Legislative Activity

The American Shores Protection Act of 2025 formally supports the withdrawal of specific areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from future leasing. This bill prohibits new oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production in designated areas off the coasts of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina until June 30, 2032. It codifies existing support for previously withdrawn areas while protecting pre-existing lease rights.

The Safer Truckers Act of 2025 updates Commercial Driver's License (CDL) eligibility by requiring applicants to be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or authorized to work in commercial driving by USCIS. This bill also mandates that states annually report on their enforcement of English language proficiency standards for CDL holders. These measures aim to enhance safety and compliance within the commercial trucking industry.

The Space Ready Act establishes a pilot program to encourage public-private infrastructure investments at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). It creates a dedicated Infrastructure Investment Fund, financed by assessments collected from agreements for commercial activities at KSC. This fund will be used exclusively for capital repairs, maintenance, and improvements on NASA-owned infrastructure at the center. The Administrator must report annually to Congress on the fund's financial status and planned expenditures until the assessment authority expires in 2035.

This resolution officially commends and congratulates the Florida Panthers for winning the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. It recognizes the team's successful season, historic individual player achievements, and overall contribution to the South Florida community. The Senate is formally sending official congratulations to the team's ownership and leadership.

The Stop GAPS Act of 2025 aims to modify the sponsorship requirements for unaccompanied minors and enhance federal oversight of their placement. This legislation removes a specific existing requirement for sponsors of these children. Furthermore, it mandates the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to actively track unaccompanied minors during their immigration proceedings and coordinate with states to ensure suitable placements.

The RIPPLE Act of 2025 authorizes the Attorney General to reimburse state and local governments for the wages, including overtime, spent by their personnel performing immigration enforcement functions under federal agreements. This legislation establishes a mechanism for the federal government to financially support local jurisdictions that assist with immigration duties.

The Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens Act establishes a new, faster process for the government to deport non-citizens who are members of criminal gangs or terrorist organizations, or who have been convicted of specific serious crimes. This process mandates detention and bars these individuals from seeking withholding of removal. The law specifically defines vulnerable groups for the purpose of determining which misdemeanor convictions qualify for this expedited action.

The Drone Espionage Act updates federal law to explicitly include "video" alongside "photographic negatives" when prohibiting the unauthorized taking or transmission of defense information. This amendment ensures that individuals illegally capturing or sharing sensitive video footage are subject to the existing penalties under U.S. Code Section 793.

This resolution officially commends and congratulates the University of Florida men's basketball team for winning the 2025 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Men's Basketball Championship. It highlights the team's victory over the University of Houston and recognizes the achievements of Coach Todd Golden and standout players like Walter Clayton, Jr. The resolution also celebrates the University of Florida's unique status as the only Division I school to win national titles in both men's basketball and football in the same year. Official copies will be sent to university leadership and the head coach.

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 Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2025 amends tax law to treat spaceports similarly to airports for the purpose of issuing tax-exempt facility bonds, easing financing for critical infrastructure. This legislation specifically defines what qualifies as a spaceport, ensuring that private and specialized facilities can access this funding mechanism. Furthermore, it clarifies that government payments for spaceport use will not jeopardize the tax-exempt status of the bonds.

The Defending Domestic Orange Juice Production Act of 2025 establishes a new minimum standard for pasteurized orange juice, requiring it to contain at least 10.0 percent by weight of orange juice solids, excluding added sweeteners. This revision updates the official identity standard for domestic orange juice production. The Secretary of Health and Human Services retains the authority to amend this standard in the future.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of the Department of Energy's (DOE) proposed energy conservation standards for commercial refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, Congress is officially rejecting and nullifying the specific DOE rule published in the Federal Register. Consequently, the DOE's proposed energy efficiency requirements for these commercial cooling units will not take effect.

The Stop CCP VISAs Act of 2025 prohibits the issuance of F, J, or M nonimmigrant visas to nationals of the People's Republic of China. This measure specifically targets temporary student and research visas. The goal is to prevent individuals from entering the U.S. under these categories for study or research purposes.

The RECLAIM Act strengthens enforcement of civil rights laws for recipients of federal financial assistance. It mandates that noncompliance in any part of a program subjects the entire program to consequences, and requires repayment of federal funds if noncompliance is found for that fiscal year. Furthermore, the bill halts all related federal funding to recipients subject to a civil rights injunction until compliance is certified or one year passes.

The CAPE Canaveral Act mandates the relocation of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters to Brevard County, Florida. This transfer of the agency's central office must be completed within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act of 2025 secures the existing state-run dredge and fill permitting programs for Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida, preventing the EPA from revoking their approval without an act of Congress. It also establishes a clear process for approving future comparable state programs, ensuring a smooth transition of permitting authority from the federal government to the state. This legislation clarifies the status of these state program approvals under federal administrative law.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers purchase homes. This program offers qualifying first-time homebuyers the potential for a zero down payment mortgage. A key feature is the elimination of monthly mortgage insurance premiums, though an upfront premium will still be charged.