Legislative Activity

The NO FAKES Act of 2025 establishes a digital replication right, granting individuals and their rights holders the right to authorize the use of their voice and visual likeness in digital replicas. It defines the scope of this right, sets requirements for licenses, and addresses liability for unauthorized use, including safe harbors for online service providers. The act also outlines civil action remedies and preempts state laws, with specific exceptions, while clarifying that online service providers are not required to monitor their services for digital replicas.

The "Food Security and Farm Protection Act" prevents state and local governments from interfering with the production of agricultural products in other states, especially regarding preharvest standards. It allows those affected by such regulations to sue in federal court to invalidate the regulation and recover economic damages. Courts are required to temporarily block the regulation while the case proceeds, unless the state demonstrates a high likelihood of winning the case and that the injunction would cause irreparable harm. The Act establishes a 10-year window for filing lawsuits.

The PEER Support Act aims to enhance mental health and substance use disorder recovery support by formally recognizing and supporting peer support specialists. It mandates the Office of Management and Budget to create a specific job category for peer support specialists and establishes an Office of Recovery within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to promote their training, integration, and professional development. Additionally, the Act requires a report on criminal background checks for peer support specialists, with recommendations to reduce barriers to certification.

The Sister City Transparency Act requires the Comptroller General to study sister city partnerships between U.S. and foreign communities, specifically focusing on countries with high corruption levels. The study will assess transparency, potential risks to U.S. interests, and the impact on free expression and economic security. A report with findings and recommendations will be submitted to Congress.

The PRO Veterans Act of 2025 seeks to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operations through increased oversight and accountability. It mandates quarterly budget briefings to Congress, limits critical skill incentives for VA Senior Executive Service employees, and establishes a Veterans Experience Office to enhance customer service and gather data on veteran satisfaction. The act also requires annual reports and congressional reviews to ensure effective implementation and improvement of veteran services.

The Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act aims to identify and properly honor deceased Jewish members of the Armed Forces mistakenly buried under non-Jewish markers in U.S. military cemeteries overseas. The American Battle Monuments Commission will manage a 10-year program, partnering with a nonprofit organization to identify these servicemembers and contact their families, ensuring their religious heritage is appropriately recognized. $500,000 is authorized to be appropriated to the Commission for each of the 10 fiscal years to carry out this section.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Louisiana Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr., recognizing his contributions to energy policy, natural resource conservation, and Louisiana's cultural heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to Senator Johnston's family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in his honor.

The "Strong Communities Act of 2025" establishes the "COPS Strong Communities Program," which provides grants to local law enforcement agencies and higher education institutions for law enforcement training programs. To be eligible, officers and recruits must commit to serving as full-time law enforcement officers in their communities for at least four years after completing their training. The bill also mandates that the Attorney General submit annual reports to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees, detailing information about grant recipients, the number of officers and recruits trained, and their subsequent employment status.

The "Project Safe Neighborhoods Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes and modifies the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program to reduce violent crime by allowing grant funds to be used for hiring crime analysts, covering overtime costs, and acquiring technology. It also requires the Attorney General to submit an annual report to the Judiciary Committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives detailing how the funds were spent, the community outreach efforts undertaken, and the number and description of violent crimes committed. Additionally, the bill includes support for multi-jurisdictional task forces and is also known as the Officer Ella Grace French and Sergeant Jim Smith Task Force Support Act of 2025. Finally, the bill extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The "Housing Supply Frameworks Act" directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop guidelines and best practices for state and local zoning frameworks to support increased housing production and affordability. These guidelines will address issues like reducing parking minimums, increasing building heights, eliminating restrictions on accessory dwelling units, and streamlining development approvals. The Act also requires a report to Congress on the adoption and impact of these guidelines and abolishes the Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse. Finally, the act authorizes $3 million in appropriations to the Secretary to carry out the act for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The "Trade Review Act of 2025" mandates that the President must notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing or increasing import duties, explaining the justification and potential economic effects. Any such duty will expire after 60 days unless Congress approves it through a joint resolution. Congress can also disapprove and nullify a duty through a joint resolution. This act excludes antidumping and countervailing duties and establishes expedited procedures for congressional review.

The "Save Our Seafood Act" exempts certain fish processing workers from the numerical limitations on H2B nonimmigrant visas, facilitating the employment of foreign workers in the U.S. seafood processing industry. This exemption applies specifically to positions such as fish roe processors, technicians, and supervisors. The Act defines "fish" broadly to include various types of aquatic life, while clarifying who qualifies as a "processor" under this legislation.

The "Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act of 2025" aims to improve coordination among government agencies regarding patent-related issues.

The "Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2025" directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and report to Congress on the practices of pharmacy benefit managers and other intermediaries in the pharmaceutical supply chain, including their impact on drug prices and competition. The FTC is required to identify any legal or regulatory barriers hindering antitrust enforcement in the pharmaceutical industry and suggest improvements for transparency and competition. Additionally, the FTC must report on complaints of anticompetitive behavior by sole-source drug manufacturers and recommend policies to enhance enforcement.

The 25th Anniversary of 9/11 Commemorative Coin Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to produce gold and silver coins to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum’s establishment. The coin designs will represent the courage, sacrifice, and strength of those affected by the attacks. Surcharges from the sale of these coins will be donated to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center to support its operations and maintenance. The Act ensures that the coin minting will result in no net cost to the federal government.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding eligible practitioners and originating sites, and making waivers for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Native American health facilities permanent. It also enhances program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, authorizing additional funding for oversight, and addressing unusual billing patterns. Additionally, the act supports beneficiaries and providers by requiring the development of resources and training, reviewing quality measures, and mandating the publication of data on telehealth services. These changes aim to make telehealth a more accessible, high-quality, and permanent option for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.

The EASE Act requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a "Specialty Health Care Services Access Model." This model will use provider networks and digital tools to deliver specialty health care services to eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in rural and underserved areas, coordinating with their primary care providers. The provider networks must include a minimum of 50 Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, Critical Access Hospitals, or Rural Emergency Hospitals, with at least half in rural areas, and meet other specified criteria.

The "Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act" or the "ABC Act" requires a comprehensive review of Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs to simplify processes and improve communication for family caregivers. This includes reducing red tape, improving website accessibility, and providing timely and accessible information. The act mandates regular reports to Congress on the progress and impact of these improvements. Additionally, the act encourages states to conduct similar reviews to reduce administrative burdens on caregivers at the state level.

This resolution designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to recognize the vital role of women in agriculture. It acknowledges women's significant contributions as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors within the agricultural sector. The resolution supports celebrating women's impact on food resources and the agricultural workforce, encouraging their continued involvement and leadership in the field.

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.