Legislative Activity

The Special Diabetes Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding for both Type 1 Diabetes research programs and diabetes programs serving Native Americans. This legislation secures specific annual appropriations of \$160 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, along with a transition allocation in late 2027. The bill ensures continued financial support for these vital public health initiatives through the end of 2027.

The Equal Representation Act mandates the inclusion of a citizenship question on the decennial census starting in 2030. It requires the public release of state-by-state citizenship data following the count. Crucially, this act stipulates that non-citizens will be excluded from the population totals used to determine congressional apportionment and electoral votes.

The Haskell Indian Nations University Improvement Act restructures Haskell Indian Nations University into a federally chartered corporation, granting it independence from the Bureau of Indian Education. This change establishes an independent Board of Trustees to govern the university, which will continue to provide tuition-free higher education to Native American students. The Act also creates an endowment program, sets specific hiring preferences for Tribal members, and outlines new reporting and facility planning requirements.

The Dads Matter Act of 2025 aims to improve maternal and infant health outcomes by promoting the active inclusion and engagement of fathers throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. The bill mandates a national awareness campaign highlighting the benefits of paternal involvement and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to issue guidance to states on encouraging providers to educate and support new fathers. Finally, the Government Accountability Office will study and report on the effectiveness of these measures within six years of enactment.

The Reliable Rail Service Act of 2025 strengthens service requirements for rail carriers, mandating they meet the reasonable, timely, and efficient service needs of shippers upon request. When evaluating service failure complaints, the governing Board must now consider factors like staffing levels, equipment maintenance, and local operational needs. Furthermore, the Act speeds up the resolution process for service disputes and allows the Board to order specific transit times if a carrier is found to be in violation.

This resolution officially designates June 2025 as "Great Outdoors Month" to celebrate the significant economic impact and health benefits of outdoor recreation. It recognizes that the outdoor sector contributes trillions to the U.S. economy and supports millions of jobs. The measure encourages all Americans to responsibly enjoy outdoor activities during this designated month and beyond.

This Act establishes enhanced, mandatory prison sentences for individuals who use open flames or incendiary devices, including burning the U.S. flag, while committing specified federal crimes. The purpose is to increase penalties for actions that endanger public safety or government property during the commission of a felony. This new penalty is separate from the punishment for the underlying crime and does not apply to constitutionally protected speech.

The Strengthening Benefit Plans Act of 2025 allows employers to transfer surplus assets from overfunded retiree health accounts or defined benefit pension plans into other employee benefit funds, like 401(k) plans or VEBAs. This aims to provide flexibility for employers managing excess funds while imposing strict requirements to protect employee vesting and future benefit levels. The bill establishes specific calculations for defining "excess assets" and mandates advance notice to participants before any transfer occurs.

The TERMS Act mandates that online service providers clearly disclose their rules and processes for account termination or suspension *before* users sign up. This legislation requires providers to give advance written notice of most account restrictions, detailing the violation and appeal options. Furthermore, providers must publish annual transparency reports detailing enforcement actions taken against users. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these new standards.

This bill amends tax code rules to provide special treatment for certain financial guaranty insurance companies under the Passive Foreign Investment Company (PFIC) regulations. It allows these companies to avoid PFIC classification by counting unearned premium reserves as insurance liabilities, provided they meet strict financial and operational conditions. The legislation clarifies definitions and sets effective dates for these changes, generally applying to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act mandates increased transparency by requiring federal agencies to report detailed information on all Treasury payments for public posting. It also enhances government integrity by granting the Treasury access to sensitive data, like new hire and tax records, to verify recipients and prevent improper payments. Furthermore, the bill requires agencies to verify bank account information before disbursing funds to ensure accuracy. These measures aim to improve oversight, reduce fraud, and increase accountability in federal spending.

The Energy Choice Act aims to prevent state and local governments from enacting regulations that restrict consumer access to various energy sources, including natural gas, hydrogen, and electricity, if those sources are transported across state lines. This legislation ensures that local codes cannot ban or limit the connection or expansion of services based on the energy type or source. In essence, it protects the ability of residents and businesses to choose from energy options available through interstate commerce.

This resolution formally declares the nation's foundational belief in the inherent right to life for every human being, including the unborn. It recognizes the Supreme Court's decision to return authority over life protection laws to the people and their elected officials. Furthermore, the bill establishes an annual "Life Month" to commend organizations supporting life and urge lawmakers to enact protections for the unborn.

The Small Biotech Innovation Act creates an exception to the Medicare drug price negotiation program for small biotech manufacturers heavily invested in research and development. This exception shields certain "qualifying single source drugs" from negotiation for initial years, provided the company meets strict R&D spending thresholds relative to its number of qualifying drugs. To qualify, manufacturers must apply annually and certify their R&D expenditures, with provisions for appealing adverse decisions.

The Investing in All of America Act of 2025 updates the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program by increasing maximum leverage limits to \$175 million for individual companies and \$350 million for commonly controlled groups, adjusted annually for inflation. The bill also expands investment exclusions for leverage calculations to include investments in businesses located in low-income or rural areas, critical technology sectors, or small manufacturers. Furthermore, it clarifies the definition of investment sources for leverage approval, treating university-affiliated endowments similarly to pension funds.

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the Crime Victims Fund by expanding the sources of deposits. This includes allowing the Fund to receive money from certain legal settlements that do not result in a criminal conviction. Additionally, the bill temporarily allows certain recoveries from False Claims Act settlements to fund victim services through 2030, while protecting payments to whistleblowers and the government's direct recovery.

This resolution serves as a formal tribute honoring the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri. It recognizes his decades of public service, including his terms as Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator, where he championed infrastructure, agriculture, and conservative values. The Senate expresses deep sadness over his passing and directs that official copies of this tribute be sent to his family.

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2025 establishes a new tax credit to incentivize businesses to use cotton grown in the United States. This Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit is calculated based on the amount of qualified U.S. cotton in an eligible product sold, factoring in processing location and market price. The bill mandates strict digital tracing requirements to prove the origin of the cotton throughout the supply chain. Special enhanced credit multipliers are available for businesses that elect to claim the credit separately for qualified U.S. cotton yarn or fabric components.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating May 2025 as "National Beef Month." It recognizes the significant economic contributions of the U.S. cattle industry and highlights the nutritional value of beef. The bill serves as a formal acknowledgment of the importance of beef to American agriculture and consumers without enacting new laws.

The No Tax on Tips Act creates a new federal income tax deduction for qualified tips received by workers, capped at \$25,000 annually. This deduction can be claimed regardless of whether the taxpayer itemizes or takes the standard deduction. Additionally, the bill expands an existing tax credit for employers to include beauty service establishments that pay Social Security taxes on employee tips. These provisions are set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.