Legislative Activity

This resolution formally honors the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of Frederick W. Smith, the visionary founder of FedEx. It recognizes his pioneering role in revolutionizing global logistics and his significant contributions to entrepreneurship and community service in Memphis. The Senate passes this tribute to celebrate his remarkable career and dedication to innovation.

This bill, the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act, reauthorizes and extends the existing Colorado River System conservation pilot program. It pushes back key deadlines for the program, allowing it to continue operating for an additional two years. The legislation also updates the official naming reference within the program's description.

The Commercial Motor Vehicle English Proficiency Act mandates that all commercial motor vehicle operators must demonstrate proficiency in basic English to obtain or maintain their commercial driver's license (CDL). This ensures drivers can read traffic signs and effectively communicate with law enforcement and safety officials. Furthermore, the CDL knowledge test will only be administered in English two years after the law's enactment.

This resolution officially designates July 16, 2025, as "Glioblastoma Awareness Day" to highlight the severity of this aggressive brain cancer. It honors those affected by glioblastoma and supports ongoing efforts to improve patient outcomes. The bill specifically calls for increased public awareness, collaboration in research, and continued funding for better treatments and diagnostic tools.

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as National Wildfire Preparedness Month to address the growing threat of intense wildfires across the nation. It encourages federal, state, and local governments to boost public awareness and preparedness efforts. The goal is to educate communities on crucial steps like home hardening, land management, and safe evacuation planning to mitigate future risks.

The PEAKS Act aims to preserve the Critical Access Hospital (CAH) status for certain hospitals by grandfathering their compliance with specific distance requirements. It also modifies the Medicare payment rules for ambulance services furnished by CAHs, updating the distance limitations for reimbursement. This legislation ensures continued access to essential emergency and healthcare services in key, often remote, locations.

This Act mandates that any final convention or agreement on pandemic preparedness resulting from the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Negotiating Body must be treated as a formal treaty. Consequently, the United States cannot adopt or implement such an agreement without receiving the "advice and consent" of the Senate. This ensures that the Senate has a final, two-thirds majority vote on any binding international health instrument negotiated by the WHO.

The Expanding Access to Palliative Care Act establishes a new five-year pilot program for community-based palliative care managed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation. This model aims to improve quality of life and coordinate care for seriously ill Medicare beneficiaries outside of traditional hospital settings. The program will offer comprehensive support, including pain and symptom management, while coordinating with existing providers. Success will be measured by comparing participant outcomes, such as emergency room use and hospital admissions, against non-participants.

The Improving Access to Transfusion Care for Hospice Patients Act of 2025 directs the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMI) to test a new payment model for blood transfusions for hospice patients. This model would allow blood transfusions to be paid for separately from the standard Medicare hospice per diem payment. The CMI must evaluate whether this change impacts patient utilization of hospital services and the overall quality of care.

The Small Projects Expedited Execution and Delivery Act (SPEED Act) significantly raises the financial thresholds for transportation projects to qualify for expedited environmental review. Specifically, it doubles the maximum federal assistance cap to $\$12$ million and increases the total project cost limit to $\$70$ million for projects eligible for categorical exclusion. This change aims to speed up the delivery of smaller infrastructure projects by reducing lengthy environmental review requirements for those with limited federal funding.

This resolution recognizes National Foster Care Month to highlight the challenges faced by children in the foster care system and encourages Congress to implement policies that improve their lives. It reaffirms the commitment to supporting prevention, reunification, adoption, and successful transitions for youth aging out of care. The resolution also specifically honors the resilience of foster youth and the dedication of foster parents, advocates, and child welfare workers.

This resolution serves as a formal tribute honoring the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri. It recognizes his decades of public service, including his terms as Missouri Governor and U.S. Senator, where he championed infrastructure, agriculture, and conservative values. The Senate expresses deep sadness over his passing and directs that official copies of this tribute be sent to his family.

The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 authorizes livestock producers and their employees to take action against black vultures that are harming or threatening livestock or related property. This provision allows for the capture, killing, or dispersal of the birds, provided that poisoning is strictly prohibited. Those who take action must report the activity to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service once the required reporting form is made available.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act establishes new federal crimes for the intentional sharing of nonconsensual intimate images, including realistic AI-generated deepfakes, with enhanced penalties for content involving minors. It mandates that online platforms create clear reporting systems and remove reported nonconsensual intimate content within 48 hours. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is empowered to enforce these notice and removal requirements against covered platforms.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 establishes a presumption that certain cancers leading to death or disability in public safety officers were caused by on-duty exposure to recognized carcinogens. This law defines specific exposure-related cancers and sets conditions, such as five years of service, for the presumption to apply. It also updates review processes for adding new cancers to the list and grants retroactive application and filing extensions for eligible past and present claims.

The LOCOMOTIVES Act clarifies federal authority under the Clean Air Act regarding emissions standards for certain existing locomotives and engines used in construction or farm equipment. This legislation ensures that federal standards, rather than varying state standards, apply to these specific engines, particularly those under 175 horsepower and locomotives engaged in commerce. Essentially, it centralizes regulatory power over these emissions sources at the federal level.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week." It serves to honor the valor and integrity of law enforcement officers across the nation. The resolution specifically remembers the officers killed in the line of duty during 2024 and encourages the public to observe this week to show appreciation for law enforcement personnel.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and processors from requiring firearms retailers to use a unique Merchant Category Code (MCC) that singles them out. This ensures that credit and debit card transactions for firearms and ammunition are treated the same as general retail purchases. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcing this prohibition and reporting annually to Congress on compliance efforts.

This Act establishes a fast-track process to ensure Medicare coverage for medical devices officially designated as "breakthrough devices" by the FDA. Once designated, these devices receive a four-year transitional coverage period under Medicare Parts A and B. The legislation also mandates timely final coverage decisions and provides funding for the administrative oversight required by this new system.

The Forest Protection and Wildland Firefighter Safety Act of 2025 streamlines firefighting operations by exempting the use of approved fire retardants during wildfire suppression from standard federal water pollution discharge permits. This change ensures that necessary aerial application of Forest Service-qualified products does not require an NPDES permit. The bill focuses on removing regulatory hurdles for essential wildfire control activities.