Legislative Activity

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 Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act (BUMP Act) prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of devices or modifications that significantly increase the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms to mimic machinegun function. Existing owners of such modified firearms must register them within 120 days of enactment to maintain lawful possession. This legislation updates federal law by classifying these rate-of-fire-enhancing modifications as regulated items under the National Firearms Act.

The American Family Act fundamentally restructures the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with advance monthly payments for qualifying children. This legislation establishes a new refundable monthly credit of up to $360 per child, alongside a separate $500 non-refundable credit for other dependents. These advance payments are subject to income phase-outs and will reconcile with the final tax return. The old annual Child Tax Credit is terminated for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025 significantly expands and makes permanent the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without qualifying children by lowering the minimum age, substantially increasing the credit amount, and raising income thresholds. It also allows taxpayers to elect to use higher prior-year earned income to calculate their current EITC benefit. Furthermore, the bill permanently extends current EITC application rules for U.S. territories like Puerto Rico.

The NO FAKES Act of 2025 establishes exclusive property rights for individuals over the creation and use of their digital voice and visual likenesses (Digital Replicas). This federal law grants the right holder the authority to license or control the use of these replicas, both during the individual's life and for a set period after death. The Act outlines specific licensing rules, liability for unauthorized use in commerce, and safe harbor provisions for online services that comply with takedown notices based on digital fingerprinting.

The Jobs in the Woods Act establishes a new competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Agriculture to fund forestry workforce development. These grants aim to support training programs for forestry jobs specifically within eligible, low-income rural communities that meet certain broadband standards. Eligible entities can apply for grants between $\$500,000$ and $\$2$ million over four years, with priority given to programs addressing workforce shortages and ensuring job placement.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 systematically increases the federal minimum wage to \$17.00 per hour over five years, after which it will be indexed to median wage growth. This legislation also phases out the subminimum wage for tipped employees and workers with disabilities, requiring them to eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, the bill repeals the special minimum wage for workers under 20 once their rate catches up to the standard minimum.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It tasks the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) with reviewing state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, taking over administration where state laws fall short. The Act explicitly protects existing labor agreements while prohibiting strikes or lockouts that would endanger public safety services. Finally, it ensures that existing state or local laws providing equal or greater protections are not preempted by this federal minimum standard.

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.

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). It celebrates the success of this landmark legislation, which allows Tribal Nations to contract and manage federal programs like health and education for their communities. The resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Tribal sovereignty and self-governance.

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act aims to disallow federal tax deductions for employer expenditures used to influence employees regarding union organizing activities. This legislation targets significant corporate spending on anti-union consultants and captive audience meetings, arguing that taxpayers should not subsidize efforts to interfere with workers' rights to organize. The bill also introduces strict new reporting requirements and penalties for companies that fail to disclose these influence expenditures.

The Winter Recreation Small Business Recovery Act of 2025 officially recognizes "snow drought"—a severe lack of snow due to dry conditions or warm temperatures—as a qualifying disaster for small business assistance. This legislation directs the Small Business Administration to establish rules for this new disaster designation within 90 days. Furthermore, it mandates a review of federal resources and recommendations for strengthening small businesses against future snow shortages.

The Trade Review Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory 60-day congressional review period for any new or increased import duties imposed by the President. The President must notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing such duties, detailing the justification and impact. Unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval within 60 days, the new or increased duty automatically expires.

The Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment Act (RIDE Act) establishes a new P4 nonimmigrant visa category for "mobile entertainment workers," such as those employed by traveling carnivals and circuses. This provision requires Department of Labor certification to ensure no qualified U.S. workers are displaced and that U.S. wages are protected. The bill also ensures that the spouses and children of these essential workers are eligible for derivative visas. Finally, it mandates that the relevant federal agencies publish proposed and final rules implementing these changes within 180 days and one year of enactment, respectively.

The IDEA Full Funding Act mandates specific federal funding levels for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) programs, excluding preschool services, starting in fiscal year 2026 through 2035 and beyond. This legislation establishes a formula that requires the government to allocate the greater of a set dollar amount or a percentage of a calculated amount based on the number of students served and average per-pupil spending. The goal is to significantly increase and stabilize federal contributions to special education services over the next decade.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act clarifies the location flexibility for the museum, confirming it can be situated within the National Mall Reserve. This legislation also establishes a clear process for transferring administrative control of sites managed by other federal agencies to the Smithsonian Institution. Furthermore, it mandates that the Museum's Board of Trustees actively seek guidance from diverse sources to ensure exhibits accurately reflect the full spectrum of Latino cultures and viewpoints. The Secretary of the Smithsonian must report regularly to Congress on compliance with these diversity requirements.

The Tax Fairness for Workers Act aims to restore certain federal tax deductions for employees. This bill makes union dues fully deductible "above-the-line," meaning they can be claimed without itemizing. Additionally, it temporarily allows employees to itemize specific work-related business expenses through the end of 2025.

The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act aims to address the critical need for school facility modernization in districts heavily impacted by non-taxable federal lands. This bill authorizes a four-year, \$250 million annual grant program to provide construction funding through both competitive and formula grants. Priority will be given to districts with emergency facility conditions, while also adjusting funding formulas to better support high-need and defense-impacted school agencies. Funds must supplement, not replace, local spending on essential repairs, renovations, and new construction.

The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 aims to improve efficiency and fairness in immigration courts by significantly increasing access to legal representation for unaccompanied children. This bill mandates the government to provide counsel for these children at no cost through all stages of removal proceedings. Furthermore, it ensures noncitizens receive their case files promptly and establishes new standards for lawyer access to detention facilities and required annual reporting on legal representation outcomes.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 aims to significantly expand access to telehealth services under Medicare by permanently removing outdated geographic restrictions and broadening provider eligibility. The bill also enhances program integrity by dedicating new funding to oversight and establishing educational outreach for providers with unusual billing patterns. Finally, it mandates new resources, training, and public data reporting to ensure the quality and accessibility of virtual care for all beneficiaries.