Legislative Activity

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2025 officially extends the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which supports workers, firms, and farmers negatively impacted by trade, through December 31, 2031. This legislation also clarifies the application of TAA rules for petitions filed between July 1, 2021, and the date of enactment, often requiring reconsideration under current standards. Furthermore, it updates the funding and training calculation windows to align with the new program extension dates.

The COAST Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 permanently prohibits all new oil and gas leasing and development activities on the Outer Continental Shelf in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas. This legislation ensures the protection of these key ocean regions from future drilling exploration.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 significantly increases the maximum expenses eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to \$8,000 for one dependent and \$16,000 for two or more. This legislation also adjusts the credit calculation percentage based on income and makes the credit partially or fully refundable for eligible taxpayers. Furthermore, key income thresholds and expense limits will be indexed for inflation starting in 2026.

The GHOST Act of 2025 establishes the Russia Sanctions Enforcement Fund to finance the seizure and forfeiture of assets related to Russian sanctions violations. It also creates the Export Enforcement Coordination Center, housed within Homeland Security Investigations, to centralize and improve interagency efforts against illegal exports. The bill mandates strict reporting on the Fund's activities and ensures robust coordination between law enforcement and intelligence communities on export control enforcement.

The SEER Act of 2025 aims to strengthen ethics enforcement and transparency for "special Government employees" (part-time or temporary federal workers). This bill clarifies conflict of interest rules, mandates public disclosure for certain financial waivers, and establishes a public database tracking these temporary employees. Ultimately, it seeks to close loopholes that allow some part-time workers to avoid the same financial scrutiny as full-time staff.

The POWER Act of 2025 amends disaster relief laws to allow electric utilities receiving federal funds for emergency power restoration to concurrently undertake cost-effective hazard mitigation activities. This ensures that utilizing emergency restoration funds does not disqualify utilities from seeking future hazard mitigation assistance. These provisions apply only to funds appropriated after the Act's enactment.

This Senate resolution formally recognizes and supports the goals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. It highlights the widespread nature of sexual violence, the resulting trauma, and the need to address legal and support service gaps. The resolution commits the Senate to promoting prevention, ensuring survivor support, and advancing justice for victims.

The American Family Act fundamentally restructures the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with advance monthly payments for qualifying children. This legislation establishes a new refundable monthly credit of up to $360 per child, alongside a separate $500 non-refundable credit for other dependents. These advance payments are subject to income phase-outs and will reconcile with the final tax return. The old annual Child Tax Credit is terminated for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025 amends existing federal law to strengthen research and monitoring efforts related to ocean acidification. This bill significantly enhances collaboration by mandating increased input from Indigenous communities, industry, and local stakeholders in federal planning and advisory roles. It also requires the Secretary of Commerce to prioritize working with State, local, and Tribal governments already engaged in vulnerability assessments. Finally, the Act includes technical corrections to ensure clarity and accuracy within the existing legislation.

The Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025 significantly expands and makes permanent the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without qualifying children by lowering the minimum age, substantially increasing the credit amount, and raising income thresholds. It also allows taxpayers to elect to use higher prior-year earned income to calculate their current EITC benefit. Furthermore, the bill permanently extends current EITC application rules for U.S. territories like Puerto Rico.

The Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act (BUMP Act) prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of devices or modifications that significantly increase the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms to mimic machinegun function. Existing owners of such modified firearms must register them within 120 days of enactment to maintain lawful possession. This legislation updates federal law by classifying these rate-of-fire-enhancing modifications as regulated items under the National Firearms Act.

The Expanding Access to Family Planning Act establishes a dedicated Title X Clinic Fund to provide consistent, long-term financial support for family planning clinics. This funding, set for ten years, includes annual allocations for services and facility improvements. The bill also mandates that clinics receiving these funds offer comprehensive, non-directive counseling options to patients with positive pregnancy tests.

This resolution supports the goals of the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative by calling for equal educational opportunities and civil rights protections for all students, especially LGBTQI+ youth. It highlights the negative impact of bullying, harassment, and discriminatory state laws on student mental health and academic success. The bill encourages communities nationwide to adopt policies that actively prevent discrimination and foster inclusive school environments.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It tasks the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) with reviewing state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, taking over administration where state laws fall short. The Act explicitly protects existing labor agreements while prohibiting strikes or lockouts that would endanger public safety services. Finally, it ensures that existing state or local laws providing equal or greater protections are not preempted by this federal minimum standard.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 systematically increases the federal minimum wage to \$17.00 per hour over five years, after which it will be indexed to median wage growth. This legislation also phases out the subminimum wage for tipped employees and workers with disabilities, requiring them to eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, the bill repeals the special minimum wage for workers under 20 once their rate catches up to the standard minimum.

This resolution formally honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., former U.S. Senator for Louisiana. It details his career, highlighting his significant tenure on key Senate committees, particularly his leadership on energy policy. The resolution recognizes his legislative achievements benefiting Louisiana, including flood control and conservation efforts. Finally, the Senate adjourns immediately in his memory as a final tribute to his service.

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025 establishes a new Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the Department of Agriculture. This office will be tasked with investigating and prosecuting violations of competition and trade practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. The Investigator will have the authority to issue subpoenas and bring civil or administrative lawsuits against packers and live poultry dealers to ensure fair competition in the industry.

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act aims to disallow federal tax deductions for employer expenditures used to influence employees regarding union organizing activities. This legislation targets significant corporate spending on anti-union consultants and captive audience meetings, arguing that taxpayers should not subsidize efforts to interfere with workers' rights to organize. The bill also introduces strict new reporting requirements and penalties for companies that fail to disclose these influence expenditures.

The Trade Review Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory 60-day congressional review period for any new or increased import duties imposed by the President. The President must notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing such duties, detailing the justification and impact. Unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval within 60 days, the new or increased duty automatically expires.

The Affordable Prescriptions for Patients Act modifies patent infringement litigation between brand-name biologic drug makers and companies developing biosimilar versions. This bill specifically limits the number of patents a brand-name sponsor can assert in a lawsuit against a biosimilar applicant to 20, with further restrictions on newer patents. These changes aim to streamline patent disputes related to the introduction of lower-cost biologic alternatives into the market.