Legislative Activity

This Act mandates the Department of Labor to establish comprehensive, enforceable standards for preventing workplace violence in healthcare and social service settings. It requires covered employers to develop and implement written prevention plans, conduct risk assessments, provide thorough training, and maintain detailed incident logs. The legislation also amends the Social Security Act to ensure facilities receiving Medicare funds comply with these new federal workplace safety requirements.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 mandates sweeping economic penalties against the Russian Federation and its affiliates for actions against Ukraine. This legislation requires the President and Treasury Secretary to impose escalating sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities. Furthermore, the Act prohibits U.S. persons from investing in Russian debt, bans the trading of Russian securities on U.S. exchanges, and imposes a massive 500% import duty on Russian goods. Sanctions can only be terminated if Russia agrees to a verifiable peace deal with Ukraine.

This resolution officially designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the vital and substantial contributions of the over 1.2 million female agricultural producers to the U.S. economy and global food supply. The measure encourages citizens to acknowledge the leadership, mentorship, and economic impact women have across the entire agricultural sector.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month" to recognize the critical importance of local journalism. It highlights the severe decline of local news outlets across the country, which has created numerous "news deserts." The measure affirms that local news is vital for a healthy democracy and community engagement.

The Paying a Fair Share Act of 2025 introduces a new "Fair Share Tax" targeting high-income taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) exceeding $1,000,000. This tax is calculated as 30% of AGI (minus a modified charitable deduction) but only applies to income that exceeds existing regular income tax, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), and payroll taxes. The Senate views this bill as an immediate step to ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share and reduce the national deficit while encouraging broader tax reform.

This concurrent resolution formally supports the goals and ideals of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. It recognizes the achievements of the transgender community while acknowledging the ongoing discrimination and violence they face. The resolution encourages public observance of the day and celebrates the progress and leadership within the transgender community.

The Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Agriculture to immediately honor and pay all existing, unfrozen contracts with farmers and related entities. This legislation prevents the cancellation of signed agreements unless the terms have been violated by the recipient. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide 60 days' notice to Congress before closing any local Farm Service Agency, NRCS, or Rural Development offices.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment granting Congress and the states the explicit authority to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures. If ratified, it would allow for setting reasonable limits on spending intended to influence elections to protect democratic fairness. The amendment also specifically empowers regulators to treat corporations and other entities differently than individuals regarding election spending, while explicitly protecting the freedom of the press.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the rich heritage, culture, and significant contributions of Latinas across the United States. It highlights their achievements in diverse fields while acknowledging ongoing disparities, such as the wage gap. Ultimately, the measure calls for continued investment in the future of Latinas as a vital part of the nation's growth.

This resolution formally honors the life and distinguished public service career of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator for Wyoming. It celebrates his extensive tenure in both state and federal government, highlighting his focus on fiscal responsibility and support for veterans. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow at his passing and directs that the day's adjournment serve as a final tribute to his memory.

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act seeks to permanently protect vast tracts of federal land across Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Wyoming by designating new wilderness areas, establishing critical biological connecting corridors, and safeguarding key river segments. The bill also mandates the restoration of over a million acres to a roadless character and imposes immediate development restrictions on unstudied roadless lands. Furthermore, it secures necessary water rights for new wilderness areas and reinforces tribal rights and access across the protected regions.

This resolution designates the first week of April 2025 as National Asbestos Awareness Week to highlight the severe, often delayed health risks associated with asbestos exposure. The measure urges the Surgeon General to educate the public about the dangers of these invisible fibers, which cause incurable diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis. By raising awareness, the goal is to reduce future occupational and environmental exposures.

This resolution celebrates the 204th anniversary of Greek independence and reaffirms the deep, shared commitment to democracy between the United States and Greece. It recognizes the historical ties, ongoing strategic partnership in security and energy, and the contributions of the Greek-American community. The bill ultimately honors Greece as a vital NATO ally and friend.

The Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2025 grants federal appellate and district court judges the authority to permit cameras and recording in their courtrooms. This authority is balanced by strict requirements to protect due process, including mandatory voice and face obscuring for certain witnesses upon request. The Act tasks the Judicial Conference with establishing mandatory guidelines to protect vulnerable individuals within three years, after which the district court media authorization provision will expire.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen protections against sex-based wage discrimination and close the gender pay gap. It enhances enforcement by tightening employer defenses for pay disparities, expanding anti-retaliation protections, and increasing penalties for violations. The bill also mandates new data collection by the EEOC and establishes grant programs to support negotiation skills training.

The Providing a Quality Defense Act of 2025 aims to strengthen constitutional rights by improving public defense services across the nation. It establishes a grant program for states and localities to collect better workload data and hire more staff, while also mandating studies on fair caseload limits and attorney compensation. Furthermore, the Act supports educational programs to enhance the skills and client-centered advocacy of public defenders and assigned counsel.

This resolution expresses strong support for the nation's public K-12 schools and condemns any efforts to defund or dismantle the Department of Education. It affirms the crucial federal role in ensuring equitable funding and support for students, especially those with disabilities and from low-income families. The resolution warns that weakening the Department would severely disrupt vital programs serving millions of students nationwide.

The Dental Loan Repayment Assistance Act of 2025 makes certain federal loan repayments received by dental school faculty tax-free. This change updates the Internal Revenue Code to exclude these specific loan repayment amounts from taxable income. The bill also requires the GAO to review participation in the relevant dental faculty development and loan repayment programs.

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025 aims to stop the flow of illegal machinegun conversion devices into the United States. It mandates the creation of a comprehensive federal strategy to detect, trace, and interdict these devices, including those made domestically. Furthermore, the bill enhances the government's ability to forfeit profits derived from illegal machinegun trafficking and requires specific reporting on the use and origin of these conversion devices.

This bill modifies U.S. requirements to streamline the transfer of defense articles and services among the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). It allows these nations to share U.S.-provided defense items directly with each other without requiring prior U.S. approval. Furthermore, the legislation mandates the creation of a shared key to facilitate the easy exchange of HIMARS ammunition between them.