Legislative Activity

The EDUCATE Act conditions federal funding for graduate medical schools on certifying they do not mandate agreement with specific divisive tenets regarding race or sex. This legislation prohibits medical schools from requiring diversity statements or establishing DEI offices as a condition for admission or employment. Furthermore, it requires accrediting agencies to ensure they do not mandate policies contrary to these provisions for medical education programs. The Act includes provisions to protect existing First Amendment rights and academic freedom.

This resolution formally commends Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) on the occasion of its Centennial anniversary. It recognizes the university's significant history, growth since its founding in 1925, and its ongoing service to the State of Louisiana and the United States. The Senate directs that official notice of this commendation be sent to key university leaders.

The CRAWDAD Act expands emergency assistance programs to better support agricultural producers facing disaster-related losses. It specifically updates the Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program to include drought as an eligible trigger and explicitly covers losses to crawfish harvest due to adverse weather or drought. Additionally, the bill broadens the definition of "livestock" under the Livestock Forage Disaster Program to ensure coverage for unweaned animals.

The Same Care, Lower Cost Act aims to reduce Medicare spending by establishing "site-neutral" payments for certain medical services starting in 2027. This means Medicare will pay the same rate for specific procedures regardless of whether they are performed in a hospital outpatient department or an ambulatory surgical center. The Secretary must identify at least 66 service categories subject to this standardized payment, though emergency and critical care visits are exempt. This legislation directs the Secretary to align payment rates based on the service provided rather than the facility location.

The Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025 makes several administrative updates to the organization's charter. This bill restructures sections related to membership eligibility, governing body authority, and the location of its principal office, moving these details primarily into the organization's bylaws. It also reinforces strict restrictions prohibiting the use of corporate funds for political activities or the issuance of stock. Finally, the Act clarifies rules regarding the service of legal process and the distribution of assets upon dissolution.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, particularly those involving roosters, by expanding illegal activities to include attendance by minors and gambling. This bill enhances enforcement by tightening restrictions on interstate transport and advertising, while also empowering private citizens to file lawsuits to enjoin violations. Furthermore, the Act allows for the seizure of real property used to facilitate these illegal fighting activities.

The Targeting Child Predators Act of 2025 shifts authority over certain administrative subpoenas from the Treasury to Homeland Security and imposes strict 180-day nondisclosure requirements on recipients when an investigation is certified as sensitive. This Act establishes a new judicial review process allowing recipients to challenge these secrecy orders in federal court. Courts can uphold or extend the nondisclosure period only if disclosure risks endangering lives, flight from prosecution, or evidence tampering.

The No Dollars for Dictators Act of 2025 prohibits the U.S. from supporting the allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) through the IMF to any member country that has committed genocide in the last decade or is currently designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. This restriction remains in place unless Congress explicitly authorizes the vote through new legislation. The bill ensures that U.S. financial influence is not used to benefit regimes engaged in genocide or terrorism.

The Quality Loss Adjustment Improvement for Farmers Act mandates that the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation conduct external reviews of its quality loss adjustment procedures every five years, starting in 2025, ensuring input from regional industry stakeholders. Furthermore, the bill requires the Corporation to establish local "discount factors" for soybean quality loss adjustments following a federal disaster declaration, reflecting actual regional market prices. These changes aim to improve the fairness and accuracy of quality loss payments, particularly for soybeans during crises.

The Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act mandates stricter and clearer public disclosure of stock transactions by corporate directors, officers, and principal stockholders. This legislation updates existing securities law to ensure greater transparency regarding insider trading activities. Furthermore, it requires the SEC to finalize the necessary implementing rules within 90 days of enactment.

This joint resolution nullifies the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's rule on the Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its enforcement or implementation.

The Crucial Communism Teaching Act aims to prepare high school students for responsible citizenship by ensuring they learn about the historical dangers and global impact of communism. This bill mandates the development and dissemination of a new civic education curriculum that contrasts communism with American principles of freedom and democracy. The resources will also include "Portraits in Patriotism," featuring oral histories from victims of oppressive regimes.

The Transparency in Banking Act mandates that key federal financial regulators submit a detailed annual report to Congress regarding their planned activities and positions at the international Basel Committee on Bank Supervision meetings. This legislation requires public disclosure of agency attendance, proposed solutions, and potential new standards affecting U.S. interests. Furthermore, regulators must promptly update Congress on any significant changes to their planned engagement and include this information in required testimony.

The NFIP Extension Act of 2025 is a short-term measure designed to keep the National Flood Insurance Program operational. This bill extends both the program's authorization and its financing authority for two years, setting the new expiration date to September 30, 2025. This ensures continued coverage and funding for flood insurance nationwide.

The Hospital Transparency Compliance Enforcement Act aims to increase hospital price transparency by requiring hospitals to publish standard charges annually and prohibits hiding this information online. It establishes financial penalties for non-compliance, varying with hospital size, and mandates the public listing of hospitals failing to meet these transparency requirements. This act ensures that hospitals provide clear pricing information to patients, promoting informed healthcare decisions.

The "Protecting Investors Personally Identifiable Information Act" prohibits the SEC from requiring the collection of personally identifiable information under consolidated audit trail reporting requirements, defining such information as data that can identify an individual. The SEC is only allowed to request this information if it is related to an investigation or enforcement action concerning violations of Federal securities laws, and this information must be destroyed after the conclusion of the investigation. This bill aims to protect investors' personal data while still allowing the SEC to investigate potential securities law violations.

The LEOSA Reform Act amends the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 to allow qualified law enforcement officers and retired officers to carry concealed firearms in school zones. It also modifies the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004, clarifying its relationship with other federal laws, updating firearms proficiency requirements for retired officers, and including magazines in the definition of ammunition. Additionally, the Act permits qualified current and retired law enforcement officers to carry firearms in certain federal facilities.

The "Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act" establishes an Office of the Special Inspector General to independently audit and investigate programs and operations receiving U.S. aid to Ukraine. The Special Inspector General will be responsible for monitoring how funds are spent, preventing waste and fraud, and reporting findings to Congress and relevant agencies. The act authorizes \$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 to carry out the act and rescinds \$20,000,000 from the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024. The office will terminate 180 days after unspent funds for Ukraine's reconstruction fall below \$250,000,000, at which point a final audit report to Congress will be submitted.

The No IRIS Act of 2025 prohibits the EPA from using risk assessments generated by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) in rulemakings, regulatory actions, enforcement, or permitting. This includes preventing IRIS assessments from informing air toxics assessments or other mapping and screening tools used by the EPA.

The "Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act" amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to include rural-area small businesses in the list of entities the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation should focus on. This ensures that the Advocate identifies problems and provides assistance to these businesses, as well as conducts outreach activities to support them.