Legislative Activity

The Home School Graduation Recognition Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to formally recognize home school graduates as high school graduates for federal education purposes. This legislation ensures that students completing secondary education in state-recognized home school settings are treated equitably under federal law.

The Traditional Cigar Manufacturing and Small Business Jobs Preservation Act of 2026 exempts traditional large and premium cigars from most FDA tobacco regulations. By establishing a clear definition for these products, the bill protects small businesses in the industry from burdensome oversight and associated user fees.

The TEMP Act mandates the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to research and develop a new, nationwide, index-based crop insurance policy. This policy would specifically protect against financial losses caused by frost or other cold weather events. The Corporation must report its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of enactment.

The Drone Espionage Act strengthens federal law to explicitly prohibit the unauthorized recording or transmission of video of sensitive defense information. This amendment updates existing statutes to specifically cover video recordings, addressing modern surveillance capabilities.

The Combating Online Predators Act (COP Act) establishes a new federal crime targeting individuals who threaten to distribute child sexual abuse material. This act specifically criminalizes threatening a minor with the distribution of such material to coerce them into creating or transmitting more explicit content. The bill amends existing federal laws to ensure severe penalties and forfeiture apply to those convicted of this threatening behavior.

This bill establishes federal crimes for knowingly transporting a minor across state lines to obtain an abortion to circumvent the parental involvement laws of the minor's home state. It also makes it a federal crime for a physician to perform an abortion on an out-of-state minor without first providing specific parental notification. The legislation includes exceptions for medical emergencies and cases where parental consent has been waived by a court.

The Restore Trust in Congress Act prohibits Members of Congress and their immediate families from owning or trading most stocks, commodities, and similar investments. Covered individuals must sell existing prohibited assets within a set timeframe, with tax relief provided for these required sales. Violators face significant financial penalties, including a 10% fee on the investment value and disgorgement of any profits.

The Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act significantly increases the federal prison sentences and fines for individuals convicted of health care fraud and related offenses. This legislation specifically raises maximum prison terms for general health care fraud from 10 to 25 years. Furthermore, it directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend guidelines to ensure penalties reflect the seriousness of these crimes.

The TRACK Act establishes the Transparency in Recovery Assistance and Claims Knowledge Act to mandate the creation of a public, interactive online dashboard for tracking disaster relief grants. This dashboard will provide detailed, real-time information on FEMA's review, approval, and disbursement process for public assistance awards following a major disaster. The goal is to increase transparency and accountability in how federal disaster aid is administered.

The Halo Act establishes new federal criminal penalties for individuals who obstruct immigration enforcement activities. Specifically, it prohibits knowingly approaching or remaining near a federal immigration enforcement officer after being warned, threatening the officer with physical harm, or harassing the officer while they are performing a lawful duty. Violators of this new offense could face fines or imprisonment for up to five years.

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.