $22,500,000 per academic year for the purpose of retaining a student athlete or group of student athletes who have spent at least one full competitive season at the institution. (B) Non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs.-- (i) In general.--An institution may further exceed the revenue share cap for the purpose described in subparagraph (A) by up to an additional $5,000,000 per academic year in proportion to the amount of name, image, and likeness compensation provided by the institution through the revenue share cap described in subsection (a)(1) and the retention fund amount described in subparagraph (A) to a student athlete or group of student athletes competing in non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs. (ii) Clarification.--Nothing in clause (i) shall be interpreted to preclude an institution from providing name, image, and likeness compensation through the revenue share cap described in subsection (a)(1) and the retention fund amount described in subparagraph (A) in excess of $5,000,000 to a student athlete or group of student athletes competing in non-revenue generating intercollegiate sports programs, including women's and Olympic intercollegiate sports programs, provided such compensation complies with subparagraph (A) and subsection (a)(1). (C) Time limitation.--The exception described in subparagraph (A) shall apply only during the nine-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Personal Athletic and Education Benefits Permitted.--An intercollegiate athletic association, a conference, an institution, or any representative thereof shall not, pursuant to the Injunctive Relief Settlement Agreement approved by the court in "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal.

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June 6, 2025), restrict the ability of a student athlete enrolled at an institution to receive compensation from an intercollegiate athletic association, an institution, a conference, or an associated entity, for personal benefits related to education or intercollegiate athletics, if those benefits are-- (1) reasonable costs of transportation and temporary lodging for family members of a student athlete while the student athlete is experiencing a documented physical or mental health concern or participating in an intercollegiate athletic competition; (2) reasonable costs for meals, shelter, medical coverage, and medical expenses not provided or covered by the institution; or (3) reasonable education-related financial benefits, such as institution fees, books, or other incidental educational expenses that are not otherwise provided by the institution. (c) Multimedia Rights Holders, Sponsors, Apparel Companies, and Vendors.--In the case of a name, image, and likeness agreement involving, or brokered by, a multimedia rights holder, or a sponsor of the institution in which the student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll that has a commercial relationship with the institution, an apparel company that has a commercial relationship with the institution, or a vendor for the athletic department or athletic facilities that has a commercial relationship with the institution-- (1) the multimedia rights holder shall provide a signed certification to the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated enforcement entity affirming that the institution in which the student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll is not the originating source of the compensation to be paid to the student athlete or prospective student athlete and that payment of the compensation is not coming directly or indirectly from the institution; (2) the third party or the sponsor, apparel company, or vendor benefitting from the name, image, and likeness of the student athlete or prospective student athlete shall provide a signed certification to the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated enforcement entity affirming that it is the originating source of the compensation to be paid to the student athlete, that it did not receive funds, directly or indirectly, from the institution in which the student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll for the purpose of financing the agreement, that the institution did not forgo funds due from the third party or the sponsor, apparel company, or vendor for the purpose of financing the agreement, and that the institution did not negotiate for and determine the amount of compensation to be paid to the student athlete or prospective student athlete through the agreement; and (3) the institution at which the student athlete is enrolled or plans to enroll, if required by the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated enforcement entity, shall provide a signed certification to the intercollegiate athletic association or its designated enforcement entity that the institution is not circumventing the revenue share cap through the name, image, and likeness agreement, or negotiating for and determining the amount of compensation to be paid to the student athlete or prospective student athlete through the agreement. (d) Valid Business Purpose.--Except for a name, image, and likeness agreement with an institution, a name, image, and likeness agreement with a student athlete shall be for a valid business purpose. (e) Payments to Coaches and Managers.-- (1) In general.--An institution described in paragraph (2) may not compensate or otherwise provide or promise any type of payment or benefit of more than $500,000 to any coach, assistant coach, general manager, or other person who coaches or manages a varsity sports team by using, diverting, budgeting, or otherwise obtaining funds from any source other than college sports revenue or a donation or contribution to the athletic department of the institution. (2) Institution described.--An institution described in this paragraph is an institution with more than $80,000,000 in total annual athletics revenue during the preceding academic year. (f) Institution Defined.--In this section, the term "institution" means-- (1) an institution of higher education, as that term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001); and (2) an institution that is a party to, through membership in a conference or otherwise, "In Re College Athlete NIL Litigation", No. 20-cv-03919 (N.D. Cal. June 6, 2025), or has opted in to the Injunctive Relief Settlement in that case. SEC. 115. CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL OF CONTINUATION OF REVENUE SHARE CAP AND RETENTION FUND. (a) Continuation Upon Congressional Approval.-- (1) Cessation absent approval.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), if the covered settlement agreement expires or terminates but no joint resolution of approval relating to the notice of the expiration or termination is enacted into law during the applicable congressional approval period, the provisions of section 114 relating to the revenue share cap, and, notwithstanding section 114(a)(2)(C), the retention fund, shall-- (A) in the case of an expiration-- (i) cease to have force or effect on the date of such expiration, if the applicable congressional approval period ends before that date; or (ii) if the applicable congressional approval period ends after the date of such expiration, at the end of the applicable congressional approval period; or (B) in the case of a termination, remain in effect without interruption notwithstanding such termination until, and cease to have force or effect at, the end of the applicable congressional approval period. (2) Continuation upon approval.--If a joint resolution of approval relating to the notice of the expiration or termination is enacted into law, the provisions of section 114 relating to the revenue share cap and, only if specified in the joint resolution of approval, the retention fund, in effect immediately before such expiration or termination or at the time the notice is provided to Congress pursuant to subsection (b), subject to paragraph (3), shall continue in effect without interruption beginning on the date of such expiration or termination. (3) Recalculation of revenue share cap dollar amount.--In the first 2 years following a continuation under paragraph (2), the revenue share cap shall increase by 4 percent each year over the previous year's amount. In the third year following a continuation under paragraph (2), and every 3 years thereafter, the revenue share cap shall be recalculated based on 22 percent of the Average Shared Revenue based on the most recent Membership Financial Reporting System Reports available, or, if the covered settlement agreement is modified, pursuant to the amendment provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement, pursuant to the calculation process in effect immediately before the expiration or termination of the covered settlement agreement or at the time the notice is provided to Congress pursuant to subsection (b). In each of the 2 years following each such recalculation, the revenue share cap shall increase by 4 percent each year over the previous year's amount. For purposes of this paragraph, all information used to calculate the revenue share cap pursuant to the covered settlement agreement, or as modified pursuant to the amendment provision specified in paragraph 55 of that settlement, shall be subject to a publicly available, independent third-party audit to verify the accuracy of such information for purposes of complying with this subsection. (b) Notice to Congress.-- (1) Scheduled expiration.--Not later than 180 calendar days before the date on which the covered settlement agreement is scheduled to expire, the defendant parties, or in the case of disagreement, a majority of defendant parties, to the covered settlement agreement shall transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written notice of the scheduled expiration. If the scheduled expiration date is established less than 180 calendar days before that date, any defendant party to the covered settlement agreement shall transmit the notice not later than 1 calendar day after the scheduled expiration date is established. (2) Early termination.--Not later than 1 calendar day after the date on which the defendant parties to the covered settlement become aware of a court order that provides for the termination of the covered settlement agreement before its scheduled expiration, any defendant party to the covered settlement agreement shall transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a written notice of the termination. (3) Contents.--A notice under this subsection shall include-- (A) the scheduled, expected, or actual date of the expiration or termination, if known, and the basis for the expiration or termination; and (B) the dollar amounts and material terms of the revenue share cap in effect, or expected to be in effect, immediately before the expiration or termination. (4) Date of receipt.--Congress receives a notice under this subsection on the date on which both the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives receive the notice. In the event a notice is not provided to Congress under this subsection, notice shall be deemed to have been received by Congress not later than 3 calendar days after the date of the expiration or termination of the covered settlement agreement. (5) Deemed receipt.--Notwithstanding paragraph (4), for purposes of this section, a notice required under this subsection received after the expiration or termination of the covered settlement agreement shall be deemed to have been received by Congress on the date on which covered settlement agreement expired or terminated. (c) Joint Resolution of Approval.-- (1) Applicable congressional approval period.--With respect to a notice under subsection (b), the term "applicable congressional approval period" means the 30-calendar-day period beginning on the date on which Congress receives the notice, except that the congressional approval period shall immediately terminate upon the passage a of a joint resolution of approval by the Senate and the House of Representatives. (2) Joint resolution of approval.--For purposes of this section, the term "joint resolution of approval" means only any joint resolution-- (A) that is introduced not later than 10 calendar days after the date on which Congress receives the notice under subsection (b) to which the joint resolution relates; (B) that does not have a preamble; (C) the title of which is either of the following: (i) "Joint resolution approving the continuation of the revenue share cap and retention fund under the Protect College Sports Act of 2026"; or (ii) "Joint resolution approving the continuation of the revenue share cap under the Protect College Sports Act of 2026"; and (D) the sole matter after the resolving clause of which is either of the following: (i) for a joint resolution with a title described in subparagraph (C)(i): "That Congress approves, under section 115 of the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, the continuation, after the expiration or termination described in the notice received by Congress on __________

Orders for Thursday, September 10, 2026, Through Monday, September 14, 2026

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Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate adjourns on Thursday, September 10, it stand adjourned until 3 p.m. on Monday, September 14; that following the prayer and pledge, the Journal of proceedings be approved to date, the morning hour be deemed expired, the time for the two leaders be reserved for their use later in the day, and the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each; further, at 5:30 p.m., the cloture motion with respect to the Byrne nomination ripen; finally, notwithstanding rule XXII, the cloture motion with respect to the motion to proceed to Calendar No. 423, H.R. 3633 ripen on Tuesday, September 15, at 2:15 p.m.

The PRESIDING OFFICER

Without objection, it is so ordered.

Adjournment Until Monday, August 10, 2026, at 10 A.m.

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