Legislative Activity

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.

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 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 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 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.

This resolution urges all NATO member countries to meet the established commitment of spending at least 2% of their GDP on national defense. It proposes that nations failing to meet this threshold should be ineligible to hold key NATO leadership positions or host significant high-level summits. The measure aims to ensure equitable defense investment and military readiness across the alliance.

The "Alternatives to PAIN Act" aims to improve access to non-opioid pain management for Medicare Part D beneficiaries starting in 2026. It eliminates the standard deductible and places qualifying non-opioid pain management drugs on the lowest cost-sharing tier. The bill also prohibits the use of step therapy and prior authorization requirements for these drugs, ensuring quicker access to alternative pain relief options.

The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 amends the tax code to exclude state-sponsored catastrophe mitigation payments from an individual's gross income. This legislation ensures that homeowners receiving financial assistance to harden their properties against natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and earthquakes are not unfairly taxed on those funds. The provision is retroactive to the 2022 tax year, allowing eligible taxpayers to claim the exclusion on past returns.

The Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025 allows victims of certain crimes committed by undocumented immigrants to sue state and local "sanctuary jurisdictions" for damages if those jurisdictions failed to comply with federal immigration detainers. By accepting specific federal grants, these jurisdictions waive their immunity from such civil lawsuits. Additionally, the bill provides liability protections for local law enforcement officers who cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The Justice for Fallen Law Enforcement Act establishes mandatory minimum sentences for violent crimes committed against law enforcement officers, including a 20-year minimum for assaults resulting in serious injury. It also mandates that the murder of a law enforcement officer be prosecuted as first-degree murder under federal law. Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to submit a report to Congress detailing the prosecutions resulting from these new sentencing requirements.

The Protect and Serve Act of 2025 establishes a new federal crime for knowingly assaulting law enforcement officers and causing serious bodily injury. This legislation allows for federal prosecution in cases involving interstate commerce or federal officers, with penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment depending on the severity of the offense. Federal intervention is strictly regulated, requiring written certification from the Attorney General to ensure the necessity of federal involvement.

The Lumbee Fairness Act grants federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, making the tribe and its members eligible for all federal Indian programs and services. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to verify the tribal roll and take land into trust for the tribe's benefit. Additionally, it clarifies jurisdictional arrangements between the state and the tribe while ensuring the tribe receives the same federal support as other recognized tribes.