Legislative Activity

This bill aims to reform mining practices on federal lands by setting royalties on mineral extraction, introducing stricter permitting and environmental regulations, and establishing a fund for reclaiming abandoned mines. It requires mining operators to pay annual fees and royalties, obtain permits for mineral activities, and provide financial assurances for land reclamation. The bill also prioritizes the protection of sensitive lands and mandates tribal consultation before mineral activities begin. These changes are intended to balance resource extraction with environmental protection and ensure fair compensation for the use of public lands.

This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States to investigate the historical and ongoing effects of these policies on Native American communities, including forming advisory committees and addressing the handling of Native American cultural items and remains. The commission will conduct a comprehensive review, gather testimony, and recommend actions for the federal government to acknowledge its role and promote public awareness. It also ensures the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act applies to cultural items from Indian Boarding Schools. The bill allocates \$90 million to fund the activities of the Commission and Subcommittee.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act amends the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to modernize regulations around online data collection, use, and deletion for children and teens. It expands the definition of personal information, requires verifiable consent for data collection and usage, and prohibits individual-specific advertising to children and teens. The Act also mandates FTC reports on mobile app oversight and enforcement, a GAO study on teens' privacy using financial technology, and includes a severability clause.

The "Defending American Jobs and Affordable Energy Act of 2025" repeals four executive orders related to energy policy issued on January 20, 2025. It prevents federal funds from being used to implement these orders, while ensuring the law does not diminish any existing presidential powers. The four executive orders that are repealed involve American energy, international environmental agreements, declaring a national energy emergency, and offshore wind leasing.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to expedite the collective bargaining process for initial labor agreements under the National Labor Relations Act. It mandates quicker meeting times between employers and newly recognized unions, introduces mediation through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and if necessary, utilizes binding arbitration to finalize agreements. A report will be created by the Comptroller General, examining the average time it takes to reach a collective bargaining agreement. The arbitration panel's decision will be binding for two years, promoting stability while considering various factors like the employer's finances and employee needs.

The Digital Integrity in Democracy Act aims to combat the spread of misinformation regarding election administration on social media platforms. It amends Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, removing immunity for platforms that knowingly host false information about the time, place, or manner of holding an election, or about voter qualifications. The Act mandates a process for removing such false information within specified timeframes, with penalties for non-compliance, and allows Attorneys General, Secretaries of State, and candidates to sue platforms that fail to remove the false information. A safe harbor is provided for platforms that remove false information in a timely manner.

The "End Tobacco Loopholes Act" aims to equalize and increase excise taxes across all tobacco products, including setting specific rates for roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, cigars, and creating a new tax for nicotine. It adjusts tax rates for inflation starting in 2025 and imposes floor stock taxes on existing inventories. The act also provides a transition rule for businesses manufacturing or importing taxable nicotine, allowing them to continue operating while their permit application is pending if submitted within 90 days of enactment.

The Keep Americans Safe Act seeks to regulate large capacity ammunition feeding devices by prohibiting their import, sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession, with certain exceptions for law enforcement, government entities, and other authorized parties. It also mandates unique markings on newly manufactured devices and allows for their seizure and forfeiture if used in violation of the law. Furthermore, the Act enables the use of Byrne grants for buy-back programs targeting these devices and includes a severability clause to ensure the rest of the Act remains effective if a provision is found unconstitutional.

The "Family Building FEHB Fairness Act" amends Title 5 of the United States Code to include comprehensive fertility treatment benefits under the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program. This includes procedures such as egg freezing, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, genetic testing of embryos, fertility medications, and gamete donation. These changes will take effect one year after the enactment of the Act.

The "RTP Full Funding Act of 2025" aims to ensure the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) receives full funding, commensurate with the fuel taxes paid by nonhighway recreation vehicles. It directs the Federal Highway Administration to provide Congress with accurate estimates of nonhighway fuel taxes collected, ensuring the RTP is funded appropriately under existing law without affecting other highway programs. This will allow for the continued support of trail infrastructure development and maintenance.

The Social Security Expansion Act aims to increase Social Security benefits across the board, including increased cost-of-living adjustments, expanded eligibility for students, and a higher minimum benefit for low-income earners. To fund these expansions, the bill raises payroll taxes on earnings above $250,000 and increases taxes on investment gains. It also establishes a new "Social Security Trust Fund" to manage the program's finances.

This resolution condemns the U.S. delegation's vote against a UN resolution supporting Ukraine, which aligned the U.S. with Russia and other autocratic regimes. It criticizes the failure to identify Russia as the aggressor and demands collaboration with Ukraine and European allies in future UN efforts. The resolution reaffirms support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The "Kids Access to Primary Care Act of 2025" extends and expands a provision requiring Medicaid to pay primary care providers at least the same rate as Medicare, ensuring more healthcare professionals are adequately compensated for their services. It broadens the types of providers covered and mandates that managed care entities meet these payment standards. Additionally, the Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a study comparing the number of children enrolled in Medicaid before and after the change, the number of healthcare providers receiving Medicaid payments for primary care before and after the same change in the law, and healthcare provider payment rates for primary care services under Medicaid across states after the change.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency concerning energy declared by the President in January 2025. The resolution nullifies Executive Order 14156, effectively ending the emergency powers invoked under the National Emergencies Act.

This resolution affirms the Senate's position that the NIH's operations and funding should not be disrupted, as they are crucial for medical advancements and addressing public health challenges. It emphasizes that the NIH workforce is essential for sustaining medical progress and protecting national health, security, and the economy. Any interference with NIH operations or its workforce undermines biomedical research and the nation's ability to respond to public health issues.

Ethan's Law aims to reduce gun violence by promoting responsible firearm storage. It establishes a federal requirement for gun owners to securely store firearms, especially in homes with minors or individuals prohibited from owning firearms, with penalties for improper storage. The law also creates a grant program to assist states and Indian Tribes in implementing similar safe storage laws. Additionally, it expresses the sense of Congress that failing to securely store a firearm constitutes negligence and can establish legal causation for harm resulting from its discharge.

The Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025 aims to address environmental injustices by establishing an Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice, which will be responsible for developing strategies, coordinating efforts, and administering grants to support environmental justice initiatives. It also establishes a grant program to assist state, local, and tribal governments in enforcing environmental laws in communities disproportionately affected by environmental harm. The act defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

This resolution supports designating February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Week, celebrating the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. It also recognizes the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America federal charter.

This resolution designates March 7, 2025, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day" to recognize the importance of speech and debate in education. It highlights the role of educators in developing crucial communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. The resolution encourages schools, businesses, and communities to celebrate and promote speech and debate education.

The "Born in the USA Act" prohibits the use of government funds to implement Executive Order 14160, which sought to deny citizenship to certain children born in the United States. The bill affirms that birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution and cannot be rescinded by executive order.