Proposed legislation related to national security: September 26, 2025 – November 18, 2025

As a reminder: This includes Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard, ICE, Border Patrol, and Secret Service.

September 26, 2025 alert: Transcript available for May 20, 2025 hearing. “The Department of Homeland Security’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026.” Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Comment: I have a feeling that Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) may want to take back his opening words of praise for Kristi Noem.

S.2947 - Pray Safe Act of 2025. To establish a Federal Clearinghouse on Safety and Best Practices for Nonprofit Organizations, Faith-based Organizations, and Houses of Worship within the Department of Homeland Security.
Introduced September 30, 2025 by Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH). Cosponsored by six Democrats and five Republicans. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
From the bill: The Secretary [of the Department of Homeland Security], in consultation with the Attorney General, the Executive Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and the head of any other agency the Secretary determines appropriate, shall develop tiers for determining evidence-based best practices and recommendations that demonstrate a significant effect on improving safety and security of nonprofit organizations, including faith-based organizations, and houses of worship.

On October 8, 2025, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs received EC1993 from the Chairwoman, National Transportation Safety Board, transmitting, pursuant to law, the Board’s annual submission regarding agency compliance with the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act and revised Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-123.

S.2998 - To designate the area of H Street Northwest between Connecticut Avenue Northwest and Vermont Avenue Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as “Charlie Kirk Patriot Way.” (No short title.)
Introduced October 9, 2025 by Rick Scott (R-FL). Cosponsored by five Republicans and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Still in committee.
Comment: I am always relieved when I see legislation like this going nowhere.

On October 9, 2025, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation received eight executive communications from the Administrative Assistant, U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, reports of rules as follows:
EC2045, “Special Local Regulations; Recurring Marine Events; Sector St. Petersburg”; EC2046, “Anchorage Regulations; Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors, California”; EC2047, “Special Local Regulations; Galveston Channel, Galveston, Texas”; EC2048, “Safety Zone, Black River Bay, Sackets Harbor, New York”; EC2049, “Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Okeechobee Waterway, Stuart, Florida”; EC2050, “Safety Zone; Naval Salvage Operation, Apra Harbor, Guam”; EC2051, “Regulated Navigation Area; Illinois River, Naplate, Illinois”; EC2052, “Safety Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.”

On October 14, 2025, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs received EC2053 from the Associate General Counsel for General Law, Office of the General Counsel. Department of Homeland Security, transmitting, pursuant to law, three (3) reports relative to nominations, vacancies, designations of service in acting roles, discontinuations of service in acting roles and actions on nominations for positions covered by the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.

October 16, 2025 alert: October 23, 2025 meeting. 10:00AM(EDT) | 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held hearings to examine the nominations of Edward Forst, of Florida, to be Administrator of General Services, Charles Arrington, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority for a term expiring July 1, 2030, Paul Ingrassia, of New York, to be Special Counsel, Office of Special Counsel, for the term of five years, John Cuong Truong, Elana S. Suttenberg, and Stephen F. Rickard, each to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia for the term of fifteen years, William Kirk, of Maryland, to be Inspector General, Small Business Administration, Anthony D’Esposito, of New York, to be Inspector General, Department of Labor, and Platte Moring, of South Carolina, to be Inspector General, Department of Defense. Meeting Details.
Video is available. However, transcript and supporting documents not available as of January 27, 2026.

S.3026 - FALCON Act (Fast Action for Lawful Compliance with Oversight Needs Act of 2025). To amend chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code, to require cooperation with Inspector General requests.
Introduced October 21, 2025 by Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). No cosponsors. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
From the bill: Any officer or employee of a covered agency (including the head of such agency and any political appointee of such agency), grant recipient of a covered agency (or any subgrantee thereof at any tier), or contractor of a covered agency (or any subcontractor thereof at any tier) that receives a covered request from an Inspector General shall comply with such request not later than 60 days after receiving such request.
Comment: The bill also defines penalties for failure to comply. Penalties include removal or termination from position, suspension without pay, adverse contract action.

October 23, 2025 alert: PN127-2 - Coast Guard.
Actions: April (sic) 28, 2025: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. No detail provided. According to congress.gov, no action since April 28, 2025.
Comment: This appears to be incorrect. On July 23, 2025, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced an executive session of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for July 30, 2025. This PN127-2 was on the agenda, labeled as Coast Guard Promotions.
Not sure why there was an alert in October.

October 29, 2025 alert: November 5, 2025 meeting. 10:00AM(EST) | 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Business meeting of the Senate Committee for Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to consider the nominations of Edward Forst, of Florida, to be Administrator of General Services, Charles Arrington, of Illinois, to be a Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and John Cuong Truong, Elana S. Suttenberg, and Stephen F. Rickard, each of the District of Columbia, all to be an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Meeting Details.
Worried comment: The meeting details link above takes you to an 11:48 minute video (no transcript, no supporting documentation). The video is 11:48 of a blank screen.
To choose one of the presidential nominees at random: Charles Arrington’s speech for that hearing is available here. Effective January 6, 2026, he is indeed a member of the FLRA.
When was the hearing held? Are nominations now being considered behind closed doors?

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. Still in committee.
Comment: Not much to this bill. Simply amends existing legislation regarding fentanyl and xylazine by adding nitazene.

S.3100 - POST Act of 2025 (Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025). To direct the Director of the Federal Protective Service to establish processes to strengthen oversight, performance, and accountability of contract security personnel engaged in the protection of certain buildings and grounds.
Introduced November 4, 2025 by John Curtis (R-UT). Cosponsored by Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH) and Bernie Moreno (R-OH). Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day.
From the bill: Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Federal Protective Service shall establish processes to strengthen oversight, performance, and accountability of contract security personnel engaged in the protection of buildings and grounds that are owned, occupied, or secured by the General Services Administration Public Buildings Service.

S.3107 - USPS Act (Upholding a Secure Postal System Act). To require the Comptroller General of the United States to submit reports to Congress on theft of mail and United States Postal Service property.
Introduced November 5, 2025 by Ted Cruz (R-TX). Cosponsored by Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and no Democrats. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
From the bill: Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act and each year thereafter for 5 years, the Comptroller General of the United States shall investigate nationwide patterns and instances of theft of mail and United States Postal Service property and submit a report on each such investigation to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.
Comment: Ted Cruz has been riding this high horse since 2023 when he “sent several letters to the USPS demanding answers about mail theft around Galveston, Texas.” He claims it’s a real problem in Texas.
Personal observation: When my mother had her farm in Round Top, Texas (Fayette County, near La Grange, Texas), two ‘crime rings’ operated simultaneously in that county. The first, Black high school students keyed the cars of (white) fellow students after being called n***r. Those Black high school students were immediately arrested and spent six months in jail.
The same month, white high school students drove up and down farm-to-market roads demolishing USPS mailboxes, including my mother’s. Conservative guess, they destroyed probably fifty mailboxes.
The sheriff’s reaction: He contacted their parents and asked them to please make their boys stop destroying property. There was no restitution. My mother had to replace her mailbox at her own expense, as did all the other farmers affected.
The sheriff’s reasoning: “Boys will be boys.” My mother was furious. She refused to press charges when my brother's car was keyed, which meant that from that time on, my brother was known as a n***r lover in Round Top. At least it gave my mother a chance to quote Eleanor Roosevelt.
To see Cruz make this an issue is almost galling. Especially when the Postmaster of Galveston, Texas attributed the rash of thefts to the defunding of USPS Postal Police.

S.3109 - TRAFFIC Act of 2025 (Trafficker Restrictions for Aviation, Federal Freight, and Interstate Carriers Act of 2025). To amend titles 46 and 49, United States Code, to require that individuals who commit human trafficking violations be permanently disqualified from obtaining certain licenses issued by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Transportation.
Introduced November 5, 2025 by Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). Cosponsored by Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: The individuals convicted on human trafficking violations would not be eligible for the following license or certifications: Locomotive operators, train conductors, commercial driver’s license, pilot certification, and any license or certification related to the transportation of people.

S.3110 - STOP Human Trafficking Act (Supporting Transportation Operations that Prevent Human Trafficking Act). To update the Department of Transportation’s multimodal counter-trafficking training and awareness campaign and to award grants to all modes of transportation to address human trafficking awareness, education, and prevention efforts.
Introduced November 5, 2025 by Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). Cosponsored by Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Cornyn (R-TX). Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation the same day. Still in committee.
From the bill: Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish and implement an ongoing public awareness campaign that distributes public safety media messages, posters, digital media messages, and other media messages through States, partner organizations, and appropriate media outlets, such as social medial platforms, television, and radio, to encourage increased awareness regarding combating human trafficking along vulnerable routes, cities, and locations during major events, including conventions, trade shows, sporting events, concerts, and other events, such as the FIFA World Cup 26, 2028 Summer Olympics, and America250.
Comment: This is a surprisingly good bill. In addition to the awareness campaign cited above, it would authorize a two-year research project into human trafficking patterns, with the intention of stopping human trafficking at its source.

S.3121 - UBER Act (Understanding Basic English Requirements Act of 2025). To require English proficiency as a prerequisite for eligibility for ride share contracts.
Introduced November 6, 2025 by Tommy Tuberville (R-AL-Supposedly). No cosponsors. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: MAGA Republicans seem to be obsessed with English-language requirements. However, every such bill that I have seen fails to properly define what constitutes English language proficiency.

S.3134 - Combating Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals Act of 2025. To amend the Fentanyl Sanctions Act to address trafficking of copy-cat and counterfeit drugs and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Introduced November 6, 2025 by Tom Cotton (R-AR). Cosponsored by Pete Ricketts (R-NE). Referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: I put this piece of legislation both here and in the “health” section, because of its emphasis on “foreign drug traffickers,” with special focus on fentanyl and opioids. This bill specifically exempts medications that are “on the current drug shortage list maintained by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 506E of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.”
Which makes me wonder what good it is to the average US resident?

S.3141 - SAFE Act (Securing Assurance for Federal Employees Act). To prohibit Executive agencies from carrying out a reduction in force, or any similar effort, during any period during which there is a lapse in appropriations.
Introduced November 6, 2025 by Mark Warner (D-VA). Cosponsored by ten Democrats and no Republicans. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: In addition to making this applicable for future government shutdowns, Warner et al would make it retroactive to September 30, 2025, rendering any RIFs from the last shutdown “with no force or effect.”
On November 6, 2025, the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs received two executive communications from the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia, transmitting reports required by law. EC2107, “Special Education for Young Adults in the Custody of the Department of Corrections Second Temporary Amendment Act of 2025”; and, EC2108, “Volunteer Services Clarification Temporary Amendment Act of 2025.”

S.3158 - National Defense Supply Chain Integrity Act of 2025. To amend section 1260H of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 to clarify that the identification of Chinese military companies is not covered by the Administrative Procedure Act.
Introduced November 7, 2025 by Rick Scott (R-FL). No cosponsors. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.

S.3165 - True Shutdown Fairness Act. To appropriate funds for pay and allowances of Federal employees during the lapse in appropriations that began on October 1, 2025.
Introduced November 7, 2025 by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Cosponsored by Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and Tim Kaine (D-VA). referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: Interesting approach. Would require that all federal employees and contractors be paid for the time they were laid off due to government shutdown. And requires that these funds be added to the 2026 appropriations bill.

November 13, 2025 alert: November 19, 2025 hearing. 10:00AM(EST) | 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Hearings of the Senate Committee for Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to examine the nominations of Charlton Allen, of North Carolina, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, John Walk, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Agriculture, and Thomas Bell, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services. Meeting Details.
Video of the hearing is available. However, transcript and supporting documents are not available as of January 27, 2026.

November 13, 2025 alert: November 19, 2025 hearing. 11:00AM(EST) | 253 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Hearings of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to examine the nomination of Admiral Kevin Lunday, to be Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Meeting Details.
Video of the hearing is available. However, transcript and supporting documents are not available as of January 27, 2026. Note too that the meeting started an hour late.

November 14, 2025 alert: November 20, 2025 hearing. 10:00AM(EST) | 342 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. Hearings to examine the nominations of Charlton Allen, of North Carolina, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, John Walk, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Agriculture, and Thomas Bell, of Virginia, to be Inspector General, Department of Health and Human Services. Meeting Details.
Video of the hearing is available. However, transcript and supporting documents are not available as of January 27, 2026.
Note too that the meeting started 18 minutes late. It lasted exactly two minutes. There was no hearing. Republicans simply bulldozed the nominations through without a hearing.

H.R.6062 - To transfer administrative jurisdiction over certain parcels of federal land in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. (No short title.)
Introduced November 17, 2025 by Riley Moore (R-WV). Cosponsored by Carol Miller (R-WV), Mark Amodei (R-NV), and Michael Simpson (R-ID). Referred to the Natural Resources and Homeland Security and Ways and Means the same day. Still in committee.
Angry comment: This bill would transfer 71.51 acres of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for use as an Advanced Training Center! At no cost!

H.Res.881 - Condemning the recent attacks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Law Enforcement personnel and facilities.
Introduced November 17, 2025 by Jake Ellzey (R-TX). No cosponsors. Referred to the Homeland Security and Judiciary and Ways and Means the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: I am always surprised and relieved when noxious resolutions like this don’t make it out of committee.
On November 17, 2025, the Committee on Ways and Means received EC2229 from the Branch Chief, Border Security Regulations, Regulations and Rulings, Office of Trade, U.S. Customs and Boarder (sic) Protection, Department of Homeland Security, transmitting the Department’s final rule - Technical Amendment to List of User Fee Airports: Addition of Five Airports, Removal of One Airport.

H.R.1608 - Department of Homeland Security Vehicular Terrorism Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2025. To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to produce a report on emerging threats and countermeasures related to vehicular terrorism.
Introduced February 26, 2025 by Carlos Gimenez (R-FL). Cosponsored by Mark Green (R-TN) and Troy Carter (D-LA). Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security the same day. Referred to the following subcommittees also the same day: Counterterrorism and Intelligence; Transportation and Maritime Security.
Both subcommittees discharged to full committee on April 9, 2025. Full committee held a markup session the same day. Sent to the full House for a vote on August 8, 2025.
On November 17, 2025, considered under suspension of rules. Passed the House the same day, 400-15. On November 18, 2025 received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Still in committee.
Comment: I find it fascinating that the fifteen NAY votes in the House were hardcore MAGA Republicans: Andy Biggs, Lauren Boebert, Tim Burchett, Eric Burlison, Michael Cloud, Andrew Clyde, Elijah Crane, Paul Gosar, Glenn Grothman, Pat Harrigan, Andy Harris, Thomas Massie, Scott Perry, Chip Roy, and Keith Self. All the Democrats voted with the non-hardcore MAGA crowd.

H.R.2212 - DHS Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program and Law Enforcement Support Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the Intelligence Rotational Assignment Program.
Introduced March 18, 2025 by Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA). Cosponsored by Michael Guest (R-MS), Gave Evans (R-CO), and August Pfluger (R-TX). Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security the same day. Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Subcommittee held a markup session on March 25, 2025. Full committee held a markup session on September 3, 2025. Sent to the full House for a vote on September 3, 2025.
On November 17, 2025, considered under suspension of rules. Passed the House the same day, voice vote only. On November 18, 2025 received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Still in committee.
Comment: This is 100% of the bill—Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) Intelligence Community Civilian Joint Duty Program.—The Secretary shall require all components of the Department that are members of the DHS Intelligence Enterprise to participate in the ODNI Intelligence Community Civilian Joint Duty Program in a manner consistent with the policies established by the Director of National Intelligence for the Program.

H.R.2261 - Strengthening Oversight of DHS Intelligence Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to enhance the Department of Homeland Securitys (sic) oversight of certain intelligence matters.
Introduced March 21, 2025 by Res. Comm. Pablo Hernández (D-PR). Cosponsored by Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Gabe Evans (R-CO). Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security the same day. Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence. Subcommittee held a markup session on March 25, 2025. Full committee held a markup session on September 3, 2025. Sent to the full House for a vote on September 3, 2025.
On November 17, 2025, considered under suspension of rules. Passed the House the same day, voice vote only. On November 18, 2025 received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Still in committee.
Comment: Although this bill expands the scope of DHS duties (which I don’t like), it does contain the following provision: DHS must “provide training to intelligence personnel on civil rights and civil liberties, with a focus on personnel who have authority to disseminate information analyzed by the Department…”

H.R.2659 - Strengthening Cyber Resilience Against State-Sponsored Threats Act. To ensure the security and integrity of United States critical infrastructure by establishing an interagency task force and requiring a comprehensive report on the targeting of United States critical infrastructure by People’s Republic of China state-sponsored cyber actors.
Introduced April 7, 2025 by Andrew Ogles (R-TN). Cosponsored by Mark Green (R-TN), Laurel Lee (R-FL), John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY). Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security the same day. Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection the same day. Subcommittee discharged to full committee on April 9, 2025. Full committee held a markup session on April 9, 2025. Sent to the full House for a vote on August 15, 2025.
On November 17, 2025, considered under suspension of rules. Passed the House the same day, 402-8. As with H.R.1608 above, only MAGA Republicans voted NAY: Andy Biggs, Lauren Boebert, Eric Burlison, Elijah Crane, Mike Kennedy, Thomas Massie, Ralph Norman, and Chip Roy.
On November 18, 2025 received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Still in committee.
Congress.gov summary: The bill creates a joint interagency task force to facilitate agency collaboration on efforts to respond to Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors, including Volt Typhoon.
The task force must be established and led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The task force must facilitate collaboration and coordination among the Sector Risk Management Agencies (SRMAs) specified in the President's National Security Memorandum- 22 (e.g., the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture) to detect, analyze, and respond to Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors by ensuring that such agencies’ actions are aligned and mutually reinforcing.
The bill directs DHS, CISA, the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and specified SRMAs to provide the task force with analysis, inspections, audits, and other relevant information necessary for the task force to carry out its responsibilities. The production and use of information must comply with all applicable statutes, regulations, and executive orders, and task force members must have appropriate security clearances to access classified information.
The task force must provide annual reports and briefings to Congress detailing its assessment of cyber threats and recommendations to improve the detection and mitigation of the cybersecurity threat posed by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors…

H.R.5078 - PILLAR Act. To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reauthorize the State and local cybersecurity grant program of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency of the Department of Homeland Security.
Introduced September 2, 2025 by Andrew Ogles (R-TN). Cosponsored by Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Gabe Evans (R-CO), and Eugene Vindman (D-VA). Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security the same day. Referred to the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection the same day. Subcommittee discharged to full committee on September 3, 2025. Full committee held a markup session on February 3, 2025. Sent to the full House for a vote on November 12, 2025.
On November 17, 2025, considered under suspension of rules. Passed the House the same day, by voice vote only. On November 18, 2025 received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Still in committee.
Congress.gov summary: This bill extends the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program through FY2035, expands the scope of the program, and imposes certain limits on the use of grant funds. (The program provides grants to states and Indian tribes to address cybersecurity risks to government information systems.)
The bill expands the scope of systems that may be secured using grant funds to include operational technology systems and specifies that systems using artificial intelligence are included. Such systems must be maintained, owned, or operated by or on behalf of state, local, or tribal governments. The bill also specifies that grant funds may not be used to purchase software, hardware, or related products or services that do not align with relevant guidance provided by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Further, the bill increases the federal share of costs available to entities that implement or enable multifactor authentication and identity and access management tools for critical infrastructure by a specified date. The bill requires annual reports by grant recipients to include a description of recipients’ progress in assuming the cost of continuing cybersecurity programs after grant funds are fully expended.
The Government Accountability Office must periodically review the program. This effort must include a review of artificial intelligence adoption across a sample of grants.
Finally, CISA must implement an outreach plan to inform local governments, including governments in rural areas or areas with small populations, about CISA’s no-cost cybersecurity offerings.
Comment: It would be funny, if it were not so sad, that this bill essentially codifies parts of Pres. Biden’s executive orders that Pres. Trump rescinded, even expanding to non-governmental entities.

S.3175 - CIPZIP Act of 2025 (Community Involvement in Zone Improvement Plans Act of 2025). To establish a pilot program for ZIP Code boundary changes.
Introduced November 18, 2025 by James Lankford (R-OK). No cosponsors. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: This bill would allow USPS to enter into an agreement with an agency of a State government, local government, or Tribal government “to receive money, property, or services to defray part or all of the net costs, if any, in conjunction with a request for a ZIP Code boundary change or realignment.”
Oh great. Another way that state and local money gets to subsidize federal work.

S.3176 - To direct the United States Postal Service to designate single, unique ZIP Codes for certain Oklahoma communities. (No short title.)
Introduced November 18, 2025 by James Lankford (R-OK). Cosponsored by Markwayne Mullin (R-OK). Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: This would provide new ZIP codes for Hochatown and North Enid, Oklahoma.

S.3190 - Fire Innovation Unit Act of 2025. To direct the establishment of a public-private wildfire technology deployment and demonstration partnership.
Introduced November 18, 2025 by Ben Ray Luján (D-NM). Cosponsored by John Curtis (R-UT). Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
From the bill: Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretaries shall establish a deployment and demonstration pilot program for new and innovative wildfire prevention, detection, communication, response, and mitigation technologies.
Comment: The “Secretaries” mentioned include—each Federal land management agency; the Department of Defense; the Bureau of Indian Affairs; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the United States Fire Administration; the General Services Administration; a State, Tribal, county, or municipal fire department, fire district, land management agency, natural resources agency, or equivalent agency operating through the United States Fire Administration or pursuant to an agreement with a Federal agency; and, any other Federal agency involved in wildfire response.
I understand their intent, but this seems impractical. It’s hard enough getting two agencies to cooperate. Ten plus? Unlikely.

S.3191 - Stop Ballroom Bribery Act. To prevent corruption by appropriately limiting donations for any public property, building, or fixture at the White House, the Naval Observatory, or certain other public property, for events on such property, or for monuments to living current or former Presidents, current or former Vice Presidents, or current or former employees or officers appointed by the President.
Introduced November 18, 2025 by Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). Cosponsored by six Democrats and no Republicans. Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs the same day. Still in committee.
Comment: Yes, this is also in separation of powers. It is here as well, because Sen. Warren recognized that these grifts are a way for foreign governments to bribe the president, vice president, and members of the executive branch. If you are a legislative nerd, please be sure to read this bill. It’s a masterpiece.

PN658 - Coast Guard nominations. There are 8 nominations: Capt. Matthew T. Brown, Capt. Jonathan A. Carter, Capt. Robert C. Compher, Capt. Dorothy J. Hernaez, Capt. Christopher J. Hulser, Capt. Andrew D. Meverden, Capt. Blake L. Novak, and Capt. Torrence B. Wilson.
Received from the president on November 18, 2025. Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation the same day. Apparently no hearings have been held as of January 27, 2026.

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