Legislative Activity

The Uplifting First-Time Homebuyers Act of 2025 significantly increases the penalty-free withdrawal limit from retirement accounts for first-time homebuyers. This legislation raises the maximum allowable tax-free withdrawal from $\$10,000$ to $\$50,000$. This enhanced benefit will be available for home purchases made in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Fed Integrity and Independence Act of 2025 aims to safeguard the Federal Reserve's crucial role in economic stability by reinforcing its independence from political influence. This legislation explicitly prohibits current Federal Reserve officials, including Board of Governors members and Federal Reserve Bank staff and directors, from simultaneously holding any other position requiring a Presidential appointment. The core purpose is to eliminate potential conflicts of interest and ensure monetary policy decisions remain free from partisan pressures.

This Act authorizes the transfer of specified federal land in La Paz County, Arizona, to the County for fair market value to support solar energy development. The transfer requires the protection of cultural and historical resources, including consultation with the Colorado River Indian Tribes. Furthermore, the designated land is immediately withdrawn from all mining and mineral leasing activities.

The No Tax on Large Party Tips Act clarifies that certain automatically added or suggested gratuities will be treated as voluntary tips for federal tax purposes. This change specifically affects how these tips are considered when calculating Social Security and Medicare taxes. Essentially, the bill ensures that these service charges are not taxed differently than tips left entirely at the customer's discretion.

The Tax Cut for Striking Workers Act of 2025 makes strike benefits received from a labor union tax-free for striking workers. This legislation ensures that these payments are excluded from gross income and will not negatively affect a worker's eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). These provisions apply to compensation received after December 31, 2025.

This Senate resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that Ashli Babbitt is disqualified from receiving military funeral honors due to her actions during the January 6th Capitol breach. The resolution argues that her conduct brings discredit upon the Armed Forces, violating the standards set forth in Section 985 of Title 10, U.S. Code. Furthermore, it condemns the Air Force's decision to grant such honors and affirms support for law enforcement who defended the Capitol.

The You Earned It, You Keep It Act eliminates federal income tax on Social Security benefits while ensuring trust funds are fully replenished. Starting in 2026, it modifies the Social Security payroll tax by setting a new $250,000 wage cap and introduces new tax rules for high earners with multiple employers. Finally, the bill increases future Social Security benefits for high earners by factoring in earnings above $250,000 into the benefit calculation formula.

The Shadow Wolves Improvement Act aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Shadow Wolves Program by requiring the Director of ICE to formally specify the program's mission, goals, and staffing needs in consultation with Tribal governments. The bill mandates an updated strategy with measurable objectives, provides current officers with information to decide on reclassification as special agents, and establishes criteria for future program expansion. Finally, it provides a pathway for experienced Shadow Wolves to convert to career appointments in the competitive service after three years of service.

The Fight for the American Dream Act expands eligibility for military enlistment to include individuals holding Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Employment Authorization Documents. This bill also modernizes the process for military naturalization by removing an outdated section and updating requirements for service-based citizenship. Overall, it streamlines pathways to service and citizenship for certain non-citizens.

This resolution reaffirms that immigration officers are not authorized to arrest, detain, interrogate, or deport United States citizens. It calls for the Department of Homeland Security to implement stronger measures to prevent future wrongful enforcement actions against American citizens. The bill emphasizes that such actions violate constitutional rights and undermine public trust.

The Keep Call Centers in America Act of 2025 aims to incentivize keeping customer service jobs within the United States. Title I penalizes companies that move call center operations overseas by making them ineligible for federal grants and loans, while Title II mandates that businesses must disclose if a customer service agent is located outside the U.S. or if AI is being used. Furthermore, the bill requires that all call center work under federal contracts must be performed domestically. Customers must also be given the immediate option to transfer to a U.S.-based human agent if they request it.

The Federal Firefighters Families First Act aims to improve compensation and retirement benefits for federal firefighters to ensure pay equity and improve recruitment and retention. This legislation updates pay calculation formulas and mandates that overtime hours be included when determining retirement annuities. Furthermore, the Act establishes a maximum average workweek for federal firefighters, not to exceed 60 hours.

The Water Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2025 updates federal water pollution control grants to specifically fund "intelligent water infrastructure technology," such as AI and real-time monitoring systems. This allows grant money to cover the implementation and initial operations of these smart technologies, distinguishing them from standard prohibited maintenance costs. The bill also increases the funding cap for certain activities and mandates annual reporting to Congress on the use and impact of these modernized grants.

This Senate resolution urges the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release appropriate, non-sensitive materials related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation to restore public trust. It specifically calls for the DOJ to first consult with victims, clarify the scope of existing materials, and correct any prior misleading public statements. The resolution emphasizes that transparency is essential for accountability while prioritizing the protection of victims' privacy during any disclosure.

The Click to Cancel Consumer Protection Act of 2025 codifies the Federal Trade Commission's existing "negative option" rule into permanent federal law. This action locks in current regulations governing automatic subscription renewals and recurring charges. The bill ensures that consumers have legally established protections against unwanted automatic billing practices.

The First Responders Emergency Assistance Act establishes a new FEMA grant program to help state, local, and tribal first responder agencies cover direct costs associated with sudden surges of new arrivals in their communities. Funds can be used for personnel, equipment, and other necessary operational expenses related to the response. The law mandates specific oversight, reporting requirements to Congress, and ensures at least 25 percent of the funding goes to entities in border states.

The Border Patrol Recruitment Enhancement Act grants the CBP Commissioner temporary authority to waive certain hiring requirements for experienced state/local law enforcement, federal officers, and military personnel to speed up recruitment. This flexibility is limited to five years and requires strict vetting criteria for applicants seeking the waiver. The bill also mandates annual reporting to Congress and future reviews by the GAO to assess the program's impact and effectiveness.

The Postpartum Lifeline Act mandates that pregnant individuals enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP receive continuous, full health benefit coverage for a full 12 months postpartum. This legislation removes previous state options to restrict coverage only to pregnancy-related services for certain income-qualified groups. The goal is to ensure comprehensive healthcare access for new mothers throughout the critical postpartum year.

The Wildfire Coordination Act establishes a permanent Wildfire Science and Technology Advisory Board to bridge the gap between wildfire research and practical application by federal agencies. This diverse board, composed of federal leaders and external experts, will prioritize research implementation and disseminate best practices to improve wildfire management. The Act authorizes $10 million to fund the Board's operations over time.

The Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act mandates a comprehensive study by the Comptroller General to examine current federal policies affecting wildfire mitigation across federal, state, and private land boundaries. This study will identify barriers and recommend changes to improve collaboration and access to funding for wildfire prevention efforts. The final report, due in two years, must include recommendations for streamlining cross-boundary mitigation activities.