Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution affirms the critical importance of the Social Security program to the American people and expresses the Senate's commitment to preserving and strengthening it for all generations. It establishes August as Social Security Awareness Month to promote public education on the program's history and financial future. Furthermore, the resolution calls for bipartisan action to ensure the long-term solvency of Social Security and prevent benefit cuts.

The VetPAC Act of 2025 establishes the Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission, composed of experts appointed by the Comptroller General. This new commission is tasked with conducting comprehensive reviews of VHA operations, including quality of care, staffing, and technology. The Commission will then submit annual reports to Congress containing recommendations for improving the delivery of veteran healthcare.

The MAP for Care Act establishes a voluntary Medicare Advance Directive Certification Program to encourage Medicare beneficiaries to create and maintain certified advance directives. This program requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to accredit vendors who provide secure, accessible electronic living wills or durable powers of attorney. The goal is to ensure beneficiaries' healthcare wishes are known and followed if they become incapacitated.

The Health Care Cybersecurity and Resiliency Act of 2025 aims to significantly bolster cybersecurity across the Healthcare and Public Health Sector. It mandates increased coordination between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CISA, establishes clear cybersecurity oversight within HHS, and requires HHS to develop a comprehensive incident response plan. Furthermore, the bill introduces mandatory cybersecurity standards for covered entities, creates a grant program to fund security upgrades, and focuses on developing the healthcare cybersecurity workforce.

The Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act 2.0 aims to streamline the veterans' benefits appeals process through several key reforms. It establishes new deadlines for evidence submission and offers veterans more flexibility in managing their appeals while preserving their place in line. The bill also mandates improvements to electronic notifications, requires more detailed decision notices from the Board of Veterans' Appeals, and introduces new procedures for decision reconsideration. Finally, it requires comprehensive reviews of the appeals system and mandates annual public reporting on appeal outcomes.

The Humanoid ROBOT Act of 2025 aims to safeguard national security by restricting the U.S. government's acquisition of humanoid robots from entities associated with countries of concern. It mandates that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review foreign investments in domestic humanoid robot technology production. Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of Defense to report on the national security threats posed by these advanced robotics, particularly those developed by adversarial nations.

This bill, the Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act, extends and significantly increases the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers hiring from targeted groups through 2030. It raises the base credit amount, adjusts key figures for inflation, and adds qualified military spouses as an eligible group. Furthermore, the legislation mandates federal agencies to promote the hiring of WOTC-eligible individuals within critical sectors like manufacturing and healthcare.

The Fairness in Filing Act amends the National Labor Relations Act to require that all unfair labor practice charges filed with the NLRB must be submitted in good faith and supported by evidence or a certification explaining the lack of documentation. This legislation also mandates that the Board must provide charged parties with evidence before a hearing to allow for inspection and copying. Finally, the Act establishes penalties, including a fine of up to \$5,000, for individuals who file charges without good faith or engage in a pattern of filing frivolous claims.

This bill automatically extends the authorities of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until the end of the fiscal year following its scheduled termination date. This ensures the NFIP can continue to issue and renew policies, pay claims, and operate normally unless Congress passes new legislation. The extension maintains existing financial limitations and funding levels during the extended period. This provision is designed to prevent an immediate lapse of critical flood insurance coverage.

The Union Members Right to Know Act amends the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act to require labor organizations to provide members with detailed information regarding their rights under federal law. This bill mandates that unions disclose summaries of the LMRDA, religious accommodation rights regarding dues, and *Beck* rights to all members. Furthermore, it restricts the use of member funds for non-representational activities unless the member provides specific, time-limited written authorization.

The NLRB Stability Act aims to create greater consistency in labor law enforcement by requiring National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) orders to align with decisions from the relevant Circuit Court of Appeals. This legislation also streamlines the process for judicial review by mandating that challenges to NLRB orders be filed in the circuit where the unfair labor practice occurred or the D.C. Circuit.

The Worker RESULTS Act amends the National Labor Relations Act to revise the rules governing representation elections and bargaining representative certification. It establishes stricter timelines for when elections can occur after a vote or collective bargaining agreement takes effect, while also setting new requirements for secret ballot majorities for certification. Furthermore, the bill limits the Board's ability to block or dismiss elections based on pending unfair labor practice charges, aiming to speed up the election and bargaining process.

The Health Information Privacy Reform Act aims to strengthen privacy, security, and breach notification standards for health information beyond current HIPAA rules, primarily by establishing new regulations for entities not traditionally covered. It also mandates studies on patient compensation for research data and clarifies rules regarding patient access rights and the de-identification of health data. Ultimately, this bill seeks to modernize and expand federal protections for health information across a broader range of data handlers.

The Restoring Integrity in Fiduciary Duty Act mandates that retirement plan fiduciaries must evaluate investments based *only* on pecuniary factors that materially affect risk and return, prohibiting the subordination of financial interests to non-financial goals. If financial factors are equal, fiduciaries must use a specific tie-breaking standard (*capita aut navia*) and document their reasoning. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that exercising shareholder rights, such as proxy voting, must be done solely in the economic interest of participants and beneficiaries.

This resolution calls on Congress and educational agencies to recognize the significant educational implications of dyslexia, the most common learning disability. It emphasizes the need for early screening and evidence-based intervention for affected individuals. Finally, the resolution designates October 2025 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month.

The Learning Innovation and Family Empowerment with AI Act (LIFE with AI Act) aims to enhance student data privacy and parental rights regarding educational technology. It establishes a "Golden Seal of Excellence" for schools using instant verification technology for consent and simplifies directory information opt-outs. Furthermore, the bill restricts the use of student photos for facial recognition AI and sets new requirements for contracts involving third-party educational technology providers.

This resolution recognizes the accomplishments of former President Donald J. Trump, specifically commending his leadership in launching Operation Warp Speed. It highlights the success of this public-private partnership in rapidly developing and distributing COVID-19 vaccines. Consequently, the resolution recommends that President Trump be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026 for these life-saving efforts.

The 21st Century Dyslexia Act updates federal education law to specifically define dyslexia and ensure children with this learning disability receive appropriate support. This legislation amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to include dyslexia in its definitions of qualifying conditions. Furthermore, the Act mandates that schools guarantee equitable access to necessary accommodations and services for all eligible students, regardless of socioeconomic status or English proficiency.

The Employee Ownership Representation Act of 2025 aims to significantly boost employee ownership in the U.S. by expanding the ERISA Advisory Council to include employee ownership representatives. The bill establishes a new, independent Office of Employee Ownership within the Department of Labor to carry out the Employee Ownership Initiative. Finally, it creates the role of Advocate for Employee Ownership to advise the Secretary of Labor, facilitate education, and resolve disputes related to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).

The Pathways to Paychecks Act grants states greater flexibility in staffing their employment service offices. This allows states to utilize either their existing state merit staff or hire personnel who meet the established requirements for federal contractors. The goal is to streamline operations while ensuring qualified individuals assist job seekers.