Legislative Activity

This Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transfer approximately 3.372 acres of government-owned land in Anchorage, Alaska, to the Southcentral Foundation (SCF). The transfer must occur within two years via a warranty deed, free of charge and without conditions on SCF's use. Crucially, SCF will not be held liable for any environmental contamination that existed on the property prior to the conveyance.

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as ALS Awareness Month to highlight the serious and progressive nature of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It recognizes the challenges faced by the tens of thousands affected, including long diagnosis times and the burden on caregivers. The Senate commits to supporting research, improving access to treatment and support services, and honoring those working to combat the disease.

The Working Waterfronts Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill designed to strengthen American maritime industries and coastal communities. It provides financial incentives for upgrading hydroelectric power and transitioning commercial fishing vessels to cleaner fuels. The Act also expands federal loan access for fishing and seafood businesses, invests in shoreside processing and working waterfront infrastructure, and establishes new grant programs for maritime workforce development and "Blue Economy" innovation.

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the Crime Victims Fund by expanding the sources of deposits. This includes allowing the Fund to receive money from certain legal settlements that do not result in a criminal conviction. Additionally, the bill temporarily allows certain recoveries from False Claims Act settlements to fund victim services through 2030, while protecting payments to whistleblowers and the government's direct recovery.

This bill modifies existing law to allow the construction of certain Coast Guard vessels in foreign shipyards under strict conditions. The President can grant exceptions to the general ban only if it is deemed necessary for U.S. national security. Any such exception requires Congressional notification and certification that the foreign shipyard meets specific criteria related to alliance, cost savings, and expedited timelines.

The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 establishes "Ocean Innovation Clusters" across the nation to boost sustainable economic activity in the "Blue Economy." The Secretary of Commerce will designate at least seven geographically diverse clusters composed of businesses, academia, and government partners. These clusters will receive federal grants and support to foster innovation, workforce development, and cross-sector collaboration in ocean-related industries. The Act also mandates the creation of physical collaboration hubs to support these regional efforts.

The Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2025 amends existing federal law to strengthen research and monitoring efforts related to ocean acidification. This bill significantly enhances collaboration by mandating increased input from Indigenous communities, industry, and local stakeholders in federal planning and advisory roles. It also requires the Secretary of Commerce to prioritize working with State, local, and Tribal governments already engaged in vulnerability assessments. Finally, the Act includes technical corrections to ensure clarity and accuracy within the existing legislation.

This resolution recognizes the critical role of the Arctic Council as the primary forum for cooperation among the eight Arctic nations on environmental protection and sustainable development. It reaffirms the strong commitment of the United States to actively participate in and lead efforts within the Council. Furthermore, the resolution stresses the importance of continued U.S. engagement to address growing geopolitical competition and security concerns in the rapidly changing Arctic region.

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (ISDEAA). It celebrates the success of this landmark legislation, which allows Tribal Nations to contract and manage federal programs like health and education for their communities. The resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Tribal sovereignty and self-governance.

The Save Our Seafood Act exempts nonimmigrant aliens working as fish processors from the annual numerical cap on H-2B temporary work visas. This change specifically targets workers involved in handling, preparing, freezing, or packing seafood to ensure the industry has access to necessary labor. The bill provides clear definitions for "fish" and "processor" related to this exemption.

The Deliver for Veterans Act of 2025 amends current law to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs covers the full cost associated with providing vehicles to eligible veterans. Specifically, this bill mandates that the VA's payment calculation must now include the total cost of shipping the automobile or conveyance to the veteran. This change aims to fully cover the delivery expenses for veterans receiving this benefit.

This resolution formally recognizes the rich heritage, culture, and significant contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across the United States. It celebrates their historic achievements in areas such as military service, science, the arts, and civil rights leadership. The bill also emphasizes the importance of continued investment to overcome barriers these women face in accessing justice, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

This joint resolution formally establishes the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), originally proposed in 1972. It declares that the ERA is now officially part of the Constitution, invalidating any previous time limits set for state ratification. The bill confirms the ERA's validity based on the required three-fourths of states having approved the amendment.

This bill reauthorizes and updates the National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System, ensuring it incorporates modern technology like Global Navigation Satellite Systems and advanced sensor arrays. It strengthens coordination by establishing a new implementation committee and clarifying public communication roles with state partners. Furthermore, the legislation increases the authorized funding level to $\$75$ million and extends the authorization through fiscal year 2033.

The "Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025" directs the Department of Interior to transfer specific federal land within the Tongass National Forest to the Cape Fox Village Corporation, settling their land entitlement claims under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. It waives certain land selection requirements for Cape Fox and mandates the conveyance of both surface and subsurface rights to Cape Fox and Sealaska Corporation, respectively. The Act also establishes a public access easement across the conveyed land to ensure continued access to National Forest System lands.

The Native ELDER Act aims to significantly improve services and support for Native American elders by establishing a new Tribal Advisory Committee within the Administration for Community Living. This committee will advise on policy and government-to-government consultation regarding Native Americans under the Older Americans Act. The bill also mandates technical assistance for Title VI grantees and requires comprehensive reports on caregiver support models and in-home service needs for Native elders.

This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies to investigate the history and impact of these federal policies on Native American communities over a six-year period. The Commission is empowered to gather testimony, review federal records, and work with specialized subcommittees to address the resulting social, cultural, and physical harm. Furthermore, the legislation strengthens NAGPRA to ensure the return and respectful reburial of associated cultural items.

The Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025 ensures that surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receive increased dependency and indemnity compensation. This benefit is provided regardless of how long the veteran had ALS before passing away. The Act applies retroactively to veterans who died from ALS on or after October 1, 2022.

This bill officially designates the mountain located at 630412 N, by 1510018 W in Alaska as Denali. It mandates that all U.S. laws, maps, regulations, and records must recognize and refer to the mountain as Denali.

The "Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend an excise tax exemption on alternative motorboat fuels. This expansion includes vessels that operate solely between U.S. ports on either the Atlantic or Pacific coast. This amendment to Section 4041(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 takes effect for fuel sales or usage after December 31, 2025.