Legislative Activity

The Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration Act, or Finding ORE Act, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into international agreements to map critical mineral and rare earth element resources. These agreements prioritize development opportunities for U.S. and allied companies while ensuring the security and reliability of vital supply chains. The Act also mandates data protection and encourages private investment in resource development processed within the U.S. or allied nations.

The Dark Web Interdiction Act of 2025 aims to combat the growing threat of illicit online marketplaces operating on the dark web, particularly those distributing illegal drugs. The bill establishes a new interagency task force within the FBI to investigate and dismantle these criminal operations. Furthermore, it increases penalties for dark web drug trafficking offenses and mandates reports on the use of virtual currencies in these illegal transactions.

The COUNTER Act of 2025 addresses the People's Republic of China's (PRC) growing global military logistics network, which Congress views as a threat to U.S. interests. The bill mandates that the Executive Branch develop and implement a comprehensive, whole-of-government strategy to counter the PRC's efforts to establish overseas military bases. This includes an intelligence assessment, identifying key risk locations, and establishing an interagency task force to coordinate proactive diplomatic and strategic responses with allies.

This resolution formally declares the nation's foundational belief in the inherent right to life for every human being, including the unborn. It recognizes the Supreme Court's decision to return authority over life protection laws to the people and their elected officials. Furthermore, the bill establishes an annual "Life Month" to commend organizations supporting life and urge lawmakers to enact protections for the unborn.

The Buying American Cotton Act of 2025 establishes a new tax credit to incentivize businesses to use cotton grown in the United States. This Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit is calculated based on the amount of qualified U.S. cotton in an eligible product sold, factoring in processing location and market price. The bill mandates strict digital tracing requirements to prove the origin of the cotton throughout the supply chain. Special enhanced credit multipliers are available for businesses that elect to claim the credit separately for qualified U.S. cotton yarn or fabric components.

The RESTORE Act aims to improve reproductive health outcomes by promoting restorative reproductive medicine and fertility education as alternatives to Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). It mandates federal reviews of current infertility standards of care, expands research into conditions like endometriosis and PCOS, and protects healthcare providers who object to participating in ART. Furthermore, the bill seeks to modernize medical coding and reimbursement to better support providers offering comprehensive, restorative treatments.

The Protect LNG Act of 2025 establishes specific rules for federal agency decisions and litigation concerning Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export facilities. This bill ensures that existing LNG facility permits remain valid even if their environmental reviews are challenged in court, requiring agencies to fix errors rather than voiding authorizations. Furthermore, it centralizes legal challenges to these decisions in the U.S. Court of Appeals circuit where the facility is located and imposes a strict 90-day deadline for filing lawsuits after final agency approval.

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 Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and improves critical federal grant programs designed to support successful reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals. This legislation specifically reauthorizes key demonstration projects through 2030 and broadens the scope of services these grants can cover. Updates now explicitly allow funding for substance use disorder treatment, including peer recovery support and reentry housing services. Overall, the bill ensures continued federal investment in evidence-based reentry initiatives through the end of the decade.

The Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act amends federal highway funding rules to allow states to use funds for installing human trafficking awareness signs at rest stops. The bill also modifies the Department of Transportation's advisory committee on human trafficking by increasing its membership and adding a required representative from State departments of transportation. This legislation aims to enhance public awareness and coordination regarding human trafficking within the transportation sector.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating May 2025 as "National Beef Month." It recognizes the significant economic contributions of the U.S. cattle industry and highlights the nutritional value of beef. The bill serves as a formal acknowledgment of the importance of beef to American agriculture and consumers without enacting new laws.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to modernize and increase transparency in the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and requires plans to publicly report detailed data on their approval, denial, and appeal rates. Furthermore, it establishes new standards to protect enrollees and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timelines for care requests.

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 Universal School Choice Act establishes new federal tax credits for individuals and corporations who donate to organizations providing K-12 education scholarships. These scholarships, which cover expenses like tuition and tutoring, are explicitly made tax-free income for recipients starting in 2026. The bill imposes a national $10 billion annual cap on these credits, allocated by state based on student population and poverty levels. Furthermore, the Act strictly prohibits government entities from influencing the operations of participating scholarship organizations or private/religious schools.

This resolution congratulates the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of public charter schools for their ongoing contributions to American education. It highlights the growth, academic achievements, and parental choice offered by these tuition-free public schools. The measure officially recognizes and supports the goals of the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week, scheduled for May 11–17, 2025.

The LIP Enhancement Act of 2025 amends the Livestock Indemnity Program to provide additional payments to producers who suffer losses of unborn livestock above normal death rates. This new payment is calculated based on a set rate, not exceeding 85% of the rate for the lightest weight class of that livestock. These provisions apply to losses occurring on or after January 1, 2024.

The Strong Communities Act of 2025 establishes the COPS Strong Communities Program to provide competitive grants for local law enforcement training. These funds support officers and recruits attending specialized programs, contingent upon a commitment to serve in their local community for at least four years afterward. The bill also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing grant recipients, training plans, and officer retention rates to ensure transparency.

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.