Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution urges the Department of Agriculture to immediately use its contingency funds and interchange authority to ensure the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is fully financed. The Senate asserts the administration has a legal obligation to use these existing resources to support millions of vulnerable Americans through November. This measure expresses a position and does not enact new law.

The Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies Act of 2025, or REUSE Act of 2025, directs the EPA Administrator to study and report on the feasibility and best practices for implementing reuse and refill systems across various sectors. This report must detail successful system types, equitable distribution methods, job creation potential, and the necessary governmental support for expansion. The goal is to evaluate how these systems can be widely adopted to promote sustainability.

The United States-Taiwan Partnership in the Americas Act affirms the U.S. commitment to supporting Latin American and Caribbean nations that maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The bill directs the State Department to monitor and counter coercive economic influence and pressure tactics by the People's Republic of China aimed at severing these relationships. Furthermore, it mandates increased coordination between the U.S. and Taiwan regarding development and engagement in the Western Hemisphere.

This resolution condemns the Government of the People's Republic of China for engaging in transnational repression against individuals residing in the United States. It specifically denounces the PRC's coordinated campaign to surveil, harass, and coerce dissidents, activists, and ethnic minorities. The Senate affirms that these extraterritorial actions violate U.S. sovereignty and the rights of all individuals to live without foreign intimidation.

This Senate resolution strongly reaffirms the unwavering commitment to the First Amendment, emphasizing that freedom of speech and the press are essential foundations of American democracy. It explicitly warns against government officials using regulatory power to coerce or censor protected speech, citing key Supreme Court precedents. Furthermore, the resolution directs federal agencies, including the FCC, to uphold these constitutional rights and condemns any threats or violence against those exercising free expression.

This resolution officially designates September 20, 2025, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day to honor their service and contributions. It formally acknowledges the long history of discrimination and harm caused by past military policies against LGBTQ+ individuals. Furthermore, the resolution urges the VA and DoD to take corrective action, including restoring benefits and ensuring full access to earned healthcare, such as gender-affirming care.

This resolution calls on the President to formally recognize a demilitarized State of Palestine alongside a secure State of Israel, consistent with international law and the two-state solution. It outlines historical context and current obstacles, urging an end to settlement expansion and violence from all sides. Ultimately, the bill seeks to advance a negotiated peace that ensures security for Israel and self-determination for Palestinians.

This resolution supports the designation of September 19, 2025, as "National Stillbirth Prevention and Awareness Day" to recognize the tens of thousands of families affected by stillbirth. It celebrates the passage of the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024, which aims to increase federal funding for stillbirth prevention research. Furthermore, the resolution urges the President to issue a proclamation encouraging national observance and action to reduce stillbirth rates.

The Patients Over Profit Act (POP Act) prohibits entities from simultaneously owning or controlling both a health insurance issuer and certain healthcare providers under Medicare. This aims to prevent conflicts of interest arising from vertical integration in healthcare delivery and payment. Violators will be required to divest one of the assets and may face legal action, including the forfeiture of illegally earned revenue. The law specifically restricts Medicare Advantage and Part D organizations from contracting with entities that violate this new common ownership ban.

The Alan Reinstein Ban Asbestos Now Act of 2025 immediately bans the manufacture, processing, use, and distribution of commercial asbestos and products containing it under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This comprehensive ban includes specific definitions for commercial asbestos and outlines limited exceptions for existing installed materials and disposal. The bill provides a temporary exemption for chlor-alkali plants until 2030 and allows for narrowly defined, time-limited national security exemptions granted by the President.

The RECHARGE Act mandates the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at rest areas along the Interstate Highway System. This legislation ensures access to necessary charging infrastructure to alleviate range anxiety for EV drivers. It clarifies that this allowance is strictly for EV charging and does not open rest areas to general commercial activity.

The Farmworker Smoke and Excessive Heat Protection Act of 2025 establishes immediate federal safety standards requiring employers to provide protective gear, like respirators and cooling resources, to farmworkers during dangerous wildfire smoke and extreme heat events. This act mandates training in understandable languages and requires mandatory rest breaks when conditions become hazardous. Furthermore, it directs the Secretary of Labor to develop a permanent, comprehensive occupational safety standard that meets or exceeds existing state protections for farmworkers.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandates the Attorney General to release all unclassified Department of Justice records related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days of enactment. This sweeping requirement covers investigations, travel logs, and communications, with limited exceptions primarily focused on protecting victim privacy and active cases. Any redactions must be publicly justified, and the Attorney General must report the details of the release and any withheld information to Congress.

The Transnational Repression Policy Act establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to combat foreign governments that harass or target individuals outside their borders, including within the United States. The bill mandates the creation of an interagency plan, requires specialized training for government personnel, and directs the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to develop resources and outreach programs to protect targeted communities. Ultimately, this Act aims to shield people from foreign government overreach, hold repressors accountable, and enhance cooperation with allies.

The Medical Debt Relief Act of 2025 significantly amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to prohibit credit reporting agencies from reporting negative information related to medical debt. Furthermore, the bill mandates that creditors are forbidden from using a consumer's past medical debt information when making credit decisions. This legislation aims to remove the burden of medical bills from consumer credit reports and lending evaluations.

The Preventing the Forced Return of Uyghurs Act of 2025 denies U.S. entry and immigration benefits to foreign officials responsible for forcing Uyghurs or other targeted individuals back to the People's Republic of China. The Secretary of State must refer these officials to the Treasury Department for potential sanctions. The Act requires regular, public reporting to Congress regarding denials and any granted waivers.

The Research for Healthy Soils Act aims to address environmental concerns related to agriculture. This bill specifically allocates funding for research into microplastics found in biosolids applied to farmland. Additionally, it extends the authorization for several high-priority agricultural research and extension initiatives through 2031.

The Fighting Fibers Act of 2025 mandates that all new washing machines sold in the U.S. starting in 2030 must include a microfiber filtration system with a mesh size no larger than 100 micrometers. The bill also directs the EPA Administrator to conduct a comprehensive national study on the sources, health impacts, and environmental justice implications of microfiber pollution. This legislation establishes civil penalties for manufacturers who fail to comply with the new filtration and labeling requirements.

The Debt Ceiling Reform Act establishes a new, structured process for the Treasury Secretary to request a temporary suspension of the debt limit to meet existing government obligations. If Congress does not pass a specifically formatted disapproval resolution within 45 days, the suspension automatically takes effect for up to two years. The bill also imposes expedited voting procedures in both chambers to ensure a swift decision on any disapproval measure. Finally, it mandates that the CBO include detailed debt projections as a percentage of GDP in its budget reports.

The Columbia River Clean-Up Act of 2025 updates the funding authorization for the Columbia River Basin Restoration Program. This legislation shifts the program's funding window forward, extending the authorization period from 2026 through 2030. It removes the previously scheduled authorization years of 2020 and 2021.