Legislative Activity

The Preparing And Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act establishes a new federal grant program to help states recruit and retain paraprofessionals in public schools. Funds are distributed to states based on Title I allocations and must be used for state administration or competitive subgrants to local entities. Subgrants must support activities like mentoring, professional development, credentialing assistance, or wage increases, with priority given to entities serving high-poverty areas. States must report annually on wage changes and program effectiveness.

This resolution officially designates the month of July as "National Anti-Counterfeiting and Consumer Education and Awareness Month." It recognizes the significant economic harm and serious consumer safety risks posed by counterfeit goods, such as fake pharmaceuticals. The designation aims to promote public education about the dangers of buying illegal products.

The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025 establishes a new category for "small manufacturers" defined as domestic-only production businesses in specific sectors. This legislation significantly increases the maximum loan limits available to these qualifying small manufacturers under both the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act. The bill aims to provide substantially greater access to capital for U.S.-based manufacturing businesses.

The Access to Birth Control Act aims to ensure that individuals can easily obtain FDA-approved contraception and related medications without systemic barriers. This legislation mandates that pharmacies must promptly dispense birth control or immediately facilitate a transfer or order if the item is out of stock. Furthermore, the bill prohibits intimidation, interference, or misleading information when customers seek these essential healthcare services.

The Child Care for Working Families Act establishes comprehensive federal programs to guarantee access to high-quality, affordable child care for young children of working families. It mandates significant investments to stabilize the child care workforce by requiring higher provider pay and sets strict caps on costs for parents based on income. Additionally, the bill creates a framework for universal, free preschool for three- and four-year-olds and extends service hours and raises compensation for Head Start staff.

The Saving Lives and Taxpayer Dollars Act aims to ensure that valuable U.S. foreign assistance, such as food and medicine, reaches those in need rather than being destroyed. This legislation prohibits the voluntary destruction of usable aid commodities nearing expiration. Instead, it mandates that agencies must exhaust all options, including immediate donation or delivery, before disposal, while requiring annual reports detailing any wasted supplies.

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 establishes a new federal process for trafficking survivors to seek the expungement of arrest records or the vacation of certain criminal convictions resulting from their victimization. It also creates a specific "duress" defense for defendants charged with serious federal crimes if they committed the offense while being trafficked. Furthermore, the bill mandates reporting on the use of these new relief mechanisms and clarifies that federal grants for legal aid can be used for post-conviction representation.

This concurrent resolution officially recognizes the significance of equal pay and highlights the persistent wage disparity faced by Black women compared to White, non-Hispanic men. It designates July 10, 2025, as Black Women's Equal Pay Day to draw attention to the economic losses caused by this gap. The resolution underscores that closing this disparity is vital for the economic stability and wealth-building of Black women and their families.

The Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025 ensures continuity of care by allowing physical therapists to utilize locum tenens arrangements under Medicare. This legislation updates existing rules to ensure that temporary coverage for outpatient physical therapy services is treated the same way as coverage for physicians' services. The goal is to prevent disruptions in patient access to necessary physical therapy.

The GLOBE Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive U.S. policy to promote and protect the human rights of LGBTQI people globally. It mandates increased State Department reporting on international abuses, implements sanctions against foreign individuals responsible for such violations, and directs foreign assistance to support LGBTQI rights defenders. Furthermore, the Act reforms immigration procedures to better protect LGBTQI asylum seekers and ensures non-discrimination for LGBTQI U.S. citizens serving abroad.

Lulu's Law mandates that wireless emergency alert systems be updated to include shark attacks as a triggerable event. The FCC is required to issue an order within 180 days to officially incorporate shark attack warnings into the alert system. This ensures the public can be rapidly notified of dangerous shark activity.

The VISIBLE Act mandates that federal immigration officers (CBP and ICE) clearly display their agency and name/badge number on their outermost clothing during all public-facing enforcement activities. This law aims to increase transparency and public trust by ensuring officers are easily identifiable from a distance. The Department of Homeland Security must report annually to Congress on compliance rates and disciplinary actions taken for violations. Furthermore, the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties will investigate public complaints regarding these new identification standards.

The Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding for both Type 1 Diabetes research programs and diabetes programs serving Native Americans. This legislation secures specific annual appropriations of \$160 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, along with a transition allocation in late 2027. The bill ensures continued financial support for these vital public health initiatives through the end of 2027.

This resolution officially recognizes June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month to honor the history, struggles, and significant contributions of the LGBTQ community in the United States. It acknowledges past and ongoing discrimination while celebrating key legal milestones toward equality. The Senate encourages the nation to use this month to learn about inequality and celebrate the community's achievements both domestically and globally.

The Break the Cycle of Violence Act establishes a comprehensive federal strategy to reduce community violence through non-carceral, evidence-based interventions. Title I creates a new grant program within HHS to fund local violence intervention programs focused on high-risk individuals and trauma-responsive care. Title II authorizes $1.5 billion in Department of Labor grants to fund year-round job training and workforce development specifically for opportunity youth in high-violence areas. Overall, the bill directs significant federal resources toward community-led solutions that prioritize public health, economic opportunity, and violence reduction.

The Protecting America’s Diplomatic Workforce Act establishes stricter transparency requirements and limitations on large-scale workforce reductions across key international agencies. It specifically overhauls the State Department's procedures for laying off Foreign Service employees, prioritizing performance and increasing required advance notice periods for all affected federal workers. Furthermore, the bill mandates extended review periods and increased congressional notification before the State Department can update its Foreign Affairs Manual.

The Refund Equality Act of 2025 extends the deadline for certain legally married couples to amend past tax returns filed separately before September 16, 2013, based on Revenue Ruling 2013-17. This allows these couples to now file jointly for those years, extending the statute of limitations for filing the joint return and claiming related refunds or credits. These extensions are strictly limited to changes resulting from recognizing their marital status for federal tax purposes.

This resolution recognizes Tunisia's historical role as the birthplace of the Arab Spring and commends its initial democratic achievements. It expresses deep concern over the recent erosion of democratic norms, including the consolidation of presidential power and the suppression of political opposition. The Senate urges the Tunisian government to release political prisoners and restore judicial independence. Furthermore, it calls on the Administration to consider imposing sanctions on officials undermining democratic principles.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for the rights and freedoms of LGBTQI+ individuals across the United States. It recognizes key Supreme Court victories that advanced equality while acknowledging the ongoing need for federal legislation to combat discrimination. The bill specifically supports designating June 26th as "LGBTQI+ Equality Day" to commemorate these legal milestones.

The Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act of 2025 is a legislative update designed to modernize the Internal Revenue Code by ensuring gender-neutral language is used when referencing married taxpayers and their spouses. This bill systematically replaces outdated gendered terms like "husband and wife" or "his" with inclusive terms such as "married couple" and "spouse." The changes are purely linguistic, ensuring consistency across tax rules without altering any existing tax liabilities or deductions.