Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes the vital role renewable fuels play in reducing carbon emissions and lowering consumer fuel prices. Furthermore, the bill highlights how these fuels support rural economies and decrease U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources.

This Senate resolution urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw a proposed rule that would reduce opportunities for public notice and comment on new regulations. The Senate emphasizes that robust public input is essential for creating fair and effective policies that impact millions of Americans. It calls for HHS to maintain the established 54-year practice of allowing stakeholders to provide feedback before finalizing significant rule changes.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. The bill also clarifies that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for both private and federal employees. Finally, it mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to update educational materials regarding the risks, benefits, and insurance implications of living donation.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating April 2025 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It highlights the significant employment barriers faced by the millions of Americans with past conviction records. The bill champions efforts to remove structural roadblocks, expand job training, and connect formerly incarcerated individuals with stable employment opportunities.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It grandfathers existing possessions but requires background checks for all future private transfers of these previously owned weapons. The bill also permits the use of federal Byrne grant funds for state-run buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

The Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program administered by the National Science Foundation. This program is designed to increase the participation and retention of women, people with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Eligible organizations can apply for competitive funding to support activities like mentoring, internships, and outreach programs aimed at these groups. Congress has authorized $15 million annually for this initiative from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

This bill modifies the railroad track maintenance credit by significantly increasing the maximum credit amount per mile from $\$3,500$ to $\$6,100$. It also updates the eligibility period for qualifying expenditures and mandates that the new credit limit will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2026. These changes are designed to provide greater financial support for ongoing railroad infrastructure upkeep.

The Equality Act comprehensively amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across key areas of American life. This legislation expands existing protections in public accommodations, employment, housing, credit access, and jury service. Its purpose is to ensure consistent and clear nationwide enforcement of non-discrimination principles for LGBTQ individuals and women.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 comprehensively reforms the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program by updating state allocation formulas based on population and inflation, and by modifying tenant eligibility rules to protect vulnerable residents. The bill also introduces significant changes for property owners regarding casualty loss, acquisition costs, and incentives for serving extremely low-income households. Finally, it directs efforts toward increasing program transparency and encouraging local governments to reform restrictive housing policies.

This resolution supports designating a week in April as Black Maternal Health Week to raise national awareness of the severe maternal health crisis facing Black women and birthing people in the U.S. It highlights that systemic racism and discrimination drive unacceptable disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity rates. The resolution calls for specific investments and policy changes, including expanded postpartum coverage and culturally competent care, guided by the voices of the affected community.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Reauthorization Act of 2025 officially extends the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program, which supports workers, firms, and farmers negatively impacted by trade, through December 31, 2031. This legislation also clarifies the application of TAA rules for petitions filed between July 1, 2021, and the date of enactment, often requiring reconsideration under current standards. Furthermore, it updates the funding and training calculation windows to align with the new program extension dates.

The Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act modifies the clean fuel production tax credit by requiring that qualifying fuel be made from feedstocks grown in the United States starting in 2025. The bill also extends the availability of this credit until 2034 and adjusts how emissions rates are calculated by excluding indirect land use changes for future tax years. These changes aim to incentivize domestic production and alter the environmental metrics used for the tax incentive.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 significantly increases the maximum expenses eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to \$8,000 for one dependent and \$16,000 for two or more. This legislation also adjusts the credit calculation percentage based on income and makes the credit partially or fully refundable for eligible taxpayers. Furthermore, key income thresholds and expense limits will be indexed for inflation starting in 2026.

The SOAR Act of 2025 aims to significantly reform Medicare coverage for supplemental oxygen therapy by ending competitive bidding and establishing new payment rates for suppliers. The bill also protects access to respiratory therapist services by ensuring Medicare reimbursement for their work. Furthermore, it strengthens fraud prevention through mandated electronic documentation while simultaneously restoring clinical judgment in claim reviews. Finally, the Act establishes a comprehensive set of new rights and protections for beneficiaries receiving oxygen equipment and services.

The LOCAL Infrastructure Act reinstates the availability of advance refunding bonds, effectively undoing a change made by the 2017 tax law. This action immediately restores the previous rules regarding these bonds. By bringing back advance refunding, the bill aims to provide greater financial flexibility for infrastructure projects.

The Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2025 significantly enhances the rehabilitation tax credit by setting a standard 20% credit rate and introducing a new, higher 30% rate for qualifying small projects, including special provisions for rural areas. The bill also allows for the transfer of these credits and eliminates the requirement to reduce a property's cost basis when claiming the credit. These changes aim to incentivize the rehabilitation and placement in service of historic properties after the enactment date.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act aims to combat sophisticated criminal gangs engaged in large-scale retail and supply chain theft. This bill strengthens federal law by updating money laundering and stolen property statutes, including establishing a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for certain offenses. Crucially, it mandates the creation of a specialized federal Coordination Center within Homeland Security to unify efforts across all levels of law enforcement and private industry against these transnational criminal organizations.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week." It recognizes the historical significance and vital mission of the National Park Service in preserving America's natural and cultural treasures. The bill encourages the public to visit, experience, and support these cherished sites during this designated week.

The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 establishes an Advisory Council within the Department of Health and Human Services to support victims of gun violence. This council will define key terms, assess the needs of victims and service providers, and identify best practices for support. Its primary goal is to share comprehensive information on available medical, financial, and mental health resources with the public and relevant government bodies. The council will operate for five years and is required to issue detailed reports on resource gaps and recommendations for improvement.

The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2025 makes the existing adoption tax credit fully refundable, allowing taxpayers to receive the benefit even if they owe no tax. This is achieved by relocating the credit within the tax code and updating related references. The bill also mandates the Treasury Department to issue regulations establishing a standardized third-party affidavit form for verifying adoption expenses. These changes will apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.