Legislative Activity

The Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act overhauls federal student loan programs by terminating most existing loan options and introducing Federal Direct simplification loans with set interest rates and loan limits. It also phases out loan forgiveness programs for new loans made after July 1, 2025, with limited exceptions. The bill introduces alternative state accreditation systems for postsecondary institutions and programs to qualify for Title IV funding and mandates increased transparency by requiring colleges to publish detailed information on student outcomes and loan data. Finally, it introduces financial accountability measures for schools based on student loan default rates.

The SCREEN Act requires online platforms that host or provide pornographic content to use technology to verify users' ages, preventing minors from accessing harmful material. Platforms must implement age verification measures within one year of the Act's enactment, prioritizing data security and user privacy. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will oversee compliance, conduct regular audits, and provide guidance to platforms, while the Comptroller General will report to Congress on the Act's effectiveness and impact. This act aims to protect children from the harmful effects of online pornography by ensuring only adults can access such content.

The "DEFUND Act of 2025" terminates U.S. membership in the United Nations and its affiliated bodies, repealing key acts such as the United Nations Participation Act of 1945. It prohibits U.S. contributions to the UN, participation in peacekeeping operations, and revokes diplomatic immunity for UN personnel. The bill also withdraws the U.S. from the World Health Organization and any UN conventions, while barring future reentry into the UN without Senate approval.

The Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review Act aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal regulations by leveraging technology in retrospective reviews. It mandates a report on the availability of regulations in machine-readable format and requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance on using technology for these reviews. Furthermore, each agency must submit a retrospective review plan detailing their strategy for implementing the technology guidance. Ultimately, this act seeks to streamline regulatory processes, reduce burdens, and ensure regulations are up-to-date and effective.

The "Healthy SNAP Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, redefining "food" under SNAP to exclude items like alcohol, tobacco, and sugary products, while directing the Secretary to designate specific healthy foods that qualify. It requires the Secretary to consider nutritional value, fat, sugar, and salt levels when designating foods and to review these designations regularly. The bill also ensures prepared meals meet nutritional standards and allows for culturally appropriate food substitutions.

The "Reorganizing Government Act of 2025" aims to streamline the executive branch by allowing for the elimination of unnecessary government operations and amending or eliminating outdated regulations. It broadens the definition of "executive department" and removes restrictions on abolishing enforcement functions through reorganization plans. The act also sets goals to reduce the number of federal employees and ensure no net increase in federal workers or expenditures as a result of reorganization, extending executive reorganization authority until December 31, 2026.

This resolution authorizes the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources to spend money from the Senate's contingent fund, hire staff, and utilize personnel from other government entities to support its functions, including holding hearings and conducting investigations, from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets specific expense limits for the committee during three defined periods, covering costs such as salaries, consultants, staff training, and agency contributions related to employee compensation. Vouchers approved by the chairman will cover the committee's expenses, with some exceptions for routine costs like salaries and telecommunications. Payments for agency contributions related to committee employee compensation will be authorized from the Senate's Inquiries and Investigations expense account.

The "Defund Government-Sponsored Propaganda Act" eliminates all federal funding for the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR). Funds slated for these organizations will instead be used to reduce the national debt for fiscal years 2025-2027.

This bill repeals the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, eliminating the requirements for the President to report to Congress on decisions to withhold or delay budget authority and for Congress to approve such actions.

The Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act of 2025 amends the Southwest Forest Health and Wildfire Prevention Act of 2004 to include Utah in the program. This inclusion aims to enhance wildfire research and prevention efforts within the state.

The BOWSER Act repeals the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which currently grants a limited form of self-government to the District of Columbia. This repeal would take effect one year after the BOWSER Act is enacted. Effectively, this would end the current system of local governance in DC.

The PLCAA Federal Jurisdiction Act allows firearm manufacturers, sellers, or trade associations to move civil lawsuits from state to federal court if they believe the case qualifies as a "qualified civil liability action." The federal court then determines if the case meets this definition and has the power to dismiss it.

The "Mandatory Removal Proceedings Act" mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security initiate removal proceedings for any alien whose visa has been revoked due to security concerns or related issues as outlined in section 237(a)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This act clarifies visa revocation procedures and emphasizes the Secretary's authority in such matters. There is no judicial review allowed.

The "No CBDC Act" prohibits the creation of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the Federal Reserve directly to individuals. It stops the Federal Reserve from offering related services or holding digital currencies issued by the U.S. government on its balance sheets. This bill aims to maintain the current financial system structure by preventing the direct issuance of digital currency to individuals by the Federal Reserve.

The "Ensuring Coast Guard Readiness Act" permits the President to waive the requirement that Coast Guard vessels be built in U.S. shipyards under specific conditions. These conditions include national security interests, construction in NATO or mutual defense treaty countries within the Indo-Pacific region, and lower construction costs. The President must notify Congress 30 days before any contract is made under this exception. The Commandant must certify that the foreign shipyard is not owned or operated by a Chinese company or a multinational company based in China before construction can begin.

The Ensuring Naval Readiness Act allows the U.S. Navy to construct vessels in foreign shipyards under specific conditions to potentially reduce costs and enhance readiness. Construction in foreign shipyards is permitted only if they are located in a NATO member country or a country in the Indo-Pacific Region with a mutual defense treaty with the U.S., and if the construction cost is less than in a U.S. shipyard. The Act requires certification that the foreign shipyard is not owned or operated by a Chinese company or a multinational company based in China.

This joint resolution nullifies the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's rule regarding anti-money laundering regulations for residential real estate transfers. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents it from taking effect.

This resolution recognizes the historical significance and strategic importance of the Panama Canal to the United States, urging the acknowledgment of American contributions to its construction and its vital role in U.S. security and economic interests. It expresses concern over increasing Chinese influence in the Canal's operations and calls for the enforcement of the Neutrality Treaty to ensure the canal remains neutral. The resolution requests the U.S. government address Chinese-backed investments in Panama's port and canal operations as a potential violation of the Neutrality Treaty.

The "Knife Owners Protection Act of 2025" allows individuals to transport knives between locations where possession is legal, provided the knives are transported in locked containers and are not directly accessible. It protects individuals from arrest or detention for violating state or local knife laws while in transit, and allows legal action against states or localities that violate these protections. This bill does not limit existing state laws regarding knife possession, carry, or transport, nor does it change restrictions on air travel with knives.

The "SHUSH Act" seeks to deregulate firearm silencers by removing them from the definition of firearms under federal law, thus treating them as firearm accessories. It preempts state laws that impose taxes, marking, registration, or record-keeping on silencers, and removes silencers from regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The Act also eliminates additional penalties for using a firearm with a silencer during a crime and removes silencer restrictions for law enforcement officers.