Legislative Activity

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.

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.

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.

The PSA Screening for HIM Act mandates that group and individual health insurance plans provide coverage for prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk men aged 40 and older. By removing financial barriers for African-American men and those with a family history of the disease, this legislation aims to improve early detection and survival rates.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (Global HER) Act ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain eligible for U.S. foreign assistance regardless of the legal health services or advocacy they provide using their own non-U.S. funds. By overriding restrictive policies, the bill protects the autonomy of these organizations to deliver comprehensive care and engage in advocacy, provided their activities comply with local laws and would be legal if performed in the United States.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that the U.S. should remain committed to the Paris Agreement, support policies at all levels of government to reduce global warming pollution, and encourage actions by businesses, investors, and individuals to combat climate change. It recognizes the economic benefits of clean energy investments and the need for collective efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act aims to reduce double taxation for residents of Taiwan and the U.S. by lowering withholding rates on cross-border income and establishing clear tax residency rules. Additionally, the bill authorizes the President to negotiate a formal tax agreement with Taiwan, ensuring congressional oversight and public transparency throughout the process. This legislation seeks to boost bilateral trade and investment while ensuring reciprocal tax benefits for both nations.

The Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting pandemic-related fraud to 10 years. This legislation ensures that federal authorities have more time to pursue criminal charges, civil forfeiture actions, and False Claims Act lawsuits against those who misused COVID-19 relief funds.

The Lumbee Fairness Act grants federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, making the tribe and its members eligible for all federal Indian programs and services. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to verify the tribal roll and take land into trust for the tribe's benefit. Additionally, it clarifies jurisdictional arrangements between the state and the tribe while ensuring the tribe receives the same federal support as other recognized tribes.

The PRECEPT Nurses Act establishes a $2,000 annual tax credit for nurses and healthcare providers who complete at least 200 hours of clinical preceptorship in designated health professional shortage areas. This initiative aims to strengthen the nursing workforce by incentivizing experienced professionals to mentor nursing students and newly hired nurses. The program is set to run from 2026 through 2032, with mandated reporting to evaluate its impact on clinical training capacity.

The Veterans Member Business Loan Act amends the Federal Credit Union Act to include loans made to veterans within the definition of "member business loans." This change allows credit unions to better support veteran-owned businesses by facilitating easier access to capital.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 seeks to expand Medicare coverage to include all services that doctors of chiropractic are legally authorized to perform under their state licenses. By removing the current restriction that limits coverage solely to manual spinal manipulation, the bill aligns Medicare with other federal and private health programs. To provide services beyond spinal manipulation, chiropractors will be required to complete a designated educational documentation program.

The FAIR Act proposes a 3.3% pay increase for federal civilian and wage-grade employees for the 2026 calendar year. Additionally, the bill mandates a 1% increase in locality pay adjustments for federal civilian employees.

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in recognition of their historic victory. This legislation honors the team’s extraordinary achievement, which served as a defining moment in American sports and a source of national inspiration during the Cold War. The medals will be permanently displayed at three prominent institutions dedicated to Olympic and hockey history.

The Health Care Affordability Act of 2025 expands access to premium tax credits by removing the current income eligibility cap, allowing more households to qualify for financial assistance. The bill also introduces a new sliding scale for premium contributions to ensure health insurance costs remain more manageable for families. These changes are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act establishes a 13-member commission tasked with investigating the legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination in the United States. The commission is charged with documenting these historical injustices and their ongoing impact on living African Americans to develop formal proposals for reparatory justice. Ultimately, the body will submit its findings and recommendations for remedies, including potential compensation and educational initiatives, to Congress.