Legislative Activity

This Act, the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, establishes stricter federal penalties for non-citizens convicted of murder if they were inadmissible or deportable at the time of the crime. Specifically, first-degree murder committed by such individuals will carry a mandatory sentence of death or life imprisonment. This legislation amends federal criminal sentencing guidelines based on the offender's immigration status.

This bill, the PROACTIV Artificial Intelligence Data Act of 2025, directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create voluntary guidelines for detecting, removing, and reporting child pornography found in datasets used to train AI systems. It establishes definitions for key industry roles and provides limited legal liability protection to AI developers and data collectors who follow these new guidelines when handling such illegal material. The legislation also mandates federal support for research into better detection methods for this harmful content.

The Halting the Epidemic of Addiction and Loss Act of 2025 mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) update all relevant grant programs to include any FDA-approved medication for emergency opioid overdose reversal. This ensures that federal funding guidance reflects the broadest range of life-saving reversal agents available. HHS has one year to revise all existing regulations and guidance documents to incorporate these updated definitions.

The Counternarcotics Enhancement Act mandates that U.S. intelligence agencies report on their current cooperation with the Mexican government regarding counternarcotics efforts, including associated risks and strategies for improvement. The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) must then consolidate these reports and submit a comprehensive action plan to Congress. This process aims to enhance coordination and cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico in combating drug trafficking.

The Strengthening Prosecution Integrity for Espionage Statutes (SPIES) Act eliminates the statute of limitations for prosecuting serious offenses related to espionage and acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government. This change allows the government to charge individuals at any time for these specific national security crimes. The bill also removes the statute of limitations for related immigration fraud committed to aid in espionage activities.

The Intelligence Community Technology Bridge Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated fund to accelerate the transition of promising technologies from research into operational use within the Intelligence Community (IC). This fund allows the IC to provide financial assistance, including grants or equity investments, to businesses and nonprofits developing mission-critical solutions. Priority for this funding will be given to small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors to broaden the supplier base.

This Senate resolution expresses strong support for the recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. It affirms that Iran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear weapons due to its history of proliferation and support for terrorism. The resolution commends the military actions taken to degrade Iran's capabilities and reaffirms the U.S. right to act decisively to ensure regional security.

This resolution officially commemorates June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day." It recognizes the historical significance of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in the Southwest finally received news of their freedom. The resolution supports the nationwide celebration of this day as a vital part of American history and heritage.

This bill, the Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to expand the boundaries of Big Bend National Park. The expansion can include approximately 6,100 acres acquired only through donation or land exchange. Any newly acquired land will be managed as part of the existing park, and the use of eminent domain to force land sales is strictly prohibited.

This resolution formally recognizes the life, achievements, and dedicated public service of former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush in honor of her 100th birthday. It details her journey from her early life and marriage to her tenure as Second Lady and First Lady, highlighting her crucial work championing family literacy. The bill serves as a tribute celebrating her lasting legacy as a model citizen and public servant.

The Stop Funding Genital Mutilation Act prohibits the use of federal Medicaid and CHIP funds for specified gender transition procedures, including certain surgeries, cosmetic procedures, and hormone treatments intended to alter a person's body to not match their biological sex. The bill strictly defines "sex" as male or female based on biological determination. Exceptions to this funding ban exist for treating precocious puberty, medically verifiable disorders of sex development, and emergency situations following prior transition procedures.

The Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act mandates that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issue clear guidance ensuring that qualifying special districts are recognized as eligible local government units for federal financial assistance. Federal agencies must then update their procedures to comply with this new guidance within one year. The OMB Director will report to Congress on agency compliance two years after enactment.

The LAUNCH Act aims to significantly streamline and accelerate commercial space activities by overhauling federal regulations for launch, reentry, and remote sensing licensing. It mandates the creation of a digital application tracking system and establishes a dedicated Commercial Space Transportation Administration within the Department of Transportation. Furthermore, the bill requires reviews to cut regulatory red tape and ensures industry voices are heard to foster innovation and maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global space economy.

This bill modifies the law regarding expedited review for advanced technology export licenses to Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It broadens the definition of "export" within this expedited review process. This change ensures that various transfers, including re-shipping, third-party transfers, and brokering deals involving defense articles, qualify for faster license approval to these key allies.

The Don’t Sell My DNA Act amends federal bankruptcy law to establish strict protections for genetic information. This legislation prohibits the sale or lease of an individual's genetic data by a bankruptcy trustee unless every affected person provides explicit, written consent after the case begins. Furthermore, any genetic data not sold must be securely deleted according to court-approved standards. These new rules apply immediately to all current and future bankruptcy cases.

This bill, the Generating Retirement Ownership through Long-Term Holding Act, allows individuals to defer paying immediate taxes on capital gain dividends from regulated investment companies if those dividends are automatically reinvested into buying more shares. Tax on the deferred gain is recognized only when the shares are eventually sold, redeemed, or upon the owner's death. The legislation also grants these reinvested shares an automatic long-term holding period for tax purposes.

The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates and extends key federal efforts to combat child exploitation. This bill revises the National Strategy to focus on emerging technology trends and mandates detailed resource planning for law enforcement. It also modifies the operations of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces, clarifying their duties, expanding partnerships, and providing liability protections for lead prioritization decisions. Finally, the Act adjusts grant funding allocations and authorizes specific funding levels through fiscal year 2028.

The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act revises federal grant management for high-quality charter schools to enhance technical assistance and oversight for authorizing agencies. The bill establishes new experience and planning requirements for educator-led groups applying for pre-charter planning grants. It also adjusts the required percentages for how states must allocate these federal grant funds across various authorized activities.

The State Border Security Assistance Act establishes two new federal grant funds to support state and local efforts regarding immigration enforcement. The first fund provides resources for physical border barriers, surveillance technology, and relocation costs along the southern border. The second fund is dedicated to assisting states with the costs of arresting, prosecuting, and detaining undocumented individuals, particularly those who have committed crimes. Both programs are authorized through 2029, with remaining funds returning to the Treasury.

The STOP Screwworms Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and operate facilities for rearing and releasing sterile New World screwworm flies to control infestations. This legislation dedicates $300 million to build these modular rearing facilities in at-risk areas and mandates annual public reporting on the threat level and control efforts. The goal is to actively combat the spread of screwworm flies threatening U.S. agriculture.