Legislation

The "Mortgage Rate Reduction Act" aims to make homeownership more accessible by encouraging the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to insure or guarantee second mortgages when they already insure the first mortgage, facilitating easier mortgage assumption for new buyers. It also mandates these agencies to disclose information about properties with government-backed mortgages, including property addresses and loan origination dates, on publicly accessible websites.

This bill amends the Defense Base Act to exclude Guam from being considered a U.S. territory or possession outside of the continental United States for the purposes of the Act.

The "Build Housing with Care Act of 2025" aims to increase access to affordable housing and child care by establishing a grant program that encourages the co-location of housing and child care services. The program will provide competitive grants to eligible entities for the design, construction, or renovation of facilities that combine housing and child care. It prioritizes entities operating in child care deserts or serving low-income families. The Act also requires a study on child care access for public housing residents and authorizes $100,000,000 annually from 2026-2031 for the grant program.

The GORAC Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive review of federal agencies and programs every 10 years to identify duplication, waste, or outdated functions. A non-Federal auditor will make recommendations for realignment or elimination, with the goal of streamlining government operations and saving taxpayer money. The Comptroller General will then submit these recommendations to Congress, along with proposed legislation to implement the changes and ensure that savings are used to reduce the national debt. Congress will then be required to consider the proposed legislation under expedited procedures.

This resolution condemns the United States' rejection of a United Nations resolution that condemned Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. It reaffirms the illegality of Russia's actions in Ukraine, dating back to 2014. The resolution supports the UN's call for a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the region.

The "Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act" mandates the Secretary of State to report to Congress on whether certain Mexican drug cartels meet the criteria to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations, and to designate those that meet the criteria as such. This report must include detailed justifications for any cartel not designated. The Act does not expand asylum eligibility based on these designations.

The "Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025" authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his civil rights contributions, loyalty, patriotism, and dedication to justice and equality. The Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the gold medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution after the award presentation. Additionally, the Act allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs.

The "Counter SNIPER Act" mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security provide presidential candidates with a written justification if they are deemed ineligible for Secret Service protection, allowing candidates to request reconsideration. This bill also requires Senate confirmation of the Director of the United States Secret Service.

The "Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act" prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from providing financial assistance to individuals and businesses convicted of financial misconduct related to COVID-19 relief programs. This includes those convicted of making false statements to obtain covered loans or grants. The prohibition excludes assistance under section 7(b) of the Small Business Act and does not apply to contracts or agreements entered into before the enactment of this law.

This bill, known as the "PSA Screening for HIM Act," mandates that group health plans and health insurance issuers provide coverage for prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk men, including African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, starting in 2025. The goal is to improve early detection and survival rates for those at higher risk of developing prostate cancer. This bill ensures coverage aligns with current recommendations for breast cancer screening and prevention, while also allowing plans to offer additional services.

The Rural Small Business Resilience Act ensures individuals in rural areas have full access to disaster assistance provided by the Small Business Administration. It requires the SBA to provide targeted outreach and marketing to individuals in rural areas to increase awareness of available disaster assistance. The SBA must complete these actions within one year. The bill also makes a technical correction to the Small Business Act.

The "Stopping Pharmas Ripoffs and Drug Savings For All Act" aims to prevent pharmaceutical companies from extending drug patents improperly. It amends patent law to presume patent term disclaimers in certain cases, requiring patent holders to prove patents cover distinct inventions to avoid this. The bill directs the USPTO to review and improve patent examination procedures to prevent improper patent extensions and report findings to the House Judiciary Committee.

The SERV Act aims to support veteran entrepreneurship by requiring reports on the Veterans Interagency Task Force's activities and a plan for outreach to veteran-focused business programs. Additionally, it directs the Comptroller General to analyze the access to credit for small businesses owned by veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists, and their spouses, identifying obstacles and gaps in available resources. The Act stipulates that no additional funds will be allocated for its implementation.

The "Expanding Access to High-Impact Tutoring Act of 2025" aims to improve student academic achievement by providing grants to state educational agencies for tutoring programs in elementary and secondary schools. These programs will be implemented by local educational agencies, prioritizing those with high numbers of Title I students or significant learning loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An Advisory Board will be established to oversee program implementation, evaluate program effectiveness, and develop a nationwide tutoring workforce. The Act emphasizes high-quality tutoring, tutor training, and collaboration with research organizations to ensure programs are effective and aligned with student needs.

The Aviation-Impacted Communities Act aims to mitigate the impact of aviation noise and pollution on communities near airports. It expands eligibility for noise mitigation funding, establishes community boards to address local concerns, and requires the FAA to conduct community assessments and develop action plans based on those assessments. The Act also directs the FAA to contract with the National Academy of Sciences to study aviation impacts and create a framework for community assessments, and it sets aside funding to implement these provisions.

The Small Business Procurement and Utilization Reform Act of 2025 (SPUR Act) amends the Small Business Act to modify scorecard requirements. It mandates tracking and comparing new small businesses winning prime contracts, including those owned by service-disabled veterans, HUBZone businesses, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and women. The Act defines "new small business entrant" and "scorecard," and states that no additional funds are authorized or appropriated to implement the changes.

The "Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025" allows the Department of Agriculture to permit electrical utilities to remove trees and vegetation near power lines on National Forest System land to prevent wildfires without requiring a timber sale. If the utility sells the removed vegetation, the proceeds, minus transportation costs, must be given to the Secretary of Agriculture. The law ensures compliance with existing land management plans and environmental laws.

This resolution celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Denver International Airport. It recognizes the airport's contributions and importance to the city. The anniversary will be recognized on February 28, 2025.

This resolution authorizes specific amounts of funding for various Senate committees to cover expenses related to their operations, personnel, and investigations from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets limits on expenditures for each committee, including allocations for consultants and staff training. The resolution also allows committees to utilize services from other government agencies and establishes a special reserve fund to address unforeseen financial needs.

This resolution addresses the threat to global stability posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities. It highlights Iran's hostile actions and support for terrorist groups, holding them accountable for attacks against U.S. service members and allies. The resolution affirms that all options should be considered to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, while clarifying that it does not authorize military force or troop deployment. It demands Iran cease all threatening activities, including uranium enrichment and the development of nuclear weapons.