Legislation

The "Improving Federal Financial Management Act" aims to improve federal financial management by modifying the responsibilities of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), updating the government-wide financial management plan, and requiring agencies to conduct audits. It mandates CFOs to oversee various financial aspects, prepare agency plans with performance metrics, and coordinate with other senior personnel. The act also updates the government-wide financial management plan to a 4-year strategic plan with performance-based metrics and requires annual financial management status reports.

The Federal Freeze Act freezes federal hiring and salaries for one year, with exceptions for law enforcement, public safety, and national security. After the freeze, agencies must reduce their workforce by 2% within two years and 5% within three years of the Act's enactment.

This resolution authorizes the Senate Budget Committee to spend money from the Senate's contingent fund, hire staff, and utilize personnel from other government departments to carry out its duties, including holding hearings and conducting investigations, from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets specific expense limits for the committee during different periods, including allocations for consultants and staff training. The resolution also outlines the procedure for covering committee expenses, specifying exceptions for when vouchers are not required, and authorizes payments from the Senate's Inquiries and Investigations expense account for agency contributions related to committee employee compensation during the covered periods.

The American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act of 2025 amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It prohibits the classification of non-native species as endangered or threatened. Additionally, it restricts the use of financial assistance for acquiring land or water rights in foreign countries.

The "Security First Act" aims to bolster border security by increasing funding for the Operation Stonegarden grant program, designating funds for technology and equipment procurement, and establishing a trust fund. It mandates a report assessing whether Mexican drug cartels and criminal gangs should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations, and requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to analyze and update technology needs for border security along the Southwest border. Additionally, the Act requires a report on the Department of Homeland Security's hiring practices from 2018 to 2024.

This resolution authorizes the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to spend money from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, to support its functions, including hiring staff and conducting investigations. It sets specific spending limits for various periods, including caps on expenses for consultants, organizations, and staff training. The resolution also outlines how the committee's expenses will be paid and specifies exceptions for when vouchers are not required, as well as authorizing payments from the Senate's Inquiries and Investigations expense account for agency contributions related to committee employee compensation.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of "Career and Technical Education Month" by recognizing the importance of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing students for the workforce. It acknowledges the significant number of students enrolled in CTE programs and the positive impact of CTE on academic achievement and employability. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.

The "Fair Representation Amendment" requires congressional committees to propose changes that limit the Executive Branch's discretionary power. These proposals are then submitted to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, who must create and report the "Article One Restoration Act" based on the committee's suggestions. This act aims to reassert congressional authority.

The Justice for 9/11 Act aims to ensure trials for individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay—specifically, Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi—in relation to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack. It clarifies that plea agreements or judgments do not prevent trials under existing laws and allows for the consideration of a death sentence. If convicted, these individuals must be held in solitary confinement at Guantanamo Bay, with strict limitations on communication and transfer.

The "Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act" aims to reduce drug costs by clarifying that generic drug manufacturers are not infringing on patents when seeking FDA approval for a use of a drug that is no longer covered by patent ("skinny label"). The bill amends patent law to create a safe harbor for generic drug manufacturers who seek FDA approval for a drug with a label that excludes any uses still covered by patents. This exemption extends to the promotion and marketing of the drug, as long as it does not reference the patented condition of use. The bill also includes similar provisions for biosimilar biological products.

The "CBP Relocation Act" mandates the relocation of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection headquarters to Texas by January 1, 2026. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to work with Texas's General Land Office to strategically position the headquarters for border crisis management. The Act also enables the Secretary to acquire land in Texas for this purpose, adhering to federal land acquisition standards.

The Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act of 2025 aims to strengthen antitrust enforcement by updating the Clayton Act to address harmful mergers and exclusionary conduct, enabling civil monetary penalties for Sherman Act violations, and increasing resources for antitrust enforcement agencies. The bill seeks to promote competition by revising standards for unlawful acquisitions, protecting whistleblowers who report anti-competitive behavior, and ensuring fair compensation for those harmed by antitrust violations. It also establishes new offices within the Federal Trade Commission to enhance market analysis and advocate for competition. Finally, the act increases funding for antitrust enforcement and ensures that collected fees are used to further these efforts.

This resolution formally elects Gary B. Myrick of Virginia to serve as the Secretary for the Minority of the Senate.

The Foreign Medical Program Modernization Act of 2025 expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' Foreign Medical Program by removing the requirement that care and services must be for a service-connected disability. It also mandates updating the payment system to allow for reimbursements through electronic fund transfer. Finally, it requires an assessment of contracting with a non-Department entity to create a network for providing care under this program.

The "Low Income Housing for Defense Communities Act" aims to increase affordable housing options for military personnel and their families by modifying income calculations for low-income housing tax credits and tax-exempt bonds, excluding military basic housing allowances from income evaluations. It further incentivizes construction near large military installations by classifying buildings within 15 miles as located in a difficult development area, thereby increasing the available Low-Income Housing Credit. This act intends to support military communities by making housing more accessible and affordable.

The Border Wall Waste Accountability Act mandates a study by the Comptroller General to assess the financial cost of unused construction materials acquired for the U.S.-Mexico border wall between January 20, 2021, and January 20, 2025, with a report due to Congress within 90 days.

The "Amtrak Transparency and Accountability for Passengers and Taxpayers Act" modifies open meeting requirements for Amtrak, allowing certain discussions on contract negotiations, collective bargaining, and personnel matters to remain private to protect Amtrak's competitive position and individual privacy, unless public discussion is requested in writing. It also applies specific information exemptions to Amtrak meetings.

The "Reliability for Ratepayers Act" modifies employee compensation and hiring rules at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to address retention and hiring issues. It requires the BPA administrator to create a compensation plan based on surveys of similar jobs in the electric industry, and allows the BPA to hire physicians and experts without regard to certain civil service laws. The goal is to ensure that total compensation for BPA employees is comparable to similar positions at consumer-owned utilities to attract and retain qualified staff.

The "Repeal the NFA Act" aims to eliminate the National Firearms Act (NFA). This bill would remove all regulations, taxes, and registration requirements imposed by the NFA on certain firearms and devices. By repealing the NFA, the bill seeks to deregulate the ownership and transfer of items currently covered under the NFA.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act aims to combat the nonconsensual sharing of intimate visual depictions, including deepfakes, by establishing criminal penalties for those who knowingly publish such content and requiring online platforms to create a process for individuals to request the removal of these depictions. Platforms must remove the content within 48 hours of a valid request and make reasonable efforts to remove any known identical copies. Failure to comply with these takedown obligations will be treated as a violation under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Act also defines key terms related to consent, digital forgeries, and covered platforms.