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S.Res. 737Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)Passed Congress

A resolution supporting Senate military-connected fellowship opportunities, and for other purposes.

Sponsored by Deb FischerSen. Deb Fischer (R-NE)
Introduced June 17, 2024

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 5:24 PM UTC

The resolution creates a central "Stars of Valor Fellowships Program" to coordinate Senate fellowship opportunities for military‑connected individuals, including Gold Star families, the McCain‑Mansfield program, and a new fellowship for active‑duty military spouses. It directs the Senate Sergeant at Arms to set up the program by the end of 2024, subject to funding, and tasks the Senate Rules and Administration Committee with writing the eligibility and placement rules. The bill also clarifies that fellows’ pay does not count toward Senate staff compensation limits.

Key Provisions

  • Establishes the Stars of Valor Fellowships Program to oversee multiple military‑connected Senate fellowships, to be created by Dec. 31, 2024 if funds are available.
  • Lists the specific fellowship programs that will be included, such as the Gold Star Family Fellowship, the McCain‑Mansfield Fellowship, and a new Active‑Duty Military Spouses Fellowship.
  • Defines "eligible individual" for each program and sets a 24‑month fellowship term in a Senator’s office in D.C. or a state office.
  • Requires the Senate Rules and Administration Committee to issue regulations on eligibility criteria and how to prioritize placements when slots are limited.
  • Excludes fellows’ compensation from the aggregate staff compensation caps for Senators.
  • Amends prior Senate resolutions to remove outdated language (paragraph (3) in each referenced program).

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
SenateFloor Latest Action

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4117; text: CR S4117)

June 17, 2024

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

June 17, 2024

SenateFloor

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4117; text: CR S4117)

June 17, 2024

Floor Debate

2 members

What members said about S.Res. 737 on the floor

2 Democrats
Tina Smith
Sen. Tina SmithD-MN · Jun 17, 2024

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 737, which is at the desk. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to and that the motion…

Record
Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Amy KlobucharD-MN · Jul 11, 2024

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to have printed in the Congressional Record updated U.S. Senate fellowship regulations.

Record

Bill Text

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Agreed to SenateIssued June 17, 2024

III

118th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 737

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 17, 2024

Mrs. Fischer (for herself and Ms. Klobuchar) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Supporting Senate military-connected fellowship opportunities, and for other purposes.

1.

Stars of Valor Fellowships program

(a)

Definitions

In this section—

(1)

the term eligible individual means an individual who meets the eligibility criteria established under subsection (d)(1)(A);

(2)

the term Program means the Stars of Valor Fellowships Program established under subsection (b); and

(3)

the term Sergeant at Arms means the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.

(b)

Establishment

(1)

In general

Not later than December 31, 2024, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Sergeant at Arms shall establish a central program, to be known as the Stars of Valor Fellowships Program, to enable eligible individuals to serve in the military-connected fellowship programs of the Senate.

(2)

Components

The Program shall oversee and provide fellowships through—

(A)

the SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program established under section 1 of Senate Resolution 442 (117th Congress), agreed to November 4, 2021;

(B)

the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program established under section 1 of Senate Resolution 443 (117th Congress), agreed to November 4, 2021;

(C)

the Active-Duty Military Spouses Fellowship Program established under section 2; and

(D)

any additional military-connected fellowship program for eligible individuals established in regulations promulgated by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.

(c)

Fellowships

Under a fellowship in the Program, an eligible individual may serve a 24-month fellowship in the office of a Senator.

(d)

Administration

(1)

In general

The Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate shall promulgate regulations for the administration of the Program, including establishing the criteria for—

(A)

eligibility to participate in the fellowship programs described in subsection (b)(2); and

(B)

a method of prioritizing the assignment of fellowships to the offices of Senators under the Program, if the amount made available to carry out the Program for a fiscal year is not enough to provide fellowships in all offices requesting to participate in the Program for such fiscal year.

(2)

Placement

An eligible individual may serve in a fellowship under the Program at the office of a Senator in the District of Columbia or at a State office of the Senator.

(e)

Exclusion of appointees for purposes of compensation limits

The compensation paid to any eligible individual serving in a fellowship under the Program in the office of a Senator shall not be included in the determination of the aggregate gross compensation for employees employed by the Senator under section 105(d)(1) of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1968 (2 U.S.C. 4575(d)(1)).

(f)

Applicability

The requirements of this section shall apply to all fellowship programs described in subsection (b)(2).

(g)

Technical and conforming amendments

(1)

SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program

Section 1(d) of Senate Resolution 442 (117th Congress), agreed to November 4, 2021, is amended by striking paragraph (3).

(2)

McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program

Section 1(d) of Senate Resolution 443 (117th Congress), agreed to November 4, 2021, is amended by striking paragraph (3).

2.

Active-Duty Military Spouses Fellowship Program

(a)

Definitions

In this section—

(1)

the term eligible individual means an individual who—

(A)

is, as of the date of application for the Program, a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty; and

(B)

meets any other eligibility criteria established for the Program by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate under section 1(d)(1)(A);

(2)

the term Program means the Active-Duty Military Spouses Fellowship Program established under subsection (b); and

(3)

the term Sergeant at Arms means the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate.

(b)

Establishment

Not later than December 31, 2024, and subject to the availability of appropriations, the Sergeant at Arms shall establish a fellowship program, to be known as the Active-Duty Military Spouses Fellowship Program, for eligible individuals.

(c)

Administration

The Sergeant at Arms shall carry out the Program through the Stars of Valor Fellowships Program under section 1.