Legislative Activity

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This resolution supports designating May 29, 2025, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day." It aims to raise awareness about the significant mental health challenges faced by farmers and farmworkers, who experience disproportionately high rates of suicide. The day seeks to reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health support within the agricultural industry.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 establishes a presumption that certain cancers leading to death or disability in public safety officers were caused by on-duty exposure to recognized carcinogens. This law defines specific exposure-related cancers and sets conditions, such as five years of service, for the presumption to apply. It also updates review processes for adding new cancers to the list and grants retroactive application and filing extensions for eligible past and present claims.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits covered entities from denying an organ transplant or related services solely because an individual has a disability. The bill mandates reasonable modifications to policies and requires consideration of an individual's support network when assessing their ability to comply with post-transplant requirements. This ensures that qualified individuals receive equal access to the entire organ transplant process, from evaluation through aftercare.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

The Healthy Dog Importation Act establishes new federal requirements for bringing live dogs into the United States, mandating electronic health documentation, vaccinations, and permanent ID for most imports. It defines key roles like "importer" and "compensation" while outlining specific exceptions for returning pets or working dogs. The law requires the Secretary to create detailed regulations within 18 months, including establishing a central tracking database and the authority to charge necessary fees for verification.

The Streamlining Conservation Practice Standards Act of 2025 aims to modernize and accelerate the process for developing and updating official conservation standards. It reforms grant programs to specifically fund the innovation and evaluation of new conservation technologies and management techniques. Furthermore, the bill mandates a regular, public review schedule for all existing standards, ensuring they integrate the latest advancements. Finally, it establishes a new, flexible administrative process to quickly approve interim standards that incorporate emerging technologies at the state level.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week." It serves to honor the valor and integrity of law enforcement officers across the nation. The resolution specifically remembers the officers killed in the line of duty during 2024 and encourages the public to observe this week to show appreciation for law enforcement personnel.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and processors from requiring firearms retailers to use a unique Merchant Category Code (MCC) that singles them out. This ensures that credit and debit card transactions for firearms and ammunition are treated the same as general retail purchases. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcing this prohibition and reporting annually to Congress on compliance efforts.