Legislative Activity

The WATCH Act establishes new federal oversight for foreign laboratories receiving U.S. funding for animal research, primarily from the NIH. These labs must now undergo mandatory quarterly inspections to ensure compliance with established animal welfare standards. Failure to pass these inspections and correct deficiencies can result in the suspension or revocation of federal funding.

This resolution expresses strong support for the nation's public K-12 schools and condemns any efforts to defund or dismantle the Department of Education. It affirms the crucial federal role in ensuring equitable funding and support for students, especially those with disabilities and from low-income families. The resolution warns that weakening the Department would severely disrupt vital programs serving millions of students nationwide.

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025 aims to stop the flow of illegal machinegun conversion devices into the United States. It mandates the creation of a comprehensive federal strategy to detect, trace, and interdict these devices, including those made domestically. Furthermore, the bill enhances the government's ability to forfeit profits derived from illegal machinegun trafficking and requires specific reporting on the use and origin of these conversion devices.

The Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025 establishes a new Medicare payment system for radiation therapy, moving providers to a single, bundled payment per episode of care to incentivize quality and efficiency. This program mandates participation for most providers while setting base rates derived from 2021 figures, subject to annual updates. Additionally, the bill creates a special add-on payment to address patient transportation insecurity and exempts savings generated by this program from standard Medicare budget neutrality adjustments.

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 Astronaut Ground Travel Support Act authorizes the government to use its own vehicles to transport astronauts and space flight participants for necessary post-mission activities. This transportation is permitted only for official purposes, such as medical monitoring, and requires written approval from the Chief of the Astronaut Office. The bill also establishes provisions for maintaining these vehicles and requires non-employee astronauts to reimburse the Treasury for the travel costs.

The Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act moves TSA personnel from their special management system into the standard federal employee system under Title 5 of the U.S. Code by a set deadline. This transition aims to grant TSA employees the same workplace protections and benefits as other federal workers while ensuring current pay and service time are protected. The bill also mandates several reviews by the Comptroller General and requires consultation with employee representatives regarding the implementation process. Finally, it preserves existing anti-strike laws and addresses specific concerns for Federal Air Marshals.

The Foreign Agents Transparency Act clarifies and strengthens the enforcement mechanisms of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). It retroactively clarifies the five-year look-back period for registration obligations and allows the Attorney General to seek compliance orders even after representation for a foreign principal has ended. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Attorney General submit an annual report to Congress detailing all FARA enforcement actions taken against covered individuals.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to combat bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states that accept federal funding to establish clear anti-bullying policies, define prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics, and implement systems for reporting and tracking incidents. This legislation mandates that local districts inform all stakeholders about prohibited conduct and establish formal complaint processes. Furthermore, the bill requires regular state and federal evaluations to assess the effectiveness of these measures in reducing harmful behavior while respecting existing non-discrimination laws and free speech rights.

The SAFE Orbit Act establishes the framework for the Department of Commerce to manage civil space situational awareness and space traffic coordination. This involves gathering and publicly sharing unclassified data on objects in orbit while providing basic services for free. The bill also elevates the existing Office of Space Commerce into a new, directly reporting Bureau led by a Senate-confirmed Assistant Secretary. Finally, it grants liability protection to government entities and contractors involved in providing or receiving this space traffic information.

The NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025 authorizes the agency's funding for fiscal year 2025 and solidifies the strategic direction for human spaceflight, emphasizing the "Moon to Mars" program and the transition to commercial Low-Earth Orbit destinations. The bill directs significant investment into science missions, technology development, and aeronautics research, while also restructuring STEM education programs. Finally, it establishes new policy guidelines regarding commercial partnerships, cost oversight, and international collaboration.

This bill amends the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to establish a uniform 8-digit subheading number for all imported whiskies. It streamlines the classification structure within Chapter 22 of the tariff schedule for duty purposes. The changes also require the USITC to add new statistical codes to better track different types of imported whiskies.

This concurrent resolution expresses support for recognizing March 10, 2025, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor abortion providers and staff for their essential care, courage, and dedication, particularly in light of increasing restrictions on abortion access. It affirms Congress's commitment to ensuring the safety of abortion providers and patients' right to access care without fear of violence or criminalization. The resolution condemns actions that limit abortion access and expresses a vision for a future where everyone has full access to necessary care without penalty or stigma.

This resolution acknowledges the significant contributions of women-owned businesses in the United States, which have experienced substantial growth and play a vital role in the nation's economy. It recognizes the increasing number of women-owned businesses, their employment figures, and their revenue generation. The resolution commends the entrepreneurial spirit of women business owners and celebrates their achievements.

The Genomic Data Protection Act establishes clear privacy rights for consumers using direct-to-consumer (DTC) genomic testing services. This legislation grants individuals the power to access, delete, or request the destruction of their genetic data and physical biological samples. DTC companies must clearly notify consumers of these rights and adhere to a strict 30-day deadline for fulfilling deletion requests. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these new consumer protections.

The HELP Copays Act mandates that financial assistance provided by third parties, such as non-profits or drug manufacturers, must count toward a patient's deductible, copayment, and out-of-pocket maximums. This change ensures that patient cost-sharing requirements are met even when external aid is used to cover prescription drug costs. The new rules generally apply to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the National Labor Relations Act to bolster worker organizing rights and impose stricter penalties on employers who violate labor laws. It redefines joint employment, makes it harder to classify workers as independent contractors, and bans class action waivers. The bill also establishes mandatory arbitration for first contracts and allows employees to sue employers directly for serious unfair labor practices.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 establishes new minimum fleet sizes for the Air Force's fighter aircraft inventory and delays the enforcement date for these higher requirements until 2030. The bill mandates strict quarterly reporting on new aircraft procurement and distribution, while prioritizing the assignment of new, advanced fighters to existing operational squadrons. Furthermore, it places a freeze on reducing the number of Air National Guard fighter squadrons through 2030 and requires an annual plan to ensure the Guard's fleet recapitalizes at the same pace as the active force.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to significantly speed up the process for newly unionized employees to secure their first collective bargaining agreement. It establishes mandatory timelines for negotiations, requiring mediation and, if necessary, binding arbitration if a deal is not reached within a set period. This legislation is designed to prevent lengthy delays that often undermine the unionization process.