Dave McCormick legislative activity: October 4, 2025 - November 18, 2025

Reminder that there will be legislation in this post that originated prior to October 4, 2025, but that Dave McCormick only cosponsored after that date. See for example S.159, introduced January 21, 2025, cosponsored by McCormick on October 7, 2025.

S.Res.437 - A resolution honoring the pilots, maintainers, analysts, sailors, support aircraft, and families, among various other essential groups involved in the success of Operation Midnight Hammer.
Introduced October 6, 2025 by Eric Schmitt (R-MO). Cosponsored by twelve Republicans and no Democrats. Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent the same day. DAVE McCORMICK was original cosponsor.

S.159 - Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act. To designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization and impose certain sanctions on Ansarallah.
Introduced January 21, 2025 by Steve Daines (R-MT). Cosponsored by twenty Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on October 7, 2025. Still in committee.
Congress.gov summary: This bill requires (1) the Department of State to designate Ansarallah, the Iran-backed movement in Yemen also known as the Houthis, as a foreign terrorist organization; and (2) the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and any foreign person who is a member, agent, or affiliate of, or owned or controlled by, Ansarallah.

S.424 - Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025. To amend the Federal securities laws to enhance 403(b) plans.
Introduced February 5, 2025 by Katie Boyd (R-AL). Cosponsored by ten Republicans and nine Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on October 7, 2025.
Congress.gov summary: This bill allows 403(b) retirement plans (i.e., retirement plans designed for certain employees of public schools, charities, and churches) to invest in collective investment trusts, which are a group of pooled investment assets held by a bank or trust company, and in insurance company separate accounts.

S.Res.438 - A resolution condemning the brutal Hamas-led terrorist attack on the State of Israel on October 7, 2023, and supporting an outcome that ensures the forever survival of Israel, the complete denial of Hamas’s ability to reconstitute in the region, and the release of all the remaining hostages from the Gaza Strip, including two United States citizens.
Introduced October 7, 2025 by Joni Ernst (R-IA). Cosponsored by 51 Republicans and 1 Democrat (John Fetterman-PA). Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations the same day. DAVE McCORMICK was original cosponsor. Still in committee.

S.3002 - Pay Our Military Act of 2025. Making continuing appropriations for military pay in the event of a Government shutdown.
Introduced October 9, 2025 by Dan Sullivan (R-AK). Cosponsored by twenty Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Armed Services the same day. DAVE McCORMICK was original cosponsor.
October 30, 2025, discharged by Committee on Armed Services and referred to the Committee on Appropriations by unanimous consent. No movement in that committee. Stalled.
Congress.gov summary: This bill provides continuing appropriations for military pay for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for FY2026 are not in effect (i.e., a government shutdown).
Specifically, the bill provides FY2026 continuing appropriations for the pay and allowances of (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserve components, who perform active service during the period; and (2) civilian personnel and contractors of the Department of Defense (and the Department of Homeland Security in the case of the Coast Guard) who are providing support to such members of the Armed Forces.
If a government shutdown occurs, the bill provides the continuing appropriations until the earlier of (1) the enactment into law of specified appropriations legislation, or (2) January 1, 2027.

S.1027 - Military Spouse Hiring Act. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make employers of spouses of military personnel eligible for the work opportunity credit.
Introduced March 13, 2025 by Tim Kaine (D-VA). Cosponsored by 20 Republicans, 17 Democrats, and 2 Independents. Referred to the Committee on Finance the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on October 14, 2025. Still in committee.
From the bill: The term ‘qualified military spouse’ means any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being (as of the hiring date) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.

S.3012 - Shutdown Fairness Act. To appropriate funds for pay and allowances of excepted Federal employees for periods of work performed during a lapse in appropriations.
Introduced October 15, 2025 by Ron Johnson (R-WI). Cosponsored by thirteen Republicans and no Democrats. Immediately placed on Senate legislative calendar. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on October 20, 2025.
From October 21, 2025 to November 7, 2025, Senate Republicans sought to invoke cloture to limit debate on three separate occasions. The cloture vote failed all three times.
This bill was never referred to committee.
Congress.gov summary: This bill provides appropriations to pay federal employees who work during a government shutdown.
Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for federal agencies to provide standard rates of pay, allowances, pay differentials, benefits, and other payments to excepted employees for work performed during any period in which interim continuing appropriations or full-year appropriations are not in effect for a fiscal year (i.e., a government shutdown). An excepted employee is an employee who is required to work during a government shutdown.
Under current law, excepted employees are not paid until the government shutdown is over. This bill provides appropriations to pay excepted employees during a government shutdown. The bill also specifies that the term excepted employee includes certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty.
A federal agency may not use the funds provided by this bill during any period in which continuing appropriations are in effect for the purpose of paying excepted employees of the agency. The bill must take effect as if it had been enacted on September 30, 2025.
Note: From the National Treasury Employees Union Web site: The Senate also considered legislation today that would pay federal employees during the shutdown. The Shutdown Fairness Act (S.3012), introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), would pay federal employees who are currently working during the shutdown (not those who are furloughed), certain contractors who support federal employees during a government shutdown, and members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty. Due to concerns that the bill would allow the President to pick and choose who gets paid, the bill failed to advance by a vote of 54-45.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) asked unanimous consent (UC) to pass his bill, the True Shutdown Fairness Act (S.3039), which would pay all federal employees – both those excepted and furloughed – as well as servicemembers and federal contractors during the current shutdown and would also prevent the administration’s attempts at mass firings while the government is shut down. Senator Johnson objected to the UC request. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) then asked unanimous consent to pass his bill, the Military and Federal Employee Protection Act (S.3043), which would also pay all employees, both excepted and furloughed, members of the military and federal contractors, but only for the time period from Oct.1, to the date of enactment of the bill. Senator Johnson objected to that UC request as well.

S.Res.459 - A resolution honoring the strategic importance of the C5+1 diplomatic platform and recognizing the deepening partnership between the United States and the nations of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
Introduced October 21, 2025 by Steve Daines (R-MT). Cosponsored by Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Gary Peters (D-MI). Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations the same day.
On November 4, 2025, Committee on Foreign Relations discharged by unanimous consent. The same day, resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.

S.Res.461 - A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of October 20 to October 24, 2025, as “Careers in Energy Week.”
Introduced October 21, 2025 by DAVE McCORMICK (R-PA). Cosponsored by Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). Referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources the same day. Still in committee.

S.3030 - Pay Our Military Act of 2025. Making continuing appropriations for military pay in the event of a Government shutdown.
Introduced October 22, 2025 by Dan Sullivan (R-AK). Cosponsored by 21 Republicans and 1 Democrats (Ruben Gallego-AZ). Immediately placed on Senate legislative calendar. No movement. DAVE McCORMICK was original cosponsor.

S.1802 - CARGO Act of 2025 (Cease Animal Research Grants Overseas Act of 2025). To amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the National Institutes of Health from awarding any support for an activity or program that uses live animals in research unless the research occurs in the United States.
Introduced May 19, 2025 by Rick Scott (R-FL). Cosponsored by Rand Paul (R-KY), Dave McCormick (R-PA) on October 29, 2025, and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
From the bill: IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Director of NIH may not award any support, including any grant, contract, cooperative agreement, or technical assistance, for any activity or program that uses live animals in research unless the research occurs in the United States.
Comment: The objection centers on lack of inspection of foreign research laboratories.

S.3076 - Nitazene Control Act. To amend the Controlled Substances Act to permanently schedule the class of 2-benzylbenzimidazole-opioids known as nitazenes.
Introduced October 30, 2025 by DAVE McCORMICK (R-PA). Cosponsored by three Democrats and three Republicans. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary the same day. Still in committee.
From the bill: Unless specifically exempted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of a 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioid, or which contains the salts, isomers, and salts of isomers of a 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioid.

S.3080 - Nitazene Sanctions Act. To amend the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to address nitazene trafficking and to impose sanctions with respect to entities of the People’s Republic of China and foreign governments engaged in or contributing to opioid trafficking.
Introduced October 30, 2025 by Pete Ricketts (R-NE). Cosponsored by DAVE McCORMICK (R-PA) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO). Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: Not one mention of Venezuela… Hmmm.

S.3024 - Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025. To appropriate funds to ensure uninterrupted benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program.
Introduced October 21, 2025 by Josh Hawley (R-MO). Cosponsored by 15 Republicans, 14 Democrats, and 2 Independents. Referred to the Committee on Appropriations the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 3, 2025.
Comment: I will admit, I did not see Josh Hawley sponsoring a bill like this, nor would I have imagined it would have strong Republicans support. There are no gotchas. It does what it says. Even anticipating a second shutdown in January by making it applicable throughout 2026. Also retroactive, should the bill fail to pass immediately.

S.3093 - DETECT Nitazenes Act of 2025 (Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Nitazenes Act of 2025). To require the Science and Technology Directorate in the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Drug Enforcement Agency to develop greater capacity to detect, identify, and disrupt illicit substances, such as nitazenes, in very low concentrations.
Introduced November 3, 2025 by Eric Schmitt (R-MO). Cosponsored by three Democrats and two Republicans. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. DAVE McCORMICK was original cosponsor. Still in committee.

S.1705 - Chip Security Act. To require the Secretary of Commerce to issue standards with respect to chip security mechanisms for integrated circuit products.
Introduced May 8, 2025 by Tom Cotton (R-AR). Cosponsored by five Republicans and three Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 4, 2025. Still in committee.
Comment: Interesting. Six Republicans interested in guardrails and regulations for chip manufacturers. Good on them (and of course, the Democrats too).

S.3130 - Veterans TBI Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act of 2025. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out a program to award grants to eligible entities to develop, implement, and evaluate approaches and methodologies for prospective randomized control trials for neurorehabilitation treatments for the treatment of chronic mild traumatic brain injury in veterans.
Introduced November 6, 2025 by DAVE McCORMICK (R-PA). Cosponsored by Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Bernie Moreno (R-OH). Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: I wonder if this bill would be stronger if this research were carried out in coordination with existing TBI research required of professional sports organizations like the NFL. Instead of reinventing the wheel. Glad to see this legislation.

S.137 - FIND Act (Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act). To amend title 41, United States Code, to prohibit the Federal Government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm or ammunition industries.
Introduced January 16, 2025 by Steve Daines (R-MT). Cosponsored by 27 Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 6, 2025. Still in committee.
Comment: Same as H.R.45 - FIND Act (Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act). NRA lobby is working overtime.

S.1806 - Business Owners Protection Act of 2025. To terminate unused authorities of the Securities and Exchange Commission that were established pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
Introduced May 19, 2025 by Pete Ricketts (R-NE). Cosponsored by seven Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 6, 2025. Still in committee.
Comment: This bill would weaken the Securities and Exchange Commission. Just what we need. [\Sarcasm.]

S.3139 - VA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project Act of 2025. To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish the Zero Suicide Initiative pilot program of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Introduced November 6, 2025 by Jacky Rosen (D-NV). Cosponsored by DAVE McCORMICK (R-PA). Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: For the love of all things holy, please pass this bill. Or one that is even stronger. Stop pretending it’s not an issue.

S.3150 - GAIN AI Act of 2025 (Guaranteeing Access and Innovation for National Artificial Intelligence Act of 2025). To require entities seeking a license to export advanced artificial intelligence chips to countries of concern to certify that United States persons have priority in acquiring those chips.
Introduced November 6, 2025 by Jim Banks (R-IN). Cosponsored by three Democrats and two Republicans, including DAVE McCORMICK. Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: This bill also appears to prohibit sales of said chips to countries that are not “countries of concern,” with China at the top of that do-not-sell list.

S.Res.490 - A resolution affirming the critical importance of preserving the United States’ advantage in artificial intelligence and ensuring that the United States achieves and maintains artificial intelligence dominance.
Introduced November 6, 2025 by Christopher Coons (D-DE). Cosponsored by three Republicans (including DAVE McCORMICK) and two Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations the same day. Still in committee.

S.478 - Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025. To amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by John Kennedy (R-LA). Cosponsored by thirty Republicans. Referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 7, 2025.
On March 11, 2025, Committee on Veterans’ Affairs held a hearing. No link to that hearing. No reference to action taken. No movement since.
Congress.gov summary: 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.
Comment: The actual text of the bill states that this prohibition applies solely to background checks used for determination of payments to a beneficiary. Appears to have nothing to do with actual Second Amendment.

S.817 - Falun Gong Protection Act. To provide for the imposition of sanctions with respect to forced organ harvesting within the People’s Republic of China.
Introduced March 3, 2025 by Ted Cruz (R-TX). Cosponsored by eight Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 7, 2025. Still in committee.

S.961 - Protect Our Military Families’ 2nd Amendment Rights Act. To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to provide that a member of the Armed Forces and the spouse of that member shall have the same rights regarding the receipt of firearms at the location of any duty station of the member.
Introduced March 11, 2025 by Mike Rounds (R-SD). Cosponsored by eleven Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 10, 2025. Still in committee.
Congress.gov summary: This bill broadens the scope of allowable firearms transactions involving active-duty service members and their spouses.
Specifically, the bill allows a licensed gun dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States. Current law already allows a licensed dealer, importer, or manufacturer to sell or ship a firearm or ammunition to a member of the Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States.
The bill also specifies that, for purposes of federal firearms laws, a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or his or her spouse, is a resident of the state in which (1) the member or spouse maintains legal residence, (2) the permanent duty station of the member is located, and (3) the member maintains a home from which he or she commutes to the permanent duty station.
Comment: I feel quite certain the countries where our bases are located are thrilled about the possibility of this bill’s passing. [\Sarcasm.]

S.966 - Traveler’s Gun Rights Act. To amend chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, to define “State of residence” and “resident.”
Introduced March 11, 2025 by Mike Rounds (R-SD). Cosponsored by eleven Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 10, 2025. Still in committee.
Comment: Funny-not-funny, allows post office box as proof of residence for owning a firearm. (But not for voting.) NRA has been über-busy.

S.2690 - Safer Truckers Act of 2025. To amend title 49, United States Code, to require that commercial driver’s licenses be restricted to United States citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals authorized by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to engage in employment in the United States that includes driving a commercial motor vehicle.
Introduced September 3, 2025 by Ashley Moody (R-FL). Cosponsored by five Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 10, 2025. Still in committee.
Note: Current rule according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration: A foreign driver holding an employment authorization document or an unexpired foreign passport accompanied by an approved Customs and Border Protection (CBP) I-94 Arrival/Departure Record may obtain a non-domiciled CDL.
However, drivers who are citizens of Canada and Mexico are not eligible for non-domiciled CDLs because FMCSA has determined that commercial licenses issued by Canadian provinces and territories, and the United Mexican States, are in accordance with the standards established by our rules. Therefore, all Mexican and Canadian drivers must have an appropriate commercial license from his or her home country.
Finally, a foreign driver who is in this country on an employment authorization document or an unexpired foreign *8471 passport accompanied by an approved CBP I-94 Arrival/Departure Record may not obtain a resident CDL since he or she is not “domiciled” in a U.S. State, as defined in § 383.5 (“State of domicile”).
Comment: I’m not sure this does what those Republicans think it will do. Canadian and Mexican truck drivers don’t need a CDL issued by the USA. I don’t see that this bill changes that underlying fact.

S.3169 - UNLOCK Housing Act (Unleashing Needed Local Options to Construct and Keep Housing Act). To amend the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to expand new home construction.
Introduced November 10, 2025 by Andy Kim (D-NJ). Cosponsored by DAVE McCORMICK (R-PA). Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs the same day. Still in committee.

S.1404 - Combating Organized Retail Crime Act. To combat organized crime involving the illegal acquisition of retail goods and cargo for the purpose of selling those illegally obtained goods through physical and online retail marketplaces.
Introduced April 10, 2025 by Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Cosponsored by 29 Republicans and 12 Democrats. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 18, 2025. Still in committee.
Comment: The “Findings” section is interesting. If those facts check out as stated, the impact on the US economy is significant.
What I do not understand, however, is the bill’s provision that a new Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center, under DHS, be created. I thought Trump-2 was all about trimming fat and waste and eliminating new (and existing) agencies.

S.1675 - Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act. To amend title 18, United States Code, by adding an additional aggravating factor to be considered in determining whether a sentence of death is warranted.
Introduced May 8, 2025 by John Cornyn (R-TX). Cosponsored by fourteen Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 18, 2025. Still in committee.
Comment: I am disappointed that McCormick joined MAGA on this bill. The law as it stands should be more than sufficient.

S.1809 - Drone Espionage Act. To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit taking or transmitting video of defense information.
Introduced May 20, 2025 by Ashley Moody (R-FL). Cosponsored by twelve Republicans and one Democrats (Elissa Slotkin-MI). Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary the same day. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 18, 2025.
June 10, 2025, Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs held hearings. No link to hearings, nor was there any action afterward. No movement since June 10, 2025.
Comment: I can sort of understand Slotkin’s sponsorship, because of her background as CIA analyst and Department of Defense official. And in the good old days prior to Trump-2, perhaps I wouldn’t have had any qualms about this bill.
But with Trump-2 going after the smallest slight or deemed insult, I worry that what is NOT “defense information” may be categorized as such simply to prosecute someone on Trump’s enemy’s list.

S.1949 - Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act. To improve certain criminal provisions.
Introduced June 4, 2025 by Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Cosponsored by twelve Republicans and no Democrats. DAVE McCORMICK cosponsored on November 18, 2025. Still in committee.
Comment: There are three provisions of this bill unrelated to senators and representatives—Kidnapping, bank robberies, and providing candy-flavored controlled substances to minors. The other four provisions focus solely on the safety of senators, representatives, and all federal employees. Including firearms offenses. Irony is lost on them.

November 18, 2025 - Senate Section (Vol. 171, No. 194). Fascinating. Chuck Grassley’s rambling walk down memory lane ended with: “I ask unanimous consent to waive the mandatory quorum call with respect to the Nieh nomination.” DAVE McCORMICK rose to ask: “Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.” Which forced a roll call.
Chuck Schumer then spoke. “Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.” And it was so ordered.
Schumer then continued with explanation about the House’s passage of the Epstein bill. That speech ended with, “And so, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate receives H.R.4405, the Epstein Files Transparency Act, from the House, the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration, the bill be considered read three times and passed, with no intervening action or debate, and the motion to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.”
There were no objections, so Schumer concluded, “Mr. President, the Senate has now passed the Epstein bill as soon as it comes over from the House. I yield the floor.”
Jeff Merkley (D-OR), then rose. “Mr. President, hallelujah. Equal justice under law just took an enormous stride forward in this Senate Chamber.”
Who says there’s no drama in politics? When the cameras are off?

If this post helped you in your research, please consider leaving a tip here: TIP JAR.