Legislative Activity

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 Data Elimination and Limiting Extensive Tracking and Exchange Act (the DELETE Act) mandates that data brokers register annually with the FTC and provide details about their data collection practices. The bill establishes a centralized, secure system allowing individuals to submit a single, free request to compel all registered data brokers to delete their personal information. Enforcement will be handled by the FTC, treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices under existing law.

The CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 mandates the U.S. government to identify and publicly list all international free trade zones globally. Countries hosting these zones will then be classified into four tiers based on their efforts to combat illicit international trade within those zones. Finally, the Act authorizes economic sanctions and visa restrictions against foreign persons involved in illegal trade activities in lower-tiered countries.

The Manifest Modernization Act of 2025 updates federal requirements for public disclosure of cargo manifest information for all incoming vessels, vehicles, and aircraft. This legislation mandates that public disclosures must now include the Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading and the country of origin, alongside the last country the cargo traveled through before entering the U.S. These changes aim to increase transparency regarding imported goods and their supply chains.

The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act aims to prevent private health insurance plans from unfairly shifting the cost of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) care onto Medicare. This legislation clarifies existing rules to ensure group health plans provide equal benefits for dialysis treatments compared to other medical services. It specifically prohibits plans from imposing discriminatory limits or restrictions solely because a patient has ESRD. The bill preserves a plan's ability to manage its provider network while mandating equitable coverage terms.

The Health ACCESS Act amends anti-kickback laws to create a specific exception for payments made by healthcare providers to certain online health information service providers. This change allows for payments related to consumer-facing scheduling and search tools, provided strict conditions are met to ensure consumer protection and prevent steering. The goal is to facilitate easier access to care by allowing transparent, fair-market-value payments for these digital services.

The Stop Supreme Court Leakers Act of 2025 establishes a new federal crime prohibiting Supreme Court officers and employees from knowingly leaking confidential internal deliberations, case documents, or draft opinions. Violators face up to 10 years in prison and fines, with specific penalties outlined for different types of leaks. This legislation aims to safeguard the confidentiality of the Court's decision-making process.

The Disaster Reforestation Act establishes new rules for calculating tax deductions related to the loss of uncut timber due to natural disasters like fires or storms. This special casualty loss deduction is available only if the taxpayer agrees to replant the affected area within five years. The Act sets specific appraisal standards and allows taxpayers to use an estimate initially, provided an official appraisal is completed within one year.

The No Unreasonable Payments, Coding, Or Diagnoses for the Elderly (No UPCODE) Act aims to reform how Medicare Advantage plans are paid by requiring the use of two full years of health data for risk adjustment starting in 2026. This legislation also mandates that diagnoses obtained solely through chart reviews or health risk assessments cannot be used to increase plan payments. Furthermore, the bill requires an analysis of coding differences between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare to ensure fair payment adjustments.

This bill extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through December 31, 2026. It specifically pushes back both the program's funding authority and its overall expiration date. This action ensures the continued operation and financing of the NFIP for an additional three years.

The Customs Facilitation Act of 2025 modernizes trade by establishing a unified, automated system for cargo processing across all federal agencies to speed up legitimate trade and enhance security. It streamlines CBP processes by accelerating duty refunds for exporters and reducing redundant reporting requirements for businesses. Furthermore, the bill mandates greater transparency and accountability by setting strict rules for collecting trade data and requiring faster response times for official rulings and petitions.

This bill amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to establish a uniform 8-digit subheading number for all imported whiskies. It streamlines the classification structure within Chapter 22 of the tariff schedule for duty purposes. The changes also require the USITC to add new statistical codes to better track different types of imported whiskies.

The Terms-of-service Labeling, Design, and Readability Act (the TLDR Act) requires large online companies to provide consumers with a clear, standardized summary statement and a visual data flow diagram alongside their full Terms of Service. These new rules aim to make it easier for users to understand what sensitive data is collected, how it is used, and what their legal liabilities are. Enforcement will be handled by the FTC as an unfair or deceptive practice, and State Attorneys General are also granted authority to sue non-compliant companies.

This resolution recognizes AmeriCorps Week (March 9-15, 2025) to honor AmeriCorps members, alumni, and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for their positive impact on communities. It celebrates 30 years of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs and encourages public awareness of national and community service. The resolution also acknowledges the significant contributions of these volunteers and encourages people of all ages to explore service opportunities within these programs.

The Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act ensures that Coast Guard members with combat-related injuries receive the same tax treatment on their severance pay as members of other military branches. This is achieved by updating the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016 to include the Secretary of Defense in applying the relevant tax fairness rules. The bill clarifies responsibilities and sets deadlines for the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Transportation to implement these changes.

The Genomic Data Protection Act establishes clear privacy rights for consumers using direct-to-consumer (DTC) genomic testing services. This legislation grants individuals the power to access, delete, or request the destruction of their genetic data and physical biological samples. DTC companies must clearly notify consumers of these rights and adhere to a strict 30-day deadline for fulfilling deletion requests. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these new consumer protections.

The Ag Disputes Act aims to bolster U.S. agricultural competitiveness by addressing unfair foreign trade barriers. It mandates the creation of an Agricultural Trade Enforcement Task Force to identify and challenge trade violations, particularly those impacting U.S. agricultural exports. The task force will develop strategies, engage with stakeholders, and report to Congress on its progress, with a specific focus on addressing India's price support programs through World Trade Organization consultations. This act seeks to ensure fair global trade practices and protect American farmers and businesses.

The Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act of 2025 extends duty-free treatment for certain apparel articles imported from Haiti to the United States until September 30, 2035, under the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act. It clarifies the applicable percentage for preferential treatment and restores eligibility for specific articles that previously lost it due to revisions in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. The Act aims to promote economic growth in Haiti through trade preferences.

The "Flood Insurance Affordability Tax Credit Act" creates a refundable tax credit for 33% of flood insurance premiums paid by eligible taxpayers for their primary residence, with income limitations. It also establishes a program for advance payments of the tax credit to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on behalf of eligible individuals. This credit aims to make flood insurance more affordable for homeowners.

This resolution authorizes the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions to carry out its duties from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, including making expenditures, employing personnel, and utilizing services from other government agencies. It sets specific limits on the committee's expenses for multiple periods between 2025 and 2027, including funds for consultants and staff training. The resolution outlines the procedures for covering committee expenses, primarily through the Senate's contingent fund, and specifies exceptions for certain routine payments. It also authorizes payments from the Senate's Inquiries and Investigations expense account for agency contributions related to committee employee compensation during the covered periods.