Legislative Activity

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and extends the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its total authorized funding. This legislation adjusts funding priorities to favor projects receiving private contributions and streamlines the process for accepting and allocating public donations. Additionally, it mandates reporting on efforts to reduce the existing deferred maintenance backlog and improve future preventative maintenance across public lands.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 (FISH Act) establishes a comprehensive national policy to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and related crimes like forced labor. Key provisions include creating a public "black list" of offending foreign vessels subject to U.S. port restrictions and authorizing the Treasury Department to impose sanctions on entities involved in these illegal activities. The Act also mandates improved data sharing, increased international cooperation, and strategic investments to help partner nations strengthen their own fisheries management and enforcement capabilities.

The Stand with Israel Act prohibits the U.S. government from contributing funds to any United Nations entity that takes action to expel, suspend, or otherwise restrict Israel's full and equal participation. This measure ensures U.S. financial support is withheld from UN bodies that discriminate against Israel.

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 Combating Organized Retail Crime Act aims to combat sophisticated criminal gangs engaged in large-scale retail and supply chain theft. This bill strengthens federal law by updating money laundering and stolen property statutes, including establishing a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for certain offenses. Crucially, it mandates the creation of a specialized federal Coordination Center within Homeland Security to unify efforts across all levels of law enforcement and private industry against these transnational criminal organizations.

The Foreign Pollution Fee Act of 2025 establishes a new fee on imported goods based on the pollution intensity of their overseas production compared to U.S. standards, aiming to level the playing field for American manufacturers. This fee scales significantly based on how much dirtier foreign production is, with potential multipliers applied to goods from nonmarket economies. The bill also authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate international agreements to harmonize pollution measurement and reduce fees for compliant trade partners. Finally, it mandates annual reporting by the Treasury Secretary to Congress on the law's economic and competitive impacts.

This resolution formally honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., former U.S. Senator for Louisiana. It details his career, highlighting his significant tenure on key Senate committees, particularly his leadership on energy policy. The resolution recognizes his legislative achievements benefiting Louisiana, including flood control and conservation efforts. Finally, the Senate adjourns immediately in his memory as a final tribute to his service.

The Religious Workforce Protection Act aims to support religious workers facing long delays in obtaining lawful permanent residence. It extends nonimmigrant status for those stuck in green card backlogs, even past the normal five-year limit for R-1 visas. Furthermore, the bill modifies job flexibility rules for certain long-waiting religious workers and exempts those who left the U.S. due to the R-1 visa time limit from the usual one-year foreign residence requirement before reapplying.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 aims to significantly expand access to telehealth services under Medicare by permanently removing outdated geographic restrictions and broadening provider eligibility. The bill also enhances program integrity by dedicating new funding to oversight and establishing educational outreach for providers with unusual billing patterns. Finally, it mandates new resources, training, and public data reporting to ensure the quality and accessibility of virtual care for all beneficiaries.

The Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025 generally restricts federal courts from issuing orders that affect non-parties to a lawsuit or granting emergency relief in certain state/federal disputes under diversity jurisdiction. The bill also clarifies language regarding who can seek declaratory judgments and limits the scope of judicial review over agency actions. Overall, this legislation aims to narrow the scope of judicial authority in issuing certain types of relief and clarifying participation in specific legal challenges.

This resolution formally honors the life and distinguished public service career of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator for Wyoming. It celebrates his extensive tenure in both state and federal government, highlighting his focus on fiscal responsibility and support for veterans. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow at his passing and directs that the day's adjournment serve as a final tribute to his memory.

The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act prohibits state and local governments from imposing excise taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, or related parts when those sales involve interstate or foreign commerce. This measure specifically targets state-level taxation on the initial distribution of these items across state lines. Importantly, this Act does not affect the existing federal funding mechanism established by the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.

The SHORT Act aims to revise federal firearms tax definitions and eliminate disparate federal treatment of short-barreled rifles and shotguns used for lawful purposes. It also preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on these specific weapons if they are involved in interstate commerce. Finally, the bill mandates the destruction of existing federal records related to the registration and transfer of these firearms.

The Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025 limits the FCC's authority to prohibit state and federal correctional facilities from using signal jamming systems within their housing areas. This legislation permits prisons to deploy jammers specifically to block communications involving contraband devices or incarcerated individuals. Any facility choosing to use this technology must adhere to strict operational rules, including location limitations and pre-approval notification to local public safety officials and the Bureau of Prisons.

The Nationwide Injunction Abuse Prevention Act of 2025 aims to restrict the power of U.S. District Courts to issue broad nationwide injunctions. This legislation mandates that any order for injunctive relief must be narrowly tailored, applying only to the specific parties involved in the lawsuit or limited to the geographic boundaries of the judicial district where the court sits. The goal is to prevent federal courts from issuing sweeping orders that affect the entire nation.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses as eligible hires. This allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring individuals certified as spouses of active-duty military personnel. The provision applies to wages paid for individuals hired after the Act's enactment date.

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 Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA Act) ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from mandating or barring contractors from entering into agreements with labor unions. This promotes open bidding, reduces taxpayer costs, and prevents discrimination based on union membership. The law requires federal agencies to remain neutral regarding project labor agreements for both direct contracts and federal grants.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 establishes new grant opportunities specifically for sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response efforts. This legislation creates a dedicated, interest-bearing fund within the U.S. Treasury to support these critical activities. The Act authorizes up to $5 million annually through 2030 to fund eligible organizations focused on stranded sea turtle care.

The End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act of 2025 prohibits the use of any federal money for gender transition procedures, including for federal employees and at federal facilities. This ban also extends to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, preventing individuals from using federal premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions to cover plans that include these procedures. The law strictly defines "gender transition procedures" while excluding treatments for certain disorders of sex development or procedures necessary to prevent imminent death.