Legislative Activity

The Guidelines for User Age-verification and Responsible Dialogue (GUARD) Act establishes federal requirements for companies providing artificial intelligence chatbots to U.S. users. It mandates age verification for all users and prohibits minors from accessing specialized "AI Companions." Furthermore, the bill creates criminal penalties for developing chatbots that solicit minors into sexually explicit conduct or promote violence, and requires covered entities to ensure chatbots clearly disclose they are not human.

The Support Our Farmers and Ranchers Act of 2025 authorizes a one-time payment of \$20 billion to eligible agricultural producers. These funds are intended to help cover losses in revenue, quality, or production affecting covered commodities, specialty crops, livestock, or poultry. Payments will be sourced from qualifying tariff proceeds deposited into the Treasury. The Secretary of Agriculture is tasked with distributing these payments within 90 days of the Act becoming law.

The Keep SNAP Funded Act of 2025 ensures that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue without interruption, even if Congress fails to pass the Department of Agriculture's budget for fiscal year 2026. This legislation authorizes automatic funding from the Treasury to maintain payments and cover any retroactive benefits missed due to the delay. This temporary funding mechanism remains active until the regular fiscal year 2026 appropriations are officially enacted.

The Fund Farm Programs Act of 2025 ensures continuous operation of essential Department of Agriculture services, particularly the Farm Service Agency, even if the full budget for fiscal year 2026 is delayed. This legislation automatically provides necessary funding to prevent interruptions in critical farmer assistance, including loan processing. It also retroactively covers services missed due to funding lapses between September 30, 2025, and the bill's enactment. This automatic funding ceases once the official 2026 Agriculture appropriations bill is signed into law.

This Act prohibits health plans offered through the American Health Benefits Exchanges from covering abortion or gender-transition procedures for minors. Coverage for abortion is only permitted in cases of life endangerment, rape, or incest. The legislation broadly defines gender-transition procedures, with limited exceptions for individuals born with ambiguous biological characteristics. These changes will take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Artificial Intelligence Risk Evaluation Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory program within the Department of Energy to rigorously test advanced AI systems for potential risks, including loss of control and security threats. Developers of these powerful systems must share code and training data to participate, or face substantial daily fines and be barred from deployment. The resulting data will inform Congress on evidence-based standards and a permanent federal oversight framework for managing evolving AI dangers.

The In God We Trust Act mandates the prominent display of the national motto, "In God We Trust," on all public federal buildings. This requirement falls to the Administrator of General Services, who must ensure compliance within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act bans Members of Congress and their spouses from trading covered financial instruments, such as stocks and derivatives, during their term in office. Members must divest prohibited assets within 180 days of taking office or the law's enactment. Violations result in disgorgement of profits and potential civil fines enforced by ethics committees, with compliance subject to annual certification and a GAO audit.

The American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 establishes a new tax credit designed to return revenue collected from tariffs directly to working individuals. This credit is calculated based on a base amount (the greater of $600 or a per-person share of total tariff revenue) plus an additional amount for qualifying children. Eligible individuals may receive advance refund payments based on their expected 2025 credit amount.

The AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act establishes a federal right for individuals to sue entities that misuse their "covered data" without explicit, prior consent. This legislation defines key terms related to AI systems and personal information, setting a minimum standard of protection that does not override stronger existing state laws. Successful plaintiffs can recover actual damages, treble profits, or a minimum of \$1,000, and any pre-dispute arbitration clauses related to claims under this Act are void.

This resolution condemns the widespread persecution and discrimination faced by Christians in numerous Muslim-majority countries, citing specific examples of violence and severe restrictions. It strongly encourages the President to make the protection of these persecuted Christian communities a central priority in all United States foreign policy. The bill urges the use of diplomatic tools to advocate for religious freedom for Christians globally.

The Protect Medicaid and Rural Hospitals Act repeals previous changes to state authority regarding Medicaid provider taxes and directed payments. The bill also significantly increases funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program by dedicating $\$10$ billion annually for five fiscal years. This legislation aims to restore prior Medicaid rules while bolstering financial support for rural healthcare initiatives.

This Act prohibits entities connected to the People's Republic of China from acquiring or leasing U.S. agricultural land and mandates the divestment of any existing holdings. It also imposes a temporary ban on covered foreign entities purchasing residential real estate for two years. The legislation establishes strict penalties, including daily fines and potential land forfeiture, for non-compliance. Finally, it requires the creation of new enforcement offices within the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce.

The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy for building the cybersecurity workforce specifically supporting rural hospitals. This strategy must include plans for partnerships, training materials for rural schools, and recommendations for addressing unique workforce challenges. Furthermore, the Act mandates the creation and promotion of basic cybersecurity instructional materials for current rural hospital staff. Importantly, this legislation authorizes no new federal funding for its implementation.

This Act establishes enhanced, mandatory prison sentences for individuals who use open flames or incendiary devices, including burning the U.S. flag, while committing specified federal crimes. The purpose is to increase penalties for actions that endanger public safety or government property during the commission of a felony. This new penalty is separate from the punishment for the underlying crime and does not apply to constitutionally protected speech.

The STOP CSAM Act of 2025 significantly overhauls federal protections for child victims and witnesses in court proceedings by expanding definitions of abuse and strengthening rules around protecting personal information. It mandates stricter reporting requirements for online service providers regarding child sexual exploitation material and imposes substantial penalties for non-compliance. Furthermore, the Act expands civil remedies, allowing victims to sue online platforms directly for damages related to hosting or promoting such content. Finally, it facilitates the payment of restitution to vulnerable victims by allowing for the appointment of trustees to manage those funds.

The Higher Wages for American Workers Act of 2025 immediately raises the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour starting the year after enactment. Subsequently, the minimum wage will be automatically adjusted each year based on the preceding 12-month increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). All provisions of the Act will take effect on January 1st of the year following its passage into law.

This resolution formally honors the lives and dedicated missionary service of Natalie and Davy Lloyd, who were tragically killed while serving in Haiti. It expresses the deepest condolences of the Senate to their family and friends. The measure recognizes their commitment to serving God and the Haitian community, particularly through their work with children.

This resolution serves as a formal tribute honoring the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri. It recognizes his decades of public service, including his terms as Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator, where he championed infrastructure, agriculture, and conservative values. The Senate expresses deep sadness over his passing and directs that official copies of this tribute be sent to his family.

The No Handouts for Drug Advertisements Act disallows federal income tax deductions for direct-to-consumer advertising expenses related to certain prescription drugs and compounded medications. This change specifically targets promotional costs aimed at the general public, excluding advertisements in professional medical journals. The legislation aims to alter the financial incentives for pharmaceutical companies regarding broad public marketing.