Legislative Activity

The Repealing Illegal Freedom and Liberty Excises (RIFLE) Act eliminates the federal transfer tax previously imposed on certain firearms. This legislation repeals Section 5811 of the Internal Revenue Code and updates related tax provisions accordingly. The Act explicitly clarifies that it does not grant the Consumer Product Safety Commission any new oversight authority over firearms.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 mandates sweeping economic penalties against the Russian Federation and its affiliates for actions against Ukraine. This legislation requires the President and Treasury Secretary to impose escalating sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities. Furthermore, the Act prohibits U.S. persons from investing in Russian debt, bans the trading of Russian securities on U.S. exchanges, and imposes a massive 500% import duty on Russian goods. Sanctions can only be terminated if Russia agrees to a verifiable peace deal with Ukraine.

The Rural Veterinary Workforce Act makes student loan repayment or forgiveness amounts received by veterinarians participating in state-based programs tax-free. This exclusion applies to funds received through programs designed to increase veterinary services in underserved areas. This tax benefit will take effect for amounts received in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The SHORT Act aims to revise federal firearms tax definitions and eliminate disparate federal treatment of short-barreled rifles and shotguns used for lawful purposes. It also preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on these specific weapons if they are involved in interstate commerce. Finally, the bill mandates the destruction of existing federal records related to the registration and transfer of these firearms.

This resolution strongly condemns the Iranian regime's regional aggression and domestic brutality while focusing on the protection of Iranian political refugees at Ashraf-3 in Albania. It urges the U.S. government to uphold the fundamental rights of these dissidents, including former political prisoners and key witnesses to past atrocities. Furthermore, the resolution calls for opposing Iranian threats and extradition attempts against these refugees residing in Albania.

The Portable Ultrasound Reimbursement Equity Act of 2025 aims to ensure fair Medicare coverage for portable ultrasound services. This bill mandates that Medicare establish a separate payment system for the transportation and setup of portable ultrasound equipment, mirroring the existing structure for portable X-ray services. The goal is to provide equitable reimbursement for providers delivering these diagnostic tests outside of traditional facilities, effective January 1, 2027.

This resolution formally honors the life and distinguished public service career of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator for Wyoming. It celebrates his extensive tenure in both state and federal government, highlighting his focus on fiscal responsibility and support for veterans. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow at his passing and directs that the day's adjournment serve as a final tribute to his memory.

The Mississippi River Basin Fishery Commission Act establishes a new, nonbinding commission to coordinate fishery management across the vast Mississippi River Basin. This body will bring together states, federal agencies, and tribes to develop shared goals, focusing heavily on conserving fish populations and controlling aquatic invasive species. The Commission is authorized to create a grant program to fund cooperative projects aligned with the existing Joint Strategic Plan for Management of Mississippi River Fisheries.

The Home-Based Telemental Health Care Act of 2025 establishes a grant program to expand access to mental health and substance use services for rural and underserved populations via telehealth. Eligible entities will receive funding to deliver remote care directly to patients' homes, improving access where traditional services are scarce. Grantees must also focus on developing quality metrics for this remote care and supporting necessary technological infrastructure, such as broadband access.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses as eligible hires. This allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring individuals certified as spouses of active-duty military personnel. The provision applies to wages paid for individuals hired after the Act's enactment date.

The Physicians for Underserved Areas Act updates the process for redistributing Medicare residency slots when a teaching hospital closes. This bill simplifies the criteria for assigning these slots to remaining teaching hospitals. Crucially, it establishes strict deadlines, requiring receiving hospitals to begin using the slots within two years and fill them completely within five years.

The PARC Act, or Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act, mandates that all units of the National Park System that charge an entrance fee must accept cash payments. This ensures visitors have an option beyond electronic or credit card payments to access national parks.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers purchase homes. This program offers qualifying first-time homebuyers the potential for a zero down payment mortgage. A key feature is the elimination of monthly mortgage insurance premiums, though an upfront premium will still be charged.

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 repeals the EPA's recent multi-pollutant emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. Furthermore, this Act prohibits the EPA from issuing future tailpipe emission regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. The EPA must update existing rules within 24 months to comply with these new restrictions.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act allows medical and dental interns and residents to defer payments on their student loans during their training programs. This deferment specifically prevents principal payments and stops interest from accruing on the loan balance while the borrower is in residency or an internship. This ensures that medical professionals can focus on their training without accruing additional debt.

The Honor Our Living Donors Act ensures that federal grant funding intended to support living organ donors cannot consider the financial status of the transplant recipient. This legislation also removes any legal expectation that organ recipients might receive payments related to the donation. Furthermore, the Secretary must annually report to Congress on whether grant funds adequately covered all eligible donor expenses and estimate any shortfall.

The Traveler's Gun Rights Act updates the federal definition of "State of residence" for individuals, including military members, to better reflect where they actually live or are stationed. This change also modifies the identification requirements for firearm background checks to accommodate those without a traditional physical residence. The goal is to clarify residency rules across various federal firearms laws.

The Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025 makes technical corrections and clarifications to the 2022 Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This bill adjusts rules for where lawsuits can be tried, clarifies the evidence needed to prove harm from water exposure, and sets limits on attorney fees. All changes are applied retroactively as if enacted on August 10, 2022, while preserving existing deadlines for filing claims.

The Veteran Fraud Reimbursement Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs must reimburse veterans for any benefits misused by their appointed fiduciaries. This ensures the veteran receives full repayment for stolen funds, regardless of the VA's subsequent efforts to recover the money from the dishonest fiduciary. Furthermore, the Act clarifies payment procedures if the veteran passes away before full reimbursement is complete.