Legislative Activity

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 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 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.

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.

This resolution reaffirms the critical importance of nuclear arms control agreements in maintaining global strategic stability. It condemns Russia’s nuclear threats and suspension of the New START Treaty while urging the U.S. government to pursue continued negotiations with both Russia and China to prevent an unrestrained nuclear arms race.

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 establishes a government-wide interagency committee to develop a unified strategy for mitigating heat-related health risks. The bill also creates the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within NOAA to improve data collection, forecasting, and public access to actionable heat-health information. Together, these measures aim to enhance national preparedness and resilience against the growing dangers of extreme heat.

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.

The Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds for a first-strike nuclear attack unless Congress has explicitly authorized it through a declaration of war. This legislation aims to establish constitutional checks and balances by ensuring that a nuclear strike cannot be initiated without congressional approval, except in response to an existing nuclear attack against the United States or its allies.

The Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2025 increases excise taxes on private jet fuel to generate revenue for the newly established Funding to Support Clean Communities Trust Fund. This fund will finance air quality monitoring, public transit improvements, and rail infrastructure, with at least 50% of the resources dedicated to disadvantaged communities disproportionately impacted by pollution.

The "BIG OIL from the Cabinet Act" prohibits individuals who have served as fossil fuel industry executives, lobbyists, or trade association leaders within the past 10 years from holding senior federal positions. This legislation aims to prevent conflicts of interest by barring these industry insiders from key leadership roles in departments and agencies responsible for energy, environmental, and climate policy.

The Extend the TikTok Deadline Act proposes to double the divestiture period for TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, from 270 days to 540 days. This legislation aims to provide additional time for the company to comply with the requirements set forth in the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act.