Legislative Activity

The American Innovation and Jobs Act aims to boost U.S. competitiveness by restoring immediate expensing for most business research and development (R&D) investments. It also significantly expands the refundable R&D tax credit for new and small businesses, increasing the maximum refund amount and raising eligibility thresholds. Furthermore, the bill makes technical adjustments to the R&D credit calculation to make it more accessible for startups. These provisions are designed to incentivize domestic innovation and job creation starting in tax years after 2021 and 2024, respectively.

The Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act updates federal excise tax rules for imported sporting goods sold through online marketplaces. This legislation treats certain marketplace providers who facilitate overseas sales as the importer of record for tax purposes. This ensures that the existing excise tax is collected when goods are shipped directly to U.S. consumers via these platforms.

The MOMS Act aims to support mothers and unborn children through three main areas: establishing a federal resource website, Pregnancy.gov, to connect expecting and new mothers with local services. It also creates grant programs to fund organizations that support carrying pregnancies to term and expand access to prenatal/postnatal telehealth care. Finally, the Act mandates that states establish and enforce child support obligations on behalf of unborn children upon the mother's request.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as "Renewable Fuels Month." It recognizes the vital role renewable fuels play in reducing carbon emissions and lowering consumer fuel prices. Furthermore, the bill highlights how these fuels support rural economies and decrease U.S. reliance on foreign energy sources.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.

This bill modifies the railroad track maintenance credit by significantly increasing the maximum credit amount per mile from $\$3,500$ to $\$6,100$. It also updates the eligibility period for qualifying expenditures and mandates that the new credit limit will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2026. These changes are designed to provide greater financial support for ongoing railroad infrastructure upkeep.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 comprehensively reforms the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program by updating state allocation formulas based on population and inflation, and by modifying tenant eligibility rules to protect vulnerable residents. The bill also introduces significant changes for property owners regarding casualty loss, acquisition costs, and incentives for serving extremely low-income households. Finally, it directs efforts toward increasing program transparency and encouraging local governments to reform restrictive housing policies.

The BE GONE Act, or Better Enforcement of Grievous Offenses by unNaturalized Emigrants Act, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to expand the list of crimes considered "aggravated felonies." Specifically, this bill adds "sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence" to the list of offenses that trigger severe immigration consequences. This change broadens the scope of crimes that can lead to deportation or inadmissibility for non-citizens.

The Find It Early Act mandates that certain individuals at increased risk for breast cancer receive comprehensive screening and diagnostic imaging coverage without any out-of-pocket costs. This coverage expansion applies across private health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and VA health care programs. These changes are set to take effect starting January 1, 2026.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, particularly those involving roosters, by expanding illegal activities to include attendance by minors and gambling. This bill enhances enforcement by tightening restrictions on interstate transport and advertising, while also empowering private citizens to file lawsuits to enjoin violations. Furthermore, the Act allows for the seizure of real property used to facilitate these illegal fighting activities.

The SOAR Act of 2025 aims to significantly reform Medicare coverage for supplemental oxygen therapy by ending competitive bidding and establishing new payment rates for suppliers. The bill also protects access to respiratory therapist services by ensuring Medicare reimbursement for their work. Furthermore, it strengthens fraud prevention through mandated electronic documentation while simultaneously restoring clinical judgment in claim reviews. Finally, the Act establishes a comprehensive set of new rights and protections for beneficiaries receiving oxygen equipment and services.

The Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act revises federal physician self-referral rules to create specific exemptions for certain physician-owned hospitals located in rural areas. This legislation allows these designated "covered rural hospitals" to be exempt from general referral prohibitions. Furthermore, the bill eliminates the existing ban that prevented these physician-owned hospitals from expanding their operations.

The Food Security and Farm Protection Act prohibits state and local governments from imposing new regulations on how agricultural products are grown in other states for interstate commerce. It establishes a federal right for affected parties to sue governments over such regulations that interfere with the flow of agricultural goods across state lines. Successful plaintiffs can seek to overturn the regulation and recover economic damages.

This resolution formally honors the life and extensive public service of the late Honorable John Bennett Johnston, Jr., former U.S. Senator for Louisiana. It details his career, highlighting his significant tenure on key Senate committees, particularly his leadership on energy policy. The resolution recognizes his legislative achievements benefiting Louisiana, including flood control and conservation efforts. Finally, the Senate adjourns immediately in his memory as a final tribute to his service.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning California's "Advanced Clean Cars II" pollution control standards. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, Congress is effectively vetoing this EPA regulation. This action prevents the EPA's rule regarding California's vehicle emission standards from taking effect.

This Act authorizes the minting and issuance of special commemorative gold and silver coins to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins will honor the victims, first responders, and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins must be paid directly to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum to support its operations.

The Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2025 directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a comprehensive study of the pharmaceutical supply chain, focusing heavily on the practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). This investigation will examine issues like pricing fairness, patient steering, data misuse, and formulary manipulation. The FTC must deliver a final report to Congress detailing its findings, planned enforcement actions, and legislative recommendations to increase transparency and competition in the drug market.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 aims to significantly expand access to telehealth services under Medicare by permanently removing outdated geographic restrictions and broadening provider eligibility. The bill also enhances program integrity by dedicating new funding to oversight and establishing educational outreach for providers with unusual billing patterns. Finally, it mandates new resources, training, and public data reporting to ensure the quality and accessibility of virtual care for all beneficiaries.

This resolution officially designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the vital and substantial contributions of the over 1.2 million female agricultural producers to the U.S. economy and global food supply. The measure encourages citizens to acknowledge the leadership, mentorship, and economic impact women have across the entire agricultural sector.

The SAFETY Act of 2025 aims to protect American producers by legally defining and safeguarding the use of common food, wine, and beer names in international trade. This legislation mandates that the government actively defend these established names during trade negotiations to prevent foreign restrictions on U.S. exports. The bill specifically excludes protected geographical indications from qualifying as common names while ensuring domestic labeling standards are respected abroad.