Legislative Activity

The Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act significantly increases the dollar limits for tax-exempt bonds used for manufacturing projects, expanding the definition of eligible facilities to include certain intangible property creation. Additionally, the bill raises the financing cap for first-time farmers accessing private activity bonds from $\$450,000$ to $\$1,000,000$. Both sets of increased limits will be automatically adjusted for inflation starting in future years.

The Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act mandates increased transparency by requiring federal agencies to report detailed information on all Treasury payments for public posting. It also enhances government integrity by granting the Treasury access to sensitive data, like new hire and tax records, to verify recipients and prevent improper payments. Furthermore, the bill requires agencies to verify bank account information before disbursing funds to ensure accuracy. These measures aim to improve oversight, reduce fraud, and increase accountability in federal spending.

The FIREARM Act aims to protect retailers by reforming how the government handles firearm license revocations and denials. It establishes new standards, prioritizing correction over punishment for self-reported violations unless the violation is uncorrectable or involves transferring a firearm to a prohibited person. Furthermore, the Act grants those facing license revocation the right to a fresh review of their case in federal court. Finally, it retroactively applies these protections to licenses previously revoked under the ATF's 2021 Enhanced Regulatory Enforcement Policy.

The GRAIN DRY Act updates federal loan programs to specifically allow agricultural producers to access funds for building or improving storage facilities for propane. These loans must be used for propane primarily intended for agricultural production purposes. This ensures infrastructure funding directly supports farming operations.

The LOCOMOTIVES Act clarifies federal authority under the Clean Air Act regarding emissions standards for certain existing locomotives and engines used in construction or farm equipment. This legislation ensures that federal standards, rather than varying state standards, apply to these specific engines, particularly those under 175 horsepower and locomotives engaged in commerce. Essentially, it centralizes regulatory power over these emissions sources at the federal level.

The Ending Unemployment Payments to Jobless Millionaires Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds to pay unemployment benefits to individuals whose base period wages exceeded $1,000,000. States must certify and verify that claimants meet this income threshold before receiving benefits under any covered federal unemployment program. The bill also mandates that states recover any improperly paid benefits to high earners.

The Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act of 2025 aims to modernize and accelerate the process for developing and updating official conservation standards. It reforms grant programs to specifically fund the innovation and evaluation of new conservation technologies and management techniques. Furthermore, the bill mandates a regular, public review schedule for all existing standards, ensuring they integrate the latest advancements. Finally, it establishes a new, flexible administrative process to quickly approve interim standards that incorporate emerging technologies at the state level.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating May 2025 as "Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month." It recognizes the importance of motorcycles in transportation while highlighting the increased safety risks riders face. The bill encourages all road users to practice increased awareness and supports efforts promoting rider education and the use of protective gear.

This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the critical importance and vital contributions of the United States Special Operations Forces (SOF) community to national security. It expresses strong support for the designation of an annual "SOF Week" to honor the service members and their families. The resolution underscores the need to continue providing these elite forces with the necessary resources, training, and support.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.

The SERVE Act addresses the military's recruitment challenges by mandating improved, consistent access for recruiters in high schools and colleges, including access to student academic data. It also formalizes "cross-town" affiliations for JROTC programs to expand student access to leadership training. Furthermore, the bill establishes a pilot program to recognize "military-friendly" high schools and grants priority consideration in service academy admissions to applicants from high schools with above-average enlistment rates.

The Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2025 amends federal law to classify the distribution of fentanyl that results in death as first-degree murder. This severe charge applies when an individual distributes at least two grams of a fentanyl mixture (or half a gram of an analogue) and that distribution is the cause of death. Convictions under this provision carry a penalty of either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.

The BE GONE Act, or Better Enforcement of Grievous Offenses by unNaturalized Emigrants Act, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to expand the list of crimes considered "aggravated felonies." Specifically, this bill adds "sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence" to the list of offenses that trigger severe immigration consequences. This change broadens the scope of crimes that can lead to deportation or inadmissibility for non-citizens.

The Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act prohibits U.S. federal funding for biomedical research involving live vertebrate animals conducted in or by entities in specific foreign countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. This measure aims to stop the use of U.S. taxpayer dollars to support animal testing in designated nations of concern. The Secretary of Health and Human Services can also add other countries to this restricted list after consulting with relevant departments.

The TRACKS Act mandates increased transparency regarding federal funds distributed to foreign entities, particularly those linked to countries of concern. It establishes new reporting requirements for prime award recipients passing down federal money as subawards to these specified foreign organizations. This legislation aims to ensure the government has full knowledge of where federal spending is directed overseas.

The GHOST Act of 2025 establishes the Russia Sanctions Enforcement Fund to finance the seizure and forfeiture of assets related to Russian sanctions violations. It also creates the Export Enforcement Coordination Center, housed within Homeland Security Investigations, to centralize and improve interagency efforts against illegal exports. The bill mandates strict reporting on the Fund's activities and ensures robust coordination between law enforcement and intelligence communities on export control enforcement.

The Audit the IRS Act prohibits individuals with seriously delinquent tax debt from being hired by or continuing employment with the Internal Revenue Service. This measure ensures that IRS employees meet basic tax compliance standards. The Commissioner is required to conduct regular checks on current employees and pre-employment screening for new applicants.

The Tax DODGER Act mandates the Treasury Department to annually report on federal employees and retirees with delinquent tax debt, broken down by agency. Furthermore, the bill makes having "seriously delinquent tax debt" grounds for ineligibility for federal employment, though it provides due process exceptions for those actively resolving their tax issues. Agencies can also take personnel action, including termination, against employees who willfully fail to file or understate their tax liability.

This bill prohibits the IRS Commissioner from using appropriated funds to purchase or maintain firearms and ammunition. It mandates the transfer of all existing IRS firearms and ammunition to the General Services Administration (GSA) for public sale, with proceeds going to the Treasury to reduce the national deficit. Furthermore, the bill transfers the administration and enforcement of all federal tax crime investigations from the IRS to the Attorney General within the Department of Justice.

The Food Security and Farm Protection Act prohibits state and local governments from imposing new regulations on how agricultural products are grown in other states for interstate commerce. It establishes a federal right for affected parties to sue governments over such regulations that interfere with the flow of agricultural goods across state lines. Successful plaintiffs can seek to overturn the regulation and recover economic damages.