Legislative Activity

This bill, the Tackling Predatory Litigation Funding Act, establishes a new, high federal tax on the profits earned by third-party investors in lawsuits, known as litigation financing. The tax is applied at the highest individual income tax rate plus an additional 3.8 percentage points on "qualified litigation proceeds." To ensure compliance, the law mandates that parties or their attorneys withhold 50% of this tax from payments made to the funder. Importantly, while taxing the funder, the bill explicitly excludes the actual settlement proceeds received by the winning party from their gross income.

This Act amends the official map of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System to make a specific correction for the Town of North Topsail Beach, North Carolina. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to remove properties within the town from Unit L06 if they are already designated for non-conservation uses under existing local zoning ordinances. This change is strictly limited to the boundaries of North Topsail Beach.

The International Competition for American Jobs Act makes significant changes to U.S. international tax rules, primarily affecting how multinational corporations are taxed on foreign earnings starting in 2026. Key provisions include permanently extending the look-thru rule for controlled foreign corporations and modifying deductions related to foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) and Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI). The bill also overhauls the Base Erosion and Minimum Tax (BEAT) structure and eliminates the 20% haircut on foreign tax credits associated with GILTI income. Finally, it adjusts rules regarding constructive ownership, foreign tax credit limitations, and the exclusion of certain Virgin Islands service income from GILTI calculations.

The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2025 aims to simplify and broaden what inventions qualify for patent protection by eliminating judge-made exceptions to current law. It establishes that any useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter is eligible, provided it meets a new "specific and practical utility" standard. While core exclusions like pure mathematical formulas and abstract business methods remain, the bill clarifies that human genes and natural materials are patentable if modified or used in a new invention. This legislation ensures that eligibility is determined by examining the entire claim, independent of existing novelty or obviousness standards.

The Helene Small Business Recovery Act grants the President the authority to waive federal rules that prevent the duplication of disaster assistance benefits following a major disaster or emergency declared in 2023 or 2024. This waiver can be requested by a Governor if it is in the public interest and avoids waste, fraud, or abuse. The Act ensures that federal loans are not automatically disqualified as duplication and sets a 45-day deadline for the President's decision.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.