Legislative Activity

The SALONS Stories Act aims to support domestic violence prevention by increasing grant funding to states that require cosmetologists and barbers to undergo training on recognizing and responding to signs of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. This training will equip them to refer clients to resources for victims. The Attorney General can increase grants to eligible states by up to 10% for up to three years, with $5,000,000 authorized annually from 2027 through 2033 for this purpose.

The "Foreign Assistance Accountability and Oversight Act" establishes a Director of Foreign Assistance within the State Department to optimize the impact of foreign assistance by aligning resources with foreign policy goals, measuring effectiveness, and promoting transparency. This director will lead strategic planning, budget processes, and program evaluations, ensuring resources are obligated in a timely manner. The act also affirms USAID's status as an independent agency and emphasizes the importance of congressional oversight in foreign assistance management.

The "Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025" aims to protect postal workers by allocating funds for high-security collection boxes and electronic mailbox keys. It mandates the appointment of dedicated attorneys to prosecute crimes against postal employees and directs the Sentencing Commission to update guidelines to ensure that assaulting or robbing a postal worker is treated as severely as assaulting a law enforcement officer.

The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025 permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit, originally set to expire after 2025, to encourage investment in low-income communities. The bill also adjusts the credit amount for inflation after 2025 and provides alternative minimum tax relief for credits on qualified equity investments made after December 31, 2024. These changes aim to incentivize ongoing investment in economically distressed areas.

The "Air Guard STATUS Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary of the Air Force to establish a permanent tuition assistance program for Air National Guard members. This program will utilize existing federal law to cover tuition and expenses for eligible members who meet specific training requirements. This standardization aims to unify tuition assistance benefits across all military services.

The "End Double Taxation of Successful Consumer Claims Act" allows taxpayers to deduct attorney fees and court costs related to claims of consumer protection violations. This deduction applies to a broad range of violations under federal, state, and local laws, including those related to real estate, lending, credit, debt collection, product safety, and more. This change applies to attorney fees and court costs paid in taxable years ending after the enactment date of this Act, for judgments or settlements occurring in those taxable years.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of "Career and Technical Education Month" by recognizing the importance of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing students for the workforce. It acknowledges the significant number of students enrolled in CTE programs and the positive impact of CTE on academic achievement and employability. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" aims to improve access to non-opioid pain management for Medicare Part D beneficiaries starting in 2026. It eliminates the standard deductible and places qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs on the lowest cost-sharing tier. The bill also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, ensuring quicker access to alternative pain relief options.

The Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development Act allows the Forest Service to retain and reinvest fees collected from ski area permits. These funds will be used to improve ski area program administration, reduce wildfire risk, repair and maintain facilities, and support recreational activities. This act ensures that revenue generated from ski areas directly benefits those areas and other National Forest System units. It specifies how the funds are to be distributed and prohibits their use for wildfire suppression or land acquisition.

The "Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025" aims to bolster the stability and resilience of critical U.S. supply chains by expanding the responsibilities of the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Analysis, establishing a working group to assess and address supply chain vulnerabilities, and developing a national strategy for supply chain resilience. The Act directs the Secretary of Commerce to produce a report assessing the Department of Commerce's capabilities related to critical supply chain resilience and manufacturing innovation. It prioritizes domestic manufacturing and collaboration with allied nations while reducing reliance on countries that pose national security risks. The Act is set to terminate 10 years after enactment and does not allocate additional funds for implementation.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires that all new vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM radio for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of vehicles and AM radio in emergency alert dissemination and requires the Secretary of Transportation to regularly review the rule's impact. Penalties will be enforced for violations, and states are prohibited from enacting their own laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The "JOBS Act of 2025" expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in short-term job training programs (150-600 hours) that lead to credentials in high-demand fields. These programs must meet specific requirements, including alignment with industry needs and assurance from state boards. The act also requires accrediting agencies to assess the quality of these programs and mandates data sharing between the Departments of Education and Labor. Finally, the bill lowers the threshold for the minimum Federal Pell Grant from 10 percent to 5 percent.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to recognize the positive impact of mentoring on youth development. It highlights mentoring's role in improving academic achievement, fostering leadership skills, and supporting at-risk youth. The resolution encourages expanding mentoring opportunities to address the significant need for mentors among young people nationwide. It also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of mentoring program staff and volunteers.

This resolution recognizes the critical role of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in advancing U.S. national security interests. It emphasizes USAID's importance in reducing global threats, promoting stability, addressing migration and extremism, and maintaining U.S. leadership against China. The resolution also references the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which requires USAID to consult with Congress on significant organizational changes.

The "Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 through fiscal year 2026, providing continued payments to states and counties with federal land. It ensures that county payment elections from fiscal year 2023 remain effective and extends the authority for special projects on federal land and the expenditure of county funds. The bill also extends the Resource Advisory Committee pilot program and makes technical corrections to the original act.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These tests, which use genomic sequencing to detect multiple cancer types, will be covered for eligible beneficiaries with age and frequency limitations. The payment amount for these tests will initially align with that of multi-target stool screening DNA tests. This new coverage aims to improve early cancer detection without affecting existing Medicare-covered cancer screenings.

This resolution designates February 3-7, 2025, as "National School Counseling Week" to recognize the vital role school counselors play in students' academic, social, and emotional development. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges students face and the importance of adequately supporting school counseling programs. The resolution encourages Americans to participate in events that highlight the importance of school counselors in helping students succeed.

This bill, known as the "PSA Screening for HIM Act," mandates that group health plans and health insurance issuers provide coverage for prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk men, including African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, starting in 2025. The goal is to improve early detection and survival rates for those at higher risk of developing prostate cancer. This bill ensures coverage aligns with current recommendations for breast cancer screening and prevention, while also allowing plans to offer additional services.