Legislative Activity

This resolution supports the designation of May 4-10, 2025, as "National Small Business Week". It recognizes the significant role of over 34.5 million small businesses in the U.S. that contribute to the economy and provide over 59 million jobs. The resolution celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, achievements, and resilience of small business owners and their employees.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits discrimination in life, disability, and long-term care insurance against living organ donors. It clarifies that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act, ensuring job protection for donors. The Act also mandates updated educational materials from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the benefits, risks, and protections for living organ donors.

This resolution designates April 2025 as "Financial Literacy Month" to highlight the critical role of personal financial education and the repercussions of financial illiteracy. It acknowledges the significant number of unbanked and underbanked households, the struggles faced by people with disabilities, and the growing household debt in the U.S. The resolution encourages the government, schools, organizations, and individuals to promote financial literacy through various programs and activities during this month. It also emphasizes the positive impact of financial education on credit scores, retirement planning, and overall financial well-being.

The BE GONE Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include sexual assault and aggravated sexual abuse in the definition of aggravated felonies. This change would mean immigrants convicted of these crimes would be subject to deportation.

The "Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2025" amends federal law to include fentanyl distribution resulting in death as felony murder. Individuals who distribute a fentanyl mixture of 2 grams or more, or a fentanyl analogue mixture of 0.5 grams or more, and death results, can be charged with first-degree murder. The individual must have had knowledge or reason to know that the substance contained fentanyl or its analogues. Conviction can result in a sentence of life imprisonment.

**Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 Summary:** This bill aims to expand and improve the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program by updating state allocation formulas, reforming tenant eligibility requirements, and modifying credit eligibility rules. It also focuses on increasing affordable housing opportunities for Native Americans and in rural areas. Additionally, the bill updates terminology in the Internal Revenue Code to replace "low-income" with "affordable" when referring to housing tax credits, and promotes data sharing and discourages discriminatory land use policies to enhance transparency and effectiveness.

The American Infrastructure Bonds Act of 2025 introduces a tax credit for state and local governments that issue "American infrastructure bonds" to fund infrastructure projects. The federal government will pay the bond issuer 28% of the interest payable on each interest payment date. This aims to lower the cost of borrowing for infrastructure projects, but the interest on these bonds is taxable at the federal level. This act applies to bonds issued after the enactment date of this law.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to limit consumer reporting agencies from providing consumer reports to other entities for credit transactions involving residential mortgage loans. Exceptions are made for firm offers of credit or insurance, authorized access, or if the entity currently originates or services the consumer's mortgage, or is an insured depository institution or credit union holding a current account for the consumer. The act will take effect 180 days after enactment.

This resolution designates the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week" to recognize the importance of national parks for recreation, education, and economic contributions. It encourages people to visit and support these parks while acknowledging the role of the National Park Service in protecting these resources for future generations.

The Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2025 enhances the existing Historic Tax Credit by increasing the credit amount, especially for small projects, and allowing for the transfer of credits for these smaller projects. The bill also broadens eligibility for the credit by modifying the rehabilitation expense threshold and clarifying rules regarding tax-exempt use property. Additionally, it eliminates the basis adjustment for the rehabilitation credit, further incentivizing investment in historic buildings.

The "LOCAL Infrastructure Act" reinstates advance refunding bonds, reversing changes made by Public Law 115-97. This allows state and local governments to refinance municipal bonds at lower interest rates, reducing borrowing costs. The change is effective immediately upon the Act's enactment.

The "STOP CCP Act of 2025" prohibits U.S. individuals and entities from investing in publicly traded securities of Chinese companies identified as operating in sectors that support China's military, related materials, or surveillance technology. It broadens the scope of Chinese military-industrial complex companies subject to sanctions and mandates that if a Chinese entity is sanctioned under one law, it must be sanctioned under all applicable laws, with limited waiver possibilities for the President. The President must notify Congress when waiving or terminating sanctions.

The SAFE Act mandates that companies disclose any financial support received from the Chinese government, including details about the conditions and any ties to the Chinese Communist Party. This includes disclosing any Chinese Communist Party committees within the company and information about officers or directors with connections to the Chinese government or party. The SEC must update its rules to reflect these changes within 180 days.

The "Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025" establishes an Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the Department of Agriculture. This office will investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act related to competition and trade practices in the food and agriculture sector, serve as a liaison to other agencies, and coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security on national security issues in the food and agriculture sector. The Special Investigator has the authority to bring civil or administrative actions against entities regulated under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Louisiana Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr., recognizing his contributions to energy policy, natural resource conservation, and Louisiana's cultural heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to Senator Johnston's family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in his honor.

The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 mandates the reissuance of the depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities, expanding its scope to include additional states and lake/pond managers. This order allows for the regulated taking of cormorants to protect aquaculture resources. The Fish and Wildlife Service must reissue the order within one year of the Act's enactment, ensuring it mirrors the original but with the specified expansions.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding eligible practitioners and originating sites, and making waivers for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Native American health facilities permanent. It also enhances program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, authorizing additional funding for oversight, and addressing unusual billing patterns. Additionally, the act supports beneficiaries and providers by requiring the development of resources and training, reviewing quality measures, and mandating the publication of data on telehealth services. These changes aim to make telehealth a more accessible, high-quality, and permanent option for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.

This resolution designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to recognize the vital role of women in agriculture. It acknowledges women's significant contributions as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors within the agricultural sector. The resolution supports celebrating women's impact on food resources and the agricultural workforce, encouraging their continued involvement and leadership in the field.

The "Prohibiting Foreign Adversary Interference in Cryptocurrency Markets Act" prevents the CFTC from registering digital commodity platforms (entities that broker, trade, or custody digital commodities) owned or controlled by entities based in or organized under the laws of a foreign adversary. This includes countries such as China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela (under the Maduro regime). The CFTC must also revoke registration if a foreign adversary-affiliated entity acquires ownership of a registered platform.

The "Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act" or the "ABC Act" requires a comprehensive review of Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs to simplify processes and improve communication for family caregivers. This includes reducing red tape, improving website accessibility, and providing timely and accessible information. The act mandates regular reports to Congress on the progress and impact of these improvements. Additionally, the act encourages states to conduct similar reviews to reduce administrative burdens on caregivers at the state level.