Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for public K-12 schools and the Department of Education, recognizing the Department's vital role in supporting students with disabilities, low-income families, and English language learners. It affirms that federal investment in public education is crucial and should not be diverted to private schools through vouchers. The resolution condemns any actions that would defund public education, weaken the Department of Education, or shift education funding responsibilities to state and local governments.

The "Stop Giving Big Oil Free Money Act" aims to eliminate royalty relief for oil and gas companies in the Gulf of Mexico by requiring them to make royalty payments when oil and gas prices are high. It prevents the Department of Interior from issuing new leases or allowing the transfer of existing leases to companies that do not agree to these terms. The Act also allows the Secretary of Interior to modify existing leases to include specific price thresholds for royalty suspensions, effective October 1, 2026.

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.

This bill aims to prioritize veterans and military families by amending titles 5 and 38 of the United States Code to provide protections for employees, benefits, and programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It focuses on safeguarding the rights and job security of VA employees and civil servants, ensuring transparency in VA operations, and restoring services and programs that may have been reduced or eliminated. The bill also seeks to enhance employment opportunities for veterans, military spouses, and caregivers, while improving the security and integrity of VA data and systems. Additionally, it addresses financial oversight of VA contracts and mandates increased reporting requirements to improve transparency and accountability.

The "Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify products derived from tar sands as crude oil, making them subject to the federal excise tax on petroleum. It broadens the definition of "crude oil" for excise tax purposes to include various oil types and gives the Secretary authority to classify other fuels as crude oil if they meet specific hazard and quantity conditions. This change ensures that tar sands and similar substances are taxed like traditional crude oil, closing a potential loophole. The Act is effective upon enactment.

The "Safe Schools Improvement Act" aims to prevent bullying and harassment in public schools by requiring states to establish and enforce policies that prohibit bullying and harassment based on various characteristics, including race, sex, disability, and religion. It mandates the collection and reporting of data on bullying incidents and requires biennial evaluations of programs and policies to combat bullying. The Act ensures that schools provide annual notice of prohibited conduct and grievance procedures to students, parents, and educational professionals. This bill seeks to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The "Deliver for Democracy Act" aims to improve the on-time delivery of periodicals by requiring the Postal Regulatory Commission to change its regulations regarding rate increases for periodicals based on specific performance metrics. It mandates annual progress reports on newspaper mail delivery and directs the Comptroller General to study alternative pricing options for the Postal Service to improve the financial position of periodicals.

The Women's Retirement Protection Act aims to bolster women's financial security in retirement by increasing spousal protection under defined contribution plans, ensuring access to independent consumer information, and providing grants to promote financial literacy and assist low-income women and survivors of domestic violence in obtaining qualified domestic relations orders. The bill amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require spousal consent for certain distributions from individual account plans, with specific exceptions. It also mandates financial service providers to offer links to the CFPB's retirement planning resources and allocates funds for community-based organizations to enhance women's financial literacy and assist with qualified domestic relations orders.

The "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" transitions TSA personnel to standard federal employment rules under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, ensuring they receive similar rights and protections as other federal employees, while maintaining current pay and benefits. It enhances collective bargaining rights for screening agents, requires reports on recruitment, implementation, and workplace safety, and addresses specific concerns within the Federal Air Marshal Service. The Act aims to improve job security, morale, and overall working conditions for TSA employees.

This bill aims to make housing more affordable by reforming land use regulations, investing in housing infrastructure, and ensuring fair practices in real estate transactions. It also seeks to address historical housing discrimination through down payment assistance, community revitalization, and strengthened financial regulations. The bill expands protections against housing discrimination and improves housing assistance programs to promote access to higher-opportunity neighborhoods, while reforming estate tax laws to ensure fairer taxation of estates and transfers. Finally, the bill increases accessibility in housing for individuals with disabilities by mandating more accessible units in HUD-funded projects.

The "Stop Predatory Investing Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to disallow both interest and depreciation deductions for taxpayers who own 50 or more single-family residential rental properties, with exceptions for sales to individuals for use as a primary residence or to qualified nonprofit organizations. This disallowance does not apply to properties sold to individuals who will use them as their primary residence, or to qualified nonprofit organizations. The bill defines single-family residential rental property and specifies the types of nonprofit organizations that qualify for the exception. It also clarifies that disallowed interest cannot be capitalized or treated as chargeable to a capital account.

The "Stop Shackling and Detaining Pregnant Women Act" seeks to protect the health and safety of pregnant, lactating, and postpartum individuals in immigration detention by limiting their detention and restricting the use of restraints. It mandates pregnancy testing upon intake, generally prohibits detention unless the individual poses an immediate and serious risk, and ensures access to comprehensive healthcare services. The Act also requires detailed reporting on the detention and treatment of pregnant individuals and mandates training for DHS employees.

The "Farewell to Foam Act of 2025" bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene food service ware, loose fill, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The EPA Administrator is tasked with enforcing the ban, with escalating fines for repeat offenders, and is authorized to allow states to carry out enforcement. This act aims to reduce environmental pollution caused by polystyrene foam products.

The Bipartisan Health Care Act aims to improve various aspects of the healthcare system, including Medicaid, Medicare, human services, and public health programs. It focuses on streamlining processes, increasing transparency, extending funding for critical services, and modernizing healthcare delivery. The act addresses issues such as prescription drug costs, telehealth access, maternal health, and pandemic preparedness. By reauthorizing and modifying key programs, this legislation seeks to enhance access to care, improve health outcomes, and ensure efficient use of healthcare resources.

The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, repealing the overtime wage exemption for certain employees. This change ensures that truckers are eligible for overtime pay, entitling them to receive additional compensation for working beyond the standard 40-hour work week.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to clarify that religious freedom cannot be used to justify discrimination, deny access to healthcare, or violate labor protections. It ensures the RFRA only applies to lawsuits involving the government, preventing its use in disputes between private parties. This bill aims to protect civil rights and ensure equal access to services, benefits, and opportunities.

This bill aims to reform mining practices on federal lands by setting royalties on mineral extraction, introducing stricter permitting and environmental regulations, and establishing a fund for reclaiming abandoned mines. It requires mining operators to pay annual fees and royalties, obtain permits for mineral activities, and provide financial assurances for land reclamation. The bill also prioritizes the protection of sensitive lands and mandates tribal consultation before mineral activities begin. These changes are intended to balance resource extraction with environmental protection and ensure fair compensation for the use of public lands.

This bill establishes the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States to investigate the historical and ongoing effects of these policies on Native American communities, including forming advisory committees and addressing the handling of Native American cultural items and remains. The commission will conduct a comprehensive review, gather testimony, and recommend actions for the federal government to acknowledge its role and promote public awareness. It also ensures the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act applies to cultural items from Indian Boarding Schools. The bill allocates \$90 million to fund the activities of the Commission and Subcommittee.

This resolution supports designating March 3-7, 2025, as "National Social and Emotional Learning Week" to highlight the role of social and emotional learning in academic success and well-being. It recognizes SEL's impact on students' mental health and career readiness while advocating for expanded access to SEL programs for students and teachers. The resolution also encourages federal agencies to identify opportunities to promote social and emotional learning.

The Combating International Islamophobia Act directs the State Department to establish an office to monitor and combat Islamophobia globally, headed by a Special Envoy. This office will track and address Islamophobic acts and incitement in foreign countries. The Act also mandates the inclusion of information on Islamophobia in the Department's annual human rights and religious freedom reports, detailing violence, harassment, propaganda, and governmental responses.