Legislative Activity

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 Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act of 2025 significantly updates the program that helps low-income households improve energy efficiency. This bill establishes a new fund to cover essential pre-weatherization repairs that currently block necessary upgrades. Furthermore, it substantially raises the maximum financial assistance allowed per home, increasing the general cap from $6,500 to $15,000 to better reflect current market costs. The Secretary is also granted flexibility to further adjust these limits based on economic conditions.

The America's First Fuels Act aims to incentivize the adoption of biomass heating technology through significant tax credits. It increases the existing energy-efficient home improvement credit limit up to \$10,000 for qualifying biomass stoves and boilers installed after 2025. Furthermore, the bill introduces a new 30% investment tax credit for businesses installing qualifying "open-loop biomass heating property."

The Cybersecurity Information Sharing Extension Act is a short bill designed to extend the effective period of a key provision within the Cybersecurity Act of 2015. Specifically, this legislation pushes back the expiration date for Section 111(a) by ten years. This ensures that the relevant cybersecurity information-sharing provisions will remain active until 2035.

The Jobs in the Woods Act establishes a new competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to fund forestry workforce development. These grants aim to support training programs for forestry jobs specifically within eligible, low-income rural communities that meet certain broadband standards. Eligible entities can apply for grants between $\$500,000$ and $\$2$ million over four years, with priority given to programs addressing workforce shortages and ensuring job placement.

This bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to clarify state authority in identifying drinking water contaminants and expands eligibility for federal assistance programs. It allows states to request grants on behalf of disadvantaged communities or those facing financial hardship due to contamination. Furthermore, the legislation enables direct grant assistance for owners of private drinking water wells.

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 Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act of 2025 officially recognizes "snow drought"—a severe lack of snow due to dry conditions or warm temperatures—as a qualifying disaster for small business assistance. This legislation directs the Small Business Administration to establish rules for this new disaster designation within 90 days. Furthermore, it mandates a review of federal resources and recommendations for strengthening small businesses against future snow shortages.

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 Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment Act (RIDE Act) establishes a new P4 nonimmigrant visa category for "mobile entertainment workers," such as those employed by traveling carnivals and circuses. This provision requires Department of Labor certification to ensure no qualified U.S. workers are displaced and that U.S. wages are protected. The bill also ensures that the spouses and children of these essential workers are eligible for derivative visas. Finally, it mandates that the relevant federal agencies publish proposed and final rules implementing these changes within 180 days and one year of enactment, respectively.

This bill officially renames the Hulls Cove Visitor Center at Acadia National Park in Maine to the George J. Mitchell Visitor Center. The designation will also apply to any future primary visitor center built to replace the current location. This change ensures all official government records reflect the new name.

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 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 Religious Workforce Protection Act aims to support religious workers facing long delays in obtaining lawful permanent residence. It extends nonimmigrant status for those stuck in green card backlogs, even past the normal five-year limit for R-1 visas. Furthermore, the bill modifies job flexibility rules for certain long-waiting religious workers and exempts those who left the U.S. due to the R-1 visa time limit from the usual one-year foreign residence requirement before reapplying.

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.

This resolution officially designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the vital and substantial contributions of the over 1.2 million female agricultural producers to the U.S. economy and global food supply. The measure encourages citizens to acknowledge the leadership, mentorship, and economic impact women have across the entire agricultural sector.

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 SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act significantly raises the resource limits for individuals and couples to qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), starting in 2025. This legislation increases the individual savings limit to \$20,000 and the couple's limit to \$20,000 total. Furthermore, these new resource limits will automatically adjust annually for inflation beginning in 2026.

The Fishing Industry Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 expands access to credit from Farm Credit Banks and Production Credit Associations. This legislation specifically allows these institutions to provide loans and financial services to businesses that furnish essential operating services to aquatic product producers and harvesters. The goal is to strengthen the financial support network for the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.

The Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act prohibits knowingly distributing materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media related to a federal election campaign to influence the outcome. This ban specifically targets content that would cause a reasonable person to fundamentally misunderstand what a candidate said or did, or falsely depicts their appearance. Exceptions are made for legitimate news reporting, satire, and parody, provided clear disclaimers are included where applicable. Candidates affected by illegal distribution can seek immediate court injunctions to stop the content and sue for damages.