Track Richard's sponsored bills, co-sponsored legislation, and voting record
This bill establishes a civil remedy allowing individuals to sue the U.S. government for constitutional rights violations committed by ICE or CBP officers, regardless of official policy.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
The ICE and CBP Constitutional Accountability Act establishes a civil remedy allowing individuals to sue the U.S. government for monetary damages when ICE or CBP officers violate their constitutional or legal rights. This liability applies even if the officer was not following official policy. The bill aims to hold the government financially accountable for misconduct such as racial profiling and unreasonable searches by these agencies.
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized such military action.
Timothy Kaine
Senator
VA
Timothy Kaine
Senator
VA
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless Congress has explicitly authorized such military action. It asserts that no such authorization currently exists. The bill permits continued activities like intelligence sharing and assisting allies with necessary defensive measures against Iranian threats.
The Save the Kurds Act designates a terrorist group, subjects Syria's removal from the terrorism sponsor list to Congressional review, and imposes sweeping new sanctions on the Syrian government and its supporters.
Lindsey Graham
Senator
SC
Lindsey Graham
Senator
SC
The Save the Kurds Act mandates the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and imposes sweeping sanctions on the Syrian government, its officials, and international supporters. It also establishes a Congressional review process for any presidential attempt to remove Syria's state sponsor of terrorism designation. The legislation includes humanitarian exceptions but sets strict prohibitions on U.S. financial and commercial engagement with Syria for five years.
This bill establishes a recurring, comprehensive National Veterans Strategy, developed in consultation with stakeholders, to measure and promote veteran success across multiple well-being metrics.
Jerry Moran
Senator
KS
Jerry Moran
Senator
KS
The National Veterans Strategy Act of 2026 mandates the establishment of clear metrics to define and measure veteran success across physical, mental, and economic well-being. It requires the President to formulate and submit a comprehensive, recurring National Veterans Strategy to Congress, aligning government and private sector resources to meet these goals. This strategy must consider diverse veteran needs and can be disapproved by Congress through a joint resolution.
This Act establishes grant funding for the National Law Enforcement Museum to enhance its community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs.
Thom Tillis
Senator
NC
Thom Tillis
Senator
NC
This Act establishes federal support for the National Law Enforcement Museum and Memorial to enhance public understanding and appreciation of law enforcement. It authorizes a seven-year grant program to fund the Museum's community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness initiatives. The bill aims to foster better relationships between law enforcement and the public while honoring fallen officers.
This act codifies the CFPB's rule to cap credit card late fees for large issuers at a maximum of \$8, ensuring the fee is reasonable and proportional to the issuer's costs.
John Fetterman
Senator
PA
John Fetterman
Senator
PA
The Credit Card Fairness Act codifies the CFPB's rule to limit credit card late fees, ensuring they are reasonable and proportional to the issuer's costs. For large issuers (1 million+ accounts), this act caps the late fee at \$8, subject to future adjustments based on inflation. This legislation aims to prevent late fees from becoming a source of profit for credit card companies.
This Act mandates FERC to study the grid impact of data centers and requires grid operators to establish special interconnection queues that prioritize data centers meeting strict requirements for new clean power, labor standards, and demand offsets, while also encouraging states to create data center-specific electricity rate classes.
Chris Van Hollen
Senator
MD
Chris Van Hollen
Senator
MD
The Power for the People Act of 2026 mandates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to study the impact of data centers on the electric grid and establish special interconnection queues for them. This legislation aims to ensure data centers bear the costs of their grid demands, preventing residential and business customers from subsidizing their growth. The bill also encourages states to adopt specific electricity rate classes for data centers to protect ratepayers from rising energy costs and infrastructure burdens.
This bill establishes new restrictions on presidential nominations for Inspector General positions by barring current or former political appointees from being nominated.
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
The Inspectors General Independence Act aims to strengthen the independence of Inspectors General by placing new restrictions on presidential nominations for these roles. Specifically, the bill prohibits the President from nominating individuals currently serving as, or who have previously served as, a political appointee under that same administration. This legislation seeks to ensure that Inspectors General maintain impartiality in their oversight functions.
This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, recognizing his military service, athletic career, and significant legislative contributions.
Michael Bennet
Senator
CO
Michael Bennet
Senator
CO
This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of former Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. It recognizes his distinguished service in the Air Force, his Olympic athletic career, and his historic tenure in the U.S. Congress. The resolution specifically highlights his landmark legislative accomplishments, including establishing the National Museum of the American Indian. The Senate expresses its sorrow and will recess as a mark of respect for his memory.
This Act prohibits the federal government from taking investigative, regulatory, or enforcement actions against individuals or entities primarily motivated by their constitutionally protected speech or political activity.
Christopher Murphy
Senator
CT
Christopher Murphy
Senator
CT
The No Political Enemies Act prohibits the federal government from taking investigative, regulatory, or enforcement actions against individuals or entities primarily because they engaged in constitutionally protected speech or political activity. It establishes an affirmative defense for those facing politically motivated enforcement actions and allows individuals to sue officials for damages or seek injunctions against such targeting. The bill also mandates regular reporting from the Department of Justice to Congress regarding sensitive law enforcement matters.
This bill establishes an expedited parole program for certain relatives of current and former U.S. military service members.
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
The PROTECT Military Families Act establishes a new parole program to allow certain close relatives of current and former U.S. service members to enter the United States. This parole is granted in one-year increments to spouses, widows/widowers, parents, or children of eligible military personnel. Denials of this parole are highly restricted and require joint written justification from the Secretaries of Homeland Security, Defense, and Veterans Affairs.
This resolution condemns recent ideologically motivated attacks against Jewish individuals in the U.S., including the Boulder assault, and reaffirms the Senate's commitment to combating antisemitism and political violence.
Dave McCormick
Senator
PA
Dave McCormick
Senator
PA
This Senate resolution strongly condemns the recent rise in ideologically motivated attacks targeting Jewish individuals and institutions across the United States, including specific violent incidents in Colorado and Washington, D.C. It reaffirms the Senate's commitment to combating antisemitism and politically motivated violence. The resolution calls for thorough investigation of these acts and urges leaders to speak out against all forms of religious and political intimidation.
This resolution observes the fifth anniversary of the January 6th attack and recognizes the essential service of Capitol personnel, including the U.S. Capitol Police.
Alejandro Padilla
Senator
CA
Alejandro Padilla
Senator
CA
This resolution observes the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. It expresses gratitude for the bravery and essential work of the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and all Capitol personnel who defended the building and ensured the continuation of government functions. The resolution also reaffirms a commitment to protecting American democracy and the Constitution.
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to pay legal settlements to individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach.
Sheldon Whitehouse
Senator
RI
Sheldon Whitehouse
Senator
RI
This act prohibits the use of any federal funds to pay legal settlements to individuals convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer during the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach. This ban specifically applies to settlements covering alleged harm suffered by the individual during the events or during their subsequent prosecution.
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to compensate individuals prosecuted for involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack and prevents the refunding of their court-ordered restitution and fines.
Alejandro Padilla
Senator
CA
Alejandro Padilla
Senator
CA
The "No Rewards for January 6 Rioters Act" prohibits the use of any federal funds to compensate individuals prosecuted for involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This includes blocking payments from the Judgment Fund or any victim compensation fund. Furthermore, the bill prevents the U.S. Treasury from refunding court-ordered restitution, fines, or special assessments paid by those convicted for their actions during the attack.
This act establishes the Improving Veteran Access to Care Act to enhance healthcare accessibility for veterans.
Margaret Hassan
Senator
NH
Margaret Hassan
Senator
NH
The Improving Veteran Access to Care Act aims to enhance healthcare accessibility for our nation's veterans. This legislation focuses on streamlining processes and improving the overall quality of care available to those who have served.
This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Department of Health and Human Services' recent rule regarding adherence to the text of the Administrative Procedure Act.
Angus King
Senator
ME
Angus King
Senator
ME
This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning adherence to the text of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this resolution immediately nullifies the proposed HHS policy. Consequently, the new rule regarding APA adherence will have no legal effect.
This bill extends key consumer protections, including disclosure requirements and billing error rights, to "buy now, pay later" loans under the Truth in Lending Act and places lenders under CFPB supervision.
John Reed
Senator
RI
John Reed
Senator
RI
The Buy Now, Pay Later Protection Act of 2025 extends key consumer protections from the Truth in Lending Act, such as clear disclosures and billing error rights, to "buy now, pay later" loans. This legislation also grants consumers the right to dispute merchant-related issues directly with the loan provider under certain circumstances. Furthermore, the bill places lenders offering these services under the direct supervision of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
This bill establishes programs and funding to advance U.S. leadership in food biomanufacturing, workforce development, and research focused on diversifying edible protein sources using under-utilized biomass.
Adam Schiff
Senator
CA
Adam Schiff
Senator
CA
This bill aims to boost the U.S. bioeconomy and food security by investing in innovative protein production, such as biomanufacturing using under-utilized biomass. It establishes new research centers, grant programs for production and workforce development, and a national strategy focused on alternative proteins. The legislation specifically excludes the promotion of insect-based food or feed.
This Act mandates the VA to provide telehealth, mail-order pharmacy, and travel benefits to eligible veterans in the Freely Associated States and extends a specific pension payment limitation.
Jerry Moran
Senator
KS
Jerry Moran
Senator
KS
This Act mandates the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand essential services, including telehealth and mail-order pharmacy benefits, to eligible veterans residing in the Freely Associated States. It also requires the VA to provide beneficiary travel payments to these veterans and submit regular progress reports to Congress. Additionally, the bill extends a current limitation on pension payments by two months.