Legislative Activity

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.

The India Shrimp Tariff Act establishes a phased increase in U.S. import duties on shrimp originating from India, citing unfair competition against domestic producers. This legislation also mandates a new per-kilogram fee on certain shrimp imports, with collected funds dedicated to the inspection of both shrimp and catfish. Furthermore, the Act updates country-of-origin labeling requirements for cooked shrimp and crawfish.

The Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act of 2025 requires Medicare Advantage (MA) plans to include specific "Essential Community Providers" (ECPs) in their networks to ensure access for underserved populations. MA plans must contract with available ECPs and demonstrate adequate geographic distribution, especially for low-income and rural enrollees. Failure to meet this standard will result in the denial of plan approval unless the organization provides an acceptable remediation plan.

This resolution commemorates the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, honoring the lives lost and recognizing the extraordinary efforts of first responders and community support during the recovery. It highlights the significant investment made in strengthening Gulf Coast flood defenses since the disaster. Ultimately, the resolution reaffirms a commitment to continued flood mitigation and resilience for vulnerable coastal communities.

The Skin Substitute Access and Payment Reform Act of 2025 aims to overhaul how Medicare pays for advanced skin substitute products used to treat chronic wounds. This bill establishes a new, standardized payment limit based on 2023 utilization data to curb rising costs and eliminate current payment inconsistencies. The goal is to ensure fair payment for clinically equivalent treatments while removing incentives that favor more expensive options.

The VetPAC Act of 2025 establishes the Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission, an independent body of 17 experts, including veterans, appointed by the Comptroller General. This Commission is tasked with comprehensively reviewing the operations, quality of care, IT systems, and workforce of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It must submit annual reports with budget-impacted recommendations to Congress detailing necessary improvements for veteran healthcare delivery.

This resolution officially designates August 14, 2025, as "National Save Social Security Day" to mark the program's 90th anniversary. It recognizes Social Security's vital role while stressing the need for bipartisan action to ensure its long-term financial stability. The measure encourages public education and outreach regarding the challenges facing the program. Ultimately, it calls on Congress to work together to strengthen Social Security for future generations.

The College Transparency Act establishes a secure, new Postsecondary Student Data System to track student enrollment, completion, and post-college outcomes across higher education institutions. This system aims to increase transparency for students and families by providing clear data on costs and success rates, while minimizing duplicate reporting burdens for schools. The collected data will be used for secure research and public reporting of aggregate statistics, strictly prohibiting the sale of data or its use for federal college rankings.

The National Net Interest is National Security Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretaries of Defense and State, to report on how the growing national debt and interest payments threaten U.S. national security. This comprehensive report must analyze impacts on defense spending, global standing, and the capacity to manage crises. The bill also mandates that the Government Accountability Office add these debt-related security threats to its High Risk List.

This resolution formally congratulates the Louisiana State University (LSU) Fighting Tigers baseball team for winning the 2025 NCAA Division I College World Series. It recognizes their undefeated performance in Omaha and celebrates the achievements of the players and coaching staff. The Senate is also honoring the dedication of LSU fans and the entire state in supporting the championship team.

The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl (HALT Fentanyl) Act aims to combat the opioid crisis by immediately classifying structurally similar fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances. The bill also streamlines the registration process for researchers working with Schedule I drugs and strengthens criminal penalties for trafficking these compounds. The Attorney General is required to issue implementing rules within six months of enactment.

The Independent Retirement Fairness Act aims to expand retirement savings options for independent workers by allowing them to participate in pooled employer plans and Simplified Employee Pensions (SEPs) as if they were traditional employees. The bill also establishes pilot programs to facilitate automatic retirement savings through methods like rounding up paychecks. Furthermore, it simplifies certain auditing requirements for grouped retirement plans.

The Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act ensures that offering portable or standard employee benefits will not, by itself, cause a worker to be classified as an employee under federal law. This change allows companies to offer valuable benefits to independent workers without automatically triggering employee status for tax or labor purposes. The legislation aims to encourage the provision of portable benefits to the independent workforce.

This concurrent resolution expresses Congress's strong support and deep appreciation for America's law enforcement professionals. It recognizes the increasing dangers, high trauma exposure, and current staffing shortages facing officers nationwide. The resolution calls for enhanced safety measures, better resources, increased penalties for assaulting officers, and improved mental health support for law enforcement personnel. Ultimately, it urges all levels of government to provide the necessary support for officers to effectively protect their communities.