Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses the Senate's lack of confidence in Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr., citing failures to support health research, administer programs effectively, and ensure the well-being of vulnerable populations. It raises concerns about specific actions, including grant terminations, funding cuts, staff reductions, and undermining vaccine efforts. The resolution also criticizes Kennedy's statements on autism and plans regarding water fluoridation, ultimately concluding that he has eroded public trust and defied congressional intent.

The MERIT Act, or "Model Employee Reinstatement for Ill-advised Termination Act," mandates the reinstatement of federal probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment. It requires agencies to offer these employees their previous or similar positions, along with back pay and benefits, and establishes a process for notification, acceptance, and payment determination. The Act also requires reports to Congress on mass terminations and reinstatements.

The "Tariff Transparency Act of 2025" directs the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate and report on the economic impact of duties and the threat of duties on imports from Mexico and Canada on U.S. businesses and consumers. The report will assess the effects on consumer prices, various sectors, and the overall stability of trade relations. It requires a detailed analysis of how these tariffs and potential tariffs affect business investment, job creation, and economic stability, providing transparency on the consequences of trade policies.