Legislative Activity

The Vessel Tracking for Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Homeland Security to create a pilot program using big data analytics to identify vessels evading sanctions and export controls by manipulating their tracking systems. This program will provide intelligence to domestic and international law enforcement agencies and will analyze various data points, such as the type of goods, destination, and vessel ownership. The program will be assessed after four years, and a report will be submitted to Congress detailing its effectiveness in interdicting high-risk vessels and providing recommendations for future use of big data analytics in sanctions enforcement. No new funds are authorized, and no new data collection is authorized.

This resolution affirms the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review, recognizing the Supreme Court's duty to interpret the law. It requires the executive branch to comply with federal court rulings, while allowing for appeals when authorized by law. The resolution reinforces the established judicial power of the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance the enforcement of equal pay requirements by modifying the "bona fide factor" defense, protecting employees who discuss their wages, and enhancing penalties for equal pay violations. It requires training and directs research, education, and outreach to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. The Act also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when considering prospective employees and mandates the collection of compensation data by the EEOC. Finally, the Act establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace and provides small business assistance.

This resolution designates March 24, 2025, as National Women of Color in Tech Day to recognize the vital contributions of women of color in technology. It aims to address underrepresentation and opportunity gaps in STEM fields by promoting diversity, inclusion, and support for STEM education, particularly for women of color. The resolution calls for increased investment in educational institutions and improved data collection to foster a more diverse and competitive tech workforce. It also encourages the President and Congress to collaborate on strategies to enhance diversity and inclusion in STEM education and the workforce.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for public K-12 schools and the Department of Education, recognizing the Department's vital role in supporting students with disabilities, low-income families, and English language learners. It affirms that federal investment in public education is crucial and should not be diverted to private schools through vouchers. The resolution condemns any actions that would defund public education, weaken the Department of Education, or shift education funding responsibilities to state and local governments.

The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act, or WIPPES Act, mandates that certain disposable wipe products carry a "Do Not Flush" label and symbol to prevent damage to wastewater infrastructure. It establishes specific requirements for the placement, size, and visibility of the label on various packaging types. The Act prohibits marketing these products as flushable and grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to enforce these regulations, preempting differing state laws. These regulations will take effect one year after the law is enacted.

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025 aims to combat machinegun conversion devices by directing federal agencies to develop a coordinated strategy to prevent their import and trafficking, enhance law enforcement capabilities, and improve data collection. It also amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow for the forfeiture of proceeds from illegal machinegun trafficking and requires the Attorney General to include data on machinegun conversion devices in the annual firearms trafficking report.

The "Military Spouse Hiring Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to include employers who hire qualified military spouses as eligible for the work opportunity tax credit. A qualified military spouse is certified by a local agency as married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces. This expansion of the work opportunity credit applies to amounts paid after the law's enactment for individuals starting work after that date.

The "FCC Legal Enforcement Act" empowers the FCC to directly enforce penalties for violations regarding unsolicited advertisements, especially when the Attorney General does not act within 120 days. It prioritizes pursuing penalties exceeding $25,000,000. The Act also grants the FCC authority to create regulations protecting subscribers from unwanted calls.

The TRACE Act mandates the Attorney General to enhance the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System by including a data field to track missing persons whose last known location was on Federal land. It also requires an annual report to Congress detailing the number of missing persons cases linked to Federal lands.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the energy credit for qualified fuel cell property. The extension applies to property construction beginning after December 31, 2024, and is valid through January 1, 2033.

The Women's Retirement Protection Act aims to bolster women's financial security in retirement by increasing spousal protection under defined contribution plans, ensuring access to independent consumer information, and providing grants to promote financial literacy and assist low-income women and survivors of domestic violence in obtaining qualified domestic relations orders. The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require spousal consent for certain distributions from individual account plans, with specific exceptions. It also mandates financial service providers to offer links to the CFPB's retirement planning resources and allocates funds for community-based organizations to enhance women's financial literacy and assist with qualified domestic relations orders.

The "School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act of 2025" aims to eliminate all existing school meal debt for both lunch and breakfast programs by directing the Secretary of Agriculture to use funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to pay off these debts to local education agencies. Additionally, this bill extends funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program through 2030 and allows the Emergency Food Assistance Program to utilize Commodity Credit Corporation funds, ensuring continued support for these critical nutrition programs.

The Baltic Security Initiative Act aims to bolster the defense capabilities of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania through increased security cooperation. Led by the Secretary of Defense, the initiative will focus on deterring Russian aggression, enhancing regional military cooperation, and improving cyber defenses. It authorizes \$350 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028, encouraging matching funds from the Baltic countries. A strategy report will be submitted to Congress, addressing security threats from Russia and China.

The "Safe Schools Improvement Act" aims to prevent bullying and harassment in public schools by requiring states to establish and enforce policies that prohibit bullying and harassment based on various characteristics, including race, sex, disability, and religion. It mandates the collection and reporting of data on bullying incidents and requires biennial evaluations of programs and policies to combat bullying. The Act ensures that schools provide annual notice of prohibited conduct and grievance procedures to students, parents, and educational professionals. This bill seeks to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and teachers, become homeowners. It allows 100% financing (no down payment) for first-time homebuyers who qualify and eliminates monthly insurance premiums. The bill defines eligibility criteria, including housing counseling, employment requirements, and good standing as a first responder. It also authorizes appropriations for the program and requires reauthorization after 5 years.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring they receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, while maintaining current pay and benefits. It enhances collective bargaining rights for screening agents, requires reports on recruitment, implementation, and workplace safety, and addresses specific concerns within the Federal Air Marshal Service. The Act aims to improve job security, morale, and overall working conditions for TSA employees.

The "Stop Comstock Act" amends several sections of title 18 of the United States Code and the Tariff Act of 1930 to address and restrict the distribution and importation of obscene materials. It removes references to "indecent" materials and those related to abortion or immoral use, focusing on the prohibition of "obscene" content. The Act revises language concerning commerce and importation to align with its objectives, updating references and definitions accordingly.

The "Medicare Dental, Hearing, and Vision Expansion Act of 2025" amends title XVIII of the Social Security Act to expand Medicare coverage to include dental, hearing, and vision care starting in 2027. It covers a range of services, including preventive and treatment dental care, hearing exams and aids, and routine vision exams and eyeglasses, with specific payment rules and limitations. The bill also allocates funding for implementation and phases in the impact of dental coverage on Part B premiums.

The "Tariff Transparency Act of 2025" directs the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate and report on the economic impact of duties and the threat of duties on imports from Mexico and Canada on U.S. businesses and consumers. The report will assess the effects on consumer prices, various sectors, and the overall stability of trade relations. It requires a detailed analysis of how these tariffs and potential tariffs affect business investment, job creation, and economic stability, providing transparency on the consequences of trade policies.