Legislative Activity

This resolution officially designates March 15, 2025, as "National Osceola Turkey Day" to celebrate the Osceola wild turkey, a subspecies unique to Florida. It recognizes the significant economic and conservation contributions of turkey hunting to the state. The day encourages nationwide observance to honor this important part of Florida's heritage and ecology.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses as eligible hires. This allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring individuals certified as spouses of active-duty military personnel. The provision applies to wages paid for individuals hired after the Act's enactment date.

The Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 aims to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments for children by expanding the FDA's authority to require pediatric investigations for molecularly targeted cancer drugs. It also extends the incentive program that grants priority review vouchers to encourage the development of drugs for rare pediatric diseases. The bill mandates studies on the effectiveness of these new requirements and the existing voucher system.

This resolution designates March 6, 2025, as "National Slam the Scam Day" to combat government imposter scams and other pervasive scams. It aims to raise awareness and promote education to protect individuals, especially older adults, from financial losses and identity theft. The resolution encourages reporting scams and supports the efforts of law enforcement, consumer groups, and financial institutions in preventing these scams. It also honors those who are actively fighting against government imposter scams.

The Make American Flags in America Act of 2025 mandates that all U.S. flags displayed or purchased by federal agencies must be 100% manufactured in the United States using entirely domestic materials. This requirement takes effect for purchases within 90 days and for display within two years of enactment. Additionally, the bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to study and report on the current enforcement of country-of-origin labeling for American flags.

The Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act expands the definition of the Miccosukee Reserved Area (MRA) to officially include the Osceola Camp. This legislation also mandates that the Secretary take action within two years to protect structures within the newly added Osceola Camp from flooding, in consultation with the Tribe.

The Guarding Readiness Resources Act ensures that funds reimbursed to the National Guard Bureau by states or territories are directly returned to the specific budget account that covered the initial expense. These returned funds are strictly limited to being used for the repair, maintenance, or replacement of the military assets involved. This guarantees that reimbursement money directly supports the readiness of the equipment used by the National Guard.

The Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act aims to reduce contraband in prisons by increasing penalties for providing or attempting to provide a phone to an inmate. It mandates the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to review and update policies regarding inmates who make, possess, or try to obtain prohibited items to improve safety.

The "Protect America's Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act of 2025" establishes a CCP Initiative within the Department of Justice to counter threats from countries like China, prevent intellectual property theft, and protect U.S. infrastructure. It requires the Attorney General to develop strategies, coordinate with agencies like the FBI, and report annually to Congress on the initiative's progress, resource allocation, and impact on Chinese espionage efforts. The initiative will expire six years after enactment.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 requires the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when evaluating discrimination complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensuring consistent enforcement against antisemitism in federally funded programs. This bill aims to increase awareness and improve the safety of Jewish communities by codifying the use of the IHRA definition. The Act does not expand the Department of Education's authority, change harassment standards, reduce existing rights, or diminish First Amendment rights.

This resolution honors the 17 victims of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. It expresses the Senate's condolences to the families and friends of the victims and acknowledges the resilience of the Parkland community. The resolution also recognizes the upcoming 7-year anniversary of the tragedy and expresses gratitude to the first responders.

The "Healthy SNAP Act of 2025" amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, redefining "food" under SNAP to exclude items like alcohol, tobacco, and sugary products, while directing the Secretary to designate specific healthy foods that qualify. It requires the Secretary to consider nutritional value, fat, sugar, and salt levels when designating foods and to review these designations regularly. The bill also ensures prepared meals meet nutritional standards and allows for culturally appropriate food substitutions.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in logistical transactions of Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemical products. It mandates the President to block the property of sanctioned individuals and entities within the U.S. and deny them U.S. visas, with potential waivers based on national interest. The Act also establishes an Interagency Working Group to coordinate and enhance the enforcement of sanctions against Iran, and encourages the formation of a multilateral contact group with similar countries to coordinate international enforcement of sanctions against Iran. Finally, the Act amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include identifying individuals or entities involved in activities that violate or evade sanctions under the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025.

The DEMOCRACIA Act aims to restrict financial resources to the Cuban government by imposing sanctions on foreign individuals and entities involved with Cuba's defense, security, and intelligence sectors, as well as those engaged in human rights abuses and corruption. It also mandates the President to provide unrestricted internet service to the Cuban people and establishes conditions for terminating these sanctions, including democratic reforms and human rights improvements in Cuba. The bill outlines specific criteria the Cuban government must meet to end sanctions, such as legalizing political activity, releasing political prisoners, and holding free and fair elections.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. must include standard equipment capable of receiving AM broadcast signals within a few years of the law's enactment. This requirement aims to ensure drivers retain access to crucial emergency alerts, overriding conflicting state or local laws. The bill also directs the GAO to study the reliability of AM radio versus other emergency alert technologies in vehicles.

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

The "Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025" introduces a federal tax credit for individuals and corporations who donate to scholarship granting organizations that provide educational scholarships to eligible elementary and secondary students. These scholarships can be used for tuition, books, tutoring, and other qualified education expenses. The bill sets a volume cap on the total amount of donations eligible for the tax credit and includes provisions to prevent government control over scholarship organizations and non-public schools. It also exempts these scholarship amounts from gross income.

The "Personalized Care Act of 2025" expands health savings account (HSA) eligibility, increases contribution limits, and allows HSAs to be used for a broader range of healthcare expenses, including health plan premiums and health care sharing ministry fees. It also reduces the penalty for non-qualified HSA distributions and clarifies the treatment of medical care service arrangements and periodic provider fees under tax law. These changes aim to increase individual control and flexibility in healthcare spending.

The "Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025" aims to protect vulnerable children by establishing rigorous vetting standards for sponsors, including comprehensive background checks and mandatory home visits. It also requires retroactive vetting of past sponsors and mandates monthly reports to Congress on the well-being and whereabouts of these children. The bill prioritizes the safety and accountability in the placement of unaccompanied alien children.