Legislative Activity

The "Making Education Affordable and Accessible Act of 2025" aims to increase access to higher education by providing grants to institutions that partner with local education agencies to create or expand dual enrollment and early college high school programs. These programs allow high school students to earn college credits, with priority given to students from low-income families, rural schools, or those who are first-generation college students. Grant funds can be used for various support activities, including professional development, course design, and covering the costs of tuition, fees, and materials. The act also mandates program evaluations and reports to Congress to ensure effectiveness and accountability.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Louisiana Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr., recognizing his contributions to energy policy, natural resource conservation, and Louisiana's cultural heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to Senator Johnston's family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in his honor.

The "Save Our Seafood Act" exempts certain fish processing workers from the numerical limitations on H2B nonimmigrant visas, facilitating the employment of foreign workers in the U.S. seafood processing industry. This exemption applies specifically to positions such as fish roe processors, technicians, and supervisors. The Act defines "fish" broadly to include various types of aquatic life, while clarifying who qualifies as a "processor" under this legislation.

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 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.

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.

The Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act introduces a new income-contingent student loan repayment plan (SOAR) with lower monthly payments and faster loan forgiveness. SOAR caps payments at 5% of discretionary income for undergraduate loans and 10% for other loans, and forgives remaining balances after 10 or 15 years, depending on the loan type. The bill phases out the existing PAYE and ICR plans, restricting eligibility to borrowers already enrolled or those meeting specific hardship requirements. It also ensures that unpaid interest does not capitalize and mandates automatic loan cancellation for eligible borrowers.

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 "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 Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act amends title 38 of the United States Code to expand eligibility for the disabled veterans outreach program. This expansion includes spouses and surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces. These individuals will now have access to career services under this program.

The COST of Relocations Act requires federal agencies to conduct a benefit-cost analysis and submit a report to their Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Congress before carrying out a "covered relocation," which involves moving or replacing a significant number of employees. The OIG then reviews the report and submits its own report to specific congressional committees, assessing the agency's adherence to OMB guidelines and the justification for using federal funds for the relocation. These reports must be made publicly available, excluding proprietary or confidential information. This aims to ensure transparency and careful evaluation of the financial and practical impacts of agency relocations.

This resolution affirms religious freedom as a fundamental right and a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. It expresses concern over increasing global threats to religious freedom, condemning persecution, violence, and imprisonment based on faith. The resolution urges the Department of State to prioritize religious freedom in foreign policy, utilize sanctions against violators, and support human rights advocates.

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.

This resolution addresses concerns that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is misrepresenting United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 to falsely claim sovereignty over Taiwan. It reaffirms the U.S.'s "one China policy," which differs from the PRC's "One China Principle," and emphasizes that the U.S. does not take a position on Taiwan's sovereignty. The resolution supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations and encourages other nations to strengthen ties with Taiwan, while also countering China's narrative on Resolution 2758.

This resolution condemns China's actions in Hong Kong that undermine its autonomy, rule of law, and the freedoms of its citizens. It calls for the release of political prisoners, criticizes the erosion of Hong Kong's legal and business environment, and urges governments to hold China accountable through existing legislation and multilateral efforts. The resolution also expresses solidarity with the people of Hong Kong in their struggle for fundamental rights and freedoms.

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.

This resolution celebrates the 204th anniversary of Greek independence and reaffirms the strong relationship between the United States and Greece, rooted in shared democratic values. It recognizes Greece's role as a valued NATO ally and acknowledges the contributions of the Greek-American community to the United States. The resolution also highlights the importance of the U.S.-Greece partnership in areas like energy security and regional stability.

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 MERIT Act, or "Model Employee Reinstatement for Ill-advised Termination Act," mandates the reinstatement of federal probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment. It requires agencies to offer these employees their previous or similar positions, along with back pay and benefits, and establishes a process for notification, acceptance, and payment determination. The Act also requires reports to Congress on mass terminations and reinstatements.