Legislative Activity

The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 aims to ensure that unaccompanied children have legal representation in immigration proceedings by providing government-funded counsel. It mandates that these children receive complete copies of their immigration files and have sufficient time to review them, and it also requires the Department of Homeland Security to allow counsel access to detained non-citizens. The Act directs the Office of Refugee Resettlement to develop guidelines for legal representation and requires annual reports on the provision of counsel to unaccompanied children. Additionally, it allows unaccompanied children to reopen their immigration cases if they were not provided with appointed counsel, and it authorizes the necessary appropriations for implementation.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" allows above-the-line tax deductions for union dues and other employee-related business expenses. This amends the Internal Revenue Code to ensure these deductions are not subject to certain limitations, providing tax relief for workers. These changes will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment Act" or "RIDE Act" introduces a new P4 nonimmigrant visa for mobile entertainment workers, such as those in carnivals and circuses, who perform essential functions and whose employment will not negatively impact U.S. workers. It defines "mobile entertainment worker" and "mobile entertainment provider" for visa eligibility and allows spouses and children of P visa holders to accompany or join them in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Labor are directed to establish rules for implementing these changes.

The IDEA Full Funding Act amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to authorize and appropriate specific funding amounts for fiscal years 2026 through 2035 and subsequent years. It aims to increase federal funding for special education, gradually working towards full federal funding by fiscal year 2035. The funding is calculated based on the number of children with disabilities receiving special education and the average per-pupil expenditure in public schools. This act ensures that funds are available to states to support special education and related services for children with disabilities.

The "Trade Review Act of 2025" mandates that the President must notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing import duties, explaining the justification and potential economic effects. Any such duty will expire after 60 days unless Congress approves it through a joint resolution. Congress can also disapprove and nullify a duty through a joint resolution. This act excludes antidumping and countervailing duties and establishes expedited procedures for congressional review.

The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino Act authorizes the establishment of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino, potentially within the National Mall. It requires the Smithsonian to notify Congress regarding the use of federal land for the museum and ensures that the museum's exhibits and programs reflect the diverse cultures, histories, events, and values of the Latino community by seeking guidance from a broad array of knowledgeable sources with diverse political viewpoints and experiences. The Act also mandates regular reports to Congress on efforts to ensure this diversity in exhibits and programs.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding eligible practitioners and originating sites, and making waivers for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Native American health facilities permanent. It also enhances program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, authorizing additional funding for oversight, and addressing unusual billing patterns. Additionally, the act supports beneficiaries and providers by requiring the development of resources and training, reviewing quality measures, and mandating the publication of data on telehealth services. These changes aim to make telehealth a more accessible, high-quality, and permanent option for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14193, which imposed duties on goods imported from Canada. The resolution ends the emergency declaration made under the authority of the National Emergencies Act.

The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" mandates a wide range of sanctions on Russia, its government, affiliated individuals and entities, and sectors of its economy in response to actions against Ukraine. It requires the President to make regular determinations regarding Russia's behavior and imposes escalating penalties, including financial restrictions, import bans, and increased duties, if Russia refuses to negotiate peace, violates agreements, or takes further aggressive actions against Ukraine. The Act also targets international entities that support Russia's sanctioned activities and sets conditions for the termination and reimposition of sanctions based on Russia's adherence to peace agreements.

The "Defending Americas Future Elections Act" repeals Executive Order 14248, which is related to preserving and protecting the integrity of American elections. It prevents the executive order's implementation and restricts the use of federal funds to access state voter registration and election-related records. This act reinforces that Congress and the States have authority over elections, not the President.

The "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act" directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an interim and final standard requiring healthcare and social service employers to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans. These plans must include risk assessments, hazard prevention measures, incident reporting procedures, and employee training. The Act also requires employers to maintain detailed records of violent incidents and submit annual summaries to the Secretary of Labor. Finally, facilities receiving Medicare funds must comply with the workplace violence prevention standard.

This resolution designates April 2025 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month" to highlight the importance of local news in American democracy. It recognizes the decline of local news outlets and the negative impact this has on informed citizens and communities. The resolution acknowledges local journalism as a public good and affirms its valuable contributions.

The "Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act" or the "ABC Act" requires a comprehensive review of Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs to simplify processes and improve communication for family caregivers. This includes reducing red tape, improving website accessibility, and providing timely and accessible information. The act mandates regular reports to Congress on the progress and impact of these improvements. Additionally, the act encourages states to conduct similar reviews to reduce administrative burdens on caregivers at the state level.

The "Convenient Contraception Act" amends the Public Health Service Act, mandating that group health plans and health insurance issuers provide enrollees with the option to obtain a 365-day supply of contraceptives. This Act ensures access without cost-sharing, aligning with existing preventive care mandates. The provisions will be effective for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026, and requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury to conduct outreach to inform healthcare providers and individuals about the new requirements.

The "Paying a Fair Share Act of 2025" introduces a new tax on high-income taxpayers with an adjusted gross income exceeding $1,000,000, referred to as the "fair share tax". This tax aims to ensure wealthy individuals pay a minimum level of tax and contribute to deficit reduction. The tax is calculated based on a percentage of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income above a certain threshold, taking into account charitable contributions and other tax liabilities. The Act expresses the Senate's intention for broader tax system reforms, including eliminating loopholes and simplifying the tax code.

This resolution designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to recognize the vital role of women in agriculture. It acknowledges women's significant contributions as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors within the agricultural sector. The resolution supports celebrating women's impact on food resources and the agricultural workforce, encouraging their continued involvement and leadership in the field.

The American Prairie Conservation Act aims to protect native sod by requiring producers who till it for crop production to certify and report the acreage to the Secretary of Agriculture. This certification includes submitting acreage reports and maps, with corrections required for any changes in tilled acreage. The Secretary of Agriculture must provide annual reports to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees detailing the certified tilled native sod acreage in each county and state from 2026 to 2030.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Congress and states to regulate campaign finance, setting reasonable limits on contributions and expenditures to promote democracy, political equality, and the integrity of government and elections. It aims to clarify the power to differentiate between natural persons and corporations in campaign finance regulations, potentially restricting corporate spending in elections. The amendment explicitly protects the freedom of the press from any restrictions.

This resolution recognizes and celebrates the heritage, culture, and significant contributions of Latinas to the United States across various sectors, including the economy, arts, sciences, and military. It also acknowledges the economic disparities Latinas face, such as the wage gap, and emphasizes the importance of investing in their future to address these challenges and ensure their continued growth and impact.

The "Lower Drug Costs for Families Act" aims to lower prescription drug costs by applying inflation rebates to drugs in the commercial market. It adjusts how drug units are counted for rebate calculations under Medicare Parts B and D, changes the base years for these calculations to 2016, and excludes certain drug units from the rebate calculation. These changes are set to take effect in 2025 and 2026.