Legislative Activity

The Promoting United States Leadership in Standards Act of 2025 aims to bolster American influence in setting global technical standards for Artificial Intelligence and other critical emerging technologies. It mandates federal agencies to report on their standards participation and requires the creation of an informational web portal to aid U.S. industry involvement. Furthermore, the bill establishes a five-year pilot program, funded up to \$5 million annually, to provide grants encouraging the hosting of key standards-setting meetings within the United States.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as "Preserving and Protecting Local News Month" to recognize the critical importance of local journalism. It highlights the severe decline of local news outlets across the country, which has created numerous "news deserts." The measure affirms that local news is vital for a healthy democracy and community engagement.

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.

The Convenient Contraception Act ensures that individuals covered by group health plans or insurance can obtain a full 365-day supply of their covered contraceptives at once. This upfront supply must be provided without any copays, deductibles, or coinsurance. The requirement takes effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and mandates federal outreach to inform providers and consumers of this new option.

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 COST of Relocations Act establishes strict new requirements for federal agencies planning significant job or function relocations. Before proceeding, agencies must conduct a detailed, publicly available benefit-cost analysis reviewed by their Inspector General. This process ensures Congress receives an independent assessment of the move's justification, adherence to economic guidelines, and potential mission impacts.

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 Senate resolution expresses the strong sense of Congress that the United States Postal Service must remain an independent federal establishment and should not be privatized. It emphasizes the USPS's vital constitutional role, its massive economic footprint supporting millions of jobs, and its essential function in providing universal service to every American address. The resolution warns that privatization would likely lead to higher costs and reduced service, particularly for rural communities.

This resolution formally recognizes the rich heritage, culture, and significant contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across the United States. It celebrates their historic achievements in areas such as military service, science, the arts, and civil rights leadership. The bill also emphasizes the importance of continued investment to overcome barriers these women face in accessing justice, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

The United States Leadership in Immersive Technology Act of 2025 aims to secure American leadership in virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies, recognizing them as critical to future economic competitiveness and national security. The bill establishes a Principal Advisor and an Immersive Technology Advisory Panel to guide federal strategy, set standards, and promote ethical development. This panel is tasked with studying the technology's economic impact and recommending policies to foster innovation while protecting privacy and security.

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 MERIT Act aims to provide recourse for probationary federal employees who were involuntarily separated due to mass layoffs between January 20, 2025, and the date of enactment. This legislation mandates that affected employees must be offered reinstatement to a similar position with comparable benefits or receive appropriate back pay if they were already terminated. The Act also establishes timelines for notification, employee acceptance, and requires reports from the Comptroller General and OPM regarding the layoffs and subsequent reinstatements.

The "District of Columbia Local Funds Act, 2025" appropriates local funds from the District's General Fund for the current fiscal year, in accordance with the Fiscal Year 2025 Local Budget Act of 2024. The total appropriation for the District's operating expenses in fiscal year 2025 cannot exceed the estimates in the Fiscal Year 2025 Local Budget Act of 2024 or the total revenues of the District for that year, with specific exceptions. The appropriated amount can be increased by proceeds from one-time transactions used for emergency or unanticipated needs, provided these increases are approved by local District law and comply with reserve requirements in the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. The Chief Financial Officer must ensure the District meets these requirements but cannot reprogram funds from bonds, notes, or other obligations issued for capital projects for operating expenses.

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 Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to combat bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states that accept federal funding to establish clear anti-bullying policies, define prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics, and implement systems for reporting and tracking incidents. This legislation mandates that local districts inform all stakeholders about prohibited conduct and establish formal complaint processes. Furthermore, the bill requires regular state and federal evaluations to assess the effectiveness of these measures in reducing harmful behavior while respecting existing non-discrimination laws and free speech rights.

The ROUTERS Act mandates a study by the Secretary of Commerce to assess the national security risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with consumer routers and modems supplied by companies linked to "covered countries." This report must detail the findings regarding equipment from these flagged nations and be submitted to relevant Congressional committees within one year of enactment.

The Tariff Transparency Act of 2025 directs the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to investigate and report on the economic effects of proposed or announced tariffs on trade with Mexico and Canada. This comprehensive report must detail the impact of potential duties on consumer prices, the fallout from retaliatory measures, and the costs associated with ongoing trade uncertainty. The USITC is required to submit its findings to Congress within one year of the Act's enactment.

The Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 aims to accelerate conservation efforts in the Chesapeake Bay watershed by establishing new partnership initiatives and streamlining existing programs like CREP. The bill creates a "turnkey" pilot program to make riparian buffer installation effortless for landowners and enhances workforce development for agricultural sciences. Additionally, it grants the NRCS special authority to quickly hire technical experts and transfers regulatory oversight for certain invasive Chesapeake Bay catfish from the USDA to the FDA.

The Stop Comstock Act aims to modernize and streamline federal laws concerning obscene materials. This legislation removes outdated and overly broad language, such as "indecent" and "immoral," from various sections of the U.S. Code and the Tariff Act. The bill focuses on technical clean-up to clarify existing statutes regarding the distribution and importation of materials.