Legislation

The Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the pipeline between skilled CTE graduates and small businesses. This legislation mandates that Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women's Business Centers actively educate businesses on hiring CTE graduates and connect these programs with entrepreneurial resources. The bill officially defines CTE by referencing existing federal law to ensure consistent standards.

The Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act generally subjects Amtrak to federal open meeting and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) rules. However, the bill carves out significant exceptions, allowing Amtrak to hold closed meetings regarding contract talks, labor negotiations, personnel matters, and confidential business secrets to protect its competitive standing. Additionally, Amtrak can keep information private if its release would compromise safety.

The 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act mandates that the Small Business Administration (SBA) submit a new annual report to Congress detailing the activities of 7(a) loan agents. This report will track agent counts, involvement in fraudulent loans, referral fee amounts, and provide an analysis of high-risk agents. The goal is to increase transparency and oversight regarding the consultants who assist applicants seeking SBA 7(a) loans.

The WOSB Accountability Act mandates that federal agencies only count formally certified Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs) toward their contracting goals, excluding those that are only self-certified. This change ensures greater accuracy in tracking government support for legitimate WOSBs. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is required to establish new rules for this process and provide regular progress reports to Congress.

The Gerald E. Connolly Esophageal Cancer Awareness Act of 2025 aims to address the rapidly increasing rates and high mortality of esophageal cancer. This legislation mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to analyze the treatment costs and screening adherence for high-risk individuals within the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. The overall goal is to improve early detection, which is critical for boosting survival rates for this deadly disease.

The DEFIANCE Act of 2025 establishes a federal civil right of action against the non-consensual creation, possession, or sharing of sexually explicit "intimate digital forgeries," such as deepfakes. This legislation defines these forgeries and allows victims to sue producers or sharers for significant statutory damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. The Act aims to provide victims with a clear legal remedy against image-based sexual abuse facilitated by modern technology while preserving existing state laws.

The Plain Language in Contracting Act requires federal agencies to write contract opportunity notices for small businesses in a clear, concise, and easily understandable manner. This ensures small businesses can quickly find and comprehend relevant government contract postings on the main federal website. The Small Business Administration is tasked with establishing the rules to implement these clarity standards.

The Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of 2025 mandates that federal contractors establish clear processes for reporting security weaknesses found in their systems used for government work. This law requires updating the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to ensure contractors actively seek out and disclose vulnerabilities, aligning with existing government security guidelines. These new disclosure requirements will apply to contractors whose contracts meet or exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The Act authorizes no new funding for its implementation.

The International Bridge and Port of Entry Modernization Act of 2025 (IBEM Act) updates permitting requirements for international bridges and land ports of entry. It expands the scope of projects requiring permits to explicitly include land ports of entry alongside bridges. Crucially, the bill prohibits the Secretary from using environmental documents required under NEPA as the basis for issuing Presidential permits for new projects.

The Small Biotech Innovation Act creates an exception to the Medicare drug price negotiation program for small biotech manufacturers heavily invested in research and development. This exception shields certain "qualifying single source drugs" from negotiation for initial years, provided the company meets strict R&D spending thresholds relative to its number of qualifying drugs. To qualify, manufacturers must apply annually and certify their R&D expenditures, with provisions for appealing adverse decisions.

This resolution strongly condemns the violent antisemitic attack that occurred during a peaceful march in Boulder, Colorado. It expresses unwavering support for the survivors and their families in the wake of this hate crime. Furthermore, the measure addresses the alarming national rise in antisemitism and calls for continued vigilance and resources to combat such extremism. Ultimately, it affirms the commitment to protecting all communities and upholding the right to live without fear.

The Securing Energy Supply Chains Act establishes an "Energy Non-Procurement List" managed by the Secretary of Energy to blacklist entities posing risks to U.S. national or economic security, prioritizing those involved in critical materials or batteries. This Act prohibits the Department of Energy from contracting with companies that procure from or partner with entities on this new list, with limited exceptions requiring detailed reporting. Finally, the bill mandates a study to consolidate and harmonize existing federal lists of concerning foreign entities to improve consistency in government procurement.

This bill aims to increase federal grant funding for states that guarantee specific rights to sexual assault survivors through laws or established policies. It establishes a tiered funding system based on the extent of a state's protections. Additionally, the legislation mandates that states must retain sexual assault evidence kits for a minimum of 20 years and simplifies the process for survivors to request notification before disposal.

The Securing Enhanced Programs, Systems, and Initiatives for Sepsis Act (SEPSIS Act) aims to combat the high rates of death and cost associated with sepsis nationwide. This bill directs the CDC to enhance national sepsis programs, focusing on education, data collection, and the development of outcome measures for both adults and children. It also authorizes funding to support these critical efforts and allows for a voluntary program to recognize hospitals demonstrating excellence in sepsis management.

This resolution formally honors the life and tragic death of Sarah Lynn Milgrim, recognizing her significant academic and professional contributions. It also condemns the recent extremist attack that resulted in the deaths of Ms. Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky. Furthermore, the resolution denounces violence targeting religious groups and supports the full prosecution of those responsible for this hate crime.

The Informing VETS Act of 2025 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to actively inform eligible veterans about the benefits of the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Program. This is achieved by mandating the VA to mail personalized letters detailing VR&E benefits alongside a direct comparison chart against the GI Bill. This essential information must also be made publicly available on a VA website.

The VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2025, or VALID Act, aims to increase awareness of VA loan options for consumers. It mandates that FHA disclosures include information about assuming VA-backed loans. Furthermore, the Act requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to add a mandatory military service question to the standard mortgage application form.

This resolution authorizes the Senate Legal Counsel to represent a Senate staff member in the *In re Architect of the Capitol Employment Dispute*. It grants permission for the required testimony and document production related to this ongoing legal matter. The action is taken under existing Senate rules and federal law governing employee representation in official capacity disputes.

The ANTE Act, or Axing Nonmarket Tariff Evasion Act, grants the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) new authority to combat duty evasion by entities from nonmarket economy countries. This allows the USTR to impose remedial measures, such as new duties, on goods produced in a third country if a covered entity is using that location specifically to circumvent existing U.S. import duties. The process includes investigations initiated by the USTR, Congress, or interested parties, leading to potential penalties equal to the original evaded duties.

The Energy Choice Act prevents state and local governments from enacting bans or restrictions on the type or source of energy services consumers can access. This legislation protects consumer choice across various energy sources, including natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and electricity, provided the energy is sold across state lines. Essentially, it limits local interference with energy delivery options.