Legislative Activity

The "Air Traffic Control Workforce Development Act of 2025" aims to bolster the air traffic control workforce by enhancing training programs, providing financial support to educational institutions, and improving mental health resources for controllers. It establishes an Enhanced-CTI grant program, promotes the use of Terminal Simulation Systems, and mandates the creation of a mental health training course for aviation professionals. The act also requires reports on airport surveillance technology and radar systems.

This resolution designates March 7, 2025, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day" to recognize the importance of speech and debate in education. It highlights the role of educators in developing crucial communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. The resolution encourages schools, businesses, and communities to celebrate and promote speech and debate education.

This resolution supports designating February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Week, celebrating the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. It also recognizes the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America federal charter.

The North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present a Congressional Gold Medal to the individuals and communities who volunteered or donated to the North Platte Canteen during World War II. After the presentation, the medal will be given to the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska, for public display. The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for creating the gold medal, and the United States Mint is authorized to produce and sell bronze duplicates.

The "Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to exclude broadband grants from gross income. This exclusion applies to grants from programs like the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program and other federal and state broadband initiatives. It prevents grantees from receiving a double benefit by disallowing deductions or credits for expenditures covered by these grants and requires a reduction in the property's adjusted basis by the grant amount. This change is effective for taxable years ending after March 11, 2021.

The ENABLE Act permanently extends provisions that allow for increased contributions to ABLE accounts and rollovers from 529 education savings accounts, providing ongoing financial benefits for individuals with disabilities. It amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to remove the expiration date for increased contributions and ensures the continuation of rollovers from 529 programs to ABLE programs indefinitely. The act also modifies retirement savings contribution definitions and repeals a paragraph from the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 to align with these changes. These amendments are effective for taxable years ending after the enactment date of this act and for distributions made after this enactment.

The "BEST Facilitation Act" establishes a pilot program within U.S. Customs and Border Protection to create image technician positions that will review images of cargo and conveyances entering and exiting the U.S. to identify potential contraband or illegal activity. These technicians, supervised by CBP officers, will undergo specialized training and annual assessments, and will be located in five regional command centers. The Act also mandates semiannual reports to Congress detailing the program's implementation, performance metrics, and impact on interdiction rates and CBP operations. The pilot program is set to sunset after five years, with provisions for transferring the image technician positions to other roles within CBP or DHS.

The "First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor the First Rhode Island Regiment for their heroic service during the Revolutionary War. This regiment, one of the first racially integrated units in American history, was composed of African American, Indigenous, and mixed-race soldiers. The gold medal will be presented to the Rhode Island State Library for public display and research, with the hope that it will also be exhibited at other locations associated with the Regiment. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

This resolution expresses gratitude to the various groups and individuals involved in ensuring the success of the Presidential Inauguration, including the Joint Congressional Committee, Architect of the Capitol, law enforcement, emergency personnel, and volunteers. It recognizes their hard work, professionalism, and adaptability in overcoming challenges to maintain safety and security. The resolution also thanks the families of those involved for their support and encourages Americans to acknowledge their vital role in the inauguration's success.

The "Expanding Access to Capital for Rural Job Creators Act" amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to include rural-area small businesses in the list of entities the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation should focus on. This ensures that the Advocate identifies problems and provides assistance to these businesses, as well as conducts outreach activities to support them.

The DRIVE Act of 2025 ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel that is at least equal to the federal rate provided to government employees. It also mandates that the VA process and pay these mileage allowances within 90 days of receiving a complete and accurate claim. This bill aims to reduce the financial burden on veterans when traveling to receive medical care.

The "Promoting Precision Agriculture Act of 2025" aims to increase the use of precision agriculture technologies in the United States by directing the Secretary of Agriculture to develop voluntary interconnectivity standards for precision agriculture equipment. It also requires the Comptroller General to assess these standards to ensure they are effective and promote the adoption of precision agriculture practices. The goal is to improve efficiencies, reduce waste, and maintain environmental quality in crop and livestock production.

The "Forest Data Modernization Act of 2025" aims to modernize forest inventory and analysis through updated methods, improved carbon data collection, and national consistency in standards. It mandates a strategic plan focusing on data integration, transparency, and expanded data collection using advanced technologies. The bill also ensures data accessibility while protecting confidentiality, requires regular statistical compilations, and establishes a data platform for external requests, along with annual progress reports. It also specifies remote sensing technologies and machine learning for improved data collection and modeling.

This resolution expresses the Senate's opposition to deploying U.S. military assets or personnel to "take over" Gaza. It emphasizes the importance of Palestinian self-determination, warns against the negative consequences of U.S. control over Gaza, and highlights public and congressional concerns about unauthorized military action and financial expenditure. The resolution underscores that the U.S. should not use its military or resources to control Gaza.

This resolution expresses condolences for the 67 lives lost in the tragic collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and United States Army Aviation Brigade Priority Air Transport 25 on January 29, 2025. It also recognizes and appreciates the efforts of the first responders and the support from the community and nation.

The BARCODE Efficiency Act requires the IRS to use barcode scanning and optical character recognition technology to convert paper tax returns and correspondence into electronic formats, with exceptions reported to Congress. This aims to improve the efficiency of processing tax returns and correspondence. The changes will be implemented at different times depending on the type of return or correspondence, starting with individual income tax returns.

The "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations like schools and places of worship, requiring supervisor consultation and discreet conduct. Exceptions are allowed only in cases of national security or public safety threats or medical emergencies. The Act mandates annual training, detailed reporting of enforcement actions, and evidence suppression for violations, enhancing oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement.

The SENIOR Act, or the "Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief Act," amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to include "loneliness" alongside "social isolation," ensuring programs address both issues for older individuals. Additionally, the Act requires the Secretary to prepare a report on programs authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965, focusing on addressing the negative health effects of loneliness in older individuals and the relationship between strong multigenerational families and loneliness. The report will include recommendations for reducing negative health effects of loneliness and for policies/programs that foster strong family connections across generations.

The "Incentivizing Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Sales Act of 2025" incentivizes land conservation by excluding from gross income the gains from sales of real property to qualified organizations for the purposes of the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program. This exclusion applies to various real property interests, including remainder interests and restrictions on property use, as long as the sale aligns with Department of Defense REPI program goals. There are limitations to prevent short-term property speculation by pass-through entities, with exceptions for family-owned entities. This act aims to promote both military readiness and environmental protection through strategic land conservation.

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.