Legislation

This bill designates February 2025 as National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month to raise awareness about the various forms and impacts of teen dating violence. It encourages communities to empower teens to develop healthy relationships and recognizes the significant public health impact of teen dating violence, particularly on young women. The bill calls for nationwide participation in programs and activities that promote awareness and prevention.

This bill allocates $18,617,085 from the House of Representatives' funds to cover the expenses of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for the 119th Congress, including staff salaries. It sets spending limits for two separate sessions and mandates that all payments be made through vouchers approved by the House Administration Committee. The funds provided must be spent in accordance with the regulations set by the House Administration Committee.

This bill addresses public safety concerns regarding recent unidentified drone activity in New Jersey and New York. It calls for federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and FAA, to publicly brief citizens on the situation, collaborate with state and local law enforcement to reduce unauthorized drone activity, and assess the need for enhanced security measures to protect critical infrastructure.

This resolution condemns President Biden's commutation of Marvin Charles Gabrion II's death sentence, asserting it undermines the rule of law and insults Gabrion's victims. Gabrion was convicted of murdering Rachel Timmerman, a witness against him, and was suspected in other disappearances and murders. The resolution suggests the commutation was politically motivated, given Biden's inconsistent stance on the death penalty. The Senate unequivocally condemns this commutation.

The Railroad Responsibility Act of 2025 allows states to regulate the amount of time railroad companies can block public railroad crossings. It clarifies that federal regulations do not prevent states from creating and enforcing their own laws to limit blocked crossings. "State" includes any state in the United States, as well as the District of Columbia.

This resolution expresses the Senate's opposition to deploying U.S. military assets or personnel to "take over" Gaza. It emphasizes the importance of Palestinian self-determination, warns against the negative consequences of U.S. control over Gaza, and highlights public and congressional concerns about unauthorized military action and financial expenditure. The resolution underscores that the U.S. should not use its military or resources to control Gaza.

The Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act aims to remove the tax on natural gas by repealing section 136 of the Clean Air Act. Additionally, it rescinds any unspent funds previously allocated under this section.

The "Accountability for Lawless Violence In our Neighborhoods Act" or the "ALVIN Act" prohibits federal funding to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. It rescinds unspent funds and requires the Attorney General to recover funds spent by the office after January 1, 2022.

The "No Budget, No Pay Act" mandates that Members of Congress will not be paid if Congress fails to pass a budget resolution and all regular appropriations bills by October 1st of each fiscal year, starting September 29, 2027. The chairs of the House and Senate Budget and Appropriations Committees will determine if Congress has met this requirement. Members of Congress will not receive back pay for any period during which Congress did not comply with these requirements. This act aims to incentivize timely budget approvals and appropriations.

The No Foreign Gifts Act of 2025 prohibits colleges and universities that receive federal funding from accepting gifts from countries that support foreign terrorist organizations, as determined by the Secretary of State, or from China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. Institutions must report any gift offers from these countries to the Secretary to remain eligible for federal funding.

This bill expresses support for designating February 5, 2025, as "National Prosecutors Day" to recognize the vital role of prosecutors in ensuring justice, deterring crime, and protecting community safety. It acknowledges their advocacy for victims and collaboration with law enforcement and community organizations. The bill encourages state, tribal, and local governments to promote National Prosecutors Day and educate the public about the role of prosecutors in the judicial system. It also recognizes the 75th anniversary of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) for its support of prosecutors.

This joint resolution seeks to direct the President to remove U.S. troops from hostilities in or affecting Ukraine within 30 days, unless Congress declares war or specifically authorizes the use of armed forces. It emphasizes that Congress has the sole power to declare war and highlights concerns that current U.S. involvement in Ukraine constitutes engagement in hostilities without proper authorization. The resolution invokes the War Powers Resolution, asserting that U.S. actions necessitate congressional approval or troop removal. This resolution explicitly states that it does not authorize the use of military force.

This bill supports the designation of January 30, 2025, as "Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution," honoring Fred Korematsu's fight for justice after facing discrimination due to his Japanese ancestry during World War II. It recognizes his courage and advocacy for civil liberties, urging reflection on leadership, justice, and civil rights, especially during times of uncertainty. The bill aims to prevent the repetition of past injustices and uphold the principles of the Constitution.

This bill recognizes February 4, 2025, as National Cancer Prevention Day to raise awareness about cancer prevention and risk reduction. It supports the Cancer Moonshot's goal to reduce the cancer death rate and emphasizes the importance of early detection, knowledge expansion, and collaboration with experts to combat cancer.

The SNOW Act of 2025 amends the Stafford Act to provide additional support for communities affected by winter storms. It allows funds to be used for snow removal equipment, defines winter storm conditions for disaster declarations, and directs FEMA to issue regulations for winter storm assistance. The bill also adjusts the federal cost share for disaster relief, increasing it to at least 75% and up to 90% for rural or disadvantaged areas.

The "Read the Bills Act" aims to ensure transparency and constitutional adherence in the legislative process by requiring all bills to cite their constitutional authority, include the current version of any amended laws, be published online for at least seven days before a vote, and be fully read aloud in Congress. It mandates that each member of Congress confirms their presence during the bill's reading or certifies they have read it in its entirety before voting, and establishes legal recourse for individuals or members of Congress aggrieved by non-compliance. This act prohibits the waiver or modification of these requirements by either House of Congress.

The "Improving Federal Financial Management Act" aims to improve federal financial management by modifying the responsibilities of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), updating the government-wide financial management plan, and requiring agencies to conduct audits. It mandates CFOs to oversee various financial aspects, prepare agency plans with performance metrics, and coordinate with other senior personnel. The act also updates the government-wide financial management plan to a 4-year strategic plan with performance-based metrics and requires annual financial management status reports.

The Federal Freeze Act freezes federal hiring and salaries for one year, with exceptions for law enforcement, public safety, and national security. After the freeze, agencies must reduce their workforce by 2% within two years and 5% within three years of the Act's enactment.

This resolution authorizes the Senate Budget Committee to spend money from the Senate's contingent fund, hire staff, and utilize personnel from other government departments to carry out its duties, including holding hearings and conducting investigations, from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets specific expense limits for the committee during different periods, including allocations for consultants and staff training. The resolution also outlines the procedure for covering committee expenses, specifying exceptions for when vouchers are not required, and authorizes payments from the Senate's Inquiries and Investigations expense account for agency contributions related to committee employee compensation during the covered periods.

The American Sovereignty and Species Protection Act of 2025 amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973. It prohibits the classification of non-native species as endangered or threatened. Additionally, it restricts the use of financial assistance for acquiring land or water rights in foreign countries.