Legislative Activity

This Act authorizes the minting and issuance of special commemorative gold and silver coins to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins must be paid directly to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to support its operations.

The Down East Remembrance Act officially designates six specific creeks in the region with new names, such as Noah Styron Creek and Hunter Parks Creek, based on their precise geographic coordinates. This legislation ensures that all federal laws, maps, and official records must use these newly assigned names for these waterways.

The DETERRENT Act significantly tightens reporting requirements for colleges and universities regarding foreign gifts and contracts, mandating public disclosure databases and imposing strict new prohibitions on agreements with "foreign countries or entities of concern." It establishes severe financial penalties and potential ineligibility for federal aid for institutions that knowingly violate these transparency and compliance rules. The bill also requires institutions to implement internal policies and designate compliance officers to manage risks associated with foreign influence.

The College Admissions Accountability Act of 2025 establishes an independent Special Inspector General within the Department of Education to investigate complaints of unlawful racial discrimination in college admissions and financial aid. This office will enforce compliance with the Supreme Court's ruling against race-based preferences and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Institutions found to violate these standards face potential ineligibility for federal funding.

The FEMA Independence Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency reporting directly to the President. This act separates FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and outlines the transfer of all existing FEMA functions, staff, and assets to the newly independent agency. It also updates leadership titles and makes conforming amendments across various federal laws to reflect FEMA's new status.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 aims to significantly expand access to telehealth services under Medicare by permanently removing outdated geographic restrictions and broadening provider eligibility. The bill also enhances program integrity by dedicating new funding to oversight and establishing educational outreach for providers with unusual billing patterns. Finally, it mandates new resources, training, and public data reporting to ensure the quality and accessibility of virtual care for all beneficiaries.

The Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program allowing parents of eligible military dependents to receive funds for private educational expenses. These Military Education Savings Accounts can be used for tuition, tutoring, materials, and other approved educational services. The program is federally funded, tax-exempt, and designed to support educational choice without government control over private providers.

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 Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025 generally restricts federal courts from issuing orders that affect non-parties to a lawsuit or granting emergency relief in certain state/federal disputes under diversity jurisdiction. The bill also clarifies language regarding who can seek declaratory judgments and limits the scope of judicial review over agency actions. Overall, this legislation aims to narrow the scope of judicial authority in issuing certain types of relief and clarifying participation in specific legal challenges.

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.

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 Volunteer Driver Tax Appreciation Act of 2025 updates the tax deduction available for volunteer driving. This bill requires the charitable mileage rate to be set at a minimum equal to the standard business mileage rate, ensuring volunteer drivers receive fair compensation for vehicle use. This change applies to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

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.

The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act aims to prevent private health insurance plans from unfairly shifting the cost of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) care onto Medicare. This legislation clarifies existing rules to ensure group health plans provide equal benefits for dialysis treatments compared to other medical services. It specifically prohibits plans from imposing discriminatory limits or restrictions solely because a patient has ESRD. The bill preserves a plan's ability to manage its provider network while mandating equitable coverage terms.

This Act mandates an annual review of the Code of Federal Regulations using artificial intelligence systems developed in partnership with NIST to identify redundant or outdated rules. If an agency confirms an AI-flagged regulation is unnecessary, it must be removed or updated within 30 days using an expedited process. This legislation aims to rapidly streamline federal regulations by leveraging technology to eliminate obsolete requirements.

The Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act prohibits Federal Reserve banks from issuing a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) directly or indirectly to individuals. This legislation explicitly bans the Federal Reserve Board from developing or implementing any digital currency that functions as a direct liability of the Fed and is widely available to the public. Congress asserts that any such digital currency must be explicitly authorized by Congress, not created unilaterally by the Federal Reserve.

The Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act prohibits the expenditure of U.S. federal funds in Gaza unless the President certifies to Congress that the money will not benefit Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or other designated terrorist organizations. This restriction also applies to funds channeled through the United Nations, requiring certification that the UN entity is not promoting anti-Israel or anti-Semitic propaganda. Essentially, the bill halts federal spending in Gaza until strict anti-terrorism and ideological purity conditions are met.

The College Employment Accountability Act mandates that institutions receiving federal funds must use the E-Verify program to confirm employee work authorization. Any finding that a college has hired unauthorized aliens or failed to participate in E-Verify will result in the immediate loss of all federal student and institutional aid. The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with monitoring compliance and reporting violations to the Department of Education.

The Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA Act) ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from mandating or barring contractors from entering into agreements with labor unions. This promotes open bidding, reduces taxpayer costs, and prevents discrimination based on union membership. The law requires federal agencies to remain neutral regarding project labor agreements for both direct contracts and federal grants.