Legislative Activity

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to clarify that religious freedom cannot be used to justify discrimination, deny access to healthcare, or violate labor protections. It ensures the RFRA only applies to lawsuits involving the government, preventing its use in disputes between private parties. This bill aims to protect civil rights and ensure equal access to services, benefits, and opportunities.

The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, repealing the overtime wage exemption for certain employees. This change ensures that truckers are eligible for overtime pay, entitling them to receive additional compensation for working beyond the standard 40-hour work week.

The "Farewell to Foam Act of 2025" bans the sale and distribution of expanded polystyrene food service ware, loose fill, and coolers starting January 1, 2028. The EPA Administrator is tasked with enforcing the ban, with escalating fines for repeat offenders, and is authorized to allow states to carry out enforcement. This act aims to reduce environmental pollution caused by polystyrene foam products.

The Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025 aims to reduce firearm-related deaths and injuries by establishing a grant program for states, Indian Tribes, and local governments to implement extreme risk protection orders, which temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. The act also amends federal firearms prohibitions to include individuals subject to these orders and mandates the inclusion of extreme risk protection orders in national crime information databases. Furthermore, it requires states and Indian Tribes to recognize and enforce extreme risk protection orders issued by other jurisdictions and affirms Tribal court jurisdiction to issue and enforce these orders within their Indian country.

The Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025 amends the National Labor Relations Act and other labor laws to strengthen protections for employees engaging in labor disputes and collective bargaining. It redefines employer and employee status, addresses unfair labor practices, streamlines collective bargaining, and increases penalties for employers who violate labor laws. The Act also updates strike/lockout notification procedures and clarifies reporting requirements for employer-employee communication. Finally, it ensures the law's provisions are severable and authorizes necessary appropriations for implementation and enforcement.

This resolution affirms the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review, emphasizing the Supreme Court's duty to interpret the law. It supports the established precedent that the executive branch must comply with Federal court rulings. The resolution expresses concern over statements suggesting the executive branch may disregard the authority of the Federal Judiciary.

This bill aims to reform mining practices on federal lands by setting royalties on mineral extraction, introducing stricter permitting and environmental regulations, and establishing a fund for reclaiming abandoned mines. It requires mining operators to pay annual fees and royalties, obtain permits for mineral activities, and provide financial assurances for land reclamation. The bill also prioritizes the protection of sensitive lands and mandates tribal consultation before mineral activities begin. These changes are intended to balance resource extraction with environmental protection and ensure fair compensation for the use of public lands.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act amends the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to modernize regulations around online data collection, use, and deletion for children and teens. It expands the definition of personal information, requires verifiable consent for data collection and usage, and prohibits individual-specific advertising to children and teens. The Act also mandates FTC reports on mobile app oversight and enforcement, a GAO study on teens' privacy using financial technology, and includes a severability clause.

The "End Tobacco Loopholes Act" aims to equalize and increase excise taxes across all tobacco products, including setting specific rates for roll-your-own tobacco, pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco, cigars, and creating a new tax for nicotine. It adjusts tax rates for inflation starting in 2025 and imposes floor stock taxes on existing inventories. The act also provides a transition rule for businesses manufacturing or importing taxable nicotine, allowing them to continue operating while their permit application is pending if submitted within 90 days of enactment.

The SAFE Lending Act of 2025 aims to protect consumers from abusive practices in electronic and small-dollar lending. It requires small-dollar lenders to register with the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, ensures state laws apply to online and national bank loans, and restricts the distribution of sensitive financial information. The Act also expands consumer control over bank accounts by limiting remotely created checks and overdraft fees on prepaid accounts. Finally, the Act mandates a study on the impact of small-dollar lending on economic opportunity for Native American tribes.

The Public Health Funding Restoration Act aims to restore funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which supports various public health programs. By amending the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the bill allocates $2,000,000,000 annually, starting in fiscal year 2026, to bolster initiatives focused on disease prevention, mental health, and immunization efforts. This restoration seeks to enhance public health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the nation's ability to prevent and respond to future health crises.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency concerning energy declared by the President in January 2025. The resolution nullifies Executive Order 14156, effectively ending the emergency powers invoked under the National Emergencies Act.

The "Affordable College Textbook Act" aims to lower the cost of college textbooks for students by expanding the use of open educational resources. It authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to higher education institutions to create and expand the use of open textbooks. The act also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions to disclose textbook price information, including whether the material is an open educational resource, on online course schedules. Finally, it directs the Comptroller General to prepare a report on the cost of textbooks and the implementation of these provisions.

Ethan's Law aims to reduce gun violence by promoting responsible firearm storage. It establishes a federal requirement for gun owners to securely store firearms, especially in homes with minors or individuals prohibited from owning firearms, with penalties for improper storage. The law also creates a grant program to assist states and Indian Tribes in implementing similar safe storage laws. Additionally, it expresses the sense of Congress that failing to securely store a firearm constitutes negligence and can establish legal causation for harm resulting from its discharge.

The Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2025 aims to address environmental injustices by establishing an Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Justice, which will be responsible for developing strategies, coordinating efforts, and administering grants to support environmental justice initiatives. It also establishes a grant program to assist state, local, and tribal governments in enforcing environmental laws in communities disproportionately affected by environmental harm. The act defines environmental justice as the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of income, race, color, national origin, Tribal affiliation, or disability, in respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.

This resolution affirms the Senate's position that the NIH's operations and funding should not be disrupted, as they are crucial for medical advancements and addressing public health challenges. It emphasizes that the NIH workforce is essential for sustaining medical progress and protecting national health, security, and the economy. Any interference with NIH operations or its workforce undermines biomedical research and the nation's ability to respond to public health issues.

This bill amends the Grand Ronde Reservation Act to clarify the hunting, fishing, trapping, and animal gathering rights of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community. It ensures the 1986 Grand Ronde Hunting and Fishing Agreement remains in effect unless modified by mutual consent between the tribe and Oregon, while protecting the rights of other tribes. Future agreements will derive authority solely from the State of Oregon, and the bill allows for court review of changes to a related Consent Decree. This amendment does not impact existing treaty or sovereign rights of any Indian Tribe.

The "Fair Credit for American Hostages Act of 2025" amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to protect individuals who have been unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. It prevents consumer reporting agencies from including adverse information in a consumer report about a "covered consumer" if the information is from the period of their detention or hostage situation and can be authenticated. This bill aims to ensure that Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad are not penalized on their credit reports due to their captivity.

The "Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025" postpones tax deadlines for U.S. nationals held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, including their spouses. It also allows these individuals to apply for a refund or abatement of certain tax penalties and fines paid between January 1, 2021, and the bill's enactment. The Secretaries of State, the Attorney General, and the Treasury will coordinate to identify eligible individuals and implement these provisions.

The "Protect the West Act of 2025" establishes an Outdoor and Watershed Restoration Fund to provide grants and support restoration projects on federal and non-federal lands, with the goal of improving forest health, watershed function, and wildlife habitat. It creates a Restoration Fund Advisory Council to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on fund distribution and project prioritization. The act also establishes a Restoration and Resilience Partnership Program to implement restoration projects in designated areas, and it allocates significant funding for these initiatives, emphasizing job creation, community involvement, and ecological integrity.