Legislative Activity

The "Financing Our Energy Future Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the definition of "qualifying income" for publicly traded partnerships involved in green energy projects. This expansion includes income from various renewable energy activities, such as generating and storing power from renewable sources, processing biomass, utilizing carbon capture technologies, and producing renewable chemicals. These changes aim to incentivize investment in and development of green energy technologies by allowing more green energy companies to qualify for PTP status. The amendments will take effect for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The "Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify and enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit by adjusting wage limitations, modifying the treatment of summer youth employees, and removing the age limit for qualified supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits recipients. It updates the calculation of the credit based on qualified first-year wages and increases wage limitations for qualified veterans based on specific criteria. These changes aim to incentivize employers to hire individuals from specific target groups, promoting employment opportunities. Most of these amendments apply to individuals starting work after December 31, 2024.

This resolution honors the memory of the 67 victims who lost their lives in the tragic mid-air collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a U.S. Army helicopter on January 29, 2025. It extends heartfelt condolences to the grieving families and expresses profound gratitude to the numerous first responder organizations that provided dedicated rescue and recovery efforts.

This bill amends existing regulations to include Czechia in the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for admission into the United States as E-1 nonimmigrant traders, under the condition that the Czech government provides similar trade benefits to U.S. citizens. This change would allow Czech citizens to enter the U.S. for trade purposes if U.S. citizens are afforded the same opportunities in Czechia.

The "Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025" aims to protect postal workers by allocating funds for high-security collection boxes and electronic mailbox keys. It mandates the appointment of dedicated attorneys to prosecute crimes against postal employees and directs the Sentencing Commission to update guidelines to ensure that assaulting or robbing a postal worker is treated as severely as assaulting a law enforcement officer.

The "Foreign Assistance Accountability and Oversight Act" establishes a Director of Foreign Assistance within the State Department to optimize the impact of foreign assistance by aligning resources with foreign policy goals, measuring effectiveness, and promoting transparency. This director will lead strategic planning, budget processes, and program evaluations, ensuring resources are obligated in a timely manner. The act also affirms USAID's status as an independent agency and emphasizes the importance of congressional oversight in foreign assistance management.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" aims to improve access to non-opioid pain management for Medicare Part D beneficiaries starting in 2026. It eliminates the standard deductible and places qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs on the lowest cost-sharing tier. The bill also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, ensuring quicker access to alternative pain relief options.

The "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations like schools and places of worship, requiring supervisor consultation and discreet conduct. Exceptions are allowed only in cases of national security or public safety threats or medical emergencies. The Act mandates annual training, detailed reporting of enforcement actions, and evidence suppression for violations, enhancing oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement.

This resolution designates February 2025 as "Career and Technical Education Month" to recognize the vital role of CTE in preparing students for high-demand, skilled careers. It highlights the importance of workforce training in meeting modern economic needs and encourages educators, parents, and administrators to promote CTE as a valuable and respected educational pathway.

The "Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025" modifies regulations for 403(b) plans under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These modifications broaden exemptions from registration provisions for certain interests, participations, or securities related to 403(b) plans, especially those subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or where the employer acts as a fiduciary, or are governmental plans as defined in section 414. The goal is to expand the types of trusts, plans, and accounts that are excluded from being defined as investment companies. It also updates a section regarding exemptions from registration requirements for securities, adding a reference to plans described in section 3(a)(12)(C)(iv) of the Act.

The STRATEGIC Minerals Act aims to secure the U.S. supply chain of critical minerals and rare earth elements by authorizing the President to negotiate and enter into free trade agreements with countries that meet specific requirements. It sets negotiating objectives to reduce trade barriers, improve international trade rules, and foster economic growth while promoting sustainable practices and protecting worker rights. The Act also expands the definition of "domestic source" under the Defense Production Act to include businesses in free trade agreement countries, subject to restrictions on foreign ownership and ties to entities of concern, and requires the Secretary of Defense to determine mineral supply deficiencies. The Act seeks to ensure a stable and secure supply of minerals essential for advanced technology, economic growth, and national security.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. must include standard equipment capable of receiving AM broadcast signals within a few years of the law's enactment. This requirement aims to ensure drivers retain access to crucial emergency alerts, overriding conflicting state or local laws. The bill also directs the GAO to study the reliability of AM radio versus other emergency alert technologies in vehicles.

This resolution reaffirms the critical importance of nuclear arms control agreements in maintaining global strategic stability. It condemns Russia’s nuclear threats and suspension of the New START Treaty while urging the U.S. government to pursue continued negotiations with both Russia and China to prevent an unrestrained nuclear arms race.

The JOBS Act of 2025 expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to include students enrolled in high-quality, short-term career and technical education programs. By supporting training that leads to industry-recognized credentials, the bill aims to better align postsecondary education with the needs of high-demand job sectors. Additionally, the legislation lowers the minimum Pell Grant threshold to increase financial aid accessibility for students pursuing these career-focused pathways.

The Access to Counsel Act of 2025 ensures that individuals undergoing secondary or deferred immigration inspection at ports of entry have a meaningful opportunity to consult with legal counsel and interested parties. The bill mandates that these individuals be granted access to representation to assist in their inspection process and provides specific protections for lawful permanent residents regarding the abandonment of their status. These measures aim to uphold due process rights for travelers and immigrants arriving at U.S. borders.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to celebrate the vital role mentors play in fostering youth development and community strength. It highlights the academic, social, and career benefits of mentoring while calling for increased collaboration to expand access to these life-changing relationships. By promoting quality mentoring programs, the bill aims to close the national mentoring gap and ensure more young people have the guidance needed to reach their full potential.

The Keep Our PACT Act ensures federal support for public education by establishing mandatory funding increases for Title I programs and special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By providing a decade-long roadmap for increased investment, the bill aims to fulfill long-standing federal commitments to school districts and students with disabilities. This legislation designates these funds as emergency spending to ensure consistent, reliable resources for schools across the country.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The Charitable Act renews and expands tax incentives for charitable giving by allowing individuals who do not itemize deductions to claim a deduction for charitable contributions during the 2026 and 2027 tax years. Under this provision, non-itemizers can deduct contributions up to one-third of their standard deduction amount. Additionally, the bill removes specific accuracy-related penalties associated with these deductions.