Legislative Activity

The Oligarch Act of 2025 establishes a new federal Wealth Tax applied annually to the net worth of high-net-worth individuals and trusts. This tax features progressive rates ranging from 2% to 8% based on the taxpayer's net worth relative to a dynamic threshold amount. The legislation mandates rigorous valuation rules and includes specific enforcement mechanisms, such as required audits and enhanced penalties for significant asset undervaluation.

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the votes of overseas servicemembers and citizens, cast under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA), must be counted and honored. It emphasizes the federal duty of states and localities to uphold UOCAVA requirements and prevent the disenfranchisement of military voters. Furthermore, the bill encourages states to prioritize the timely processing of these absentee ballots and calls on the Attorney General to monitor compliance and act on any violations.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 11–17, 2025, as the eighth annual Black Maternal Health Week to raise national awareness of the severe maternal and reproductive health crisis facing Black women and birthing people. It highlights the unacceptable disparity where Black women are significantly more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, emphasizing that most of these deaths are preventable. The bill calls for targeted investments, policy changes addressing systemic barriers, and the centering of Black women's voices in developing solutions to achieve equitable maternal health outcomes.

The Defend our Coast Act permanently prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from leasing areas in the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area of the outer Continental Shelf for oil or gas exploration or production. This measure specifically blocks new leasing activities within the region designated on the 2024–2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program map.

The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 establishes an Advisory Council, led by HHS, to assess the needs of gun violence victims and service providers. This Council will survey stakeholders, review existing support programs, and identify best practices for medical, financial, and mental health assistance. Its primary function is to compile and widely distribute a comprehensive list of available federal, state, and nonprofit resources to ensure victims can easily access necessary aid.

The Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion Act (GOSAFE Act) prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of certain gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices (over 10 rounds). The bill establishes a formal process managed by the Attorney General and ATF to list prohibited firearms, while grandfathering existing possessions under strict transfer rules. Furthermore, it permits states to use federal Byrne grants for voluntary buy-back programs targeting these newly restricted items. Violations carry significant fines and potential prison sentences.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025 significantly expands the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without qualifying children by permanently lowering the minimum age, eliminating the maximum age, and substantially increasing the credit amount. It also allows taxpayers to elect to use higher prior-year earned income when calculating the current year's credit. Furthermore, the bill removes expiration dates for applying EITC rules in certain U.S. territories.

The Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025 seeks to amend federal gun laws by banning devices and modifications that significantly increase the rate of fire of semiautomatic firearms, effectively treating them like machineguns. The bill specifically prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of such accessories and modified firearms after 120 days of enactment. Existing owners of previously modified firearms must register them under the National Firearms Act within that same timeframe to legally keep them.

The Family Notification of Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act of 2025 establishes mandatory, standardized procedures for law enforcement and correctional facilities to promptly and compassionately notify next-of-kin when an individual in custody dies, is seriously injured, or becomes seriously ill. This Act requires detention agencies to collect emergency contact information upon intake and mandates specific timeframes—such as notification within 12 hours of death—for communicating critical medical and death details. Furthermore, it ensures that next-of-kin receive autopsy results and have input regarding the disposition of remains.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to review state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. If a state fails to meet these standards, the FLRA will administer federal labor relations rules for the uncovered employees. The Act also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would measurably disrupt emergency or public safety services.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, culminating in a \$17.00 per hour rate five years after enactment, followed by automatic annual adjustments tied to median wage growth. This bill also phases out the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and workers under 20, ensuring they eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it sets a schedule to eliminate subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and prohibits the issuance of new special certificates allowing for lower pay.

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act aims to disallow businesses from deducting federal income taxes for expenses incurred while attempting to influence employees regarding union organization or activities. This change is intended to stop companies from subsidizing anti-union campaigns through tax write-offs. The bill also establishes new, significant reporting requirements and penalties for businesses and third-party consultants who engage in these influence expenditures.

The End Kidney Deaths Act establishes a new federal tax credit for individuals who make non-directed living kidney donations. Eligible donors will receive an annual \$10,000 tax credit for five consecutive years, totaling a potential \$50,000 benefit. This provision is designed to incentivize altruistic donation while ensuring the credit is not considered payment for the organ.

This bill amends the Higher Education Act to provide additional funding opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) specifically focused on the arts. It recognizes the crucial role HBCUs play in preserving and promoting Black art and culture. The legislation authorizes HBCUs to use grant funds for student support, outreach, exhibitions, and partnerships with the National Endowment for the Arts to strengthen their arts programs.

The Tax Fairness for Workers Act restores key federal tax deductions for employees, effective after 2024. This legislation makes union dues fully deductible "above the line," meaning they reduce Adjusted Gross Income without itemizing. Additionally, it allows itemizers to deduct certain other job-related business expenses that were previously limited.

This bill proposes to amend the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the federal income tax on unemployment compensation. Specifically, it would sunset the tax on unemployment benefits for all tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This means unemployment compensation received in 2025 and future years would no longer be counted as taxable gross income.

The Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025 aims to strengthen security vetting for international graduate students in STEM fields while creating a new pathway to permanent residency for those who earn advanced STEM degrees in the U.S. The bill mandates pre-admission applications and enhanced background checks for incoming STEM graduate students. Furthermore, it establishes a streamlined green card category for advanced STEM degree holders with qualifying job offers, allowing them to pursue permanent residency without jeopardizing their current student status.

The IDEA Full Funding Act establishes mandatory, increasing funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs through fiscal year 2035. This legislation sets specific appropriation targets based on student counts and national average spending to ensure greater financial support for special education services. Furthermore, the bill requires that these new IDEA appropriations adhere to "cut-as-you-go" budget offset rules.

The Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act of 2025 directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to update regulations regarding medical event reporting for accidental radiation exposure. Specifically, it mandates reporting if a radiation dose resulting from an extravasation exceeds defined thresholds in the most highly irradiated tissue or skin. This ensures clearer reporting standards for unintended irradiation events in nuclear medicine.