Legislative Activity

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.

The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" mandates a wide range of sanctions on Russia, its government, affiliated individuals and entities, and sectors of its economy in response to actions against Ukraine. It requires the President to make regular determinations regarding Russia's behavior and imposes escalating penalties, including financial restrictions, import bans, and increased duties, if Russia refuses to negotiate peace, violates agreements, or takes further aggressive actions against Ukraine. The Act also targets international entities that support Russia's sanctioned activities and sets conditions for the termination and reimposition of sanctions based on Russia's adherence to peace agreements.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Congress and states to regulate campaign finance, setting reasonable limits on contributions and expenditures to promote democracy, political equality, and the integrity of government and elections. It aims to clarify the power to differentiate between natural persons and corporations in campaign finance regulations, potentially restricting corporate spending in elections. The amendment explicitly protects the freedom of the press from any restrictions.

The "Lower Drug Costs for Families Act" aims to lower prescription drug costs by applying inflation rebates to drugs in the commercial market. It adjusts how drug units are counted for rebate calculations under Medicare Parts B and D, changes the base years for these calculations to 2016, and excludes certain drug units from the rebate calculation. These changes are set to take effect in 2025 and 2026.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Wyoming Senator Alan K. Simpson, recognizing his public service, military service, and contributions to Wyoming and the nation. It celebrates his work on border security, veterans affairs, entitlement reform, and fiscal responsibility, as well as his dedication to various Wyoming institutions. The resolution expresses sorrow at his passing, directs communication to the House of Representatives and his family, and adjourns the Senate in his memory.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate restrictions that prevent striking workers from being eligible for SNAP benefits. This change removes the clause that previously made striking workers ineligible for SNAP. By removing these restrictions, the bill aims to provide food security for workers and their families during labor disputes.

The DETERRENCE Act increases criminal penalties for specific offenses, such as kidnapping, murder-for-hire, stalking, and assaults or threats against federal officials and their families, when those offenses are committed at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agents. It also increases the sentences for assassination, kidnapping, and assault of the president and presidential staff if tied to direction or coordination with a foreign government or its agents.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance the enforcement of equal pay requirements by modifying the "bona fide factor" defense, protecting employees who discuss their wages, and enhancing penalties for equal pay violations. It requires training and directs research, education, and outreach to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. The Act also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when considering prospective employees and mandates the collection of compensation data by the EEOC. Finally, the Act establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace and provides small business assistance.

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.

This resolution celebrates the 108th anniversary of Selfridge Air National Guard Base, recognizing its historical importance, economic impact, and strategic value to U.S. national security. It acknowledges the base's contributions to national defense and aerospace, including its role as one of the oldest military airfields and its selection for the KC46A Pegasus tanker aircraft beddown. The resolution also commends the personnel at Selfridge and encourages continued support and cooperation to ensure the base's ongoing success.

The FIGHT China Act of 2025 aims to protect U.S. national security by imposing sanctions on foreign entities connected to China's military-industrial complex, prohibiting certain investments in sensitive technologies, and requiring notification of other investments. It authorizes the President to sanction foreign individuals and entities involved in supporting China's defense or surveillance sectors, and restricts U.S. investment in companies linked to China's military. The Act also requires increased scrutiny and potential listing of additional entities on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, and mandates U.S. persons to divest from securities of listed companies. Furthermore, the Act seeks to coordinate with allied countries to prevent the development and acquisition of prohibited technologies by countries of concern.

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 HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, including law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and teachers, become homeowners. It allows 100% financing (no down payment) for first-time homebuyers who qualify and eliminates monthly insurance premiums. The bill defines eligibility criteria, including housing counseling, employment requirements, and good standing as a first responder. It also authorizes appropriations for the program and requires reauthorization after 5 years.

This bill establishes an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs within the Department of State, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Ambassador will represent the U.S. in Arctic matters, coordinate Arctic-related foreign policy, and focus on national security, international cooperation, responsible resource management, environmental protection, indigenous involvement, and scientific research in the Arctic region. The Arctic region includes areas north of 66.56083 degrees latitude, U.S. territory north and west of specific Alaskan rivers, contiguous seas, and the Aleutian Chain. The Arctic countries are defined as the permanent members of the Arctic Council.

The Baltic Security Initiative Act aims to bolster the defense capabilities of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania through increased security cooperation. Led by the Secretary of Defense, the initiative will focus on deterring Russian aggression, enhancing regional military cooperation, and improving cyber defenses. It authorizes \$350 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2028, encouraging matching funds from the Baltic countries. A strategy report will be submitted to Congress, addressing security threats from Russia and China.

The "Save Our Forests Act of 2025" aims to ensure the Forest Service is adequately staffed to maintain the health of national forests. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to increase staffing using existing funds and reinstate employees removed earlier in 2025. The act also allows the continuation of already approved and funded Forest Service projects under various existing laws.

The "Protect our Parks Act of 2025" aims to bolster the National Park Service by ensuring full staffing for visitor safety, enjoyment, and resource protection, including the reinstatement of employees removed earlier in 2025. It also allows the continuation of already authorized and funded projects under existing legislation like the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act and the Great American Outdoors Act.

The "Securing American Agriculture Act" directs the Secretary of Agriculture to annually assess and report on the United States' dependency on critical agricultural products and inputs from China. The report will identify supply chain vulnerabilities and recommend ways to reduce reliance on China, including boosting domestic production. This aims to safeguard American agriculture by addressing potential threats and vulnerabilities in the supply chain.

The FARMLAND Act of 2025 aims to protect U.S. agriculture and national security by increasing oversight and restrictions on foreign investment in agricultural land. It mandates increased reporting and due diligence requirements for land purchases, enhances the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review real estate transactions, and prohibits foreign entities from participating in Farm Service Agency programs. The Act also directs the creation of a comprehensive database of foreign-owned agricultural land and allocates funding for enforcement and implementation.

The Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 modifies loan amounts and terms available to farmers and ranchers. It increases the limits on farm ownership and operating loans, changes the calculation of inflation percentage, modifies the down payment loan program, and increases the microloan limit. The Act also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to create regulations allowing certain Farm Service Agency-guaranteed loans to be refinanced into direct loans. Finally, the Act expresses the sense of Congress that Farm Service Agency loans should be fully funded.