Legislative Activity

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 mandates sweeping economic penalties against the Russian Federation and its affiliates for actions against Ukraine. This legislation requires the President and Treasury Secretary to impose escalating sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities. Furthermore, the Act prohibits U.S. persons from investing in Russian debt, bans the trading of Russian securities on U.S. exchanges, and imposes a massive 500% import duty on Russian goods. Sanctions can only be terminated if Russia agrees to a verifiable peace deal with Ukraine.

This concurrent resolution formally supports the goals and ideals of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. It recognizes the achievements of the transgender community while acknowledging the ongoing discrimination and violence they face. The resolution encourages public observance of the day and celebrates the progress and leadership within the transgender community.

The Hot Foods Act of 2025 amends the rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to generally allow beneficiaries to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods. This legislation removes the previous general ban on buying such items with SNAP benefits. However, retailers participating in SNAP will now face a limit, as hot, ready-to-eat food sales cannot exceed 50% of their total gross sales.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment granting Congress and the states the explicit authority to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures. If ratified, it would allow for setting reasonable limits on spending intended to influence elections to protect democratic fairness. The amendment also specifically empowers regulators to treat corporations and other entities differently than individuals regarding election spending, while explicitly protecting the freedom of the press.

This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and halt a specific proposed export of defense articles to Israel. It specifically blocks the shipment of 20,000 Colt Carbine fully automatic rifles, valued at over \$1 million. The resolution targets items controlled under Category I of the United States Munitions List intended for the Israel National Police.

This act designates the Deerfield River system in Massachusetts and Vermont for a formal study under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The Secretary of the Interior must complete this comprehensive study, which includes major tributaries, within three years of funding. Upon completion, a report detailing the findings will be submitted to Congress.

The America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act seeks to permanently protect hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands across Utah by designating them as official wilderness areas. This designation ensures the preservation of unique ecological, geological, and cultural resources under the highest level of federal protection. The bill also establishes administrative rules, including securing water rights and managing state inholdings, while explicitly safeguarding existing livestock grazing and Tribal rights.

This resolution formally honors the life and distinguished public service career of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator for Wyoming. It celebrates his extensive tenure in both state and federal government, highlighting his focus on fiscal responsibility and support for veterans. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow at his passing and directs that the day's adjournment serve as a final tribute to his memory.

The Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025 mandates the Department of Agriculture to immediately honor and pay all existing, unfrozen contracts with farmers and related entities. This legislation prevents the cancellation of signed agreements unless the terms have been violated by the recipient. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide 60 days' notice to Congress before closing any local Farm Service Agency, NRCS, or Rural Development offices.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the rich heritage, culture, and significant contributions of Latinas across the United States. It highlights their achievements in diverse fields while acknowledging ongoing disparities, such as the wage gap. Ultimately, the measure calls for continued investment in the future of Latinas as a vital part of the nation's growth.

The Lower Drug Costs for Families Act updates how prescription drug inflation rebates are calculated to ensure they apply more broadly to drugs on the commercial market. This bill modifies the rules for both Medicare Part B and Part D to adjust the unit counting methods used in rebate calculations. Key changes include excluding certain units, such as those covered by Medicaid, and shifting the base reference years for these calculations.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 removes the automatic ban preventing workers participating in a strike from receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This legislation updates eligibility rules to ensure that striking workers are no longer automatically disqualified from receiving food assistance solely because they are on strike. The bill simplifies the language to focus ineligibility on the *result* of striking, rather than the act of striking itself.

This Senate resolution affirms the foundational principle that the power to interpret federal law rests solely with the federal judiciary, as established by Article III of the Constitution. It reaffirms the doctrine of judicial review, stating that the courts definitively determine what the law means. Consequently, the resolution mandates that the Executive Branch must abide by all federal court rulings or pursue appropriate legal appeals.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen protections against sex-based wage discrimination and close the gender pay gap. It enhances enforcement by tightening employer defenses for pay disparities, expanding anti-retaliation protections, and increasing penalties for violations. The bill also mandates new data collection by the EEOC and establishes grant programs to support negotiation skills training.

The Providing a Quality Defense Act of 2025 aims to strengthen constitutional rights by improving public defense services across the nation. It establishes a grant program for states and localities to collect better workload data and hire more staff, while also mandating studies on fair caseload limits and attorney compensation. Furthermore, the Act supports educational programs to enhance the skills and client-centered advocacy of public defenders and assigned counsel.

This resolution expresses strong support for the nation's public K-12 schools and condemns any efforts to defund or dismantle the Department of Education. It affirms the crucial federal role in ensuring equitable funding and support for students, especially those with disabilities and from low-income families. The resolution warns that weakening the Department would severely disrupt vital programs serving millions of students nationwide.

The Stop Giving Big Oil Free Money Act aims to eliminate unwarranted financial benefits for certain oil and gas companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico. It prevents companies holding specific older leases that lack price caps from obtaining new leases unless they renegotiate those existing leases to include mandatory royalty payments above certain price thresholds. Furthermore, the bill adjusts the terms for royalty suspension on some existing leases, setting new price triggers that will take effect in late 2026.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses as eligible hires. This allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring individuals certified as spouses of active-duty military personnel. The provision applies to wages paid for individuals hired after the Act's enactment date.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The INFORM Act of 2025 establishes new, clearer notification requirements for the Postal Service when implementing significant nationwide changes to postal services. This legislation mandates that the Postal Service must submit proposals to the Postal Regulatory Commission and simultaneously post detailed public notices in affected post office lobbies. These notices must remain visible for at least 30 days after the change takes effect, ensuring the public is fully informed about the service alterations, impact, and opportunities for feedback.