Legislative Activity

The Safeguarding Charity Act clarifies that an organization's federal income tax exemption will not automatically be considered "Federal financial assistance" under federal law. This change applies to tax-exempt organizations and retirement plans unless another specific law explicitly states otherwise. The Act ensures that tax benefits are not automatically counted as federal aid moving forward.

The REPAIR Act aims to ensure consumers and independent mechanics have fair access to the necessary vehicle data, tools, and parts required to service modern vehicles. This legislation prevents manufacturers from creating technological or contractual barriers that restrict competition in the automotive repair market. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these new standards and creating rules to protect consumer data rights. Ultimately, the bill promotes consumer choice and fosters a competitive environment for vehicle maintenance and repair services.

The Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2025 significantly strengthens financial protections for workers and retirees during employer bankruptcy proceedings. It increases the priority of wage claims, restricts the ability of companies to reject union contracts or cut retiree benefits, and imposes strict limitations on executive compensation during restructuring. Overall, the bill shifts the balance of power in bankruptcy to ensure employees and retirees recover more of what they are owed before other creditors or executives.

The Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act strengthens reporting requirements for colleges and universities regarding gifts and contracts received from foreign sources. It mandates stricter, more frequent disclosures, especially for institutions connected to "covered nations," where any amount must be reported. The Secretary of Education must then promptly share all received information with the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence.

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 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 Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act prohibits knowingly distributing materially deceptive AI-generated audio or visual media related to a federal election campaign to influence the outcome. This ban specifically targets content that would cause a reasonable person to fundamentally misunderstand what a candidate said or did, or falsely depicts their appearance. Exceptions are made for legitimate news reporting, satire, and parody, provided clear disclaimers are included where applicable. Candidates affected by illegal distribution can seek immediate court injunctions to stop the content and sue for damages.

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 College Employment Accountability Act mandates that institutions receiving federal funds must use the E-Verify program to confirm employee work authorization. Any finding that a college has hired unauthorized aliens or failed to participate in E-Verify will result in the immediate loss of all federal student and institutional aid. The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with monitoring compliance and reporting violations to the Department of Education.

This bill establishes the Southwestern Power Administration Fund (SWPA Fund) as a dedicated, non-expiring Treasury account for the Southwestern Power Administration. The Fund will consolidate all SWPA receipts and appropriated funds to cover the costs of power operations, maintenance, and construction. This structure grants the Administrator greater flexibility to commit funds for authorized expenses ahead of annual appropriations.

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 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.

The Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2025 prohibits all federal funding and support for research utilizing human fetal tissue obtained as a result of an induced abortion. The bill restricts federal agencies to only conducting or supporting research using tissue obtained after a miscarriage or stillbirth, subject to new regulations. Furthermore, it makes it illegal for individuals to solicit or knowingly accept donations of human fetal tissue obtained pursuant to an induced abortion.

This bill amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to establish a uniform 8-digit subheading number for all imported whiskies. It streamlines the classification structure within Chapter 22 of the tariff schedule for duty purposes. The changes also require the USITC to add new statistical codes to better track different types of imported whiskies.

The Guaranteeing Unalienable and Anatomical Rights for Dependents Act (GUARD Act) establishes new conditions for states receiving federal child abuse prevention funding. Under this act, states cannot take adverse action against parents who oppose medical or social changes for their minors based on the parent's belief regarding the child's biological sex. Parents who face negative actions due to this opposition can sue to halt federal funding to the non-compliant state and seek the return of those funds.

The "Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act" streamlines the Medicaid and CHIP enrollment process for out-of-state providers, allowing them to furnish services to individuals under 21 more efficiently. By reducing excessive screening and enrollment requirements, the bill aims to improve access to care for children. Enrolled providers will have a 5-year enrollment period, and the changes will take effect three years after enactment.

The First Responders Wellness Act aims to improve mental health support for first responders by establishing a national hotline providing peer support, crisis intervention, and referrals for mental health and substance use issues. It also expands crisis counseling and training to emergency responders during major disasters and requires a report on best practices for on-site mobile healthcare services for responders during national disasters.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, while also modifying gift tax laws. It adjusts gift tax calculations, addresses transfers in trust, sets an initial $10,000,000 amount for calculating tentative tax, and adjusts for inflation. These changes apply to estates of decedents dying, generation-skipping transfers occurring, and gifts made on or after the enactment date of this Act.

The "Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025" amends the Clean Air Act, modifying the process for ethanol waivers and Reid Vapor Pressure limitations, allowing for higher ethanol blends during high ozone season. It also permits small refineries to reclaim certain retired credits from 2016-2018 for future use, under specific conditions related to prior exemption petitions.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in logistical transactions of Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemical products. It mandates the President to block the property of sanctioned individuals and entities within the U.S. and deny them U.S. visas, with potential waivers based on national interest. The Act also establishes an Interagency Working Group to coordinate and enhance the enforcement of sanctions against Iran, and encourages the formation of a multilateral contact group with similar countries to coordinate international enforcement of sanctions against Iran. Finally, the Act amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include identifying individuals or entities involved in activities that violate or evade sanctions under the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025.