Legislative Activity

This resolution officially supports the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week, observed from May 6 through May 12, 2025. It recognizes the vital contributions of nurses as frontline healthcare providers and patient advocates. The measure encourages the public to observe the week with appropriate events honoring the nursing profession.

This resolution strongly condemns recent actions by President Donald J. Trump that targeted and undermined the freedom of the press. It reaffirms the United States' foundational commitment to a free and independent media as essential for a functioning democracy. Furthermore, the resolution calls for the executive branch to respect journalistic rights and urges continued efforts to secure the release of imprisoned U.S. Agency for Global Media journalists abroad.

This resolution recognizes the escalating global threats against journalists and reaffirms the vital role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and informing the public. It highlights the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, emphasizing that press freedom is a priority for U.S. foreign policy. The measure calls for the U.S. government to continue championing journalist safety and accountability for those who attack the press worldwide.

The Captive Primate Safety Act amends the Lacey Act to prohibit the importation, sale, breeding, and possession of certain nonhuman primate species across state lines. This new law makes most commercial and private activities involving these primates illegal, with limited exceptions for pre-existing, registered owners and authorized research facilities. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with developing enforcement regulations within 180 days of enactment.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.

This Senate resolution urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw a proposed rule that would reduce opportunities for public notice and comment on new regulations. The Senate emphasizes that robust public input is essential for creating fair and effective policies that impact millions of Americans. It calls for HHS to maintain the established 54-year practice of allowing stakeholders to provide feedback before finalizing significant rule changes.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress regarding human rights practices in El Salvador within 30 days. The report must cover credible allegations of abuses, including torture, forced disappearances, and judicial fairness, particularly in light of the "State of Exception." Furthermore, it requires an accounting of U.S. actions taken to promote human rights and assess the risk of U.S. security assistance supporting officials involved in abuses.

The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. The bill also clarifies that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for both private and federal employees. Finally, it mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to update educational materials regarding the risks, benefits, and insurance implications of living donation.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding inspection powers. It grants the Attorney General direct authority to sue violators, seek injunctions, and impose substantial daily civil penalties. Furthermore, the bill allows for the seizure of animals involved in violations and mandates that collected penalty funds be used to reimburse temporary animal care costs.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating April 2025 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It highlights the significant employment barriers faced by the millions of Americans with past conviction records. The bill champions efforts to remove structural roadblocks, expand job training, and connect formerly incarcerated individuals with stable employment opportunities.

This resolution expresses the Senate's strong support for designating April 2025 as Parkinson's Awareness Month. It recognizes the growing impact of Parkinson's disease, which affects over a million Americans and is the second most common neurodegenerative disease globally. The resolution emphasizes the critical need for increased research, better public education, and robust community support for those living with the condition. Finally, it commends the dedication of patients, researchers, and advocates working toward better treatments and a cure.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It grandfathers existing possessions but requires background checks for all future private transfers of these previously owned weapons. The bill also permits the use of federal Byrne grant funds for state-run buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2025 officially designates approximately 1.56 million acres of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as protected wilderness. This action places the specified area under the strict protections of the National Wilderness Preservation System. This designation overrides conflicting regulations within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Equality Act comprehensively amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across key areas of American life. This legislation expands existing protections in public accommodations, employment, housing, credit access, and jury service. Its purpose is to ensure consistent and clear nationwide enforcement of non-discrimination principles for LGBTQ individuals and women.

The Medicare for All Act establishes a comprehensive, universal national health insurance program to cover all U.S. residents, eliminating most private insurance duplication and nearly all out-of-pocket costs for covered services. The bill mandates extensive benefits, including long-term care, and institutes a strict National Health Budget to control overall spending through global payments for facilities and negotiated drug prices. It also includes a transition period that immediately enhances current Medicare by eliminating deductibles and adding dental, vision, and hearing benefits.

The Agriculture Resilience Act of 2025 establishes aggressive national goals for the agricultural sector to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 through mandated emission reductions, massive increases in climate and soil health research funding, and significant overhauls to conservation and crop insurance programs. The bill also focuses on bolstering farm viability by supporting local food systems, strengthening meat labeling integrity, and expanding on-farm renewable energy adoption. Overall, it directs substantial federal resources toward incentivizing climate-smart farming practices while placing new restrictions on land conversion and waste management.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as "Earth Month" to elevate environmental stewardship beyond a single day. It recognizes the ongoing climate crisis and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. The measure encourages nationwide participation in conservation efforts, centering Indigenous knowledge and frontline voices in climate action planning. Ultimately, it calls for sustained efforts to promote clean energy, protect natural resources, and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.

The New Start Act of 2025 establishes a five-year grant program, the "New Start Program," administered by the SBA, to fund entrepreneurial training and counseling for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. This initiative aims to reduce recidivism and increase economic stability by supporting justice-impacted individuals in starting or expanding small businesses. Grantees will receive funding to offer comprehensive business training, mentorship, and connections to capital, with the SBA required to report annually on the program's impact.

The Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2025 mandates that the Federal Reserve develop tools to assess and manage the growing physical and transition risks that climate change poses to the stability of the U.S. financial system. The bill establishes a technical advisory group to help create distinct climate risk scenarios (e.g., 1.5°C and 2°C warming) for use in mandatory biennial stress tests for large financial institutions. Following these tests, major firms must submit detailed climate risk resolution plans, which regulators can reject, potentially restricting capital distributions if the plans are inadequate.

The Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit Enhancement Act of 2025 significantly increases the maximum expenses eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to \$8,000 for one dependent and \$16,000 for two or more. This legislation also adjusts the credit calculation percentage based on income and makes the credit partially or fully refundable for eligible taxpayers. Furthermore, key income thresholds and expense limits will be indexed for inflation starting in 2026.