Legislative Activity

This resolution officially designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the vital and substantial contributions of the over 1.2 million female agricultural producers to the U.S. economy and global food supply. The measure encourages citizens to acknowledge the leadership, mentorship, and economic impact women have across the entire agricultural sector.

This resolution formally honors the life and distinguished public service career of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator for Wyoming. It celebrates his extensive tenure in both state and federal government, highlighting his focus on fiscal responsibility and support for veterans. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow at his passing and directs that the day's adjournment serve as a final tribute to his memory.

This resolution condemns the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong government for systematically dismantling Hong Kong's promised autonomy and democratic freedoms. It specifically denounces the imposition and expansion of sweeping national security laws used to suppress dissent, arrest activists, and target journalists. The resolution urges international accountability for these actions and calls for the immediate release of all political detainees.

The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act prohibits state and local governments from imposing excise taxes on the sale of firearms, ammunition, or related parts when those sales involve interstate or foreign commerce. This measure specifically targets state-level taxation on the initial distribution of these items across state lines. Importantly, this Act does not affect the existing federal funding mechanism established by the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.

The Small County PILT Parity Act revises federal funding distribution rules to better support very small local governments. It significantly lowers the population threshold defining a "low-population unit" from 4,999 residents to just 999. This adjustment broadens eligibility for special allocation considerations previously reserved for slightly larger, low-population areas.

The SHORT Act aims to revise federal firearms tax definitions and eliminate disparate federal treatment of short-barreled rifles and shotguns used for lawful purposes. It also preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on these specific weapons if they are involved in interstate commerce. Finally, the bill mandates the destruction of existing federal records related to the registration and transfer of these firearms.

This resolution formally recognizes the rich heritage, culture, and significant contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women across the United States. It celebrates their historic achievements in areas such as military service, science, the arts, and civil rights leadership. The bill also emphasizes the importance of continued investment to overcome barriers these women face in accessing justice, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

The Cellphone Jamming Reform Act of 2025 limits the FCC's authority to prohibit state and federal correctional facilities from using signal jamming systems within their housing areas. This legislation permits prisons to deploy jammers specifically to block communications involving contraband devices or incarcerated individuals. Any facility choosing to use this technology must adhere to strict operational rules, including location limitations and pre-approval notification to local public safety officials and the Bureau of Prisons.

The Mass Timber Federal Buildings Act of 2025 requires federal agencies to prioritize the use of domestically sourced mass timber and innovative wood products in new government construction and leases. This preference applies when the materials are responsibly sourced from U.S. forestlands through certified or regulated practices. Furthermore, the bill mandates lifecycle assessments for new buildings utilizing these wood products to measure their environmental impact.

The Stop CARB Act of 2025 aims to centralize federal control over emission standards for off-road engines and vehicles by immediately repealing all state authority to set or enforce their own rules in this area. This legislation also eliminates the ability for other states to adopt California's stricter new motor vehicle emission standards. In essence, the bill strips states of their power to create pollution regulations that exceed federal requirements for specific engine types and vehicles.

This joint resolution nullifies the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's rule on the Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its enforcement or implementation.

The Financial Integrity and Regulation Management (FIRM) Act mandates that federal banking agencies must cease using "reputational risk" as a factor in the supervision, examination, or rating of depository institutions. This legislation aims to ensure regulators focus solely on a bank's financial safety and soundness, rather than public perception or political pressure. The Act requires all relevant agencies to remove references to reputational risk from their guidance and policies within 180 days of enactment.

The PARC Act, or Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act, mandates that all units of the National Park System that charge an entrance fee must accept cash payments. This ensures visitors have an option beyond electronic or credit card payments to access national parks.

The Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2025 establishes a new program to encourage households receiving SNAP benefits to purchase more naturally nutrient-rich dairy products through point-of-sale incentives. The Secretary of Agriculture will award grants to eligible entities to run these projects, prioritizing those that maximize direct incentives for participants. The law mandates rigorous, independent evaluation of all projects to scientifically measure the impact on dairy purchases, with required reporting to Congress.

The Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA Act) ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from mandating or barring contractors from entering into agreements with labor unions. This promotes open bidding, reduces taxpayer costs, and prevents discrimination based on union membership. The law requires federal agencies to remain neutral regarding project labor agreements for both direct contracts and federal grants.

The PARTS Act of 2025, or Protecting Americans Right To Silence Act, updates the federal definition of a "firearm silencer" or "firearm muffler." This legislation clarifies that both complete sound-reducing devices and the main housing component of such a device are legally considered silencers if designed to attach to a portable firearm. This change ensures that the core components intended for noise reduction are regulated under existing federal law.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025 amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit states from receiving waivers to set new vehicle emission standards that restrict the sale or use of new cars with internal combustion engines. This legislation invalidates any existing or future state standards that directly or indirectly limit traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Furthermore, the bill mandates the revocation of any previously granted waivers that conflict with this new restriction.

The Freedom to Haul Act of 2025 prohibits the EPA from implementing or enforcing the Phase 3 heavy-duty vehicle emission rules. Furthermore, the bill prevents the EPA from issuing tailpipe emission regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. This ensures manufacturers retain flexibility in meeting pollution standards.

The Helping More Families Save Act establishes a pilot program to help families receiving housing assistance save money as their income increases. This program creates interest-bearing escrow accounts where the amount of any rent increase due to higher earnings is deposited. Families can access these savings after a set period or upon achieving self-sufficiency goals, without jeopardizing their eligibility for other federal aid programs.