Legislative Activity

The Plant Biostimulant Act of 2025 establishes clear federal definitions for "plant biostimulant" and "nutritional chemical," explicitly carving them out from existing regulations for "plant regulators." This legislation also mandates the EPA to update relevant regulations to reflect these new definitions within 120 days of enactment. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on how biostimulants and farming practices impact soil health, carbon sequestration, and nutrient efficiency.

The Supporting Healthy Mothers and Infants Act of 2025 updates the WIC program by replacing outdated terminology with "substance use disorder." This legislation mandates the development of specialized, evidence-based nutrition education materials for WIC participants affected by substance use disorder. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to actively reach out to and support these families through training and resource sharing. The Act authorizes $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to implement these new support activities.

This resolution formally condemns the Chinese Communist Party for the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and its ongoing crackdown on human rights and freedoms in mainland China and Hong Kong. It demands that the PRC cease censorship regarding the massacre and uphold its commitments to Hong Kong's autonomy. Furthermore, the resolution expresses solidarity with victims and calls for accountability regarding abuses in Xinjiang and the suppression of democracy.

The Heat Management Assistance Grant Act of 2025 establishes a new federal mechanism for providing immediate assistance to state and local governments facing extreme heat events. This bill amends the Stafford Act to allow the President to grant aid, such as supplies and personnel, for heat mitigation and management. To qualify for aid, local governments must submit assessments detailing potential fatalities, economic losses, and long-term infrastructure impacts. FEMA, in consultation with NOAA and the CDC, must define the specific criteria for an "extreme heat event" within 90 days of the Act's passage.

This resolution expresses support for officially designating the month of July as "American Patriotism Month." It recognizes the historical significance of American patriotism and encourages citizens and groups to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies celebrating U.S. history and values. The bill further asks the President to issue a yearly proclamation supporting this designation.

The Strengthening US-Caribbean Partnership Act grants the President the authority to extend diplomatic privileges and immunities to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This action would align the treatment of CARICOM with that afforded to other recognized public international organizations. The bill aims to formally enhance the diplomatic relationship between the United States and the Caribbean region.

The VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2025 (VALID Act) aims to increase awareness of VA loan options among homebuyers. It requires lenders to include comparative information about potential VA loan terms on standard FHA disclosure forms. Furthermore, the Act mandates that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a prominent question regarding the applicant's military service.

The FBI Animal Cruelty Taskforce Act of 2025 establishes a dedicated Animal Cruelty Crimes Taskforce within the FBI to investigate and enforce federal laws against severe animal cruelty, such as dogfighting and crush videos. This Taskforce is also responsible for developing training materials for local law enforcement. Furthermore, it must coordinate with other federal agencies and submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement statistics, including charges filed and convictions secured.

The VA Data Transparency and Trust Act mandates significant, detailed annual reporting from both the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) for five years. This new law requires comprehensive data on veteran care, demographics, benefit recipients, and claims processing times to be made public. Furthermore, it establishes secure, anonymized data-sharing systems to allow approved researchers access to detailed VHA and VBA information.

The Extreme Weather and Heat Response Modernization Act aims to update FEMA's approach to handling disasters, particularly those involving extreme heat and cold. It establishes a panel to review and modernize the definition of disaster "incident periods" to better account for slow-onset and complex weather events. Furthermore, the bill expands funding eligibility for mitigation projects focused on extreme heat and mandates comprehensive studies and new guidance to integrate extreme temperature preparedness across all FEMA operations.

This resolution expresses the support of Congress for designating May 2025 as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Awareness Month. The designation aims to bring national attention to the serious, progressive brain disease that currently has no cure. By raising awareness, the bill seeks to support patients, improve diagnosis, and boost research efforts for better treatments.

This resolution calls upon all Americans to observe Memorial Day, 2025, as a solemn occasion to honor the men and women of the Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom and peace. Congress recognizes the profound debt owed to these patriots who have died defending American values globally. The bill encourages a national expression of respect, pride, and gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the nursing workforce by expanding federal grant support for advanced nursing education programs, including nurse practitioners and nurse-midwives. The bill updates funding rules to cover more training costs and allows nursing schools to invest in modern educational tools like simulation and telehealth technology. Furthermore, it authorizes increased appropriations through fiscal year 2030 to support these critical educational and practice expansion efforts.

This resolution strongly condemns the rise of antisemitism in the United States and around the world. It specifically honors the memory of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, who were tragically murdered while promoting peace. Ultimately, Congress reaffirms its commitment to combating all forms of hate and ensuring the vigorous enforcement of laws protecting religious freedom.

The Strategic Ports Reporting Act mandates that the Secretaries of State and Defense map critical global ports and report on any efforts by the People's Republic of China to gain influence over them. This legislation requires a detailed study assessing the national security and economic risks posed by Chinese control of these strategic locations. The resulting report must include a proposed strategy for securing trusted investment and protecting these vital maritime assets from foreign influence.

The DEFIANCE Act of 2025 establishes a federal civil cause of action against the creation, possession with intent to share, or sharing of nonconsensual intimate digital forgeries, often known as deepfakes. This legislation updates existing law to specifically address image-based sexual abuse created through AI or digital manipulation, regardless of whether the image is labeled as fake. Victims can sue for significant statutory damages, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief to stop the spread of the harmful content. The Act ensures that this new federal standard does not preempt or limit stronger existing State or Tribal laws.

The Wildlife Confiscations Network Act of 2025 establishes a national, voluntary partnership—the Wildlife Confiscations Network—to coordinate the care and placement of illegally smuggled or confiscated wildlife. This network will utilize qualified animal care facilities to ensure seized animals receive proper triage, housing, and forensic documentation. The Act authorizes up to $5 million annually from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2030 to support this critical infrastructure.

The Tackling Predatory Litigation Funding Act establishes a new federal excise tax on proceeds received from third-party litigation financing agreements. This tax is calculated at the highest income tax rate plus an additional 3.8 percentage points, applied annually to the proceeds received by a "covered party." The bill also institutes specific withholding requirements on payments made to financiers and reclassifies litigation funding proceeds to ensure this new tax structure is applied.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to streamline and modernize the prior authorization process within Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and significantly increases transparency regarding approval rates and decision times starting in 2027. Furthermore, it establishes new enrollee protections and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timeframes for medical services.

The Barriers to Suicide Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program through the Department of Transportation to fund the installation of suicide deterrents like nets and barriers at high-risk locations such as bridges and rail stations. The bill also amends existing law to explicitly allow National Highway System funds to be used for these safety barriers on bridges. Finally, it mandates a study on the effectiveness of suicide prevention measures for structures other than bridges.