Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that paraprofessionals and education support staff are crucial to schools and deserve fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions that allow them to effectively support students. It advocates for livable wages, affordable healthcare, paid leave, professional development, necessary resources, and a safe working environment for these essential employees. The resolution also supports their right to have a voice in school policies and protection from retaliation when reporting workplace concerns. Additionally, it encourages employers to engage in good faith negotiations and avoid replacing or locking out these workers during strikes.

The "Strong Communities Act of 2025" establishes the "COPS Strong Communities Program," which provides grants to local law enforcement agencies and higher education institutions for law enforcement training programs. To be eligible, officers and recruits must commit to serving as full-time law enforcement officers in their communities for at least four years after completing their training. The bill also mandates that the Attorney General submit annual reports to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, detailing information about grant recipients, the number of officers and recruits trained, and their subsequent employment status.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Louisiana Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr., recognizing his contributions to energy policy, natural resource conservation, and Louisiana's cultural heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to Senator Johnston's family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in his honor.

This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, which recognizes Tribal sovereignty and empowers Indian Tribes to administer Federal programs and services. It acknowledges the Act's success in promoting local decision-making, community development, and improved quality of life for Tribal communities. The resolution calls for the continued implementation of the Act, reaffirming the federal government's commitment to supporting Native self-determination and ensuring responsive federal services. It celebrates the achievements of Indian Tribes over the past 50 years through self-determination and governance.

The "No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny tax deductions for employer expenses used to influence employees regarding union activities, including union elections and collective bargaining. It requires detailed reporting of such expenditures on tax returns, with significant penalties for non-compliance, while providing exemptions for certain communications and activities. The Act aims to prevent taxpayer subsidization of employer interference in workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain.

The "Building Child Care for a Better Future Act" increases funding for the Child Care Entitlement to States and establishes grants aimed at improving the child care workforce, supply, quality, and access, particularly in underserved areas. The bill allocates significant funds to states, territories, and tribal organizations, emphasizing community engagement and data-driven strategies to address specific child care needs. These grants support various initiatives, including workforce development, facility improvements, and financial assistance for providers, with a focus on serving vulnerable populations and ensuring fair wages for child care professionals. The bill also includes reporting requirements and ongoing evaluations to assess the impact of these investments on the child care landscape.

The IDEA Full Funding Act amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to authorize and appropriate specific funding amounts for fiscal years 2026 through 2035 and subsequent years. It aims to increase federal funding for special education, gradually working towards full federal funding by fiscal year 2035. The funding is calculated based on the number of children with disabilities receiving special education and the average per-pupil expenditure in public schools. This act ensures that funds are available to states to support special education and related services for children with disabilities.

The American Innovation Act prioritizes and increases funding for basic science research across several key federal agencies. It authorizes significant appropriations for the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy's Office of Science, Department of Defense Science and Technology Programs, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and NASA's Science Mission Directorate from FY2026 to FY2035, with continued increases tied to the Consumer Price Index thereafter. These funds are protected from budget sequestration and PAYGO rules, ensuring sustained investment in scientific advancement.

The Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse experiences of women in the United States, seeking guidance from various sources reflecting different viewpoints. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on the museum's progress in meeting these diversity requirements.

The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025 aims to ensure that unaccompanied children have legal representation in immigration proceedings by providing government-funded counsel. It mandates that these children receive complete copies of their immigration files and have sufficient time to review them, and it also requires the Department of Homeland Security to allow counsel access to detained non-citizens. The Act directs the Office of Refugee Resettlement to develop guidelines for legal representation and requires annual reports on the provision of counsel to unaccompanied children. Additionally, it allows unaccompanied children to reopen their immigration cases if they were not provided with appointed counsel, and it authorizes the necessary appropriations for implementation.

The "Tax Fairness for Workers Act" allows above-the-line tax deductions for union dues and other employee-related business expenses. This amends the Internal Revenue Code to ensure these deductions are not subject to certain limitations, providing tax relief for workers. These changes will be effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Federal Firearm Licensee Act aims to modernize and strengthen regulations for firearm dealers by enhancing security measures, mandating electronic record-keeping, increasing inspection frequency, and clarifying licensing requirements. It also repeals certain restrictions on the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and increases penalties for violations of firearm laws. This act seeks to hold firearm dealers accountable, reduce illegal firearm diversion, and improve law enforcement efforts against firearm trafficking and violence. The bill also addresses background checks for employees and requires additional reporting and analysis of dealer inspections.

The Impact Aid Infrastructure Partnership Act aims to improve school facilities in federally impacted communities through a Federal-local partnership. It authorizes funds for both competitive and formula grants to local educational agencies eligible for Impact Aid, prioritizing those with the most critical facility needs and limited financial resources. These grants can be used for construction, renovation, or repair of school facilities, with a focus on addressing health, safety, and accessibility issues. The Act also requires local education agencies to contribute a percentage of the project cost, based on their learning opportunity threshold.

The EASE Act requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a "Specialty Health Care Services Access Model." This model will use provider networks and digital tools to deliver specialty health care services to eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in rural and underserved areas, coordinating with their primary care providers. The provider networks must include a minimum of 50 Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, Critical Access Hospitals, or Rural Emergency Hospitals, with at least half in rural areas, and meet other specified criteria.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding eligible practitioners and originating sites, and making waivers for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Native American health facilities permanent. It also enhances program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, authorizing additional funding for oversight, and addressing unusual billing patterns. Additionally, the act supports beneficiaries and providers by requiring the development of resources and training, reviewing quality measures, and mandating the publication of data on telehealth services. These changes aim to make telehealth a more accessible, high-quality, and permanent option for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.

The FEMA Independence Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency, led by a Director who reports directly to the President. This act transfers all FEMA functions from the Department of Homeland Security to the newly independent agency, aiming to enhance FEMA's ability to lead and support the nation's emergency management system. The act also outlines leadership roles, responsibilities, and the transfer of personnel and resources to ensure a seamless transition. Additionally, the act requires the director to submit a report to congress recommending legislation for technical and conforming amendments to reflect the changes made by this act.

The "Convenient Contraception Act" amends the Public Health Service Act, mandating that group health plans and health insurance issuers provide enrollees with the option to obtain a 365-day supply of contraceptives. This Act ensures access without cost-sharing, aligning with existing preventive care mandates. The provisions will be effective for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026, and requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury to conduct outreach to inform healthcare providers and individuals about the new requirements.

This resolution designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to recognize the vital role of women in agriculture. It acknowledges women's significant contributions as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors within the agricultural sector. The resolution supports celebrating women's impact on food resources and the agricultural workforce, encouraging their continued involvement and leadership in the field.

The "Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act" directs the Secretary of Labor to establish an interim and final standard requiring healthcare and social service employers to develop and implement comprehensive workplace violence prevention plans. These plans must include risk assessments, hazard prevention measures, incident reporting procedures, and employee training. The Act also requires employers to maintain detailed records of violent incidents and submit annual summaries to the Secretary of Labor. Finally, facilities receiving Medicare funds must comply with the workplace violence prevention standard.

This resolution designates April 2025 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month" to highlight the importance of local news in American democracy. It recognizes the decline of local news outlets and the negative impact this has on informed citizens and communities. The resolution acknowledges local journalism as a public good and affirms its valuable contributions.