Legislative Activity

The Agricultural Biotechnology Coordination Act establishes a new Office of Biotechnology Policy within the Department of Agriculture. This office will be responsible for coordinating all USDA policies, research, and activities related to biotechnology, biomanufacturing, and synthetic biology. The Director will report directly to the Secretary of Agriculture and must coordinate efforts with other federal agencies like the EPA and FDA. The Act also mandates engagement with relevant stakeholders, including researchers and farmers.

The Foundation for Enabling Biotechnology Innovation Act establishes a new, private, non-profit organization to accelerate the transition of biotechnology products from the lab to the U.S. market. This Foundation will foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government agencies to overcome commercialization hurdles. It is explicitly prohibited from creating or enforcing regulations and must develop a plan to become financially self-sustaining within five years.

The Agriculture and National Security Act establishes a new Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for National Security to centralize security coordination within the department. This role will advise the Secretary and liaise with national security agencies regarding vulnerabilities in the food and agriculture sector, especially concerning emerging technologies. Furthermore, the Act mandates regular, detailed reports to Congress assessing security gaps and outlining corrective actions.

The 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2025 aims to boost small businesses by updating the 504 loan program goals to prioritize workforce training, energy efficiency, and disaster recovery. The bill significantly increases the maximum loan amount available for manufacturing projects from $\$5.5$ million to $\$10$ million. Furthermore, it streamlines loan closing procedures for accredited lenders and eases several contribution and collateral requirements specifically for small manufacturers.

The Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act of 2025 aims to standardize the measurement of agricultural soil carbon across the nation. It mandates the creation of a universal measurement methodology and establishes a national Soil Carbon Inventory and Analysis Network to track carbon stocks every five years. Furthermore, the bill requires the development of a predictive modeling tool to estimate the impact of various land management practices on soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. This legislation supports farmers through technical assistance for voluntary soil carbon reporting and ensures research programs prioritize soil health outcomes.

The Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act mandates that the Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the OMB, must now include an analysis of potential financial risks to the federal government from major national or international emergencies in their annual fiscal report. This new requirement forces an examination of the short-term and long-term financial impacts of various crises, such as recessions, pandemics, or cyber attacks. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will review the initial analysis to ensure the methodology is sound.

The Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025 aims to significantly boost employee ownership in S corporations through Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). This bill extends crucial tax deferral benefits for stock sales to ESOPs and establishes new offices within the Treasury and Labor Departments to provide technical assistance and advocacy. Furthermore, it amends the Small Business Act to ensure ESOP-owned businesses do not automatically lose small business status when they transition to majority employee ownership.

The Streamlining Rural Housing Act of 2025 directs the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Agriculture (USDA) to create a joint agreement to coordinate environmental reviews for housing projects they jointly fund. This aims to eliminate redundant processes by establishing a lead agency and allowing for the mutual acceptance of environmental documentation. The bill also mandates the creation of an advisory group composed of various housing stakeholders to ensure efficient implementation without compromising resident safety or environmental standards.

This resolution calls upon the Senate to provide its advice and consent for the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It argues that joining this widely accepted international treaty is crucial for securing U.S. economic and security interests globally. Ratification would grant the U.S. a stronger voice in resolving maritime disputes and governing critical seabed resources. Ultimately, the resolution urges the Senate to make ratifying UNCLOS a top priority.

The Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act mandates that electronic communication and remote computing service providers must report confirmed or reasonably suspected illegal activity involving fentanyl, methamphetamine, or counterfeit prescription drugs to the Attorney General. Providers must submit identifying account information, though they are not required to actively monitor content or break encryption. The law establishes penalties for non-compliance and requires the Attorney General to issue an annual public report on the enforcement of these provisions.

The Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive audit of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) within one year of enactment. The resulting report, detailing findings and recommendations, must be delivered to Congress within 90 days of the audit's completion. This legislation streamlines reporting requirements and clarifies the scope of GAO audit authority over the Federal Reserve's operations, including emergency lending facilities.

The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl (HALT Fentanyl) Act aims to combat the opioid crisis by immediately classifying structurally similar fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances. The bill also streamlines the registration process for researchers working with Schedule I drugs and strengthens criminal penalties for trafficking these compounds. The Attorney General is required to issue implementing rules within six months of enactment.

The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025 establishes a new category for "small manufacturers" defined as domestic-only production businesses in specific sectors. This legislation significantly increases the maximum loan limits available to these qualifying small manufacturers under both the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act. The bill aims to provide substantially greater access to capital for U.S.-based manufacturing businesses.

This resolution commemorates the 14th Dalai Lama's 90th birthday by designating July 6, 2025, as a "Day of Compassion." It strongly reaffirms U.S. support for the human rights and distinct cultural and religious identity of the Tibetan people. Furthermore, the resolution rejects any interference by the People's Republic of China in the selection of the next Dalai Lama. It underscores the U.S. commitment to a negotiated solution leading to meaningful autonomy for Tibet.

This resolution officially recognizes and celebrates the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics, acknowledging its foundational role in modern technology. It highlights the importance of continued U.S. leadership in quantum research and development for national security and economic growth. The bill also supports public education efforts to inspire the next generation of scientists in this critical field.

This Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a limited series of commemorative gold, silver, and clad coins to honor the history and service of the United States Foreign Service. The coins must be issued in 2029, with designs approved after consultation with the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. All surcharges collected from the sale of these coins will be directed to that Association to support its mission of preserving diplomatic history. The Treasury must fully recover all production and issuance costs before any surcharge funds are distributed.

The Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025 establishes new responsibilities for the Assistant Secretary of Commerce to strengthen critical U.S. supply chains and emerging technologies. It creates a dedicated Working Group to map vulnerabilities, assess risks, and develop national strategies for crisis response. The Act emphasizes encouraging domestic and allied production while providing strong confidentiality protections for voluntarily submitted industry data.

This bill authorizes the creation and presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to honor the extraordinary service and sacrifice of Army and Navy nurses who served during World War II. The medal recognizes their bravery in combat zones, dedication despite facing discrimination, and critical role in saving countless lives. The Secretary of the Treasury will strike the medal, which will ultimately be housed at the Smithsonian Institution. The Act also permits the sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Respectful Treatment of Unborn Remains Act of 2025 prohibits abortion providers from disposing of fetal remains in any publicly owned water system. Violators of this federal standard face significant criminal penalties, though the patient who received the abortion is explicitly protected from liability. This act does not supersede any stricter state or local regulations already in place.

This resolution officially commemorates June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day." It recognizes the historical significance of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in the Southwest finally received news of their freedom. The resolution supports the nationwide celebration of this day as a vital part of American history and heritage.