Legislative Activity

This concurrent resolution establishes the proposed federal budget framework for fiscal year 2026 and sets spending levels through 2035, projecting an initial reduction in the federal deficit. It outlines specific spending targets across government functions and mandates strict procedural rules within the Senate to enforce these budgetary limits. The resolution also grants the Senate Budget Committee Chairman authority to adjust figures related to savings or Health Savings Account legislation.

The Safeguarding Personal Information Act of 2025 primarily repeals Title II of the REAL ID Act of 2005, eliminating previous federal identification document requirements. The bill also makes conforming amendments to align other laws, including adjustments regarding benefits for certain Afghan nationals and state grant requirements under the Social Security Act. This legislation removes specific mandates tied to the REAL ID Act from various federal contexts.

The Duplication Scoring Act of 2025 requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review bills reported by Congressional committees for potential duplication with existing government programs. If a risk of overlap is found, the GAO must notify the CBO and the reporting committee, and publish the findings online. The CBO Director may then supplement the bill's cost estimate with the GAO's duplication assessment.

The Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2025 establishes a new process for federal agencies to identify and return unused "surplus salaries and expenses funds" to the Treasury for deficit reduction. Agencies may retain up to 10% of these returned savings to provide cash awards to the employees who identified the waste. This temporary system includes strict reporting requirements for agencies and is set to expire six years after enactment.

The Risky Research Review Act establishes the Life Sciences Research Security Board, an independent body tasked with reviewing and issuing binding decisions on federal funding for proposed high-risk life sciences research. This research includes Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) involving high-consequence pathogens or any gain-of-function research. Agencies are prohibited from funding such research without the Board's explicit approval, which is granted only after weighing public safety risks against potential benefits. The Board is composed of non-partisan scientific and security experts appointed by the President.

The Royalty Transparency Act expands financial disclosure requirements for certain federal advisory board members and mandates that executive branch employees and covered advisors report the source and value of royalties received, including those from government-developed inventions. The bill also updates federal acquisition rules to prevent organizational conflicts of interest by requiring agencies to review contractor royalty payments during conflict checks. Finally, it establishes new procedures for public access to these financial reports and mandates annual reporting on royalty-related conflicts to Congress.

The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive audit of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) within one year of enactment. The resulting report, detailing findings and recommendations, must be delivered to Congress within 90 days of the audit's completion. This legislation streamlines reporting requirements and clarifies the scope of GAO audit authority over the Federal Reserve's operations, including emergency lending facilities.

This bill, the Excluding Illegal Aliens from Medicaid Act, accelerates the effective date for restricting Medicaid eligibility for certain non-citizens to July 4, 2025. It also adjusts federal funding formulas (FMAP) to provide increased federal support to states that cover healthcare costs for specific groups of non-qualified aliens. The legislation clarifies definitions and timing related to these Medicaid provisions.

The Collegiate Sports Integrity Act grants an antitrust exemption to intercollegiate athletic conferences and associations. This legislation shields these organizations from federal antitrust lawsuits concerning their rules and regulations for organizing and governing college sports. Essentially, it provides legal protection for how these groups manage competition, eligibility, and scheduling.

The HEMP Act of 2025 redefines legal hemp by increasing the maximum allowable delta-9 THC concentration from 0.3% to 1%. This legislation also updates transportation requirements, mandating specific licensing or lab documentation for all hemp shipments. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to swiftly update federal regulations to reflect these changes within 90 days.

The End the Fed’s Big Bank Bailout Act prohibits the Federal Reserve from paying any interest or earnings on the reserve balances that commercial banks hold on deposit. This measure aims to eliminate a potential subsidy for large banks by ensuring that money parked at the Fed earns nothing.

The Restore Prescription Drugs Discount Act officially repeals outdated legislation from 1936. This action clears the way for new policies regarding prescription drug pricing.

The Health Marketplace for All Act of 2025 amends federal law to recognize certain "health marketplace pools" as employers for the purpose of offering group health plans. This allows these pools to provide comprehensive or standalone prescription drug coverage to their members. The Act establishes specific rules for how these pools must be structured to ensure fair, non-discriminatory access to coverage for all members. These changes aim to expand access to group health insurance options through organized risk pools.

The Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2025 officially eliminates the federal excise tax on indoor tanning services. This legislation strikes the relevant chapter from the Internal Revenue Code, immediately ceasing the tax requirement for services rendered after the bill's enactment. In short, it removes the tax on tanning salons moving forward.

The Association Health Plans Act expands the ability for certain groups or associations of employers to band together to offer health plans under federal law (ERISA). This allows broader groups, including self-employed individuals, to qualify as a single employer for offering coverage. The bill also provides these associations with flexibility in setting premium rates based on the risk profile of each participating employer. However, these plans must still adhere to existing federal protections against discrimination based on health status or pre-existing conditions.

The Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act of 2025 aims to promote alternative fuels by legalizing and regulating aftermarket vehicle conversions, provided they meet emissions standards. It updates fuel economy calculations by introducing new definitions for alternative fuels and offering significant compliance bonuses to manufacturers focusing on these "fuel choice enabling" vehicles. Furthermore, the Act adjusts the EPA's authority regarding waivers for required ethanol blending in gasoline.

The Expedited Access to Biosimilars Act clarifies the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority to require specific clinical testing for biosimilar drug approval. This legislation ensures the FDA can mandate studies on immunogenicity, pharmacodynamics, or comparative efficacy when necessary for licensure. The FDA must provide applicants with written justification for any required extra testing before the application submission date.

The No Taxation Without Representation Act of 2025 requires the President to obtain explicit approval from Congress via a joint resolution before imposing any new import duties under existing trade laws. This legislation centralizes the power to levy new tariffs, ensuring legislative oversight for such economic actions. However, this requirement does not affect the President's authority to issue complete import embargoes.

The End Taxpayer Subsidies for Electric Vehicles Act aims to eliminate the federal tax credit currently available for purchasing clean vehicles. This legislation specifically repeals Section 30D of the Internal Revenue Code, which established the credit. All related tax code references and conforming amendments will be updated to reflect the removal of this subsidy. These changes will apply to vehicles placed in service in calendar years beginning after the date of enactment.

This bill proposes the complete termination of the Department of Education. It sets a firm deadline of December 31, 2026, for the federal agency to cease all operations. If enacted, this would eliminate the federal oversight body for education programs.