Legislative Activity

The America's Clean Future Fund Act establishes a new Climate Change Finance Corporation (C2FC) to finance low-emission projects and prioritizes investments in disadvantaged communities. The bill simultaneously imposes a federal Carbon Fee starting at \$75 per ton in 2027, with escalating rates designed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Revenue generated funds the C2FC, provides carbon fee rebates to eligible individuals, supports agricultural transition payments, and offers transition assistance grants for fossil fuel-impacted communities.

This resolution formally recognizes the widespread, decades-long human rights abuses occurring in Eritrea, including indefinite imprisonment and inhumane conditions. It condemns the absence of democratic institutions and expresses strong support for the rights and freedom of the Eritrean people. The bill calls on the Eritrean government to release political prisoners and uphold the freedoms promised in its own constitution.

The REMEDY Act aims to reform how brand-name drug companies use patent listings to delay generic competition. This legislation requires companies to designate a single, unchangeable "covered patent" to trigger the thirty-month exclusivity period against generic applications. Consequently, the automatic 30-month delay will only start if a patent infringement lawsuit is filed specifically concerning that designated patent for newer drugs. This measure seeks to prevent the manipulation of patent listings that extends market exclusivity beyond intended limits.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the Voting Rights Act by establishing new standards to challenge discriminatory voting practices and updating federal oversight criteria for states. It mandates greater transparency for all changes to voting rules and implements "practice-based preclearance" for certain jurisdictions. Additionally, the bill creates new federal criminal penalties for using force or threats to intimidate voters or election workers.

The Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2025 updates eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness for adjunct and contingent faculty. This bill allows service as an adjunct instructor at colleges or vocational schools to qualify for loan forgiveness, provided specific minimum teaching hour requirements are met. It grants the Secretary of Education flexibility in defining qualifying teaching service under these new parameters.

The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2025 establishes new specialized offices within the FBI, DOJ, and DHS to combat domestic terrorism through enhanced investigation, analysis, and coordination. The bill mandates regular, detailed joint reporting to Congress on domestic terrorism threats, including specific analysis of White supremacist and neo-Nazi activity. It also creates an interagency task force to investigate infiltration of law enforcement and the military by these extremist groups. Finally, the Act ensures that all new enforcement and training measures strictly adhere to First Amendment protections.

The Climate Change Resiliency Fund for America Act of 2025 establishes a framework for investing in climate adaptation infrastructure. It creates an expert Commission to guide infrastructure spending priorities and establishes a dedicated Treasury Fund, financed through the sale of government debt, to support these resilience projects. The bill specifically mandates that at least 40% of the funds benefit vulnerable communities and requires prevailing wages for all funded work.

This Senate resolution expresses the body's deep condolences and honors the memory of the seven victims of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. It specifically recognizes the bravery of the first responders and medical staff who aided victims at the scene. The resolution stands in solidarity with the Highland Park community and all victims of senseless gun violence across the nation.

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 bill amends federal law to implement a comprehensive ban on smoking and the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems on the premises of all Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. The prohibition covers both indoor spaces and outdoor grounds under VHA control. This measure aims to create entirely smoke-free environments for veterans receiving care.

The POST Act of 2025 updates the "85/15 rule" for private, for-profit higher education institutions receiving federal student aid. This new requirement mandates that these schools must derive at least 15 percent of their total revenue from non-federal sources to maintain eligibility. Failure to meet this threshold results in an immediate two-year suspension from federal student aid programs. The Act also establishes strict guidelines for calculating qualifying revenue and requires annual reporting to Congress on institutional funding sources.

The Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act establishes a new USAID program to improve mobility in rural sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative will provide grants to NGOs to fund projects that increase access to affordable bicycles for essential services like school and healthcare. The program also supports local mechanics, spare parts availability, and community management to ensure sustainable access to transportation.

The Court Legal Access and Student Support Act of 2025 (CLASS Act) prohibits institutions of higher education receiving federal aid from forcing students into mandatory arbitration or waiving their right to sue the school in court. This legislation exempts student enrollment agreements from federal arbitration requirements, ensuring students retain the ability to pursue legal claims against their institutions. These new provisions will take effect one year after the bill is enacted into law.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating June 6, 2025, as "National Gun Violence Awareness Day" and the entire month of June 2025 as "National Gun Violence Awareness Month." The designation aims to honor victims of gun violence and raise public awareness about the ongoing crisis. The measure encourages Americans to wear orange on that day and promote gun safety practices throughout the month.

This resolution honors the service and memory of Army Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, who tragically died during a training support mission in Lithuania. It recognizes their distinguished service while supporting critical NATO deterrence efforts in the region. The resolution also acknowledges the international cooperation involved in their recovery and reaffirms the commitment to regional security.

This bill officially codifies the long-standing United States policy of refusing to recognize Russia's claim of sovereignty over Crimea or any other territory in Ukraine seized by force. It prohibits all federal departments and agencies from taking any action that implies acceptance of Russia's control over these forcibly seized areas. Recognition of Russian sovereignty is only permissible if formally agreed to by the democratically elected government of Ukraine.

The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends child labor laws to significantly restrict the employment of minors in tobacco agriculture. This legislation prohibits individuals under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves while working on farms. The goal is to strengthen child labor protections specifically within the tobacco industry.

The RETAIN Act establishes a new, refundable tax credit to reward and retain educators and essential school staff in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education. The credit amount increases based on an educator's years of continuous service, peaking at ten years, to combat critical national shortages. Furthermore, the bill mandates the creation of detailed, annual federal data series tracking the base salaries of teachers and early childhood educators.

The Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act of 2025 mandates the inclusion of comprehensive food allergy training—covering prevention, recognition, and response—into existing training modules for local food service personnel. This legislation amends the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to ensure staff are properly educated on managing food allergies. The bill also updates the certification requirements for these training programs.

The Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2025 significantly strengthens financial protections for workers and retirees during employer bankruptcy proceedings. It increases the priority of wage claims, restricts the ability of companies to reject union contracts or cut retiree benefits, and imposes strict limitations on executive compensation during restructuring. Overall, the bill shifts the balance of power in bankruptcy to ensure employees and retirees recover more of what they are owed before other creditors or executives.