Legislation

The SEIZE Act of 2025 authorizes the President to treat weapons and military materiel seized while being transferred from Iran to the Houthis in Yemen as U.S. stock. This allows the President to immediately transfer these seized items to foreign partners as security assistance. The Act also requires the President to report annually to Congress detailing the use of this new authority.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress, under the Congressional Review Act, of a specific rule issued by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The rule concerns the Buffalo Field Office's Record of Decision and its Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment. If enacted, this resolution nullifies the BLM rule, preventing it from taking effect.

This resolution formally acknowledges the critical state of youth mental health in the U.S., citing alarming rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide. It calls for increased investment in mental health support and encourages the designation of specific days to raise awareness. Ultimately, the bill urges federal, state, and local entities to prioritize comprehensive mental health programs for young people.

The FARMS Act temporarily pauses the calculation of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) for H-2A agricultural visa workers for up to two years. This allows the Secretary of Labor to continue using the existing AEWR if a reliable new calculation method cannot be determined. The goal is to maintain wage stability for temporary foreign agricultural workers during this period.

The Metropolitan Planning Enhancement Act mandates greater transparency and accountability in how metropolitan areas and states select transportation projects for funding. It requires using public, objective criteria to rank all potential projects based on alignment with national and state goals. Finally, priority funding lists must generally select projects from the highest-ranked category, requiring a public justification if a lower-ranked project is chosen instead.

The SPACEPORT Act updates federal grant programs to modernize and expand space launch infrastructure across the United States. It revises eligibility criteria for applicants and grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to waive standard funding limits when deemed in the national interest. Furthermore, the bill mandates comprehensive reports to Congress assessing national space transportation needs and suggesting future policy to maintain U.S. competitiveness.

This resolution strongly condemns the brutal October 7th attacks by Hamas, demanding the immediate and unconditional surrender of the terrorist group and the release of all hostages, including Americans. It reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense while urging international action against Hamas and condemning the global surge in antisemitism. The measure serves as a formal statement of U.S. policy and support following the attacks.

This resolution expresses support for designating a National Dyspraxia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) Awareness Week to highlight this common, lifelong condition that affects motor skills. The bill aims to increase public awareness, encourage better support and diagnosis from professionals, and promote research for those affected by DCD. It recognizes the challenges faced by individuals with DCD and encourages nationwide efforts to improve understanding and resources.

The Undersea Cable Protection Act of 2025 streamlines the authorization process for undersea fiber optic cables already permitted by Federal or State agencies. This bill prevents redundant permitting requirements within national marine sanctuaries for previously approved cable activities. It also directs NOAA to coordinate closely with other Federal agencies on matters concerning these existing undersea cables.

This resolution expresses deep concern over the growing trend of book banning and threats to freedom of expression in U.S. schools and libraries. It asserts that such censorship undermines democratic values and harms students by restricting access to diverse ideas and histories. The bill urges local entities to follow best practices for book challenges and calls for the immediate reinstatement of books removed from Department of Defense schools. Ultimately, it reaffirms the nation's commitment to First Amendment rights and the freedom to read.

This resolution officially recognizes the week of September 30th as "National Orange Shirt Week" or "National Week of Remembrance." This week is dedicated to honoring the victims and survivors of federally funded Indian boarding schools. The measure acknowledges the devastating, ongoing trauma resulting from past U.S. government assimilation policies. It signals the need for further investigation into these historical injustices.

The Pipeline Accountability Act of 2025 significantly strengthens pipeline safety by integrating climate considerations into standards and mandating faster response times for ruptures. It dramatically increases public transparency by requiring operators to disclose safety data and establishes a new office for public engagement within the Transportation Department. Finally, the Act empowers private citizens to sue pipeline operators in federal court for safety violations, enhancing overall accountability.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of September 15 through September 21, 2025, as "Rail Safety Week" in the United States. The goal is to focus national attention on reducing highway-rail grade crossing incidents, fatalities, and injuries. It encourages public participation and education to promote safety around railroad tracks throughout the year.

This resolution expresses support for designating October 2025 as National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month to highlight the significant academic challenges faced by students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD). It emphasizes that SLDs are the most common disability category under IDEA, yet these students show alarmingly low proficiency rates in reading and math. The bill urges early screening and calls on educational agencies to ensure these students receive the required specialized instruction and support to achieve success.

This bill establishes comprehensive sanctions against the Russian Federation by targeting its "shadow fleet" evading oil price caps and penalizing foreign entities supporting its defense industry. It mandates increased coordination with allies on enforcement and requires detailed reporting on Russian energy profits and U.S. aid to Ukraine. The legislation also provides emergency funding to counter Russian influence in Europe.

The Long-Distance Corridor Relief Act modifies the criteria the Secretary uses when selecting long-distance intercity passenger rail corridors for support. This bill mandates that the Secretary must disregard any existing or anticipated non-Federal funding when evaluating these specific long-distance routes for selection. Essentially, it removes the consideration of outside funding for these corridors during the selection process.

This executive resolution seeks Senate approval to consider a large batch of 108 presidential nominations simultaneously, rather than voting on each individually. The nominations cover numerous key roles across the government, including ambassadors, agency heads, and U.S. Attorneys. This procedural measure allows for the swift confirmation of these appointments across various departments.

The Streamlining State Highway Safety Submissions Act aims to reduce paperwork for states by simplifying the triennial highway safety plan submission process. It allows the Secretary of Transportation to accept findings from recent management reviews by NHTSA in place of some required plan documentation. This change is intended to make the submission process quicker for states already undergoing federal review.

The Stronger Enforcement of Civil Penalties Act of 2025 significantly increases civil money penalties across major securities laws for violations involving fraud or reckless disregard. This legislation establishes new, higher penalty tiers, including amounts based on financial gain or victim losses. Furthermore, the bill introduces a punitive "fourth tier" that triples standard fines for repeat securities fraud offenders within five years of a prior conviction or settlement. Finally, it clarifies that continuous violations of court injunctions or SEC bars count as separate, daily offenses to ensure stricter accountability.

The Small Entity Update Act mandates that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regularly study and update its definition of a "small entity" for regulatory purposes. These studies must assess the current definition against market growth and suggest revisions to ensure a meaningful number of businesses qualify. Following these reviews, the SEC is required to revise its rules and adjust any associated dollar thresholds for inflation every five years.