Legislative Activity

The Strong Ports, Strong Communities Act establishes a new grant program within the Department of Homeland Security to modernize U.S. land ports of entry and improve essential community infrastructure near them. This funding is available to state, tribal, and local governments, as well as certain utilities and nonprofits, for projects supporting cross-border trade, security, and local resilience. The Act allocates a total authorization of $3 billion and prioritizes rural areas, while generally requiring a 30% non-federal match for recipients.

The Fed Forward Act of 2025 aims to modernize the Federal Reserve's operations by establishing new standards for transparency and accountability. This bill mandates more frequent public communication from the Federal Open Market Committee, including regular policy statements and press conferences. Furthermore, it requires the Board of Governors to conduct periodic public reviews of the Fed's monetary policy framework and issue regular Financial Stability Reports.

This resolution recognizes the 80th anniversary of the continuous operations of the *Stars and Stripes* newspaper in the Pacific. It commends the publication for its invaluable, long-standing service as the "hometown newspaper" for members of the Armed Forces, civilian employees, and their families worldwide. The resolution honors the dedication of the men and women who have produced this vital news source through every major conflict since World War II.

The One Fair Price Act of 2025 prohibits businesses from charging different prices to different customers for the same product or service if that price difference is based on surveillance data. This aims to ensure fair pricing by banning personalized pricing informed by customer tracking, with specific exceptions for cost-based differences or bona fide group discounts. Violations are enforceable by the FTC, State Attorneys General, and individuals through civil lawsuits seeking damages. The Act also explicitly applies this prohibition to air carriers and ticket agents.

The Building Housing for the American Dream Act amends the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program to incentivize foreign investment in qualifying U.S. housing projects. It mandates priority processing for petitions related to housing developed under specific federal assistance programs. The Act also establishes annual reporting requirements for the Department of Homeland Security and periodic reviews by the Government Accountability Office to track the impact of these incentives on housing development.

The Expanding Health Care Options for First Responders Act establishes a new Medicare buy-in option for eligible first responders aged 50 to 64 who have retired or become disabled. This provision allows these individuals to access Medicare Parts A, B, and D coverage before the standard age of 65. The bill also ensures eligibility for Affordable Care Act subsidies and creates an oversight board to monitor the program's implementation.

This resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of the continuous operations of the *Stars and Stripes* newspaper in the Pacific. It recognizes the invaluable service of the publication as the "hometown newspaper" for members of the Armed Forces and their families worldwide. The Senate honors the dedication of all current and former personnel who have supported this vital institution throughout its history.

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.

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.

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.

This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to convey approximately 3,400 acres of federal land in La Paz County, Arizona, to the County. The land must be used for solar energy development, with a portion of the revenue supporting local workforce development and education. The transfer requires the County to pay fair market value and adhere to strict protections for Tribal artifacts.

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 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.

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 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.

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.