Legislative Activity

This resolution urges the Trump Administration to seize "shadow fleet" vessels transporting sanctioned oil from the Russian Federation to cut off funding for its war in Ukraine. It highlights that Russia continues to export massive amounts of oil despite sanctions, largely through this illicit fleet. The resolution asserts that seizing these vessels is a lawful measure to enforce sanctions and protect U.S. national security interests.

The Clean Competition Act establishes a "carbon intensity charge" on high-emission industrial goods, both domestically produced and imported, starting in 2026. This legislation aims to level the playing field by incentivizing decarbonization through calculated charges, offering rebates for U.S. exports, and authorizing international "carbon club" agreements. Revenue generated will fund significant domestic industrial competitiveness grants and international climate assistance programs.

This bill aims to boost the U.S. bioeconomy and food security by investing in innovative protein production, such as biomanufacturing using under-utilized biomass. It establishes new research centers, grant programs for production and workforce development, and a national strategy focused on alternative proteins. The legislation specifically excludes the promotion of insect-based food or feed.

The Fair Competition for Small Business Act of 2025 empowers state attorneys general to file lawsuits on behalf of their residents for damages resulting from violations of antitrust laws. This amendment to the Clayton Act strengthens enforcement by allowing states to seek redress for harm caused by Sherman Act violations.

The Schedules That Work Act aims to provide employees, particularly those in retail, food service, and warehouse sectors, with greater stability and predictability in their work hours. It grants employees the right to request schedule changes for caregiving, education, or other needs, and requires employers to discuss these requests in good faith. Furthermore, the Act mandates advance notice of schedules, predictability pay for last-minute changes, and a minimum rest period between shifts.

The ENFORCE Act aims to strengthen federal laws against child exploitation. It clarifies the crime of producing child pornography and significantly enhances enforcement against obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse. Key provisions include removing the statute of limitations for related offenses, requiring sex offender registration for those convicted, and establishing a presumption of detention before trial.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the FDA to update federal regulations by replacing references to "animal tests" with the broader term "nonclinical tests." This action ensures regulatory consistency following recent legislative changes regarding drug development methods. The required interim final rule will take effect immediately upon publication.

The EFFECTIVE Food Procurement Act directs the USDA to prioritize purchasing food that supports regional economies, worker well-being, environmental health, and equity for specific producers. The bill mandates detailed reporting on current spending and sets future targets to increase procurement in these four key areas. It also establishes pilot programs and grants to help smaller and underserved producers meet USDA standards and participate in federal food contracts.

This Act establishes the **Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act** to create direct employer liability for federal law enforcement agencies when their officers violate an individual's constitutional or legal rights. It allows civil actions against the United States for officer misconduct, regardless of whether an official policy caused the violation or if the officer has individual immunity. This measure waives sovereign immunity for claims against federal agencies under these circumstances.

The Seniors Deserve SMARTER Care Act of 2025 aims to protect Medicare beneficiaries by prohibiting the implementation of the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) model. This legislation prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from introducing the WISeR model or any substantially similar payment and service delivery system under Medicare.

The Temporary Family Visitation Act establishes a new nonimmigrant visa category specifically for relatives of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to visit the U.S. for social or occasional family purposes. This visa allows for a maximum stay of 90 days per year, provided the visitor secures financial support, obtains required medical insurance, and intends to depart. Crucially, holders of this new visa are prohibited from changing their status to another nonimmigrant category while in the U.S.

The NOTICE Act establishes new notification requirements for Congress before the President calls the National Guard into federal service for domestic emergencies. This legislation mandates at least 24 hours' notice detailing the justification, scope, and training of the deployed Guard units. Furthermore, the bill requires ongoing written updates every 72 hours for deployments lasting longer than 48 hours.

The Acquisition Reform and Cost Assessment Act of 2025 (ARCA Act) fundamentally reorganizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acquisition structure to improve oversight and efficiency for major programs. It establishes a new Chief Acquisition Officer and an Office of Acquisition to centralize control over procurement and logistics. The bill also mandates independent verification, validation, and rigorous cost assessment for all major VA acquisition programs exceeding specified financial thresholds. Finally, it improves hiring for the acquisition workforce and standardizes the requirements development process to ensure better program outcomes.

The Keeping All Students Safe Act prohibits dangerous restraint and seclusion practices in federally funded schools and educational programs. It establishes strict national standards for when physical restraint is permitted, mandates comprehensive staff training, and empowers parents with immediate notification rights and the ability to sue for violations. Furthermore, the bill requires states to submit plans, publicly report data on restraint incidents, and utilize federal grants to implement preventative, evidence-based safety strategies.

The Moving Transit Forward Act of 2025 establishes a new federal grant program to improve public transportation in urbanized areas. These grants can fund operating costs and planning to enhance service quality, frequency, and geographic availability. Additionally, funds are available for capital projects and operating expenses dedicated to increasing system safety and security. Funding is distributed to urban areas based on a ratio of their reported operating expenses.

The FAAN Act establishes a new grant program to support nursing schools in addressing critical workforce shortages and modernizing education. These funds aim to increase faculty and student capacity, enhance preparedness for public health emergencies, and improve educational infrastructure. Priority is given to schools serving medically underserved, rural, or minority-serving areas.

The Federal Food Administration Act of 2025 establishes a new, independent agency within the Department of Health and Human Services dedicated solely to ensuring the safety and security of the U.S. food supply. This Act transfers all food-related regulatory authority, functions, and personnel from the FDA to the new Federal Food Administration, headed by a Senate-confirmed Commissioner of Foods. The new Administration is mandated to implement a risk-based inspection schedule for food facilities and enhance collaboration across federal agencies on food safety science.

The International Human Rights Defense Act of 2025 establishes a permanent program within the Department of State, led by a dedicated Special Envoy, to protect and promote the human rights of LGBTQI people globally. This bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive U.S. Global Strategy to address international discrimination and violence against this community. Furthermore, it authorizes foreign assistance to support local organizations and requires detailed reporting on LGBTQI human rights abuses in annual State Department reports.

Ally's Act mandates that private health insurance plans cover essential hearing devices, including auditory implants and their related services, for qualifying individuals. This coverage must begin for plan years starting January 1, 2026. The law ensures that cost-sharing and treatment limitations for these hearing benefits are no more restrictive than those for other medical services. Furthermore, coverage cannot be denied if a physician or qualified audiologist determines the device is medically necessary.

This bill, the AGRITOURISM Act, establishes an Agritourism Advisor within the USDA to promote and encourage agritourism activities nationwide. It recognizes the significant financial, educational, and cultural benefits that agritourism provides to rural communities and their agricultural enterprises. The Advisor will coordinate efforts within the USDA and with external partners to share best practices and improve access to federal resources for these businesses.