Legislative Activity

The "Protect America's Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act of 2025" establishes a CCP Initiative within the Department of Justice to counter threats from countries like China, prevent intellectual property theft, and protect U.S. infrastructure. It requires the Attorney General to develop strategies, coordinate with agencies like the FBI, and report annually to Congress on the initiative's progress, resource allocation, and impact on Chinese espionage efforts. The initiative will expire six years after enactment.

The LIVE Beneficiaries Act requires states to verify the eligibility of individuals receiving medical assistance starting January 1, 2027. This involves quarterly reviews of the Death Master File to identify deceased enrollees, disenrolling those identified as deceased, and immediately reinstating coverage if an individual was incorrectly identified. States may also use other electronic data sources to identify potentially deceased beneficiaries, provided they comply with the requirements of this act.

The SOCIAL MEDIA Act aims to improve communication between social media platforms and law enforcement by requiring platforms to establish law enforcement portals and create consistent reporting measurements for monitoring and removing illegal content. It establishes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Platform Safety Advisory Committee to provide recommendations to the FTC for measuring and reporting illegal content and law enforcement interaction. The FTC is empowered to enforce the Act, ensuring social media platforms comply with the new requirements and reporting standards.

The OPIOIDS Act allows the Attorney General to award grants to improve data collection and surveillance of opioid-related overdoses at the state, territorial, and local levels. It also provides grants to local law enforcement and forensic labs in high-overdose areas for training, system upgrades, and drug tracing. The Act mandates consistent data reporting standards for drug information and requires specific funding for the DEA's Fentanyl Signature Profiling Program.

The "Restore Merit to Government Service Act of 2025" aims to reform federal hiring practices by prioritizing merit, skills, and commitment to the Constitution. It requires the creation of a Federal Hiring Plan that focuses on recruiting individuals dedicated to improving government efficiency and upholding the rule of law, while preventing appointments based on race, sex, religion, or unwillingness to defend the Constitution. The Act also emphasizes the use of technology to streamline the hiring process, improve communication with candidates, and ensure agency head involvement. Finally, it directs the Office of Personnel Management to track the plan's progress and ensure it meets the needs of both job seekers and government agencies.

This resolution honors the 17 victims of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. It expresses the Senate's condolences to the families and friends of the victims and acknowledges the resilience of the Parkland community. The resolution also recognizes the upcoming 7-year anniversary of the tragedy and expresses gratitude to the first responders.

The Caribbean Border Counternarcotics Strategy Act requires the development of a federal strategy to combat illegal drug trafficking through the Caribbean into the United States. This strategy will outline the roles of various agencies, identify necessary resources, promote legitimate trade and travel, and address drug-related crime in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The act also aims to disrupt the financial networks of drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.

The SENIOR Act, or the "Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief Act," amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include "loneliness" alongside "social isolation," ensuring programs address both issues for older individuals. Additionally, the Act requires the Secretary to prepare a report on programs authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965, focusing on addressing the negative health effects of loneliness in older individuals and the relationship between strong multigenerational families and loneliness. The report will include recommendations for reducing negative health effects of loneliness and for policies/programs that foster strong family connections across generations.

This resolution authorizes the Special Committee on Aging to spend money from the Senate's contingent fund, hire staff, and utilize personnel from other government departments or agencies from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets specific expense limits for the committee during different periods and outlines which expenses can be paid without vouchers. The resolution also authorizes payments from the Senate's Inquiries and Investigations expense account for agency contributions related to committee employee compensation during the specified time frames.

The DEMOCRACIA Act aims to restrict financial resources to the Cuban government by imposing sanctions on foreign individuals and entities involved with Cuba's defense, security, and intelligence sectors, as well as those engaged in human rights abuses and corruption. It also mandates the President to provide unrestricted internet service to the Cuban people and establishes conditions for terminating these sanctions, including democratic reforms and human rights improvements in Cuba. The bill outlines specific criteria the Cuban government must meet to end sanctions, such as legalizing political activity, releasing political prisoners, and holding free and fair elections.

This bill prohibits the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida from being designated as wilderness or included in the National Wilderness Preservation System. This prevents additional land protections for the preserve under the Wilderness Act.

The "Decoupling from Foreign Adversarial Battery Dependence Act" prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from procuring batteries from specific foreign companies, primarily those with ties to China, starting October 1, 2027. Waivers are permitted under certain conditions, such as lack of security risk and absence of alternatives, and require notification to Congress. The Secretary of Homeland Security must submit a report assessing the bill's impact on the Department's operations and costs.

The "NO GOTION Act" denies green energy tax benefits to companies associated with foreign adversaries, including those owned, controlled, or influenced by them. This applies to various tax credits and incentives related to clean energy, and includes specific criteria for defining a "disqualified company" based on its ties to foreign adversaries. The bill aims to prevent foreign adversaries from benefiting from U.S. green energy tax incentives.

This bill mandates the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify and conduct recurrent vetting of Afghan evacuees paroled into the U.S. between July 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, who were not properly vetted before entry. It requires full screening and vetting using law enforcement and terrorist screening databases, prioritizing those who arrived without identification, and mandates ongoing vetting throughout their parole period. The Secretary of Homeland Security and the DHS Inspector General must submit a report to Congress detailing the findings, results, and the number of evacuees found ineligible for admission.

The "Stop Human Trafficking of Unaccompanied Migrant Children Act of 2025" aims to protect vulnerable children by establishing rigorous vetting standards for sponsors, including comprehensive background checks and mandatory home visits. It also requires retroactive vetting of past sponsors and mandates monthly reports to Congress on the well-being and whereabouts of these children. The bill prioritizes the safety and accountability in the placement of unaccompanied alien children.

The "Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2025" amends the definition of "customs waters" to include the U.S. contiguous zone, extending the area in which U.S. Customs and Border Protection can enforce customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws from 12 to 24 nautical miles. This expansion aims to modernize law enforcement capabilities in response to advancements in maritime technology and safeguard law enforcement and public health interests. The act references existing presidential proclamations that define the U.S. territorial sea and contiguous zone, ensuring alignment with international law.

The Stopping Adversarial Tariff Evasion Act clarifies how trade restrictions apply to countries considered foreign adversaries, ensuring that goods produced, manufactured, or assembled by entities connected to these adversaries are treated as if they originated in the adversary country itself. This applies to trade enforcement actions, import injury determinations, and actions to safeguard national security. The bill defines "foreign adversary country" and "foreign adversary party" to include governments, entities, and those involved in specific industrial or military strategies. This aims to prevent tariff evasion by foreign adversaries through production or assembly in other countries.

The Red Snapper Act of 2025 restricts the Secretary of Commerce from implementing fishing area closures in the South Atlantic for snapper-grouper fisheries until the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count study is completed and its data is incorporated into a stock assessment. This aims to ensure fishery management decisions are based on the most current data, considering the economic importance of fishing in the region and the rebuilt red snapper stock.

The "Let's Get to Work Act of 2025" modifies work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by shortening exemption periods for parents and revising exemption criteria. It also extends work requirements to individuals residing in public housing or receiving tenant-based rental assistance, aligning them with SNAP work requirements unless exempt.

This bill repeals the section of law that allows for automatic pay increases for members of Congress. By removing section 601(a)(2) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, the bill ensures that congressional pay adjustments will no longer occur automatically. These changes will go into effect when the 120th Congress convenes.