Legislative Activity

The PROOF Act mandates that digital exchanges and custodians establish strict rules for safeguarding customer assets, ensuring they are held separately and accounted for properly. It requires these entities to undergo monthly independent attestations, verified through cryptographic proof, to confirm they possess the reserves they claim. The bill outlines specific civil penalties for non-compliance and establishes a process for developing industry-wide auditing standards.

The Secure Family Futures Act of 2025 modifies tax rules for certain insurance companies regarding their investments and losses. Specifically, it prevents qualifying insurers from treating newly acquired debt instruments as capital assets for tax purposes. Additionally, the bill extends the carryover period for specific capital losses incurred by these companies to ten years. These changes apply only to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum percentage of assets a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) can hold in taxable REIT subsidiaries. Specifically, it raises the asset limitation from 20 percent to 25 percent. This change will take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Agility in Manufacturing Preparedness Act of 2025 requires the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to integrate advanced manufacturing technologies and platforms into its strategic planning for public health threats. This legislation specifically authorizes BARDA to collaborate with the Manufacturing USA institutes to develop and test innovative production capabilities. The goal is to enhance the nation's readiness and response speed to future health emergencies through improved manufacturing agility.

The Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act of 2025 (VETS Opportunity Act of 2025) updates how independent study programs qualify for VA educational assistance. This legislation mandates that eligible programs must feature regular and meaningful communication between students and instructors after the course begins. This clarification applies to institutions already participating in federal student financial aid programs, with the changes taking effect for terms starting on or after August 1, 2025.

The Down East Remembrance Act officially designates six specific creeks in the region with new names, such as Noah Styron Creek and Hunter Parks Creek, based on their precise geographic coordinates. This legislation ensures that all federal laws, maps, and official records must use these newly assigned names for these waterways.

The Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2025 establishes federal registration, inspection, and record-keeping requirements for entities that buy and sell human bodies or body parts for non-transplantation research and education. This legislation mandates strict protocols for labeling, packaging, and ensuring the informed consent of the original donor. The goal is to enhance integrity and transparency in the supply chain for materials used in scientific and medical training.

The Restoring Industry Development in Entertainment Act (RIDE Act) establishes a new P4 nonimmigrant visa category for "mobile entertainment workers," such as those employed by traveling carnivals and circuses. This provision requires Department of Labor certification to ensure no qualified U.S. workers are displaced and that U.S. wages are protected. The bill also ensures that the spouses and children of these essential workers are eligible for derivative visas. Finally, it mandates that the relevant federal agencies publish proposed and final rules implementing these changes within 180 days and one year of enactment, respectively.

The DETERRENT Act significantly tightens reporting requirements for colleges and universities regarding foreign gifts and contracts, mandating public disclosure databases and imposing strict new prohibitions on agreements with "foreign countries or entities of concern." It establishes severe financial penalties and potential ineligibility for federal aid for institutions that knowingly violate these transparency and compliance rules. The bill also requires institutions to implement internal policies and designate compliance officers to manage risks associated with foreign influence.

The Renewable Natural Gas Incentive Act of 2025 establishes a new, direct tax credit of \$1.00 per gallon equivalent for the sale or use of renewable natural gas (RNG) as transportation fuel. This incentive applies to RNG derived from biomass and is available for fuel sold or used through December 31, 2035. The bill also updates existing tax code provisions to ensure proper registration, prevent double benefits, and establish payment mechanisms for businesses claiming the credit.

The FEMA Independence Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency reporting directly to the President. This act separates FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and outlines the transfer of all existing FEMA functions, staff, and assets to the newly independent agency. It also updates leadership titles and makes conforming amendments across various federal laws to reflect FEMA's new status.

This resolution supports the goals of "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" by recognizing the severe harm caused by parents taking children out of the country without permission. It urges Congress to raise public awareness regarding the devastating impact of international parental child abduction on children and families. The Senate expresses its sense that continued government leadership is vital to combat this serious issue.

This resolution strongly condemns the Iranian regime's regional aggression and domestic brutality while focusing on the protection of Iranian political refugees at Ashraf-3 in Albania. It urges the U.S. government to uphold the fundamental rights of these dissidents, including former political prisoners and key witnesses to past atrocities. Furthermore, the resolution calls for opposing Iranian threats and extradition attempts against these refugees residing in Albania.

The Radiation Oncology Case Rate Value Based Program Act of 2025 establishes a new Medicare payment system for radiation therapy, moving providers to a single, bundled payment per episode of care to incentivize quality and efficiency. This program mandates participation for most providers while setting base rates derived from 2021 figures, subject to annual updates. Additionally, the bill creates a special add-on payment to address patient transportation insecurity and exempts savings generated by this program from standard Medicare budget neutrality adjustments.

The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act aims to strengthen the U.S. supply of critical medical goods by diversifying sourcing away from risky foreign reliance. It authorizes the President to enter into "trusted trade partner agreements" with reliable allies to reduce trade barriers on medical items. These agreements prioritize national security and public health by ensuring a steady flow of supplies, while Congress maintains strict oversight over the negotiation and implementation process.

This resolution establishes a bipartisan Senate Human Rights Commission to monitor international human rights issues, raise awareness of violations, and promote human rights initiatives. The commission will consist of 10 senators and operate with a budget of $200,000 per fiscal year, ceasing to exist on January 1, 2029.

The LIONs Act of 2025 significantly boosts capital access for small businesses by doubling the maximum loan amount available through the SBA's flagship 7(a) loan program, raising the cap from $\$3.75$ million to $\$7.5$ million. Additionally, it doubles the maximum loan amount available to development companies under the Small Business Investment Act, increasing their cap from $\$5$ million to $\$10$ million. This legislation aims to provide substantially larger financing options for neighborhood economic growth.

The Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025 makes technical corrections and clarifications to the 2022 Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This bill adjusts rules for where lawsuits can be tried, clarifies the evidence needed to prove harm from water exposure, and sets limits on attorney fees. All changes are applied retroactively as if enacted on August 10, 2022, while preserving existing deadlines for filing claims.

The "Ensuring Pathways to Innovative Cures Act of 2025" modifies the Drug Price Negotiation Program by adjusting the negotiation timeline for drug prices. For 2026 and 2027, negotiation can begin 7 years post-approval. Starting in 2028, this period extends to 11 years post-approval.

The PLASMA Act delays the full implementation of manufacturer discounts for plasma-derived products under Medicare Part D, phasing in the discounts from 2026 to 2032, depending on whether the beneficiary has met their out-of-pocket threshold. This phased approach aims to ensure continued access to these critical medicines, which are derived from human blood or plasma. The discounts do not apply to low-income subsidy recipients or drugs from small manufacturers.