Legislative Activity

The "Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs from sharing veterans' personal information with the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) based solely on the appointment of a fiduciary to manage their benefits. Information can only be shared if a judicial authority determines the veteran poses a danger to themselves or others.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of "Career and Technical Education Month" by recognizing the importance of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing students for the workforce. It acknowledges the significant number of students enrolled in CTE programs and the positive impact of CTE on academic achievement and employability. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to fix the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. State legislatures must ratify the amendment within seven years, with a three-fourths majority required for approval.

The "Respect State Housing Laws Act" repeals a provision in the CARES Act that restricted states' abilities to enforce their own eviction moratoriums. This change clarifies that state laws regarding evictions should be respected.

The Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2025 aims to revise sentencing guidelines for fentanyl-related offenses by reducing the quantity thresholds that trigger mandatory minimum sentences for flunitrazepam and its analogues. It directs the Sentencing Commission to update its guidelines to align with these changes. Additionally, it mandates increased resources for the USPS, including chemical screening devices and personnel, to enhance the detection and interdiction of illegally imported fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" aims to improve access to non-opioid pain management for Medicare Part D beneficiaries starting in 2026. It eliminates the standard deductible and places qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs on the lowest cost-sharing tier. The bill also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, ensuring quicker access to alternative pain relief options.

The "Focus on Learning Act" aims to study and address the impact of mobile devices on students in schools. It directs the Surgeon General to conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of mobile device use on various aspects of student life and academics. The Act also establishes a pilot program providing grants to schools for creating mobile device-free environments, with specific exemptions and communication protocols. Finally, it allocates funding for the program and the associated administrative and data collection efforts.

This comprehensive bill addresses online safety for minors through two main actions: Title I establishes federal restrictions on social media platforms, banning accounts for children under 13 and prohibiting personalized content recommendations for all users under 18. Title II updates existing law to require schools receiving federal subsidies to block student access to social media platforms while using school resources. Overall, the legislation aims to fundamentally change how minors interact with social media both at home and in educational settings.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. must include standard equipment capable of receiving AM broadcast signals within a few years of the law's enactment. This requirement aims to ensure drivers retain access to crucial emergency alerts, overriding conflicting state or local laws. The bill also directs the GAO to study the reliability of AM radio versus other emergency alert technologies in vehicles.

The She DRIVES Act mandates immediate updates to federal motor vehicle safety standards by requiring the use of new crash test dummies, specifically incorporating both male and female dummies in front and side impact tests. This legislation aims to improve vehicle crashworthiness by basing new injury criteria on real-world data that better reflects diverse body types. Furthermore, the bill establishes a roadmap for the Department of Transportation to continuously review and adopt more advanced testing devices used internationally.

The "Protecting Our Supreme Court Justices Act of 2025" increases the maximum prison sentence from 1 to 5 years for anyone who tries to influence a judge, juror, witness, or court officer by picketing or parading near a courthouse.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to recognize the positive impact of mentoring on youth development. It highlights mentoring's role in improving academic achievement, fostering leadership skills, and supporting at-risk youth. The resolution encourages expanding mentoring opportunities to address the significant need for mentors among young people nationwide. It also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of mentoring program staff and volunteers.

The Rural Obstetrics Readiness Act aims to improve obstetric emergency care in rural areas by establishing programs to train healthcare providers, provide grant funding for equipment and supplies, and create a pilot program for teleconsultation. It focuses on equipping rural facilities without specialized obstetric units to handle emergencies during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period. The act also mandates a study on the closure of maternity wards and patient transport patterns in rural areas.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule regarding waste emissions charges for petroleum and natural gas systems. The resolution utilizes the Congressional Review Act to prevent the rule's implementation.

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

The Hearing Protection Act seeks to remove silencers from special regulation under federal tax law, treating them similarly to standard firearms components. This bill preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners and establishes new serial number marking requirements for manufacturers.

The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 allows individuals to exclude from their gross income any payments or benefits they receive from state-based catastrophe loss mitigation programs. These programs are designed to reduce property damage from natural disasters like windstorms, earthquakes, floods, or wildfires. This exclusion applies retroactively to taxable years starting after December 31, 2021, allowing individuals to claim refunds on previous tax returns.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These tests, which use genomic sequencing to detect multiple cancer types, will be covered for eligible beneficiaries with age and frequency limitations. The payment amount for these tests will initially align with that of multi-target stool screening DNA tests. This new coverage aims to improve early cancer detection without affecting existing Medicare-covered cancer screenings.

This resolution addresses the threats to global stability posed by Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, citing its history of hostile actions, support for terrorism, and advancements in its nuclear program. It affirms that Iran's actions endanger the U.S., Israel, and their allies, and insists that all options should be considered to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The resolution demands Iran cease all activities that threaten the national security of the U.S., Israel, and its allies, while clarifying that it does not authorize military force or deployment of U.S. troops.

The "Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025" introduces a federal tax credit for individuals and corporations who donate to scholarship granting organizations that provide educational scholarships to eligible elementary and secondary students. These scholarships can be used for tuition, books, tutoring, and other qualified education expenses. The bill sets a volume cap on the total amount of donations eligible for the tax credit and includes provisions to prevent government control over scholarship organizations and non-public schools. It also exempts these scholarship amounts from gross income.