Legislative Activity

The "Rural Veterinary Workforce Act" allows veterinarians working in underserved rural areas to be exempt from paying federal income tax on student loan repayment assistance received from federal or state programs. This bill aims to incentivize veterinary professionals to practice in rural communities, addressing the shortage of veterinary services in these areas. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025 ensures the Department of Agriculture honors existing agreements with farmers and related entities by releasing committed funding and settling outstanding debts. It prevents the cancellation of contracts unless there is a violation and requires a 60-day notice to Congress before closing any Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development Service Center office.

The "Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for investments in hydroelectric facilities made to improve fish passage, water quality, sediment transport, dam safety, public access, and removal of obsolete river obstructions. This credit, equal to 30% of the investment, aims to incentivize the maintenance, enhancement, and restoration of hydroelectric facilities and river ecosystems. The bill also includes provisions for elective payments and the transferability of these credits, further encouraging investment in qualifying projects. It applies to property placed in service after December 31, 2025.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Wyoming Senator Alan K. Simpson, recognizing his public service, military service, and contributions to Wyoming and the nation. It celebrates his work on border security, veterans affairs, entitlement reform, and fiscal responsibility, as well as his dedication to various Wyoming institutions. The resolution expresses sorrow at his passing, directs communication to the House of Representatives and his family, and adjourns the Senate in his memory.

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.

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 celebrates the 113th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America and its founder, Juliette Gordon Low, for their legacy of empowering girls. It recognizes the organization's focus on developing courage, confidence, and character in young women through STEM, outdoor activities, and entrepreneurship. The resolution also acknowledges the release of the Juliette Gordon Low Commemorative Quarter.

The Disaster Reforestation Act amends tax regulations to allow timber owners to deduct losses from casualty events like fires, storms, or pest infestations based on the timber's value before the loss, provided they reforest the land within five years. It requires professional appraisals to determine the loss amount, allows for amended tax returns to adjust for appraisal results, and applies to timber held for sale as part of an active business. This act aims to support the recovery of the timber industry after natural disasters.

This resolution celebrates the heritage, culture, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women in the United States. It recognizes their significant achievements across various sectors, including military service, business, medicine, and the arts. The resolution also emphasizes the need to invest in the future of these women by addressing barriers they face in justice, healthcare, education, and economic advancement.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance the enforcement of equal pay requirements by modifying the "bona fide factor" defense, protecting employees who discuss their wages, and enhancing penalties for equal pay violations. It requires training and directs research, education, and outreach to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. The Act also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when considering prospective employees and mandates the collection of compensation data by the EEOC. Finally, the Act establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace and provides small business assistance.

The "SHARE Act of 2025" allows the FBI to share criminal history data with state licensing authorities through agreements with state law enforcement for background checks required by interstate compacts. It defines key terms related to licensing and criminal history information and prohibits state licensing authorities from sharing criminal history data with the compact's Commission, other state entities, or the public. The bill permits a state licensing authority to inform a compact Commission whether an applicant's criminal history background check was satisfactory.

The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act, or WIPPES Act, mandates that certain disposable wipe products carry a "Do Not Flush" label and symbol to prevent damage to wastewater infrastructure. It establishes specific requirements for the placement, size, and visibility of the label on various packaging types. The Act prohibits marketing these products as flushable and grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to enforce these regulations, preempting differing state laws. These regulations will take effect one year after the law is enacted.

**Title I-IV:** The Land Manager Housing and Workforce Improvement Act of 2025 aims to improve workforce housing and support for federal land management agencies like the National Park Service and Forest Service. It expands their authority to acquire land for housing, leverage rental income for housing development, and form partnerships to address housing needs. The bill also facilitates local hiring, expands the seasonal employee pool, and mandates reports and oversight to ensure responsible spending and effective housing policies. These measures seek to enhance the recruitment, retention, and living conditions for employees managing our federal lands.

This resolution recognizes and honors teachers who have achieved or maintained National Board Certification, highlighting their significant contributions to student learning and leadership. It acknowledges the rigorous standards required for certification and the positive impact these teachers have, especially in addressing learning loss. The resolution encourages increased support for teachers pursuing National Board Certification to further enhance educational quality. As of March 2025, there are 141,464 National Board Certified teachers.

The Snow Survey Northeast Expansion Act of 2025 directs the Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service to expand its snow survey and water supply forecasting program to include the Northeastern United States. This expansion will provide crucial data and forecasts for water resource management in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, and other states as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act aims to standardize, publish, and improve public access to data regarding recreational use of federal waterways and fishing restriction areas. It directs the Secretary of Commerce to develop data standards, create a public website with geographic data on waterway and fishing restrictions, and coordinate with other agencies and stakeholders to ensure data compatibility and accessibility. The Act ensures that existing regulations and authorities regarding navigable waters and fisheries management remain unchanged.

This bill establishes an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs within the Department of State, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Ambassador will represent the U.S. in Arctic matters, coordinate Arctic-related foreign policy, and focus on national security, international cooperation, responsible resource management, environmental protection, indigenous involvement, and scientific research in the Arctic region. The Arctic region includes areas north of 66.56083 degrees latitude, U.S. territory north and west of specific Alaskan rivers, contiguous seas, and the Aleutian Chain. The Arctic countries are defined as the permanent members of the Arctic Council.

The Baltic Security Initiative Act aims to bolster the defense capabilities of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania through increased security cooperation. Led by the Secretary of Defense, the initiative will focus on deterring Russian aggression, enhancing regional military cooperation, and improving cyber defenses. It authorizes \$350 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028, encouraging matching funds from the Baltic countries. A strategy report will be submitted to Congress, addressing security threats from Russia and China.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring they receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, while maintaining current pay and benefits. It enhances collective bargaining rights for screening agents, requires reports on recruitment, implementation, and workplace safety, and addresses specific concerns within the Federal Air Marshal Service. The Act aims to improve job security, morale, and overall working conditions for TSA employees.