Legislative Activity

The End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025 prohibits covered government officials, including members of Congress, the President, and Vice President, from engaging in cryptocurrency and other digital asset transactions during and one year after their service. Violators may face civil penalties, including fines and the return of profits to the U.S. Treasury, as well as criminal penalties such as imprisonment for significant financial losses or bribery related to these transactions. This act aims to prevent conflicts of interest and corruption by ensuring that covered individuals do not financially benefit from the emerging digital asset market while in public service.

This resolution supports National Nurses Week, observed from May 6-12, 2025, and recognizes the vital contributions of nurses to healthcare in various roles, including patient care, advocacy, and research. It emphasizes the need for strengthening nursing workforce development and encourages public recognition of nurses' importance to patients' lives.

The "Make Sense Not Cents Act" would stop the minting of 1-cent coins by the Treasury Secretary. Though the minting of pennies would cease, all 1-cent coins would continue to be legal tender for all public and private debts, taxes, and duties. The Act also affirms Congress's power over the monetary system.

The Equality Act amends existing civil rights laws to explicitly include protections against discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in areas such as public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury service. It clarifies and expands the definition of sex to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics, including intersex traits. The act ensures equal access to shared facilities and prohibits the use of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to justify discrimination. Ultimately, the Equality Act aims to provide consistent and comprehensive protections against discrimination for LGBTQ individuals and women across various aspects of life.

The "Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2025" prohibits the Department of Interior from issuing or extending leases for oil, natural gas, or mineral exploration and development in the Arctic areas of the outer Continental Shelf.

The Clean Energy Victory Bond Act of 2025 directs the Treasury Secretary to issue Clean Energy Victory Bonds to fund clean energy projects. These bonds, available in small denominations, will offer a competitive interest rate, with a portion of funds being prioritized for disadvantaged communities. The revenue generated will be deposited into a Clean Energy Victory Bonds Trust Fund to support federal, state, and local clean energy initiatives without further appropriation. This act aims to boost clean energy production, create jobs, and reduce dependence on foreign oil, all while allowing Americans to contribute to a sustainable future.

The "Protecting American Households From Rising Energy Costs Act of 2025" prohibits the export and resale of liquefied natural gas and petroleum products to entities operating in or controlled by China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran, with penalties for violations. The Secretary of Energy may waive these prohibitions in the event of a national security emergency.

The Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment Act introduces a new income-contingent student loan repayment plan (SOAR) with lower monthly payments and faster loan forgiveness. SOAR caps payments at 5% of discretionary income for undergraduate loans and 10% for other loans, and forgives remaining balances after 10 or 15 years, depending on the loan type. The bill phases out the existing PAYE and ICR plans, restricting eligibility to borrowers already enrolled or those meeting specific hardship requirements. It also ensures that unpaid interest does not capitalize and mandates automatic loan cancellation for eligible borrowers.

The Deschutes River Conservancy Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Deschutes River Conservancy Working Group until 2032. The bill modifies the working group's board of directors' composition, requiring representation from various stakeholders within the Deschutes River Basin. Additionally, it raises the limit on administrative costs from 5% to 10%.

This resolution designates the first week of April 2025 as "National Asbestos Awareness Week" to raise awareness about asbestos-related diseases and the dangers of asbestos exposure. It urges the Surgeon General to educate the public about the health risks associated with asbestos and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send a copy of the resolution to the Office of the Surgeon General.

The Wastewater Infrastructure Pollution Prevention and Environmental Safety Act, or WIPPES Act, mandates that certain disposable wipe products carry a "Do Not Flush" label and symbol to prevent damage to wastewater infrastructure. It establishes specific requirements for the placement, size, and visibility of the label on various packaging types. The Act prohibits marketing these products as flushable and grants the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the authority to enforce these regulations, preempting differing state laws. These regulations will take effect one year after the law is enacted.

The "Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025" prioritizes the use of mass timber and other innovative wood products in federal building projects, emphasizing materials sourced from U.S. facilities and responsibly managed forests. It directs the Administrator of General Services and the Secretary of Defense to prioritize contracts that maximize the use of these wood products, especially those derived from restoration practices and forests at risk of wildfire. The Act also requires documentation verifying wood product sourcing and mandates a lifecycle assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of using innovative wood products in public buildings.

The Smith River National Recreation Area Expansion Act expands the Smith River National Recreation Area, including land in both California and Oregon, and designates several segments of the North Fork Smith River tributaries and Rowdy Creek as wild and scenic rivers. It requires studies and updated management plans to protect the area's resources, incorporates tribal collaboration, and ensures continued wildland fire and vegetation management. The act also modifies land acquisition processes and extends fish and game management provisions to Oregon.

This concurrent resolution acknowledges the League of Oregon Cities for its century-long commitment to supporting Oregon's cities through advocacy, resource provision, and promotion of best practices in municipal governance. It highlights the League's role in fostering collaboration among cities and its advocacy for key areas like sustainable development, infrastructure, and public safety. The resolution also recognizes the League's work with federal leaders to advance policies that align with local government priorities, acknowledging their contribution to the resilience and vitality of Oregon communities.

The Fair College Admissions for Students Act prohibits colleges and universities from giving admissions preference to applicants based on their relationships to donors or alumni. This law will go into effect the first day of the second award year after the enactment of this law.

The SAFE Lending Act of 2025 aims to protect consumers from abusive practices in electronic and small-dollar lending. It requires small-dollar lenders to register with the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, ensures state laws apply to online and national bank loans, and restricts the distribution of sensitive financial information. The Act also expands consumer control over bank accounts by limiting remotely created checks and overdraft fees on prepaid accounts. Finally, the Act mandates a study on the impact of small-dollar lending on economic opportunity for Native American tribes.

The HOPE for Homeownership Act introduces an excise tax on certain taxpayers, like hedge funds, who fail to sell excess single-family residences, taxing new acquisitions and excess holdings. It disallows mortgage interest and depreciation deductions for single-family homes owned by these covered taxpayers. This bill aims to discourage the accumulation of single-family homes by large entities to promote homeownership. The Act defines key terms such as "applicable taxpayer," "hedge fund taxpayer," and "single-family residence" to clarify the scope and applicability of the tax.

This bill amends the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to clarify the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community. It ensures the 1986 Grand Ronde Hunting and Fishing Agreement remains in effect unless modified by mutual consent between the tribe and Oregon, while protecting the rights of other tribes. Future agreements will derive authority solely from the State of Oregon, and the bill allows for court review of changes to a related Consent Decree. This amendment does not impact existing treaty or sovereign rights of any Indian Tribe.

Here are the high-level summaries for each title of the I CAN Act: **Title I: Removal of Barriers to Practice on Nurse Practitioners** This title aims to improve healthcare access for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries by expanding the scope of practice and recognition of nurse practitioners, allowing them to provide a wider range of services such as prescribing rehabilitation programs, documenting diabetic shoe needs, and overseeing care in various settings. **Title II: Removal of Barriers to Practice on Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists** This title focuses on reducing practice barriers for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) by allowing Medicare reimbursement for their services, updating regulations to affirm their authority, removing mandatory supervision requirements, and ensuring Medicaid coverage. **Title III: Removal of Barriers to Practice on Certified Nurse-Midwives** This title seeks to expand the role of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) in the Medicare system by including their services in coverage, enabling them to order home health services and durable medical equipment, and standardizing qualification standards. **Title IV: Improving Federal Health Programs for All Advanced Practice Registered Nurses** This title aims to increase transparency in Medicare coverage decisions, prevent coverage limitations based on provider qualifications, and expand access to locum tenens arrangements for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). **Title V: Effective Date** This title sets a 90-day timeline for the implementation of the new law's provisions and authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue temporary guidelines for a smooth transition.

The "Help Our Kelp Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within the Department of Commerce to conserve, restore, and manage kelp forest ecosystems. Grants will be awarded to various entities, including fishing industry members, educational institutions, and Indian Tribes, for projects addressing kelp forest decline and promoting long-term resilience. The federal government can fund up to 85% of project costs, with specific funding set aside for Indian Tribes. The act authorizes \$5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030 for this program.