Legislative Activity

The FRIDGE Act of 2025 aims to boost U.S. agricultural exports by addressing critical infrastructure gaps in foreign markets. This legislation authorizes dedicated funding and technical assistance to help developing nations improve their cold storage and supply chain capabilities. By fortifying this global infrastructure, the bill seeks to reduce spoilage of American food products and open new international trade opportunities.

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 WATCH Act establishes new federal oversight for foreign laboratories receiving U.S. funding for animal research, primarily from the NIH. These labs must now undergo mandatory quarterly inspections to ensure compliance with established animal welfare standards. Failure to pass these inspections and correct deficiencies can result in the suspension or revocation of federal funding.

This resolution officially designates March 24, 2025, as "National Women of Color in Tech Day" to recognize the vital contributions of women of color in technology. It highlights their historical achievements while addressing the systemic barriers they face in STEM education and employment. The bill commits the Senate to boosting diversity, supporting inclusive STEM education pathways, and improving data transparency to strengthen the nation's tech workforce.

This resolution recognizes and honors teachers who have achieved or maintained National Board Certification, highlighting their significant contributions to student learning and leadership. It acknowledges the rigorous standards required for certification and the positive impact these teachers have, especially in addressing learning loss. The resolution encourages increased support for teachers pursuing National Board Certification to further enhance educational quality. As of March 2025, there are 141,464 National Board Certified teachers.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The FIGHT China Act of 2025 establishes new government powers to safeguard U.S. national security against risks posed by the People's Republic of China. The bill imposes sanctions on specific foreign persons and prohibits U.S. investment in certain high-technology sectors involving entities from the "country of concern." Furthermore, it mandates reporting requirements and strengthens restrictions on U.S. persons holding securities in Chinese military-industrial complex companies.

The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 establishes a new program to encourage households receiving SNAP benefits to purchase more naturally nutrient-rich dairy products through point-of-sale incentives. The Secretary of Agriculture will award grants to eligible entities to run these projects, prioritizing those that maximize direct incentives for participants. The law mandates rigorous, independent evaluation of all projects to scientifically measure the impact on dairy purchases, with required reporting to Congress.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to combat bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states that accept federal funding to establish clear anti-bullying policies, define prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics, and implement systems for reporting and tracking incidents. This legislation mandates that local districts inform all stakeholders about prohibited conduct and establish formal complaint processes. Furthermore, the bill requires regular state and federal evaluations to assess the effectiveness of these measures in reducing harmful behavior while respecting existing non-discrimination laws and free speech rights.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers purchase homes. This program offers qualifying first-time homebuyers the potential for a zero down payment mortgage. A key feature is the elimination of monthly mortgage insurance premiums, though an upfront premium will still be charged.

The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act moves TSA personnel from their special management system into the standard federal employee system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by a set deadline. This transition aims to grant TSA employees the same workplace protections and benefits as other federal workers while ensuring current pay and service time are protected. The bill also mandates several reviews by the Comptroller General and requires consultation with employee representatives regarding the implementation process. Finally, it preserves existing anti-strike laws and addresses specific concerns for Federal Air Marshals.

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal laws concerning obscene materials. This legislation removes outdated and overly broad language, such as "indecent" and "immoral," from various sections of the U.S. Code and the Tariff Act. The bill focuses on technical clean-up to clarify existing statutes regarding the distribution and importation of materials.

The Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025 establishes a high-level, multi-agency task force (JTFISN) to coordinate and lead federal efforts against the illicit synthetic narcotics crisis. This task force will focus on disrupting trafficking networks, enforcing sanctions, and improving intelligence sharing across departments like Justice, Treasury, and Homeland Security. The Director will report to the Attorney General and Congress, providing regular updates on enforcement actions and strategies, particularly those targeting foreign actors like the People's Republic of China. Crucially, the law explicitly prohibits the task force from targeting individual drug users or low-level dealing unrelated to major trafficking operations.

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 aims to accelerate conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by establishing new partnership initiatives and streamlining existing programs like CREP. The bill creates a "turnkey" pilot program to make riparian buffer installation effortless for landowners and enhances workforce development for agricultural sciences. Additionally, it grants the NRCS special authority to quickly hire technical experts and transfers regulatory oversight for certain invasive Chesapeake Bay catfish from the USDA to the FDA.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program for five years with increased funding and reforms to administrative rules and eligibility. The bill strengthens accountability through stricter property inspections and penalties while offering greater flexibility for local jurisdictions and homeowners facing hardship. It also establishes a new federal loan guarantee program to finance affordable housing construction and preservation.

This concurrent resolution expresses support for recognizing March 10, 2025, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor abortion providers and staff for their essential care, courage, and dedication, particularly in light of increasing restrictions on abortion access. It affirms Congress's commitment to ensuring the safety of abortion providers and patients' right to access care without fear of violence or criminalization. The resolution condemns actions that limit abortion access and expresses a vision for a future where everyone has full access to necessary care without penalty or stigma.

The Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act aims to significantly restrict the detention of pregnant and postpartum noncitizens in immigration custody. It mandates immediate testing for pregnancy upon intake and establishes a strong presumption against detention unless extraordinary, case-by-case public safety risks are proven. Furthermore, the bill strictly limits the use of physical restraints on pregnant detainees and requires comprehensive medical care, including reproductive health services, alongside detailed public reporting on detention statistics and restraint incidents.

The FARMLAND Act of 2025 aims to increase scrutiny and penalties regarding foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land, driven by national security concerns. It enhances disclosure rules, mandates annual risk reports on ownership by certain foreign entities, and empowers the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review significant real estate purchases by "foreign entities of concern." Furthermore, the bill establishes new enforcement roles within the Department of Agriculture and prohibits foreign persons from participating in Farm Service Agency programs.

The LIONs Act of 2025 significantly boosts capital access for small businesses by doubling the maximum loan amount available through the SBA's flagship 7(a) loan program, raising the cap from $\$3.75$ million to $\$7.5$ million. Additionally, it doubles the maximum loan amount available to development companies under the Small Business Investment Act, increasing their cap from $\$5$ million to $\$10$ million. This legislation aims to provide substantially larger financing options for neighborhood economic growth.

The Do No Harm Act amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) to ensure that federal anti-discrimination, labor, and equal access laws take precedence over religious freedom claims in specific circumstances. This legislation clarifies that RFRA protections cannot be used to override requirements in federal contracts or agreements involving government funding. Furthermore, the Act explicitly limits the application of RFRA to challenges against government actions, precluding its use in private litigation between non-governmental parties.