John Kennedy

A bill to provide for the modernization of electronic case management systems, and for other purposes.

The federal court system would receive funding and authorization to upgrade its outdated computer systems for managing legal cases, making it easier for judges, lawyers, and court staff to access and process case information electronically. These modernized systems would help courts operate more efficiently and reduce paperwork, potentially speeding up how quickly cases move through the judicial system. The bill affects anyone involved in federal court proceedings, including litigants, attorneys, and court employees.

PATCH Act

Medical debt would no longer appear on credit reports that lenders and other companies use to decide whether to give people loans or credit. This change would prevent unpaid medical bills from damaging someone's credit score, which currently can make it harder to get a mortgage, car loan, or credit card. The proposal affects consumers who have medical debt and the credit reporting agencies that compile financial information about borrowers.

A resolution withholding the pay of Senators if a Government shutdown occurs.

If the federal government shuts down because Congress can't agree on a budget, this resolution would stop paying senators until the shutdown ends. The goal is to pressure lawmakers to reach a deal quickly by making them feel the financial pain that federal workers and the public experience during a shutdown. This would apply only to senators, not House members or other government employees.

Affordable Insulin Now Act of 2026

The bill would cap what people with private insurance have to pay out-of-pocket for insulin at a set amount, making the medication more affordable for diabetics. It would also create a program to help uninsured people get discounted insulin directly from doctors' offices and pharmacies. Together, these changes aim to reduce the financial burden of insulin for both insured and uninsured Americans who need it to manage their diabetes.

VICTIM Act of 2026

The federal government would create a new grant program that gives money to law enforcement agencies to help them solve violent crimes more quickly and effectively by using new investigative techniques and technology. Police departments could use these grants to purchase equipment, train officers, and implement new methods for investigating murders, assaults, and other serious violent offenses. The Attorney General would oversee the program and decide which law enforcement agencies receive funding.

Stuck On Hold Act

Stuck On Hold Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement automated systems for their customer phone lines that inform callers of the expected wait time and that offer callbacks for wait times of more than 10 minutes. The VA must also issue guidance to reduce the average wait time to no more than 10 minutes.

A bill to amend title 31, United States Code, to require only foreign entities to report beneficial ownership information, and for other purposes.

The bill would change federal reporting requirements so that only foreign-owned companies have to disclose who actually owns and controls them, while exempting U.S.-based companies from the same disclosure rules. Currently, both domestic and foreign entities face similar beneficial ownership reporting requirements designed to prevent money laundering and financial crimes. This change would affect banks, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies that rely on ownership information to verify the legitimacy of business transactions.

Russia’s War on Faith Act

The government would be required to investigate and report on how Russia is restricting religious freedom in Ukraine, and the President would then impose financial sanctions against foreign individuals and organizations found responsible for these violations. The State Department and Defense Department would work together to document these abuses and identify who should face penalties like frozen assets and trade restrictions. This would give the U.S. a tool to punish those involved in suppressing religious practices in Ukraine.

A bill to prohibit the Export-Import Bank of the United States from providing financing to persons with seriously delinquent tax debt.

This bill prohibits the Export-Import Bank of the United States from providing financing to a person with seriously delinquent tax debt or for a project in which any participant has seriously delinquent tax debt. The bill allows the President to waive this prohibition if the President (1) determines that there are urgent and compelling circumstances significantly affecting U.S. interests that require the financing to be provided; and (2) submits to Congress, within 30 days after making the determination, a report that includes the rationale for the determination and relevant supporting information.

Diego Garcia Treaty Oversight Act

This bill would establish congressional oversight of agreements and arrangements involving Diego Garcia, a U.S. military base in the Indian Ocean that has been a subject of diplomatic disputes. The legislation would require the State Department and Defense Department to report to Congress on any treaties, leases, or deals related to the island, ensuring lawmakers have visibility into how the U.S. manages this strategically important territory. The measure affects military operations, diplomatic relations with countries in the region, and how the U.S. handles its overseas military installations.

National Domestic Preparedness Consortium Reauthorization Act

This bill would renew and continue funding for the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium, a network of universities and organizations that trains emergency responders like firefighters, police officers, and emergency managers in how to handle disasters and terrorist attacks. The training programs help first responders across the country prepare for and respond to emergencies more effectively. The bill essentially keeps this existing training program running by reauthorizing its legal authority and funding.

Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board Reform Act of 2026

This bill would make changes to how the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board operates, which is the organization that sets rules for trading bonds issued by cities, states, and local governments. The reforms likely aim to improve oversight, transparency, or efficiency in the municipal bond market, which affects investors, local governments seeking to borrow money, and the financial firms that buy and sell these bonds.

Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act

Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act This bill permanently allows the Department of the Treasury to access certain death records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to facilitate the identification and prevention of improper payments (e.g., payments to deceased individuals). Current law requires the SSA to share its Death Master File with the Do Not Pay system maintained by Treasury for three years. The bill makes this requirement permanent.

Close the Shadow Banking Loophole Act

This bill would require non-bank financial companies like private equity firms and hedge funds to follow similar lending and borrowing rules as traditional banks, closing what supporters call a "shadow banking" loophole that allows these firms to operate with less government oversight. The measure would affect investment firms, lenders, and potentially borrowers who use these alternative financial services by bringing them under stricter federal regulation and transparency requirements. The goal is to reduce financial risks that could harm the broader economy if these large, loosely-regulated firms face problems.

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025 This act revises the federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association to shift authority from the charter to the bylaws. Specifically, it makes the following changes: removes the requirement for the foundation to be incorporated and domiciled in the District of Columbia; requires the board of directors to decide, and specify in the bylaws, the location of the principal office; specifies that the bylaws—not the charter—must provide for the terms of membership, the responsibilities of the board of directors, and the election of officers; prohibits a director or officer, in his or her corporate capacity, from contributing to, supporting, or participating in political activities; allows income and assets of the corporation to be used to reasonably compensate or reimburse expenses of an officer, director, or member; to award a grant to the Federal Bar Association chapter of an officer, director, or member; and to reasonably compensate employees; expands a prohibition on loans for directors and officers to include members and employees; and specifies that on dissolution or final liquidation, any remaining assets must be distributed as provided by the board of directors instead of deposited in the Treasury.

Greenlighting Growth Act

This bill likely aims to reduce financial regulations or streamline approval processes for banks and financial companies to encourage lending and economic growth. The specific changes would affect how banks operate, potentially making it easier for them to lend money to businesses and consumers, though the exact provisions aren't yet clear from the title alone. Financial institutions and borrowers would be the primary groups impacted by any regulatory changes included in the legislation.

Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025

The legislation would establish new safeguards to prevent foreign governments and entities from improperly influencing U.S. court proceedings and judicial decisions. It likely includes measures to identify and restrict foreign involvement in lawsuits, protect sensitive court information from foreign access, and enhance security around judicial operations. The bill would affect courts, judges, attorneys, and potentially any parties involved in litigation who might face increased scrutiny regarding foreign connections.

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service relating to "Record of Decision for the Barred Owl Management Strategy; Washington, Oregon, and California".

This resolution would reject a federal wildlife management plan that allows the killing of barred owls in Washington, Oregon, and California as a way to protect the threatened northern spotted owl. The measure failed in the Senate, meaning the Fish and Wildlife Service's owl management strategy will remain in effect. Environmental groups and wildlife managers have disagreed over whether killing barred owls is the right approach to save the spotted owl population.

Pay the People Act

The bill would ensure that federal employees continue receiving paychecks during government shutdowns when Congress fails to pass a budget, rather than being forced to work without pay or being furloughed. This would protect the roughly 2 million federal workers—including military personnel, Social Security administrators, and other government staff—from financial hardship when political disagreements delay funding decisions. The measure aims to prevent the recurring cycle where essential government workers bear the cost of budget disputes between lawmakers.

Withhold Member Pay During Shutdowns Act

This bill would stop members of Congress from receiving their paychecks whenever the federal government shuts down due to a budget disagreement. The goal is to pressure lawmakers to reach budget deals quickly by making them personally feel the financial impact of a shutdown, rather than having taxpayers bear all the consequences while Congress still gets paid.

District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act

District of Columbia Judicial Nominations Reform Act This bill terminates the District of Columbia (DC) Judicial Nomination Commission. Currently, the commission recommends to the President nominees for judges for DC's Superior Court and Court of Appeals, who must then be confirmed by the Senate. The commission also appoints the chief judges for these courts. The bill terminates the commission's involvement in nominations and requires the President to appoint the chief judges.

Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business Act

This bill would help service-disabled veterans start and grow their own businesses by expanding access to federal contracting opportunities and small business support programs. Veterans with service-connected disabilities would get priority consideration when the government awards contracts and would have easier access to loans, training, and other resources designed to help small business owners succeed. The goal is to recognize veterans' service while creating economic opportunities for those who have been injured or disabled while serving in the military.

Improving Mental Health Access for Students Act

The proposal would expand mental health services and counseling available to students in schools, making it easier for young people to access support for depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. It would likely increase funding for school counselors and mental health professionals, helping schools hire more staff to meet student needs. Students and their families would benefit from having better access to mental health care during the school day without having to seek services elsewhere.

FIGHT Act of 2025

Based on the vague title and referral to the agriculture committee, this bill likely addresses animal welfare or protection issues, though the specific focus isn't clear from the title alone. The bill may establish new regulations or enforcement mechanisms related to animal treatment, potentially affecting farmers, pet owners, animal shelters, or wildlife management practices. Without more detailed information about the bill's contents, the exact scope of who would be impacted and what specific changes would occur remains unclear.

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management relating to "Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources".

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) titled Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources and published on September 3, 2024. The rule requires operators and lessees conducting oil and gas exploration or development on the Outer Continental Shelf and that are seeking BOEM approval for such activities to also provide BOEM with an archaeological report for the area of potential effects. The report must identify potential archaeological resources (material remains of human life or activities that are at least 50 years old and that are of archaeological interest) on the sea floor. The rule modified regulations that only required such a report when a BOEM regional director has reason to believe that an archaeological resource may be present in the lease area.

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025 This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from transmitting certain information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms. Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from transmitting personally identifying information of a veteran or a beneficiary to the NICS solely on the basis that such veteran or beneficiary has an appointed fiduciary to manage their benefits, unless there is an order or finding of a judicial authority that such veteran or beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others.

Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act

Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act The bill establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukrainian Military, Economic, and Humanitarian Aid. The office's duties shall include (1) conducting and coordinating audits and investigations of the handling of funds made available for aid to Ukraine, and (2) monitoring and reviewing contracts and reconstruction activities involving those funds. The Special Inspector General shall report directly to, and be under the general supervision of, the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. Federal agencies may not prevent the office from carrying out any audit or investigation related to aid to Ukraine. However, the office is not authorized to audit or investigate the intelligence community. The office shall terminate 180 days after the date on which there is less than $250 million in unexpended amounts available for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

LEOSA Reform Act

LEOSA Reform Act This bill broadens the authority for certain individuals to carry concealed firearms in school zones and across state lines. Specifically, the bill exempts the following categories of individuals from the federal prohibition on possessing (or discharging) a firearm in a school zone: certain active and retired law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry concealed firearms under federal law, and individuals who are allowed to carry concealed firearms under the law of a state. Additionally, the bill allows qualified active and retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms and ammunition (including magazines) in national parks; on state, local, or private property that is open to the public; and in certain federal facilities that are open to the public. Finally, the bill permits states to reduce the frequency with which retired law enforcement officers must meet certain qualification standards.

Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act

Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act This bill requires the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation within the Securities and Exchange Commission to report on issues encountered by rural-area small businesses.

Small Business Disaster Damage Fairness Act of 2025

This bill would change how small businesses get disaster relief after hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, or other major disasters, likely by making it easier for them to qualify for federal aid or receive larger assistance amounts. The legislation aims to address situations where small business owners struggle to recover after disasters strike their communities. Small business owners and their employees would be the primary beneficiaries of any changes to disaster assistance programs.