Legislative Activity

The Safeguarding Charity Act clarifies that an organization's federal income tax exemption will not automatically be considered "Federal financial assistance" under federal law. This change applies to tax-exempt organizations and retirement plans unless another specific law explicitly states otherwise. The Act ensures that tax benefits are not automatically counted as federal aid moving forward.

The POWER Act of 2025 amends disaster relief laws to allow electric utilities receiving federal funds for emergency power restoration to concurrently undertake cost-effective hazard mitigation activities. This ensures that utilizing emergency restoration funds does not disqualify utilities from seeking future hazard mitigation assistance. These provisions apply only to funds appropriated after the Act's enactment.

This resolution commemorates the 30th anniversary of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, honoring the 168 victims, survivors, and courageous first responders. It recognizes the profound tragedy, celebrates the resilience and spirit of the community, and supports the ongoing mission of the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Ultimately, Congress affirms the nation's commitment to remembering this event as an example of hope triumphing over violence.

The Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act revises federal physician self-referral rules to create specific exemptions for certain physician-owned hospitals located in rural areas. This legislation allows these designated "covered rural hospitals" to be exempt from general referral prohibitions. Furthermore, the bill eliminates the existing ban that prevented these physician-owned hospitals from expanding their operations.

The Free Speech Fairness Act amends tax law to allow 501(c)(3) organizations to make political campaign statements without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. This is permissible only if the statement is made in the ordinary course of carrying out their established tax-exempt purpose and requires only a de minimis amount of extra expenditure. This change provides greater latitude for mission-related political commentary by certain non-profits.

The No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act of 2025 eliminates the federal tax exemption for bonds used to finance the construction or refinancing of professional sports stadiums. This means interest earned on these specific municipal bonds will now be subject to federal income tax. The change applies immediately to all bonds issued after the Act becomes law.

This resolution strongly affirms religious freedom as a fundamental right and a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. It expresses deep concern over the increasing global threats, persecution, and destruction of religious sites worldwide. The bill urges the State Department to prioritize the promotion of religious freedom through diplomatic engagement, support for activists, and the use of sanctions against violators.

The Belt and Road Oversight Act establishes a "Country China Officer" at every U.S. embassy to monitor Chinese activities, particularly those related to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The bill mandates comprehensive reviews of existing BRI projects, including host country debt and potential collateral. Furthermore, it requires annual reporting on BRI projects and the development of country-specific strategies to counter PRC influence. Finally, it directs the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to prioritize financing alternatives for nations targeted by China's infrastructure schemes.

The CAMPUS Act aims to counter adversarial partnerships by requiring the DNI to identify Chinese universities aiding the People's Liberation Army's Military-Civil Fusion strategy. This identification triggers restrictions on Department of Defense funding, facility clearances for classified information, and visa eligibility for associated individuals. Additionally, the bill lowers the threshold for universities reporting foreign gifts and promotes Mandarin language education partnerships with Taiwan.

The Security and Oversight for International Landholdings Act of 2025 (SOIL Act) expands the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review authority over foreign acquisitions of U.S. agricultural land and real estate near military bases, particularly involving entities from designated national security risk countries. The bill also prohibits federal agricultural assistance for landholdings tied to these flagged nations and strengthens disclosure requirements for foreign-held agricultural leases. Finally, it mandates an annual public report detailing foreign ownership of U.S. farmland broken down by country, state, and county.

The Protecting Children Over Profits Act amends federal law to streamline law enforcement access to electronic records in child exploitation cases. This legislation adjusts the standards for obtaining telephone records related to such crimes. Furthermore, it prevents electronic service providers from being compensated for the costs associated with providing assistance or facilities for investigations involving child exploitation.

This resolution acknowledges the distinguished life and career of the Honorable David Lyle Boren, who served Oklahoma as a state legislator, Governor, U.S. Senator, and President of the University of Oklahoma. It expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to his family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in honor of Senator Boren.

The "BEST Facilitation Act" establishes a pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection to create image technician positions that will review images of cargo and conveyances entering and exiting the U.S. to identify potential contraband or illegal activity. These technicians, supervised by CBP officers, will undergo specialized training and annual assessments, and will be located in five regional command centers. The Act also mandates semiannual reports to Congress detailing the program's implementation, performance metrics, and impact on interdiction rates and CBP operations. The pilot program is set to sunset after five years, with provisions for transferring the image technician positions to other roles within CBP or DHS.

The "MERP Clarifications Act of 2025" amends the Clean Air Act to modify the Methane Emissions Reduction Program by exempting certain small oil and gas producers from methane emission reporting requirements and charges, delaying the methane charge until grants are distributed and reporting rules are finalized. It also requires a public comment period for related regulations and mandates the EPA to establish an expedited appeal process for facilities disputing the methane charge. The authority provided under this section sunsets on December 31, 2034.

The "No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit businesses involved in marijuana or controlled substance trafficking from claiming tax deductions or credits for business expenses. This applies regardless of whether such activities are illegal under federal or state law, impacting taxable years following the Act's enactment.

The "Ensuring Accountability and Dignity in Government Contracting Act of 2025" aims to strengthen protections against trafficking in government contracting by requiring more robust compliance and reporting measures. It mandates prompt reporting of trafficking-related activities, Inspector General investigations, and potential payment suspensions until corrective actions are taken. Additionally, the Act directs the Office of Management and Budget to assess the feasibility of enhancing contractor anti-trafficking plan compliance and streamlining related agency reporting.

The "Expediting Hazard Mitigation Assistance Projects Act" aims to streamline disaster recovery by allowing FEMA to waive certain environmental and historic preservation requirements for property acquisition, demolition, or relocation projects. This applies to projects supported by specific sections of the Stafford Act and the National Flood Insurance Act. FEMA must consult with local officials and consider project specifics before granting waivers, and is required to submit annual reports to Congress on the use of these waivers.

The "Investing in Community Resilience Act of 2025" amends the Stafford Act to prioritize disaster preparedness and community resilience. It broadens FEMA's support to include programs that enhance resilience through improved building standards and land use practices. The Act also supports community emergency response teams by providing resources for training and outreach. These changes will be funded through existing FEMA appropriations, taking effect one year after enactment.

The "Stopping Political Discrimination in Disaster Assistance Act" amends the Stafford Act to prohibit discrimination based on political affiliation when providing disaster relief. This ensures that disaster assistance is distributed fairly, regardless of a person's political beliefs.

The "Direct Property Acquisitions Act" establishes a pilot program allowing certain local governments to directly apply to FEMA for assistance with property acquisition, demolition, or relocation projects related to hazard mitigation. FEMA will select a limited number of "covered communities" based on specific criteria and will report annually to Congress on the program's effectiveness. The pilot program is authorized for a maximum of eight years, after which Congress will determine whether to make the program permanent, extend it, or end it.