Legislative Activity

The Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025 establishes a voluntary certification program within the Department of Agriculture to recognize and promote entities that reduce food loss and waste. This program aims to increase food donations and alternative disposal methods, such as composting. The Act also mandates revisions to an existing agreement between the USDA, FDA, and EPA to enhance coordination on food loss and waste reduction efforts.

The "End Tobacco Loopholes Act" aims to equalize and increase excise taxes across all tobacco products, including setting specific rates for roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, cigars, and creating a new tax for nicotine. It adjusts tax rates for inflation starting in 2025 and imposes floor stock taxes on existing inventories. The act also provides a transition rule for businesses manufacturing or importing taxable nicotine, allowing them to continue operating while their permit application is pending if submitted within 90 days of enactment.

The "Increasing American Jobs Through Greater United States Exports to Africa and Latin America Act of 2025" directs the President to develop a strategy to increase U.S. exports to Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean by 200% within 10 years. It establishes Special Export Strategy Coordinators and emphasizes the importance of trade missions and standardized training for U.S. officers. The goal is to boost public and private investment, trade, and development in these regions while considering the impact on their economies and job markets.

The "Accountability for Endless Wars Act of 2025" aims to limit military engagements by automatically terminating both future and existing authorizations for the use of military force and declarations of war. Future authorizations or declarations would expire 10 years after enactment, while existing ones would end 6 months after this Act is enacted.

The "Affordable College Textbook Act" aims to lower the cost of college textbooks for students by expanding the use of open educational resources. It authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to higher education institutions to create and expand the use of open textbooks. The act also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions to disclose textbook price information, including whether the material is an open educational resource, on online course schedules. Finally, it directs the Comptroller General to prepare a report on the cost of textbooks and the implementation of these provisions.

This resolution affirms the Senate's position that the NIH's operations and funding should not be disrupted, as they are crucial for medical advancements and addressing public health challenges. It emphasizes that the NIH workforce is essential for sustaining medical progress and protecting national health, security, and the economy. Any interference with NIH operations or its workforce undermines biomedical research and the nation's ability to respond to public health issues.

The Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 aims to protect consumers from fraud at cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring kiosk operators to register with the Treasury Department, disclose transaction terms, implement anti-fraud policies, use blockchain analytics, and provide customer support. It sets transaction limits for new customers, requires verbal confirmation for larger transactions, and mandates refunds for fraudulently induced transactions. The Act also establishes penalties for non-compliance and ensures a dedicated communication channel for law enforcement to report suspected fraud.

The "Protecting Our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act" establishes a "Ukrainian guest status" for individuals paroled into the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine program, allowing them to work in the U.S. This status begins from their initial parole date and expires 120 days after the Secretary of State determines it is safe for civilians to return to Ukraine, but can be revoked by Homeland Security if the individual poses a security risk.

This resolution designates February 2025 as "American Heart Month" to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), support research, and improve health outcomes. It highlights the significant impact of CVD on Americans, including its high mortality rate and economic costs. The resolution encourages individuals to learn about their CVD risk and supports efforts to promote prevention and early detection. It also acknowledges the annual American Heart Month proclamation and the American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day.

The "Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Act" aims to regulate communications about prescription drugs, especially on social media, to prevent false or misleading information. It imposes penalties for deceptive endorsements by social media influencers and healthcare providers, mandates disclosure of payments for drug promotions, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance on what constitutes misleading communication. The act also establishes a task force to monitor drug advertising and authorizes funding for these activities, ensuring that patients receive accurate and complete information about prescription drugs.

This bill designates a portion of Sumner Row Northwest in Washington, D.C., as "Alexei Navalny Way" to honor the Russian political activist and his fight for democratic freedoms. It requires the District of Columbia to erect street signs with the new designation near the Russian Ambassador's residence, symbolizing solidarity with the Russian people who are fighting for fundamental freedoms. Congress finds that the Putin administration has been involved in repressing people, assassinating political opponents, and committing human rights abuses. Alexei Navalny fought against corruption in Russia and was allegedly murdered by the Putin regime.

The "Department of Energy Quantum Leadership Act of 2025" amends the National Quantum Initiative Act to establish and expand quantum information science research, development, and demonstration programs within the Department of Energy. It directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct research, provide training, engage with industry, and develop strategic plans related to quantum technology, allocating specific funding for these activities. The bill also establishes a Quantum Instrumentation and Foundry Program, updates the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, and enhances programs related to quantum networking and user expansion, all with the goal of maintaining U.S. leadership in quantum information science and technology. It also prohibits funds from being used by institutions with Confucius Institutes or for quantum research activities with foreign countries or entities of concern.

The Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2025 aims to support rural hospitals by allowing states to waive certain distance requirements for critical access hospital designation, enabling more rural hospitals to qualify for this status based on community need and service expansion. It also directs a study on Medicare payment systems for rural hospitals to ensure financial sustainability and access to care, and requires a transition plan for Critical Access Hospitals to transition to new payment models within 10 years. This act is designed to prevent hospital closures in underserved rural areas by providing financial relief and updated payment structures.

The SECURE Firearm Storage Act aims to reduce gun theft from federally licensed firearms businesses by requiring them to secure firearms with hardened steel rods or locked safes/vaults when the premises are closed. It also mandates secure storage for paper records of firearm inventory and transactions and allows the Attorney General to set additional security requirements. Non-compliant licensees will face civil penalties, license suspension, or revocation.

The "Caring for All Families Act" amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to expand the definition of family to include domestic partners, in-laws, adult children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and other individuals with close family-like relationships. It also allows employees to take additional leave for parental involvement in school or community organizations, and to attend to family medical needs or the care of elderly individuals with close family-like ties. These provisions apply to both private-sector and federal employees, ensuring broader access to family and medical leave for caregiving and family wellness purposes.

The "Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025" prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of .50 caliber rifles, with exceptions for government use and rifles lawfully possessed before the Act. It also creates an exception to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, allowing lawsuits against gun manufacturers or sellers who knowingly sell firearms in violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Additionally, the bill prohibits firearm sales to significant foreign narcotics traffickers and includes rifles in multiple firearm sales reporting requirements.

The "Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025" aims to support youth mentoring programs by establishing a competitive grant program for eligible organizations. These grants will fund initiatives that help young people develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills, explore careers, and prepare for the workforce through mentoring and other support services. The act prioritizes programs serving high-need youth and requires grantees to report on outcomes while protecting student privacy. Additionally, the Department of Labor is directed to study mentoring programs to identify best practices and evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program.

This bill, the "Halt All United States Investments in Venezuela's Energy Sector Act of 2025," prohibits U.S. investment in Venezuela's energy sector until the U.S. President certifies that the Maduro regime recognizes the legitimate results of the July 28, 2024, election and has transferred power to a democratically elected government. The President can waive the prohibition if it is vital to U.S. national security. The Secretary of the Treasury will implement the measures and can impose penalties for violations.