Legislative Activity

The Heating and Cooling Relief Act aims to significantly expand and reform the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to address soaring energy costs and climate-related weather emergencies. The bill mandates increased, uncapped funding for the program and establishes new protections against utility shutoffs and late fees for recipients. Furthermore, it streamlines eligibility requirements, prioritizes energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades for low-income homes, and requires energy suppliers to partner with states on affordability initiatives.

This act designates the Deerfield River system in Massachusetts and Vermont for a formal study under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The Secretary of the Interior must complete this comprehensive study, which includes major tributaries, within three years of funding. Upon completion, a report detailing the findings will be submitted to Congress.

This act officially renames the Salem Maritime National Historic Site to the Salem Maritime National Historical Park. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a study on expanding the park's boundaries to potentially include sites related to maritime, coastal defense, and military history. The Secretary must report their findings and recommendations to Congress within three years of the study commencing.

The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act of 2025 establishes a new EPA program to enhance security and information sharing for water systems. This initiative focuses on supporting community water systems and treatment works in joining and utilizing the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WISA Center). The goal is to improve the sector's ability to detect, defend against, and recover from cyber threats and natural hazards. The Act authorizes $20 million in funding across fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these efforts.

The Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act amends the tax code to explicitly classify tar sands products as "crude oil" for excise tax purposes. This ensures that various oil sands derivatives are subject to existing petroleum excise taxes. The bill also grants the Secretary authority to include other fuel products under these tax rules if they pose a significant environmental hazard when spilled.

The Stop Giving Big Oil Free Money Act aims to eliminate unwarranted financial benefits for certain oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico. It prevents companies holding specific older leases that lack price caps from obtaining new leases unless they renegotiate those existing leases to include mandatory royalty payments above certain price thresholds. Furthermore, the bill adjusts the terms for royalty suspension on some existing leases, setting new price triggers that will take effect in late 2026.

The Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025 establishes new grant opportunities specifically for sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response efforts. This legislation creates a dedicated, interest-bearing fund within the U.S. Treasury to support these critical activities. The Act authorizes up to $5 million annually through 2030 to fund eligible organizations focused on stranded sea turtle care.

The No Cuts to Public Schools Act ensures that critical federal education programs, including IDEA and key ESEA titles, maintain their funding levels from Fiscal Year 2024 through 2027. If annual appropriations bills result in a reduction for any of these designated programs, the Treasury must automatically provide the necessary funds to cover the shortfall. This legislation guarantees stability for essential educational services without counting against standard budgetary scorekeeping rules.

This resolution supports the continuation of arms control agreements, particularly with Russia and China, to reduce nuclear threats and prevent nuclear war. It condemns nuclear threats, urges compliance with the New START Treaty, and encourages diplomatic talks for future arms control agreements. The resolution emphasizes the importance of U.S. leadership in reducing nuclear risks and promoting international stability through arms control.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. must include standard equipment capable of receiving AM broadcast signals within a few years of the law's enactment. This requirement aims to ensure drivers retain access to crucial emergency alerts, overriding conflicting state or local laws. The bill also directs the GAO to study the reliability of AM radio versus other emergency alert technologies in vehicles.

The "Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act of 2025" aims to reduce health risks associated with extreme heat by establishing the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It also creates the NIHHIS Interagency Committee to coordinate federal efforts in preparing for, planning for, and responding to extreme heat events. The Act mandates the development of a strategic plan to improve data collection, research, and communication related to heat-related illnesses and deaths, and authorizes $5,000,000 annually from 2025 through 2029 for these activities.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that the U.S. should remain committed to the Paris Agreement, support policies at all levels of government to reduce global warming pollution, and encourage actions by businesses, investors, and individuals to combat climate change. It recognizes the economic benefits of clean energy investments and the need for collective efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

This bill amends the Long-Term Leasing Act to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land within the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah). This update extends the existing leasing authority to include these tribal lands.

The "Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2025" aims to establish that a first-use nuclear strike by the U.S. is a major act of war that requires a declaration of war by Congress. It prohibits the use of federal funds for any first-use nuclear strike unless explicitly authorized by a congressional declaration of war. A "first-use nuclear strike" is defined as a nuclear attack initiated without confirmation of a prior nuclear strike against the U.S., its territories, or its allies. This bill seeks to reinforce Congress's constitutional authority to declare war and provide checks and balances on the President's power to authorize nuclear weapon use.

The "Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2025" increases excise taxes on fuel used by private jets and eliminates certain air transportation excise tax exemptions. It establishes the "Funding to Support Clean Communities Trust Fund," which will be funded by the increased taxes and used for grants and activities that deploy air quality monitoring systems, improve public transit and passenger rail infrastructure near airports, and improve public transportation in disadvantaged communities. At least 50% of the funds must be used for projects in disadvantaged communities, prioritizing those most affected by air pollution.

The "BIG OIL from the Cabinet Act" prevents recent fossil fuel executives and lobbyists (within 10 years of appointment) from becoming heads of key departments or political appointees in agencies focused on energy, environment, and science. This includes barring them from serving in these roles in an acting capacity. The bill aims to limit the influence of the fossil fuel industry in government.

The "Extend the TikTok Deadline Act" extends the deadline for the President to take action regarding TikTok from 270 days to 540 days, as initially set by the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. This extension allows more time for potential negotiations, investigations, or other actions related to the app's ownership and data security concerns.