Legislative Activity

The Ocean Regional Opportunity and Innovation Act of 2025 aims to foster sustainable growth in the "Blue Economy" by designating and supporting Ocean Innovation Clusters. These clusters, composed of diverse stakeholders, will promote collaboration, innovation, and economic development related to oceans and Great Lakes resources. The Act directs federal agencies to support these clusters through partnership managers, technical knowledge exchange, and measurement of their economic impact. Additionally, it establishes a grant program to fund the operation and administration of Ocean Innovation Clusters, with the goal of creating self-sustaining entities that drive regional economic benefits.

This resolution supports the Rise Up for LGBTQI+ Youth in Schools Initiative, advocating for equal educational opportunities, civil rights protections, and freedom from discrimination for all students, particularly LGBTQI+ youth, in K-12 schools. It addresses the alarming rise of discriminatory legislation targeting LGBTQI+ students and the negative impact on their mental health and well-being. The resolution encourages states and localities to enact inclusive policies that prevent victimization and promote positive school climates for all students.

The Organic Science and Research Investment Act of 2025 aims to bolster organic agriculture by expanding research initiatives, providing grants for transitioning to organic practices, and enhancing data collection on organic production and markets. It establishes a coordinated research initiative across agricultural agencies, extends funding for organic research and extension programs, and promotes research into the economic and environmental impacts of organic farming. The act also supports partnerships with various educational institutions and prioritizes projects involving on-farm research and traditional ecological knowledge.

The "Expanding Access to Family Planning Act" aims to increase investment in family planning clinics by establishing the Title X Clinic Fund, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The fund will provide significant annual appropriations for grants, contracts, and infrastructure improvements for Title X clinics from 2026 through 2035. The act ensures that all pregnancy counseling is nondirective, offering patients comprehensive information on all options, including prenatal care, adoption, and pregnancy termination.

The American Family Act establishes a new, fully refundable monthly child tax credit, providing monthly allowances to eligible families with children. It creates a system for monthly advance payments of the child tax credit, administered by the Secretary, and includes income limitations and eligibility criteria. The Act also provides a credit for certain other dependents and terminates the existing annual child tax credit after 2024. This aims to provide regular financial support to families with children, reducing child poverty and enhancing economic stability.

The Stop CCP Money Laundering Act of 2025 aims to combat money laundering and export control violations involving Hong Kong. It requires the Secretary of the Treasury to determine if Hong Kong should be labeled as a primary money laundering concern. Additionally, it mandates a report assessing Hong Kong's financial institutions' ability to prevent transactions violating U.S. export controls and sanctions, especially concerning transfers to countries like Russia and Iran. The report will also evaluate the impact of China's national security measures on Hong Kong's financial institutions and their cooperation with U.S. authorities.

The "Jobs in the Woods Act" establishes a competitive grant program within the Department of Agriculture to support career pathway training programs in low-income, nonmetropolitan areas for forestry operations and forestry products industries. Grants will range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 for up to 4 years. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated each year from 2025 through 2029 to carry out the grant program.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 aims to increase the federal minimum wage to $17.00 per hour over a five-year period, after which it will be adjusted annually based on the percentage increase in the median hourly wage of all employees. The bill also gradually raises the minimum wage for tipped employees and newly hired employees under 20, eventually eliminating the separate wage tiers. Additionally, it increases the minimum wage for individuals with disabilities and promotes their economic self-sufficiency by phasing out special certificates that allow employers to pay them a subminimum wage.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees and supervisory employees. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority to determine if each state's laws substantially provide these rights; if not, the Authority will administer collective bargaining rights in that state. The Act outlines the rights of public employees and employers, including the right to organize, bargain collectively, and engage in concerted activities, and prohibits lockouts and strikes that would disrupt emergency or public safety services. This law does not invalidate existing collective bargaining agreements and certifications and includes exceptions for certain state laws and political subdivisions.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that paraprofessionals and education support staff are crucial to schools and deserve fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions that allow them to effectively support students. It advocates for livable wages, affordable healthcare, paid leave, professional development, necessary resources, and a safe working environment for these essential employees. The resolution also supports their right to have a voice in school policies and protection from retaliation when reporting workplace concerns. Additionally, it encourages employers to engage in good faith negotiations and avoid replacing or locking out these workers during strikes.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Louisiana Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr., recognizing his contributions to energy policy, natural resource conservation, and Louisiana's cultural heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to Senator Johnston's family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in his honor.

The "No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny tax deductions for employer expenses used to influence employees regarding union activities, including union elections and collective bargaining. It requires detailed reporting of such expenditures on tax returns, with significant penalties for non-compliance, while providing exemptions for certain communications and activities. The Act aims to prevent taxpayer subsidization of employer interference in workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" allows above-the-line tax deductions for union dues and other employee-related business expenses. This amends the Internal Revenue Code to ensure these deductions are not subject to certain limitations, providing tax relief for workers. These changes will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 aims to ensure that unaccompanied children have legal representation in immigration proceedings by providing government-funded counsel. It mandates that these children receive complete copies of their immigration files and have sufficient time to review them, and it also requires the Department of Homeland Security to allow counsel access to detained non-citizens. The Act directs the Office of Refugee Resettlement to develop guidelines for legal representation and requires annual reports on the provision of counsel to unaccompanied children. Additionally, it allows unaccompanied children to reopen their immigration cases if they were not provided with appointed counsel, and it authorizes the necessary appropriations for implementation.

The IDEA Full Funding Act amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to authorize and appropriate specific funding amounts for fiscal years 2026 through 2035 and subsequent years. It aims to increase federal funding for special education, gradually working towards full federal funding by fiscal year 2035. The funding is calculated based on the number of children with disabilities receiving special education and the average per-pupil expenditure in public schools. This act ensures that funds are available to states to support special education and related services for children with disabilities.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding eligible practitioners and originating sites, and making waivers for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Native American health facilities permanent. It also enhances program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, authorizing additional funding for oversight, and addressing unusual billing patterns. Additionally, the act supports beneficiaries and providers by requiring the development of resources and training, reviewing quality measures, and mandating the publication of data on telehealth services. These changes aim to make telehealth a more accessible, high-quality, and permanent option for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.

The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" mandates a wide range of sanctions on Russia, its government, affiliated individuals and entities, and sectors of its economy in response to actions against Ukraine. It requires the President to make regular determinations regarding Russia's behavior and imposes escalating penalties, including financial restrictions, import bans, and increased duties, if Russia refuses to negotiate peace, violates agreements, or takes further aggressive actions against Ukraine. The Act also targets international entities that support Russia's sanctioned activities and sets conditions for the termination and reimposition of sanctions based on Russia's adherence to peace agreements.

The "Convenient Contraception Act" amends the Public Health Service Act, mandating that group health plans and health insurance issuers provide enrollees with the option to obtain a 365-day supply of contraceptives. This Act ensures access without cost-sharing, aligning with existing preventive care mandates. The provisions will be effective for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026, and requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury to conduct outreach to inform healthcare providers and individuals about the new requirements.

The "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act" directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an interim and final standard requiring healthcare and social service employers to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans. These plans must include risk assessments, hazard prevention measures, incident reporting procedures, and employee training. The Act also requires employers to maintain detailed records of violent incidents and submit annual summaries to the Secretary of Labor. Finally, facilities receiving Medicare funds must comply with the workplace violence prevention standard.

The "Paying a Fair Share Act of 2025" introduces a new tax on high-income taxpayers with an adjusted gross income exceeding $1,000,000, referred to as the "fair share tax". This tax aims to ensure wealthy individuals pay a minimum level of tax and contribute to deficit reduction. The tax is calculated based on a percentage of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income above a certain threshold, taking into account charitable contributions and other tax liabilities. The Act expresses the Senate's intention for broader tax system reforms, including eliminating loopholes and simplifying the tax code.