Legislative Activity

The Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act requires the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate existing research on menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life health for servicewomen and veterans. This evaluation must specifically examine how military service and exposures may impact these conditions and their mental health. Following the review, both departments must submit reports to Congress with recommendations and develop strategic plans to address identified research gaps in treatment options.

The Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act bans Members of Congress and their spouses from trading covered financial instruments, such as stocks and derivatives, during their term in office. Members must divest prohibited assets within 180 days of taking office or the law's enactment. Violations result in disgorgement of profits and potential civil fines enforced by ethics committees, with compliance subject to annual certification and a GAO audit.

The Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve support for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST). It mandates a VA report on technology-facilitated MST and overhauls the disability claims process to be more sensitive and evidence-flexible for survivors. Furthermore, the bill expands access to necessary healthcare and support services for a broader range of former service members affected by MST.

The Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities in Small Business Act aims to increase federal contract awards to small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. It mandates that the Small Business Administrator provide specialized training to any agency failing to meet its established contract goals for these businesses. Furthermore, the Act requires the Administrator to issue best practices guidance and report annually to Congress on agency compliance and training efforts.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the Voting Rights Act by establishing new standards to challenge discriminatory voting practices and updating federal oversight criteria for states. It mandates greater transparency for all changes to voting rules and implements "practice-based preclearance" for certain jurisdictions. Additionally, the bill creates new federal criminal penalties for using force or threats to intimidate voters or election workers.

The CHILD Act of 2025, or the Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025, significantly expands background check requirements under the National Child Protection Act of 1993. This legislation broadens the definition of a "covered individual" to include more employees, volunteers, and applicants seeking licensure or certification from organizations that contract with qualified entities. The goal is to ensure comprehensive vetting for anyone working or seeking approval within organizations connected to child protection services.

The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act aims to rapidly improve tracking of fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses and the use of reversal medications like naloxone. It amends the comprehensive opioid abuse grant program to fund states, localities, and law enforcement coalitions in creating instant, mobile-friendly systems for reporting overdose incidents. Grantees must use this data to coordinate public safety and health responses and ensure interoperability with existing federal and state data systems.

The Quad Economic Security Act directs the U.S. to strengthen economic security cooperation with Australia, India, and Japan through the Quad partnership. It mandates the establishment of a new Economic Security Working Group to coordinate efforts on supply chains, critical infrastructure, and countering economic coercion. The bill requires the Secretary of State to report to Congress on negotiations, identified supply chains, and regional partners involved in these security efforts. Finally, the Act specifies that it does not authorize any new funding for its implementation.

The Farmers First Act of 2025 aims to enhance mental health support for agricultural producers. This legislation increases funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and mandates the inclusion of dedicated crisis lines within its services. Furthermore, it formalizes partnerships between network recipients and various certified healthcare providers to improve access to mental health and substance use treatment.

This concurrent resolution officially recognizes the significance of equal pay and highlights the persistent wage disparity faced by Black women compared to White, non-Hispanic men. It designates July 10, 2025, as Black Women's Equal Pay Day to draw attention to the economic losses caused by this gap. The resolution underscores that closing this disparity is vital for the economic stability and wealth-building of Black women and their families.

This resolution expresses support for designating July 10, 2025, as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. It honors the critical, often dangerous work these essential employees perform to maintain the nation's power grid 24/7. The day commemorates their service, especially during emergencies, and recognizes the sacrifice of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

This resolution officially recognizes June 2025 as LGBTQ Pride Month to honor the history, struggles, and significant contributions of the LGBTQ community in the United States. It acknowledges past and ongoing discrimination while celebrating key legal milestones toward equality. The Senate encourages the nation to use this month to learn about inequality and celebrate the community's achievements both domestically and globally.

The Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act of 2025 is a legislative update designed to modernize the Internal Revenue Code by ensuring gender-neutral language is used when referencing married taxpayers and their spouses. This bill systematically replaces outdated gendered terms like "husband and wife" or "his" with inclusive terms such as "married couple" and "spouse." The changes are purely linguistic, ensuring consistency across tax rules without altering any existing tax liabilities or deductions.

The Refund Equality Act of 2025 extends the deadline for certain legally married couples to amend past tax returns filed separately before September 16, 2013, based on Revenue Ruling 2013-17. This allows these couples to now file jointly for those years, extending the statute of limitations for filing the joint return and claiming related refunds or credits. These extensions are strictly limited to changes resulting from recognizing their marital status for federal tax purposes.

The Rural Hospital Cybersecurity Enhancement Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a national strategy for building the cybersecurity workforce specifically supporting rural hospitals. This strategy must include plans for partnerships, training materials for rural schools, and recommendations for addressing unique workforce challenges. Furthermore, the Act mandates the creation and promotion of basic cybersecurity instructional materials for current rural hospital staff. Importantly, this legislation authorizes no new federal funding for its implementation.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act amends the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to modernize regulations around online data collection, use, and deletion for children and teens. It expands the definition of personal information, requires verifiable consent for data collection and usage, and prohibits individual-specific advertising to children and teens. The Act also mandates FTC reports on mobile app oversight and enforcement, a GAO study on teens' privacy using financial technology, and includes a severability clause.

The Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025 establishes a federal right to access abortion services without facing state-imposed restrictions that are not medically necessary for comparable procedures. This Act prohibits states from enacting targeted regulations that create hurdles for abortion access, protects the right to travel out of state for care, and allows individuals and the Attorney General to sue to enforce these protections. Ultimately, the bill aims to ensure equitable access to reproductive healthcare decisions based on a provider's good-faith medical judgment.

The Protect IVF Act establishes a federal right to access fertility treatments, such as IVF, based on widely accepted medical standards. It prohibits states from enacting or enforcing rules that create unnecessary roadblocks or conflict with these established medical practices. The law empowers individuals, providers, and insurers to sue to strike down restrictive state laws that interfere with evidence-based fertility care. Ultimately, this Act ensures that decisions regarding fertility treatment remain between patients and their doctors, overriding conflicting state regulations.

The Taskforce for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams Act (TRAPS Act) establishes a new Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, to combat electronic payment scams. This group will bring together federal agencies, financial experts, and consumer advocates to examine current scam trends and develop comprehensive prevention strategies. The Task Force is required to produce an initial report within one year detailing its findings, an educational strategy, and recommendations for new laws or rules. It will continue to issue annual updates before automatically dissolving three years after its first report.

The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025 comprehensively updates federal support for vulnerable youth by modernizing grant programs for basic centers and transitional living. This legislation enhances services by mandating trauma-informed care, improving coordination with other federal agencies, and explicitly addressing the needs of youth experiencing homelessness and trafficking. Furthermore, it expands outreach methods to include digital communication and establishes new funding streams specifically for prevention services.