Legislative Activity

This joint resolution nullifies the Federal Communications Commission's rule addressing the homework gap through the E-Rate Program. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents the FCC from implementing measures intended to bridge the digital divide for students' home internet access.

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 Insurance Data Protection Act aims to protect the confidentiality of insurance companies' data by limiting the subpoena power of the Office of Financial Research and ensuring that financial regulators coordinate with other agencies before collecting data from insurance companies. It facilitates the sharing of non-public information among federal and state agencies and insurance regulators while maintaining confidentiality and legal privileges. The act also clarifies that existing agency disclosure requirements apply to data submitted to financial regulators.

This joint resolution nullifies the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule that defines larger participants in the market for general-use digital consumer payment applications. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents it from being enforced.

The Returning Education to Our States Act aims to reorganize federal education programs by transferring responsibilities from the Department of Education to other departments like Interior, Defense, Treasury, and Labor. It establishes state block grant programs for early childhood, elementary, secondary, and higher education, providing states with more control over education funding. States must submit annual student data and undergo audits to ensure appropriate use of funds and compliance with federal civil rights laws. This act also addresses the procedural aspects of these transfers, including funding, reorganization plans, and personnel changes.

The PEER Support Act aims to enhance mental health and substance use disorder recovery support by formally recognizing and supporting peer support specialists. It mandates the Office of Management and Budget to create a specific job category for peer support specialists and establishes an Office of Recovery within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to promote their training, integration, and professional development. Additionally, the Act requires a report on criminal background checks for peer support specialists, with recommendations to reduce barriers to certification.

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.

The "Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act" amends the tax code to include certain travel trailers and campers in the definition of "floor plan financing." This change allows businesses that finance these types of vehicles to deduct interest expenses, similar to how they do for other types of vehicles. This applies to trailers and campers designed for temporary living during recreational, camping, or seasonal use, and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The "Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2025" establishes a program providing eligible military dependent children with education savings accounts. These accounts, managed by the Secretary of Education in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, will offer an initial deposit of \$6,000, increasing annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Funds can be used for a wide range of educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring, online programs, and college costs. The Act authorizes \$1,200,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, with subsequent years' funding adjusted for inflation, and prioritizes renewals of existing accounts.

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.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Wyoming Senator Alan K. Simpson, recognizing his public service, military service, and contributions to Wyoming and the nation. It celebrates his work on border security, veterans affairs, entitlement reform, and fiscal responsibility, as well as his dedication to various Wyoming institutions. The resolution expresses sorrow at his passing, directs communication to the House of Representatives and his family, and adjourns the Senate in his memory.

The DETERRENCE Act increases criminal penalties for specific offenses, such as kidnapping, murder-for-hire, stalking, and assaults or threats against federal officials and their families, when those offenses are committed at the direction of or in coordination with a foreign government or its agents. It also increases the sentences for assassination, kidnapping, and assault of the president and presidential staff if tied to direction or coordination with a foreign government or its agents.

The Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Streamline the Code of Federal Regulations Act of 2025 mandates an annual review of federal regulations using AI to identify and eliminate outdated or redundant rules. This review is overseen by the Office of Management and Budget, utilizing AI systems that meet specific standards for accuracy and security. Agencies are required to act on the AI's findings by rescinding or updating regulations, with all determinations published for transparency. This act also amends existing law to expedite the removal or modification of these identified regulations.

The "Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act" restricts U.S. funds from being used in Gaza if they would benefit members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any foreign terrorist organization. It also restricts funds from being used through any United Nations entity that promotes anti-Israel or anti-Semitic ideas. These restrictions will be in place unless the President certifies to Congress that these conditions are not met.

The Financial Integrity and Regulation Management Act (FIRM Act) removes "reputational risk" as a supervisory factor for federal banking agencies when overseeing financial institutions. This bill prohibits these agencies from using reputational risk to regulate, supervise, or examine banks, ensuring that all legal businesses and citizens have equal access to financial services. The Act requires federal banking agencies to report to Congress on their implementation of these changes.

The FIGHT China Act of 2025 aims to protect U.S. national security by imposing sanctions on foreign entities connected to China's military-industrial complex, prohibiting certain investments in sensitive technologies, and requiring notification of other investments. It authorizes the President to sanction foreign individuals and entities involved in supporting China's defense or surveillance sectors, and restricts U.S. investment in companies linked to China's military. The Act also requires increased scrutiny and potential listing of additional entities on the Non-SDN Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, and mandates U.S. persons to divest from securities of listed companies. Furthermore, the Act seeks to coordinate with allied countries to prevent the development and acquisition of prohibited technologies by countries of concern.

The "End Taxpayer Funding of Gender Experimentation Act of 2025" prohibits the use of federal funds for gender transition procedures and health benefits coverage that includes such procedures, while allowing individuals and entities to purchase separate coverage with non-federal funds. It clarifies that premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions under the Affordable Care Act cannot be used for health plans covering gender transition procedures. The bill defines key terms like "gender transition procedure" and provides specific exclusions, such as treatments for verifiable disorders of sex development or procedures necessary to prevent imminent death. This act aims to ensure that federal taxpayer dollars are not used to fund gender transition interventions, while not restricting access to these procedures when paid for with non-federal funds.

The Resident Education Deferred Interest Act or REDI Act amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow borrowers participating in a medical or dental internship or residency program to defer their student loan payments. During the deferment period, borrowers will not be required to make principal payments, and interest will not accrue on the loan.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 aims to maintain and modernize the Air Force's fighter aircraft fleet by setting minimum inventory levels, requiring regular reports on the status of the fleet, prioritizing the assignment of new aircraft to existing squadrons, and preserving the Air National Guard's fighter capabilities. It mandates the Air Force to retain a minimum number of fighter aircraft, with allowances for temporary reductions during unit recapitalizations, and ensures the Air National Guard maintains a specific number of fighter squadrons while receiving modern aircraft. The Act also includes provisions for annual recapitalization plans for the Air National Guard and defines key terms related to fighter aircraft.