Legislative Activity

The Upward Mobility Act of 2026 authorizes a five-year pilot program allowing up to five states to consolidate funding from major federal antipoverty programs into a single "Upward Mobility Grant." This allows states to streamline benefits, reduce work disincentives ("benefit cliffs"), and test innovative approaches to increase employment and earnings for low-income residents. Approved states must adhere to strict evaluation requirements focused on improving participant outcomes and reducing dependence on assistance.

The Accountability for Better Care Act of 2025 extends and modifies the premium tax credit for Marketplace health insurance through 2027, adjusting income limits and calculation percentages. It also establishes permanent funding for cost-sharing reductions under the ACA, effective in 2027. Furthermore, the bill restricts eligibility for both premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions to U.S. citizens, replacing previous lawful presence requirements. Finally, it prohibits premium tax credits for plans that cover elective abortions.

This resolution calls for a child-centered and compassionate overhaul of the U.S. adoption and foster care system. It emphasizes the need for stability, proper support for caregivers, and ethical oversight across all levels of child welfare. Crucially, the bill mandates sustained resources and support for young people aging out of foster care to ensure their successful transition to independent adulthood.

The WATER Act of 2025 establishes a program allowing states to voluntarily assume federal permitting responsibilities for certain transportation projects under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. This assignment requires a written agreement with the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, mandating that states adhere to existing federal environmental review standards. The law outlines application, oversight, and termination procedures for state participation in this permitting process.

The Water Resources Technical Assistance Review Act of 2025 mandates that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) clean water technical assistance programs. This review will detail the scope, effectiveness, and coordination of current assistance efforts, especially for economically distressed communities. Following the GAO report, the EPA Administrator must submit annual plans to Congress outlining actions taken to address the GAO's findings and recommendations.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget, excluding debt payments, within ten years of ratification. Congress can authorize temporary emergency spending above this limit with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. The amendment becomes valid upon ratification by three-fourths of the states within seven years.

The Hospital Adoption Education Act of 2025 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop and distribute nationwide educational resources to improve understanding of adoption sensitivities among healthcare providers. This bill establishes programs to educate hospital and birthing center staff on best practices for interacting with prospective birth mothers and adoptive families. The Secretary must consult with an expert committee and provide grants for non-directive adoption education to improve care for families pursuing adoption.

This resolution officially establishes November 12, 2025, as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) Awareness Day to raise public understanding of this rare and fatal prion disease. It emphasizes the critical need for continued surveillance of prion diseases to monitor potential transmission, including from sources like Chronic Wasting Disease. The resolution also highlights how studying CJD can benefit research into Alzheimer's and related dementias.

The Nuclear REFUEL Act of 2025 streamlines the licensing process for certain nuclear fuel activities by amending the definition of a "production facility" under the Atomic Energy Act. Specifically, it excludes operations involving certain uranium processing or spent fuel reprocessing that does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements. This aims to expedite the development and use of advanced nuclear fuels.

This bill directs U.S. Customs and Border Protection to correct past import duties on specific entries of K389 Hole-N-One golf cart tires. It mandates the reliquidation of these entries to apply the correct, duty-free tariff rate previously established by CBP rulings. Consequently, the government must refund any excess duties collected on these specific tire imports, plus interest.

The Student Debt Alternative and CTE Awareness Act mandates that the Department of Education prominently display comprehensive information about Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs on its website. This legislation also requires the FAFSA application to include a clear notification and summary highlighting CTE pathways as an alternative to traditional four-year degrees. The Act ensures students are aware of vocational training options without authorizing any new federal funding.

The Resilient Tire Supply and Jobs Act establishes a temporary tax credit for businesses purchasing eligible tires retreaded within the United States. It also mandates that federal agencies prioritize purchasing retreaded tires when available through the GSA schedule for their vehicle fleets. This legislation aims to bolster domestic manufacturing and promote the use of retreaded tires.

The RAISE Act of 2025 mandates that states incorporate specific academic standards for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies when developing or revising their K-12 curriculum guidelines. This ensures that AI literacy becomes a required component of state academic standards under federal education law.

This resolution officially recognizes September 8 through 14, 2025, as "Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Week." It honors the dedication of athletic administrators who guide millions of student-athletes in physical, academic, and emotional growth. The Senate commends their vital role in fostering leadership, teamwork, and positive development through school sports programs.

The FEED Act of 2025 aims to support students pursuing career and technical education by excluding their earnings from work-based learning programs when determining household eligibility for SNAP benefits. This exclusion applies to students under 21 who are living with a parent or under parental control. The bill ensures that participation in approved training programs does not negatively impact a family's access to food assistance.

The Children Harmed by AI Technology (CHAT) Act mandates strict age verification and parental consent for minors accessing companion AI chatbots, which are defined as AI designed for emotional support. Covered entities must monitor these chats for suicidal ideation and sexually explicit content, immediately notifying parents and providing crisis resources when necessary. Furthermore, companies must clearly disclose to users that they are interacting with an AI, not a human, at the start of and periodically during every chat session.

The Debt, Earnings, and Cost Information Disclosure for Education Act, or DECIDE Act, aims to increase transparency for student loan borrowers. This bill mandates that the Secretary of Education update the College Scorecard annually with crucial data for every federal aid-eligible program. This new information will include median earnings ten years out, median student loan debt levels, and repayment/default rates for program completers. The goal is to provide prospective students with clearer accountability metrics before they enroll.

This bill aims to increase clarity and predictability for switching prescription drugs (Rx) to over-the-counter (nonprescription) status. It establishes new procedures, including early meetings with the FDA, and mandates the agency to issue clear guidance on the evidence required for these applications. Furthermore, the legislation requires a stakeholder engagement plan and a GAO report to review the current switch process and identify potential improvements.

This bill amends the Dayton Aviation Heritage Preservation Act of 1992 to adjust the boundary of the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. Specifically, it authorizes the addition of approximately one acre of land to the park's official boundaries in Dayton, Ohio. This adjustment incorporates a specifically mapped parcel into the historical park.

The Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act mandates the Department of Labor to establish comprehensive, ongoing training for its personnel on identifying and referring potential human trafficking cases. This training must cover detection methods, identification techniques, and proper referral processes that prioritize victim protection. Furthermore, the Secretary of Labor is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the training provided and the human trafficking referrals made to the Department of Justice.