Legislative Activity

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning California's "Advanced Clean Cars II" pollution control standards. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, Congress is effectively vetoing this EPA regulation. This action prevents the EPA's rule regarding California's vehicle emission standards from taking effect.

The Credit for Caring Act of 2025 establishes a new, non-refundable tax credit for working family caregivers who incur qualified expenses for a dependent with long-term care needs. This "Working Family Caregivers Credit" equals 30% of eligible expenses exceeding $2,000, up to a maximum annual credit of $5,000. To qualify, caregivers must have earned income over $7,500 and the care recipient must be certified by a healthcare practitioner as needing long-term care. The credit begins to phase out for taxpayers with Modified Adjusted Gross Income over $150,000 (joint filers) or $75,000 (all others).

The "Increasing Access to Quality Cardiac Rehabilitation Care Act of 2025" expands Medicare access to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. It allows these programs to be offered in physician's offices and permits physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists to oversee exercise within these programs, in addition to physicians. These changes aim to increase patient access to these vital rehabilitation services.

The "Rural Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act" enhances the rehabilitation tax credit for buildings in rural areas, offering a 40% credit for affordable housing projects and a 30% credit for other qualified projects. It defines "rural area" and "affordable housing project," sets a $5,000,000 limit on qualified rehabilitation expenditures, and allows taxpayers to transfer these credits. The bill also eliminates the basis adjustment for the rehabilitation credit for applicable rural projects.

The AIMM Act permanently extends the allowance for depreciation, amortization, or depletion when calculating the limitation on business interest. This provision, which had expired for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2022, is now effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2021.

The Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and expands the EPA’s brownfield grant programs to better support environmental cleanup and economic revitalization. This legislation increases funding limits, reduces financial barriers for small and disadvantaged communities, and broadens eligibility to include additional organizations and Alaska Native entities. Furthermore, it mandates a streamlined application process to ensure these resources are more accessible to those who need them most.

This resolution authorizes the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works to fund its operations, hire staff, and utilize agency resources from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It establishes specific spending caps for committee expenses, including limits on consultant fees and staff training, to support the committee's ongoing legislative and investigative responsibilities.

The Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2025 prohibits U.S. contributions to the United Nations for assistance in Afghanistan until the Secretary of State certifies that no funds are being diverted to terrorist organizations through cash shipments. This legislation mandates strict oversight to ensure American taxpayer dollars do not inadvertently support designated global or foreign terrorist entities.