Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution formally condemns the recent rise in ideologically motivated attacks against Jewish individuals and institutions across the United States, specifically citing the violent assault in Boulder, Colorado. It reaffirms the Senate's commitment to combating antisemitism and all forms of politically motivated violence. The resolution calls for thorough investigation and prosecution of such acts, upholding the right of all citizens to live without fear of religious or political intimidation.

The Safe and Open Streets Act establishes a new federal crime for intentionally blocking public roads or highways in a manner that interferes with commerce. This legislation amends existing federal law to include this specific offense, punishable by fines or up to five years in prison. The Act also updates the title of the relevant statute to broadly cover "Interference with commerce."

The ESTUARIES Act of 2025 extends the operational timeline for key provisions of the National Estuary Program. This legislation amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to push back the expiration date for certain program rules from 2026 to 2031. This provides the program with an additional five years under its current statutory framework.

The Medicare Transaction Fraud Prevention Act establishes a pilot program to test the use of predictive risk-scoring algorithms to enhance oversight of Medicare payments for durable medical equipment and clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. This voluntary program will use smart technology to flag suspicious transactions *after* they occur, requiring human review before any payment suspension. The goal is to proactively identify and stop fraud and abuse within these specific Medicare service areas.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act restricts how consumer reporting agencies can share your credit report when you are seeking a residential mortgage loan. Specifically, it limits the sharing of these reports unless they are connected to a firm offer of credit or are being sent to parties directly involved in your current mortgage, such as the originator or servicer. This ensures that your sensitive financial information is only accessed by relevant parties during the home loan process.

The Taskforce for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams Act (TRAPS Act) establishes a new Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury, to combat electronic payment scams. This group will bring together federal agencies, financial experts, and consumer advocates to examine current scam trends and develop comprehensive prevention strategies. The Task Force is required to produce an initial report within one year detailing its findings, an educational strategy, and recommendations for new laws or rules. It will continue to issue annual updates before automatically dissolving three years after its first report.

The Strengthening Benefit Plans Act of 2025 allows employers to transfer surplus assets from overfunded retiree health accounts or defined benefit pension plans into other employee benefit funds, like 401(k) plans or VEBAs. This aims to provide flexibility for employers managing excess funds while imposing strict requirements to protect employee vesting and future benefit levels. The bill establishes specific calculations for defining "excess assets" and mandates advance notice to participants before any transfer occurs.

The Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2025 aims to significantly speed up the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims and appeals process through new reporting requirements and procedural changes. It mandates increased transparency on claim processing times and requires the VA to establish clearer guidelines for expediting cases. Furthermore, the bill grants the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA) new authority to group similar appeals and expands the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims' (CAVC) jurisdiction regarding class actions.

The Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act aims to provide tax relief and compliance clarity for the beauty services industry. It expands an existing employer tax credit for Social Security taxes paid on employee tips to include beauty service establishments. Furthermore, the bill establishes an IRS audit "safe harbor" for beauty employers who implement specific tip reporting and training procedures, and it introduces new information reporting requirements for landlords renting space to multiple beauty professionals.

This resolution formally condemns Hamas for its premeditated and brutal terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. It demands that Hamas immediately release all remaining hostages and allow them access to necessary medical care. The document further affirms that taking hostages is a clear violation of international law.

The Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act mandates that federal agencies conduct comprehensive software inventories and develop detailed modernization plans to consolidate licenses and improve management. These assessments must detail software usage, contracts, and associated costs, with findings reported to key oversight bodies. The law aims to increase efficiency, reduce unnecessary spending, and ensure better governance over agency software assets without authorizing new appropriations.

The Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act revises federal statutes concerning several serious offenses. This bill strengthens penalties for bank robbery and motor vehicle crimes, while also clarifying the intent required to convict individuals who assault federal officers. Furthermore, it establishes a new federal crime targeting the distribution of controlled substances disguised as candy or drinks to minors.

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.

This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create a comprehensive plan for identifying, testing, and deploying emerging and innovative technologies to enhance U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) operations. The plan must detail how CBP will integrate new tools, assess their impact on privacy and civil liberties, and establish clear metrics for success. It also formalizes the role of CBP Innovation Teams in rapidly adapting commercial technology to address border security gaps.

This resolution officially recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month to celebrate the significant contributions of Jewish Americans throughout U.S. history. It calls on leaders to use this month to educate the public about Jewish heritage and actively counter the current rise in antisemitism. The measure emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety and dignity of the Jewish American community.

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 Auto Reenroll Act of 2025 modifies rules for automatic enrollment retirement plans (QACAs and EACAs) to encourage continued participation. This legislation allows an employee's prior election to opt out of automatic contributions to automatically expire after three years or less. Upon expiration, the employee is automatically reenrolled in the plan unless they actively choose to opt out again. These changes aim to simplify reenrollment processes and maintain higher participation rates in employer-sponsored retirement savings.

This resolution strongly condemns the Russian Federation for the abduction, forced transfer, and illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. It asserts that the return of all abducted children must be a prerequisite before finalizing any peace agreement to end the war. The bill highlights Russia's intent to erase Ukrainian identity through forced adoption and citizenship changes, actions deemed violations of international law and potential war crimes.

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.

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.