Legislative Activity

This resolution officially supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, observed from May 6 through May 12, 2025. It recognizes the vital contributions of nurses as frontline healthcare providers and patient advocates. The measure encourages the public to observe the week with appropriate events honoring the nursing profession.

The Tax-Free Pell Grant Act ensures that all Federal Pell Grants are completely excluded from a recipient's gross income for tax purposes, regardless of how the funds are used. This legislation updates the Internal Revenue Code to simplify tax reporting for Pell Grant recipients. Furthermore, it protects eligibility for other education tax credits like the American Opportunity and Lifetime Learning Credits. These changes will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

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.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes the vital role renewable fuels play in reducing carbon emissions and lowering consumer fuel prices. Furthermore, the bill highlights how these fuels support rural economies and decrease U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources.

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 New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2025 updates federal law to allow meat and poultry inspected under approved state programs to be sold across state lines. This legislation grants the Secretary authority to permit interstate commerce for these state-inspected products. Furthermore, it prevents individual states or localities from blocking the entry or sale of products already deemed compliant for interstate commerce.

The SNOOP Act of 2025 aims to adjust the reporting requirements for third-party payment processors regarding transactions sent to the IRS. This bill reinstates the higher reporting threshold of over $20,000 in payments across more than 200 transactions for issuing 1099-K forms. Furthermore, it clarifies that backup withholding on network payments only applies if both the transaction count and dollar amount thresholds are met for the year.

The Organic Imports Verification Act of 2025 mandates annual reporting to Congress on residue testing for imported organic animal feedstuffs, especially those shipped in bulk. The Secretary of Agriculture must develop a risk-based plan to determine which imported organic feeds will undergo annual residue testing. If testing reveals prohibited substances above established organic limits, the affected feedstuff cannot be sold or labeled as organic.

The Aid Accountability Act of 2025 establishes strict penalties for violations related to the proper use of foreign assistance funds. Federal employees who knowingly violate these rules face termination and permanent ineligibility for future government employment, in addition to restitution. Recipients of federal funds found in violation will be barred from receiving future federal funding. The Secretary of State is responsible for determining violations and reporting final decisions to Congress within 60 days.

The Secure Family Futures Act of 2025 modifies tax rules for certain insurance companies regarding their investments and losses. Specifically, it prevents qualifying insurers from treating newly acquired debt instruments as capital assets for tax purposes. Additionally, the bill extends the carryover period for specific capital losses incurred by these companies to ten years. These changes apply only to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

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.

The Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act amends tax law to expand the definition of "floor plan financing interest" to specifically include interest paid on financing for certain towable travel trailers and campers. This change allows businesses selling these recreational vehicles to treat the interest on their inventory financing under special tax deduction rules. This provision takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025 establishes a new Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the Department of Agriculture. This office will be tasked with investigating and prosecuting violations of competition and trade practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. The Investigator will have the authority to issue subpoenas and bring civil or administrative lawsuits against packers and live poultry dealers to ensure fair competition in the industry.

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 Trade Review Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory 60-day congressional review period for any new or increased import duties imposed by the President. The President must notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing such duties, detailing the justification and impact. Unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval within 60 days, the new or increased duty automatically expires.

The Stop STALLING Act empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to take action against companies that file baseless petitions solely to delay competitors' generic drug applications. This legislation defines such filings as unfair competition, allowing the FTC to seek significant civil penalties against violators. The bill ensures that if one part is struck down, the remainder of the law remains in effect.

The Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act of 2025 aims to enhance collaboration and streamline processes between federal agencies involved in the patent system. This legislation seeks to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of patent coordination across the government.

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the crucial nationwide program that unites federal, state, and local partners to combat violent crime using community-focused strategies. This bill reauthorizes funding for the program through fiscal year 2030 and updates grant provisions to explicitly cover new personnel, overtime costs, and technology for crime reduction. Furthermore, it mandates annual transparency reports detailing fund usage, community outreach, and specific violent crime statistics for every participating district.

The Combatting Money Laundering in Cyber Crime Act of 2025 expands the U.S. Secret Service's authority to investigate cyber-related financial crimes, including money laundering and structured transactions. The bill also modifies information exchange deadlines for FinCEN and extends the review period for North Korea sanctions compliance by international financial institutions. Finally, it mandates a GAO study on the effectiveness of current anti-money laundering efforts against cybercrime.

The Drug Competition Enhancement Act aims to prevent pharmaceutical companies from unfairly blocking cheaper generic and biosimilar drugs from entering the market through "product hopping." This new rule prohibits manufacturers of original drugs from taking specific actions, such as discontinuing the original product while promoting a slightly altered version, to impede competition. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is empowered to enforce these provisions, seeking injunctions and remedies like disgorgement of unfair profits.