Legislative Activity

The Honor Farmer Contracts Act of 2025 ensures the Department of Agriculture honors existing agreements with farmers and related entities by releasing committed funding and settling outstanding debts. It prevents the cancellation of contracts unless there is a violation and requires a 60-day notice to Congress before closing any Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development Service Center office.

The "Lower Drug Costs for Families Act" aims to lower prescription drug costs by applying inflation rebates to drugs in the commercial market. It adjusts how drug units are counted for rebate calculations under Medicare Parts B and D, changes the base years for these calculations to 2016, and excludes certain drug units from the rebate calculation. These changes are set to take effect in 2025 and 2026.

America’s Red Rock Wilderness Act designates specific areas in Utah as wilderness, providing them the highest level of federal protection to preserve their natural state, diverse ecosystems, and historical and cultural resources. The Act outlines administrative provisions for managing these wilderness areas, including land management, water rights, road setbacks, and the continuation of livestock grazing, while also protecting state and tribal rights. It ensures the preservation of these lands for future generations, balancing recreational opportunities with ecological conservation. The Act also removes the land from being subject to public use, mining, and mineral leasing, subject to valid rights existing when the Act is enacted.

The Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the Deerfield River and its major tributaries in Massachusetts and Vermont for potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The study will assess the river's eligibility based on its outstanding resource values. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress within three years of funding availability.

The Food Secure Strikers Act of 2025 amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to eliminate restrictions that prevent striking workers from being eligible for SNAP benefits. This change removes the clause that previously made striking workers ineligible for SNAP. By removing these restrictions, the bill aims to provide food security for workers and their families during labor disputes.

The Paycheck Fairness Act aims to strengthen and enhance the enforcement of equal pay requirements by modifying the "bona fide factor" defense, protecting employees who discuss their wages, and enhancing penalties for equal pay violations. It requires training and directs research, education, and outreach to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. The Act also prohibits employers from relying on wage history when considering prospective employees and mandates the collection of compensation data by the EEOC. Finally, the Act establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace and provides small business assistance.

This resolution affirms the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review, recognizing the Supreme Court's duty to interpret the law. It requires the executive branch to comply with federal court rulings, while allowing for appeals when authorized by law. The resolution reinforces the established judicial power of the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts.

The "Providing a Quality Defense Act of 2025" aims to improve the quality of legal representation for defendants who cannot afford an attorney. It authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to states, local governments, and tribal organizations to collect data on public defense and hire more public defenders or increase their compensation. The Act also requires the Attorney General to conduct studies and develop recommendations regarding public defender caseloads and compensation. Finally, it allocates funding for educational programs for public defenders and panel attorneys.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for public K-12 schools and the Department of Education, recognizing the Department's vital role in supporting students with disabilities, low-income families, and English language learners. It affirms that federal investment in public education is crucial and should not be diverted to private schools through vouchers. The resolution condemns any actions that would defund public education, weaken the Department of Education, or shift education funding responsibilities to state and local governments.

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 "Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify products derived from tar sands as crude oil, making them subject to the federal excise tax on petroleum. It broadens the definition of "crude oil" for excise tax purposes to include various oil types and gives the Secretary authority to classify other fuels as crude oil if they meet specific hazard and quantity conditions. This change ensures that tar sands and similar substances are taxed like traditional crude oil, closing a potential loophole. The Act is effective upon enactment.

The "FCC Legal Enforcement Act" empowers the FCC to directly enforce penalties for violations regarding unsolicited advertisements, especially when the Attorney General does not act within 120 days. It prioritizes pursuing penalties exceeding $25,000,000. The Act also grants the FCC authority to create regulations protecting subscribers from unwanted calls.

The INFORM Act of 2025 mandates the Postal Service to submit planned nationwide service changes to the Postal Regulatory Commission for review. The Act also requires the Postal Service to post notices in affected post offices for at least 30 days, detailing the changes, timelines, impacts, and opportunities for public comment.

The Advertising Middlemen Endangering Rigorous Internet Competition Accountability Act (or AMERICA Act) amends the Clayton Act to address competition and transparency in digital advertising. It prohibits companies with over $20 billion in digital advertising revenue from owning multiple parts of the advertising ecosystem (e.g., both a buy-side and sell-side brokerage) to prevent conflicts of interest. It also sets requirements for companies with over $5 billion in digital advertising revenue, including acting in the best interest of customers, providing transparency, and ensuring fair access to advertising exchanges. The Act grants the Attorney General and State attorneys general the power to enforce these provisions, including requiring divestitures and creating a private right of action for harmed parties.

The "Stop Giving Big Oil Free Money Act" aims to eliminate royalty relief for oil and gas companies in the Gulf of Mexico by requiring them to make royalty payments when oil and gas prices are high. It prevents the Department of Interior from issuing new leases or allowing the transfer of existing leases to companies that do not agree to these terms. The Act also allows the Secretary of Interior to modify existing leases to include specific price thresholds for royalty suspensions, effective October 1, 2026.

The Insurance Fraud Accountability Act aims to combat fraudulent enrollment in qualified health plans by increasing penalties for agents and brokers who provide false information, enhancing consumer protections through verification processes and access to account information, and regulating field marketing organizations. It also increases transparency through mandatory audits and the creation of a list of suspended or terminated agents and brokers.

This bill establishes an Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs within the Department of State, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The Ambassador will represent the U.S. in Arctic matters, coordinate Arctic-related foreign policy, and focus on national security, international cooperation, responsible resource management, environmental protection, indigenous involvement, and scientific research in the Arctic region. The Arctic region includes areas north of 66.56083 degrees latitude, U.S. territory north and west of specific Alaskan rivers, contiguous seas, and the Aleutian Chain. The Arctic countries are defined as the permanent members of the Arctic Council.

The "PLAN for Broadband Act" directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to develop a National Strategy to Synchronize Federal Broadband Programs, aiming to improve coordination, reduce barriers, and ensure efficient use of funds for high-speed internet access across the U.S. This strategy requires covered agencies to coordinate and streamline the approval process for broadband infrastructure projects on federal properties. The Act also mandates an implementation plan, regular briefings to Congress, and a Government Accountability Office study to assess and improve the strategy's effectiveness. Finally, the Act requires agencies to track application processing times and sets a minimum project cost for NEPA review.

The "Safe Schools Improvement Act" aims to prevent bullying and harassment in public schools by requiring states to establish and enforce policies that prohibit bullying and harassment based on various characteristics, including race, sex, disability, and religion. It mandates the collection and reporting of data on bullying incidents and requires biennial evaluations of programs and policies to combat bullying. The Act ensures that schools provide annual notice of prohibited conduct and grievance procedures to students, parents, and educational professionals. This bill seeks to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students.

The "School Lunch Debt Cancellation Act of 2025" aims to eliminate all existing school meal debt for both lunch and breakfast programs by directing the Secretary of Agriculture to use funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to pay off these debts to local education agencies. Additionally, this bill extends funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program through 2030 and allows the Emergency Food Assistance Program to utilize Commodity Credit Corporation funds, ensuring continued support for these critical nutrition programs.