Legislative Activity

The Tech Safety for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Act addresses the growing problem of technological abuse against survivors. This bill establishes a pilot program to fund consortia that combat tech abuse, including providing devices and services to victims. Additionally, it creates a separate grant program to fund education and training materials for organizations assisting survivors of technological abuse. The legislation aims to enhance support networks and develop best practices for addressing technology-facilitated violence.

The Algorithmic Accountability Act of 2025 requires large entities using Automated Decision Systems (ADS) for "critical decisions"—like those affecting employment, housing, or finance—to conduct rigorous impact assessments. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with creating detailed regulations and establishing a public repository for summary reports on these systems. This legislation aims to ensure transparency, test for bias, and mandate remediation for significant negative impacts caused by automated decision-making processes.

The PARTNERSHIPS Act significantly overhauls partnership taxation by mandating specific allocation methods for certain complex ownership structures and requiring the use of the remedial method for built-in gains on contributed property. It also eliminates time limits on recognizing precontribution gains and repeals rules governing liquidating distributions to retiring partners. Furthermore, the bill tightens rules around property revaluations, basis adjustments, and clarifies the application of the Net Investment Income Tax to high-income individuals' business earnings.

The Basis Shifting is a Rip-off Act tightens tax rules concerning property distributions and transfers within partnerships involving related parties. It forces immediate gain recognition on certain distributions that would otherwise allow partners to shift tax basis to avoid current taxation. These new rules apply to "applicable partnerships" and include increased penalties for non-compliance.

The Keeping Obstetrics Local Act is a comprehensive bill designed to stabilize rural and safety-net hospitals providing maternity care through enhanced financial support, including minimum Medicaid payment rates and anchor payments. It also expands continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for new mothers for a full year postpartum and invests in the maternal health workforce by supporting emergency staffing and simplifying cross-state provider enrollment. Finally, the act mandates greater transparency by requiring hospitals to give advance public notice of obstetric unit closures and report more detailed operational data to Medicare.

The Close the Round-Tripping Loophole Act modifies how U.S. shareholders calculate their tax liability on certain foreign income by introducing a "round-tripping ratio." This ratio specifically targets and reduces the amount of income subject to U.S. taxation if that income originated from U.S. domestic sales or services that were routed overseas. The bill also adjusts the allowable deduction for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) based on this new round-tripping calculation, with an exception provided for small taxpayers under $100 million in average annual gross receipts.

The Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act establishes a new grazing management program in Malheur County, Oregon, designed to give ranchers greater operational flexibility while prioritizing long-term ecological health. The bill also designates over one million acres of Bureau of Land Management land as new wilderness areas and transfers specific lands into trust for the Burns Paiute Tribe. Furthermore, it creates the Malheur C.E.O. Group, a diverse body tasked with proposing and managing local resource projects through consensus.

The Vote at Home Act of 2025 aims to modernize federal elections by establishing nationwide standards for voting by mail. It mandates that states mail ballots to all registered voters at least two weeks before federal elections and requires free postage for return ballots. Additionally, the bill overhauls voter registration by streamlining processes at the DMV and implementing automatic registration for eligible citizens who provide proof of citizenship when obtaining a driver's license.

This resolution officially designates May 17, 2025, as "Kids to Parks Day." The goal is to encourage children and families to engage in healthy outdoor activities by visiting local, state, and national parks. It recognizes the importance of nature for youth health and education while promoting the preservation of public lands.

The Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act establishes a five-year, voluntary pilot grant program managed by the Secretary of the Interior to restore migratory bird habitats in the Columbia River Basin and the Oregon/Washington Coastal Zone. This program provides competitive funding for projects that improve wetland infrastructure and vegetation management for migratory birds. Grantees must secure a 25% non-Federal match, and the Act authorizes $10 million annually from FY 2026 through 2030 to supplement existing conservation efforts. The Secretary is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the funded restoration projects.

This Senate resolution urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw a proposed rule that would reduce opportunities for public notice and comment on new regulations. The Senate emphasizes that robust public input is essential for creating fair and effective policies that impact millions of Americans. It calls for HHS to maintain the established 54-year practice of allowing stakeholders to provide feedback before finalizing significant rule changes.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared on April 2, 2025, which was used to impose global tariffs. Upon enactment, this resolution immediately ends the emergency declaration and revokes any special powers or funding activated by that order.

The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2025 establishes a new Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the Department of Agriculture. This office will be tasked with investigating and prosecuting violations of competition and trade practices under the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921. The Investigator will have the authority to issue subpoenas and bring civil or administrative lawsuits against packers and live poultry dealers to ensure fair competition in the industry.

The Building Child Care for a Better Future Act dramatically increases federal funding for state child care block grants, appropriating \$20 billion for FY 2026 and adjusting for inflation thereafter. It also establishes a new \$5 billion annual grant program to target improvements in child care workforce, supply, and quality in identified high-need areas. Recipients of these funds must submit detailed plans outlining how they will boost services, support providers, and increase staff compensation in underserved communities. All funds must supplement existing spending and adhere to strict reporting and evaluation requirements to ensure improved access and quality.

The Watershed Results Act establishes a program for funding data-driven watershed improvement projects managed by local partners in Reclamation States. These projects must utilize advanced analytics to select the most cost-effective conservation activities that deliver measurable environmental outcomes. The Secretary of the Interior will select partners, enter into performance-based contracts, and ensure that federal funding does not exceed 75% of the total project cost. The Act authorizes \$17 million annually for these efforts from Fiscal Year 2026 through 2031.

The Privacy Act Modernization Act of 2025 significantly updates the 1974 Privacy Act by modernizing definitions for records, PII, and processing to reflect current technology. It strengthens individual protections by requiring agencies to cite specific legal authority for data use and imposing stricter rules on data matching. Furthermore, the bill increases consequences for violations, allowing individuals to sue for damages (guaranteed minimum of $1,000) and upgrading criminal penalties for unauthorized access to a felony.

The FIGHTING for America Act of 2025 aims to enhance trade enforcement by increasing transparency and scrutiny over low-value shipments entering the U.S. under the *de minimis* exemption. The bill designates fentanyl smuggling via these shipments as a priority trade issue and imposes new documentation requirements, limitations on duty exemptions, and civil penalties for non-compliance. Furthermore, it establishes a \$2 customs user fee for shipments processed under this expedited entry system.

The Insurance Fraud Accountability Act aims to significantly reduce fraudulent enrollment in health plans under the Affordable Care Act. This bill establishes much stiffer financial and criminal penalties for agents and brokers who knowingly provide false enrollment information. Furthermore, it mandates a new verification process on federal Exchanges to ensure consumer consent and proper data accuracy before commissions are paid. The legislation also tightens oversight on the entire enrollment chain involving agents, brokers, and marketing organizations.

The Bipartisan Health Care Act aims to improve various aspects of the healthcare system, including Medicaid, Medicare, human services, and public health programs. It focuses on streamlining processes, increasing transparency, extending funding for critical services, and modernizing healthcare delivery. The act addresses issues such as prescription drug costs, telehealth access, maternal health, and pandemic preparedness. By reauthorizing and modifying key programs, this legislation seeks to enhance access to care, improve health outcomes, and ensure efficient use of healthcare resources.

The Oregon Recreation Enhancement Act designates the Rogue Canyon and Molalla Recreation Areas to protect their scenic and ecological values, requiring specific wildfire mitigation planning for these new sites. The Act also expands the Wild Rogue Wilderness Area, adding significant acreage under strict wilderness management. Finally, it withdraws certain federal lands in Curry and Josephine Counties from mineral entry and disposal to ensure their long-term protection.