Legislative Activity

This resolution officially honors and commends the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) for its 80th anniversary and its long history of advocacy. It recognizes the BVA's crucial role in securing better healthcare, rehabilitation, and benefits for blind and low-vision veterans. The measure also urges the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure safe access for service dogs and to appoint specialized staff at all medical centers. Ultimately, this resolution celebrates the BVA's dedication to helping blinded veterans live full and independent lives.

The RAISE Act of 2025 aims to significantly support educators through several key provisions. It establishes a new, refundable tax credit for teachers and early childhood educators, with larger bonuses available for those working in high-poverty schools. Additionally, the bill doubles the existing tax deduction for classroom expenses and expands eligibility to include early childhood educators. Finally, it mandates substantial federal funding to incentivize local school districts to maintain or increase teacher salaries.

The Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that health plans cover medically necessary diagnosis and treatment for congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must apply to outpatient and inpatient care, including necessary dental and orthodontic support, unless the procedure is purely cosmetic. These new requirements take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025 prohibits high-ranking government officials and their immediate families from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing specific digital assets while in office and for one year after leaving. This legislation establishes both civil penalties, including fines based on financial gain, and criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for knowing violations involving digital assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The Act specifically targets conflicts of interest by treating these prohibited financial transactions as unofficial acts, removing official immunity protections.

The ACCESS Act of 2025 mandates that large communications platforms must enable users to easily transfer their data to competing services and ensure their platforms are interoperable with rivals. This legislation aims to increase competition by breaking down "walled gardens" for major digital services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these new portability and interoperability requirements. Furthermore, the Act establishes rules allowing trusted third parties to manage user accounts on the user's behalf.

The VA Employee Fairness Act of 2025 modifies the rules governing collective bargaining for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). This legislation repeals outdated subsections detailing specific collective bargaining procedures for VHA staff. Crucially, this change preserves the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' existing authority regarding incentive pay and expedited hiring processes.

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 bans the practice of paid conversion therapy aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, deeming it ineffective and harmful. This Act treats the provision or advertisement of such therapy as an unfair or deceptive business practice under the FTC Act. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Attorney General, and State Attorneys General. The law includes a severability clause ensuring that the invalidation of one provision does not void the entire Act.

The MEME Act, or Modern Emoluments and Malfeasance Enforcement Act, prohibits federal officials and their close associates from promoting or profiting from the sale of specific financial assets, including cryptocurrencies, while in office or shortly thereafter. This legislation aims to prevent public officials from using their positions for private financial gain by banning these "prohibited financial transactions." Violations carry significant civil penalties, including fines up to $250,000 and disgorgement of profits, with severe criminal penalties for corruption or insider trading.

The Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2025 aims to combat rising food insecurity by eliminating the work requirement for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This legislation recognizes the critical role SNAP plays in supporting vulnerable populations, including children, seniors, and people with disabilities. By removing bureaucratic barriers, the Act intends to ensure consistent access to vital food assistance. All provisions of the Act will take effect 180 days after becoming law.

This resolution strongly condemns recent actions by President Donald J. Trump that targeted and undermined the freedom of the press. It reaffirms the United States' foundational commitment to a free and independent media as essential for a functioning democracy. Furthermore, the resolution calls for the executive branch to respect journalistic rights and urges continued efforts to secure the release of imprisoned U.S. Agency for Global Media journalists abroad.

This resolution officially supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, observed from May 6 through May 12, 2025. It recognizes the vital contributions of nurses as frontline healthcare providers and patient advocates. The measure encourages the public to observe the week with appropriate events honoring the nursing profession.

The Tax Relief for New Businesses Act simplifies tax treatment for new businesses by combining start-up and organizational expenditures under a single set of rules. This legislation significantly increases the immediate deduction limit for these initial costs from $\$5,000$ to $\$50,000$, with the phase-out threshold raised to $\$150,000$. It also introduces special rules for how these new deductions affect Net Operating Loss (NOL) calculations for partnerships and S corporations. These changes are effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as Community College Month to celebrate the vital role of over 1,000 community colleges nationwide. These institutions are recognized for providing accessible, affordable higher education and essential workforce training. The bill emphasizes their significant contribution to advancing local economies and overall U.S. prosperity.

The Small Business Liberation Act exempts qualifying small business concerns from certain import duties or requirements imposed by the President under a national emergency declaration. This provision ensures that small businesses are shielded from specific trade restrictions enacted during national emergencies.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. The bill also clarifies that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for both private and federal employees. Finally, it mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to update educational materials regarding the risks, benefits, and insurance implications of living donation.

This Senate resolution urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw a proposed rule that would reduce opportunities for public notice and comment on new regulations. The Senate emphasizes that robust public input is essential for creating fair and effective policies that impact millions of Americans. It calls for HHS to maintain the established 54-year practice of allowing stakeholders to provide feedback before finalizing significant rule changes.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and extends the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its total authorized funding. This legislation adjusts funding priorities to favor projects receiving private contributions and streamlines the process for accepting and allocating public donations. Additionally, it mandates reporting on efforts to reduce the existing deferred maintenance backlog and improve future preventative maintenance across public lands.

This act updates tax law to broaden the definition of highly compensated individuals whose compensation is subject to deduction limits for corporations. It expands the scope beyond traditional employees to include anyone providing services to the company, as well as certain highly paid former officers. The goal is to prevent companies from deducting excessive executive pay from their taxable income.

The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and significantly enhances federal programs supporting small business innovation and technology transfer through 2030. The bill increases mandatory funding levels for the SBIR and STTR programs, establishes new paid fellowships to build a skilled workforce, and streamlines the path for small businesses to commercialize their federally-funded research with the government. Furthermore, it strengthens oversight, transparency, and accountability across these critical research and development initiatives.