Legislative Activity

The Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 amends the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2014 to protect taxpayers and subcontractors. It mandates payment and performance security for construction projects receiving federal financial assistance. The Act ensures that either state/local laws provide sufficient security or the Secretary/Administrator enforces federal bond requirements.

The "Healthy SNAP Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, redefining "food" under SNAP to exclude items like alcohol, tobacco, and sugary products, while directing the Secretary to designate specific healthy foods that qualify. It requires the Secretary to consider nutritional value, fat, sugar, and salt levels when designating foods and to review these designations regularly. The bill also ensures prepared meals meet nutritional standards and allows for culturally appropriate food substitutions.

The "First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor the First Rhode Island Regiment for their heroic service during the Revolutionary War. This regiment, one of the first racially integrated units in American history, was composed of African American, Indigenous, and mixed-race soldiers. The gold medal will be presented to the Rhode Island State Library for public display and research, with the hope that it will also be exhibited at other locations associated with the Regiment. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The Servicemember to Veteran Health Care Connection Act of 2025 streamlines healthcare access for transitioning service members by creating a pre-transition registration system within the VA, facilitating enrollment in VA healthcare, and proactively conducting outreach to connect veterans with available services. This act aims to simplify the enrollment process, improve access to care, and support the health and well-being of veterans during their transition to civilian life. The Act also requires annual reports and feasibility studies to ensure the program's effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

The "Safe Home Act of 2025" aims to protect children by addressing unregulated custody transfers, which are defined as the abandonment of a child without ensuring their safety or transferring legal rights. It directs the Secretary to improve public awareness to prevent adoption disruption and dissolution, including unregulated custody transfers of adopted children, by updating federal resources and websites to educate state, local, and tribal child welfare employees and prospective adoptive families on preventing and addressing these transfers, and on accessing adoption support services. The Act also requires a report to Congress on the causes, methods, and effects of unregulated custody transfers, along with recommended policies for prevention and response.

The "Eliminate Lavish Incentives To Electric Vehicles Act" repeals several clean energy tax credits, including those for new and used clean vehicles, qualified commercial clean vehicles, and excludes electric vehicle recharging property from the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit. These changes would take effect for vehicles or property purchased (or under binding contract) more than 30 days after the Act's enactment.

The "Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Interior and Department of Agriculture from banning or regulating lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters open to hunting and fishing. An exception is allowed in specific areas where lead is scientifically proven to be the primary cause of wildlife population decline, but any restrictions must align with state laws or have the approval of the state's fish and wildlife department. The reasoning for any such prohibition or regulation must be published in the Federal Register.

The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025 seeks to enhance the defense partnership between the United States and Israel through various initiatives. This includes establishing programs to counter unmanned systems, extend anti-tunnel and counter-unmanned aerial systems cooperation, and promote collaboration in emerging technologies. The act also directs the establishment of a Defense Innovation Unit office in Israel and assesses integrated air and missile defense in the United States Central Command region. Finally, it explores Israel's potential inclusion in the national technology and industrial base.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in logistical transactions of Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemical products. It mandates the President to block the property of sanctioned individuals and entities within the U.S. and deny them U.S. visas, with potential waivers based on national interest. The Act also establishes an Interagency Working Group to coordinate and enhance the enforcement of sanctions against Iran, and encourages the formation of a multilateral contact group with similar countries to coordinate international enforcement of sanctions against Iran. Finally, the Act amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include identifying individuals or entities involved in activities that violate or evade sanctions under the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025.

The "English Language Unity Act of 2025" establishes English as the official language of the United States, mandating its use in official government functions while allowing exceptions for specific circumstances. It sets a uniform English language standard for naturalization, ensuring new citizens can understand core U.S. documents. The Act also includes rules for interpreting U.S. laws in English, emphasizing the protection of individual rights and state powers, and directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to propose a rule for uniform English language testing of naturalization candidates.

The "Credit Union Board Modernization Act" amends the Federal Credit Union Act to reduce the frequency of board of directors meetings for well-managed federal credit unions. New federal credit unions are required to meet monthly for the first five years, while those with strong ratings must meet at least six times annually after the initial period. Credit unions with lower ratings will still be required to meet monthly.

The "Protect Small Businesses from Excessive Paperwork Act of 2025" amends the filing deadline for pre-existing reporting companies. Companies in existence before January 1, 2024, now have until January 1, 2026, to file their reports.

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 "Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act" establishes new federal crimes and penalties for individuals who intentionally flee from law enforcement officers while operating a vehicle near the U.S. border. Convictions under this law can lead to imprisonment, fines, and immigration consequences such as inadmissibility or deportation. The Attorney General must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the enforcement and impact of this law.

The WEST Act of 2025 repeals a Bureau of Land Management rule concerning conservation and landscape health that was published in the Federal Register (88 Fed. Reg. 19583). This action effectively voids the rule.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to fix the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. State legislatures must ratify the amendment within seven years, with a three-fourths majority required for approval.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of "Career and Technical Education Month" by recognizing the importance of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing students for the workforce. It acknowledges the significant number of students enrolled in CTE programs and the positive impact of CTE on academic achievement and employability. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.

The "Respect State Housing Laws Act" repeals a provision in the CARES Act that restricted states' abilities to enforce their own eviction moratoriums. This change clarifies that state laws regarding evictions should be respected.

The "Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act" amends the Social Security Act to set a minimum Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) allotment for each state, ensuring more stable funding for hospitals that serve a large number of low-income patients. Starting in 2025, every state will receive a DSH allotment of no less than $20,000,000, adjusted for inflation in later years, regardless of other calculations or required reductions. This aims to provide financial stability to rural hospitals.

The "Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs from sharing veterans' personal information with the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) based solely on the appointment of a fiduciary to manage their benefits. Information can only be shared if a judicial authority determines the veteran poses a danger to themselves or others.