Legislative Activity

This resolution supports National Nurses Week, observed from May 6-12, 2025, and recognizes the vital contributions of nurses to healthcare in various roles, including patient care, advocacy, and research. It emphasizes the need for strengthening nursing workforce development and encourages public recognition of nurses' importance to patients' lives.

This resolution supports the designation of May 4-10, 2025, as "National Small Business Week". It recognizes the significant role of over 34.5 million small businesses in the U.S. that contribute to the economy and provide over 59 million jobs. The resolution celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, achievements, and resilience of small business owners and their employees.

This resolution designates April 2025 as "Financial Literacy Month" to highlight the critical role of personal financial education and the repercussions of financial illiteracy. It acknowledges the significant number of unbanked and underbanked households, the struggles faced by people with disabilities, and the growing household debt in the U.S. The resolution encourages the government, schools, organizations, and individuals to promote financial literacy through various programs and activities during this month. It also emphasizes the positive impact of financial education on credit scores, retirement planning, and overall financial well-being.

The Stand with Israel Act amends the United Nations Participation Act of 1945 to prohibit U.S. funds from going to the United Nations or any of its entities that discriminate against Israel. Discrimination includes actions such as expelling or suspending Israel's membership or restricting its participation in a way that is not on par with other member states. The Act ensures that no funds from the Department of State or any other federal agency can be used for contributions that violate this prohibition.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act aims to combat the nonconsensual sharing of intimate visual depictions, including deepfakes, by establishing criminal penalties for those who knowingly publish such content and requiring online platforms to create a process for individuals to request the removal of these depictions. Platforms must remove the content within 48 hours of a valid request and make reasonable efforts to remove any known identical copies. Failure to comply with these takedown obligations will be treated as a violation under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Act also defines key terms related to consent, digital forgeries, and covered platforms.

This resolution designates the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week" to recognize the importance of national parks for recreation, education, and economic contributions. It encourages people to visit and support these parks while acknowledging the role of the National Park Service in protecting these resources for future generations.

The "LOCAL Infrastructure Act" reinstates advance refunding bonds, reversing changes made by Public Law 115-97. This allows state and local governments to refinance municipal bonds at lower interest rates, reducing borrowing costs. The change is effective immediately upon the Act's enactment.

The "New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2025" amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to allow interstate shipment of meat and poultry products inspected under state programs. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to oversee state meat and poultry inspection programs, enforce federal requirements, and report on the status of these programs. This act overrides state laws that restrict the sale of state-inspected meat and poultry products in interstate commerce, aiming to broaden market access for state-inspected producers.

The LIABLE Act allows U.S. nationals, members of the armed forces, and U.S. government employees/contractors to sue international organizations in U.S. courts for monetary damages resulting from acts of terrorism, such as torture, extrajudicial killing, aircraft sabotage, or hostage-taking, if the organization provided material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization. This applies if the international organization is based or has a significant presence in the U.S. The act stipulates that lawsuits must be filed within 20 years of the cause of action.

The Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act amends the Social Security Act to revise physician self-referral exemptions, particularly for physician-owned hospitals. It defines and exempts "covered rural hospitals" from certain restrictions, focusing on hospitals located in rural areas and meeting specific criteria. The act also lifts the prohibition on the expansion of existing physician-owned hospitals, effective from the date of enactment.

The BRAIN Act aims to strengthen brain tumor research and treatment development, and improve access to specialized healthcare. It requires transparency for brain tumor biospecimen collections, establishes the Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network, and promotes brain tumor-related cellular immunotherapy research. The act also mandates a national campaign to educate about cancer clinical trials and biomarker testing, supports pilot programs for brain tumor survivor care, and directs the FDA to ensure brain tumor patient access to clinical trials.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Louisiana Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr., recognizing his contributions to energy policy, natural resource conservation, and Louisiana's cultural heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to Senator Johnston's family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in his honor.

This resolution disapproves and nullifies the EPA's rule that allowed California to set its own vehicle and engine pollution control standards. The rule in question is the "Advanced Clean Cars II" and "Waiver of Preemption." By disapproving this rule, the resolution seeks to prevent California from implementing stricter emission standards than the federal government.

This bill mandates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director to reinstate the rule delisting the gray wolf from the endangered and threatened species list, as previously outlined in the 2020 final rule. The reissuance must occur within 60 days of the bill's enactment and will not be subject to judicial review.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that relaxed certain pollution control standards for motor vehicles and engines in California. The rule covered heavy-duty vehicle emissions, advanced clean trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, and related certifications. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its implementation.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding eligible practitioners and originating sites, and making waivers for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Native American health facilities permanent. It also enhances program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, authorizing additional funding for oversight, and addressing unusual billing patterns. Additionally, the act supports beneficiaries and providers by requiring the development of resources and training, reviewing quality measures, and mandating the publication of data on telehealth services. These changes aim to make telehealth a more accessible, high-quality, and permanent option for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.

The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" mandates a wide range of sanctions on Russia, its government, affiliated individuals and entities, and sectors of its economy in response to actions against Ukraine. It requires the President to make regular determinations regarding Russia's behavior and imposes escalating penalties, including financial restrictions, import bans, and increased duties, if Russia refuses to negotiate peace, violates agreements, or takes further aggressive actions against Ukraine. The Act also targets international entities that support Russia's sanctioned activities and sets conditions for the termination and reimposition of sanctions based on Russia's adherence to peace agreements.

The Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025 limits the scope of court-ordered relief, such as injunctions and declaratory judgements, to only the parties directly involved in a case. It modifies the rules for temporary restraining orders and clarifies the scope of judicial review. The act ensures that courts cannot grant relief to non-parties unless those parties are represented.

The "No Dollars for Dictators Act of 2025" prevents the U.S. from supporting the allocation of funds from the International Monetary Fund to countries found to have committed genocide or repeatedly supported international terrorism. This prohibition stands unless Congress specifically authorizes such allocation.

This resolution celebrates the 113th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America and its founder, Juliette Gordon Low, for their legacy of empowering girls. It recognizes the organization's focus on developing courage, confidence, and character in young women through STEM, outdoor activities, and entrepreneurship. The resolution also acknowledges the release of the Juliette Gordon Low Commemorative Quarter.