Legislative Activity

The No Nuclear Testing Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds in fiscal year 2026 for any nuclear weapons test explosion that produces a measurable yield. This measure maintains the current ban on explosive testing while allowing for zero-yield stockpile stewardship activities to continue.

The Right to Override Act establishes mandatory policies requiring healthcare providers to ensure Artificial Intelligence Clinical Decision Support Systems (AICDSS) support, rather than replace, professional medical judgment. It provides robust whistleblower protections and prohibits retaliation against staff who correctly override AI recommendations or report concerns. The bill assigns enforcement authority to HHS and the Department of Labor, imposing significant civil penalties for non-compliance.

The Stop Medical Profiteering and Theft Act (Stop MPT Act) aims to protect healthcare stability and patient care by regulating property transactions between healthcare entities and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). This bill requires the Secretary of HHS to review and approve such deals to prevent long-term financial harm or public health risks, imposing penalties for violations. Additionally, it modifies tax code provisions to favorably treat rental income REITs receive from qualified healthcare properties.

The Smarter Approaches to Nuclear Expenditures Act aims to reduce the massive and escalating costs associated with maintaining the U.S. nuclear arsenal. This bill imposes strict caps on the number of deployed warheads, limits the procurement of new submarines and bombers, and halts funding for several specific modernization programs, including new ICBMs and certain warhead development. Furthermore, it requires detailed reporting from the executive branch on implementation plans and projected savings to ensure greater accountability for nuclear spending.

The **GREEN Streets Act** updates federal road performance measures to prioritize combating climate change, requiring states to set minimum standards for reducing driving, improving non-car alternatives, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. It mandates rigorous environmental and emissions analysis for any federally funded project that expands road capacity for single-occupancy vehicles. Furthermore, the bill establishes new national standards for transit accessibility, requiring major metropolitan areas to set goals for improving first/last mile connections and transit use. Finally, states failing to meet emissions targets must dedicate significant federal highway funds toward projects that help them achieve those goals.

This Senate resolution formally condemns FCC Chairman Brendan Carr for threatening ABC and Disney over political commentary made by a late-night host. The resolution asserts that the Chairman's actions were dangerous and unconstitutional, violating the First Amendment protections for broadcast speech. It demands the Chairman retract his threats, which created a chilling effect on free expression in broadcasting.

The Jumpstart on College Act aims to increase the number of students, particularly those from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds, who complete a recognized postsecondary degree or certificate on time. The bill authorizes $250 million annually for competitive grants to eligible entities (colleges partnering with school districts) and to states to expand early college high school and dual enrollment programs. Recipients must focus on rigorous academic support, professional development, and ensuring students earn college credit tuition-free. Finally, the Act mandates annual reporting on key student outcomes, including credential attainment and college enrollment rates.

The Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025 significantly strengthens pipeline safety by integrating climate considerations into standards and mandating faster response times for ruptures. It dramatically increases public transparency by requiring operators to disclose safety data and establishes a new office for public engagement within the Transportation Department. Finally, the Act empowers private citizens to sue pipeline operators in federal court for safety violations, enhancing overall accountability.

The Small Business RELIEF Act exempts qualifying small businesses from import duties imposed under Executive Order 14257 due to a national emergency declaration. This legislation also mandates refunds for any such duties already paid by these small businesses. The goal is to provide immediate financial relief to small businesses impacted by these specific emergency tariffs.

The FASTER Act repeals outdated requirements regarding the crediting and deposit of aviation security fees. This legislation streamlines the process by ensuring collected fees are deposited into a dedicated Treasury account. These funds are then made directly available to exclusively cover aviation security activities and services.

This resolution recognizes the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Cabo Verde and celebrates the deep, historical relationship between the U.S. and Cabo Verde. It specifically commends the significant contributions of Cabo Verdean-Americans to both nations. The bill affirms U.S. support for Cabo Verde's democracy, good governance, and its important role in global security.

The No Foreign Fundraising at United States Embassies Act prohibits the use of U.S. diplomatic posts, including embassies and consulates, for any fundraising activities benefiting a foreign political party or candidate. This legislation aims to ensure strict U.S. neutrality during foreign elections by banning the hosting of such political events on federal property. The Secretary of State is required to update regulations within 90 days to explicitly enforce this prohibition.

The Preventing HEAT Illness and Deaths Act of 2025 aims to combat the nation's leading weather-related killer by establishing a coordinated federal strategy to address extreme heat. The bill creates an Interagency Committee and a National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA to improve data sharing, research, and response planning. Furthermore, it authorizes a new Community Heat Resilience Program to provide financial assistance for local projects focused on reducing heat-related health risks, prioritizing vulnerable communities.

The Protecting Small Business Competitions Act of 2025 establishes the "Rule of Two" within the Small Business Act. This rule mandates that federal contracts exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold must be reserved for small businesses if the contracting officer reasonably expects at least two responsible small business offers. This ensures greater competition among small businesses for significant government procurements, provided a fair market price can still be achieved.

This resolution honors Dr. Paul Farmer by calling for the U.S. Federal Government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy. It demands a significant increase in global health funding, coupled with systemic changes to stop economic harms that drain resources from developing nations. The strategy emphasizes supporting local health systems through "accompaniment" and ensuring medical innovations are treated as global public goods. Finally, it asserts the duty to issue reparations for historical and ongoing economic and social injustices.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act establishes new federal standards to safeguard warehouse employees from excessive performance quotas and unsafe working conditions. It creates a dedicated office within the Department of Labor to enforce transparency requirements regarding quotas and mandates new OSHA standards to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. Furthermore, the bill strengthens labor protections by clarifying when performance targets unlawfully interfere with workers' rights to organize.

The Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2025 authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to be appropriated to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This funding is specifically designated for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety and gun violence prevention. This appropriation is in addition to any existing funds allocated for this purpose.

The All Aboard Act of 2025 aims to significantly modernize and expand the nation's passenger and freight rail systems through massive federal investment. It establishes major grant programs focused on electrifying infrastructure, developing zero-emission locomotives, and improving high-performance rail service. Furthermore, the Act mandates strong labor protections and creates new training centers to ensure a skilled workforce is ready for the industry's technological transition.

This Act prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability or age in federal jury service. It amends federal law to ensure qualified individuals are not excluded from juries solely due to a disability if reasonable accommodations can be made. The bill removes outdated standards that allowed exclusion based on general infirmity.

The End Solitary Confinement Act aims to drastically limit the use of solitary confinement in federal facilities, mandating a minimum of 14 hours of daily social interaction and structured programming for all incarcerated individuals. The bill establishes strict exceptions for emergency confinement, protects vulnerable populations from restrictive housing, and creates an independent Community Monitoring Body to oversee compliance. Furthermore, it incentivizes states to adopt similar standards by tying federal funding to adherence to these new humane confinement rules.