Legislative Activity

This resolution designates February 3-7, 2025, as "National School Counseling Week" to recognize the vital role school counselors play in students' academic, social, and emotional development. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges students face and the importance of adequately supporting school counseling programs. The resolution encourages Americans to participate in events that highlight the importance of school counselors in helping students succeed.

The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 amends the tax code to exclude state-sponsored catastrophe mitigation payments from an individual's gross income. This legislation ensures that homeowners receiving financial assistance to harden their properties against natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and earthquakes are not unfairly taxed on those funds. The provision is retroactive to the 2022 tax year, allowing eligible taxpayers to claim the exclusion on past returns.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The Keep Our PACT Act ensures federal support for public education by establishing mandatory funding increases for Title I programs and special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By providing a decade-long roadmap for increased investment, the bill aims to fulfill long-standing federal commitments to school districts and students with disabilities. This legislation designates these funds as emergency spending to ensure consistent, reliable resources for schools across the country.

The Build Housing with Care Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development to integrate child care services into affordable housing developments. By funding the construction, renovation, and operation of co-location facilities, the Act aims to increase access to child care, particularly in underserved "child care deserts." Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study to evaluate the intersection of housing and child care affordability for public housing residents.

The Charitable Act renews and expands tax incentives for charitable giving by allowing individuals who do not itemize deductions to claim a deduction for charitable contributions during the 2026 and 2027 tax years. Under this provision, non-itemizers can deduct contributions up to one-third of their standard deduction amount. Additionally, the bill removes specific accuracy-related penalties associated with these deductions.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (Global HER) Act ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain eligible for U.S. foreign assistance regardless of the legal health services or advocacy they provide using their own non-U.S. funds. By overriding restrictive policies, the bill protects the autonomy of these organizations to deliver comprehensive care and engage in advocacy, provided their activities comply with local laws and would be legal if performed in the United States.

This resolution supports the observation of National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month in January 2025 to raise awareness and opposition to these crimes. It recognizes the global scale of human trafficking, the vulnerability of specific populations, and the need for a coordinated effort to prevent trafficking, support victims, and prosecute offenders. The resolution encourages collaborative initiatives and a victim-centered approach to combat human trafficking and modern slavery.

The Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act permanently codifies Medicare coverage for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services delivered via telehealth. By removing geographic restrictions and allowing these services to be provided in a patient's home, the bill ensures continued access to essential care beyond the COVID-19 era. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

This resolution emphasizes the importance of the Department of Health and Human Services' role in providing timely and accurate health information to the public. It recognizes the value of resources like the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and the Health Alert Network in protecting public health. The resolution expresses the Senate's belief that Americans should have continuous access to this vital information.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that the U.S. should remain committed to the Paris Agreement, support policies at all levels of government to reduce global warming pollution, and encourage actions by businesses, investors, and individuals to combat climate change. It recognizes the economic benefits of clean energy investments and the need for collective efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

This bill reauthorizes the SOAR to Health and Wellness Training Program through fiscal year 2029, ensuring continued support for health professionals to identify and respond to human trafficking. Additionally, the legislation provides for the rescission of $20 million in unobligated funds from the Department of Health and Human Services.

This resolution supports the recognition of January as "Muslim-American Heritage Month" to honor the heritage, culture, and contributions of Muslim Americans to the United States. It acknowledges their diverse backgrounds, contributions to various sectors, and the discrimination many have faced. The resolution encourages public celebration of Muslim-American achievements and contributions to the country.

The Farm to Fly Act of 2025 aims to expand the domestic supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by integrating it into existing U.S. Department of Agriculture bioenergy programs. By providing new financial support and fostering cross-agency collaboration, the Act creates new market opportunities for American farmers and foresters. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to strengthen rural economies while advancing the commercial viability of clean energy for the aviation sector.

The Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025 establishes a federal pilot program to provide grants and forgivable loans for essential home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy-efficiency upgrades. Administered by state and local organizations, the initiative supports both low-income homeowners and small-scale landlords to improve housing habitability and safety. The program aims to preserve affordable housing while streamlining coordination across existing federal, state, and local repair resources.

The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 seeks to expand Medicare coverage to include all services that doctors of chiropractic are legally authorized to perform under their state licenses. By removing the current restriction that limits coverage solely to manual spinal manipulation, the bill aligns Medicare with other federal and private health programs. To provide services beyond spinal manipulation, chiropractors will be required to complete a designated educational documentation program.

The Wildland Firefighters Congressional Gold Medal Act honors the courage, sacrifice, and essential service of the nation’s wildland firefighters. This legislation authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded collectively to these frontline responders in recognition of their dedication to protecting our communities and natural resources. The medal will be housed at the National Interagency Fire Center, with bronze duplicates made available for public purchase.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 mandates that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac include a disclaimer on residential loan applications to inform veterans that they may be eligible for a VA home loan. Additionally, the bill requires the Comptroller General to conduct a study to ensure lenders are effectively implementing this disclosure.