Track Richard's sponsored bills, co-sponsored legislation, and voting record
This Act ensures back pay for federal employees, contractors, and service members affected by a government shutdown beginning October 1, 2025, and prohibits agency staffing reductions during such lapses.
Chris Van Hollen
Senator
MD
Chris Van Hollen
Senator
MD
The True Shutdown Fairness Act ensures that federal employees, contractors, and service members affected by a government funding lapse starting October 1, 2025, receive retroactive back pay for the period they worked without funding. Additionally, the bill prohibits agencies from initiating permanent staffing reductions or furloughs during such a lapse. These provisions are designed to provide financial security and stability to essential government personnel during periods of lapsed appropriations.
This joint resolution directs the President to immediately remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Venezuela unless explicitly authorized by Congress.
Timothy Kaine
Senator
VA
Timothy Kaine
Senator
VA
This joint resolution directs the President to immediately remove United States Armed Forces from any hostilities within or against Venezuela that lack explicit authorization from Congress. It asserts that only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war or approve such military actions. The bill ensures that U.S. forces can only remain if acting in self-defense against an armed attack.
This resolution designates October 1, 2025, as "Energy Efficiency Day" to celebrate the significant economic and environmental benefits driven by energy efficiency achievements.
Jeanne Shaheen
Senator
NH
Jeanne Shaheen
Senator
NH
This resolution officially designates October 1, 2025, as "Energy Efficiency Day" to celebrate the significant economic and environmental benefits driven by energy efficiency efforts. It recognizes decades of bipartisan support, major legislative achievements, and the resulting savings for consumers and taxpayers. The resolution encourages all Americans to observe the day with appropriate activities recognizing the importance of energy efficiency.
This resolution expresses Congress's strong opposition to the growing trend of book banning and threats to freedom of expression in the United States.
Brian Schatz
Senator
HI
Brian Schatz
Senator
HI
This resolution expresses deep concern over the rising trend of book banning and threats to freedom of expression across the United States. It strongly opposes censorship in schools and libraries, citing constitutional rights and the harm done to democratic discourse. The measure urges local entities to protect students' access to diverse viewpoints and calls for the reversal of restrictive orders impacting educational materials.
This Act temporarily halts certain legal and administrative actions that could harm the civil rights of federal employees and contractors during a government shutdown.
Brian Schatz
Senator
HI
Brian Schatz
Senator
HI
The Federal Employees Civil Relief Act temporarily halts certain legal and administrative actions that could negatively affect the civil rights of federal employees and contractors during a government shutdown. This protection includes pausing evictions, foreclosures, lien enforcement, and providing relief for student loan and income tax obligations. The law also ensures that seeking these protections will not negatively impact an employee's credit or future financial standing.
This resolution designates September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the federal program that financially supports school districts impacted by federal property or students.
Mazie Hirono
Senator
HI
Mazie Hirono
Senator
HI
This resolution designates September 30, 2025, as "Impact Aid Recognition Day" to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Impact Aid program. The program provides crucial financial assistance to local school districts that educate students living on or whose parents work on federal property. This recognition highlights the federal government's ongoing commitment to ensuring quality education in these uniquely impacted communities.
This resolution expresses support for designating October 5 through October 11, 2025, as National 4-H Week to celebrate the organization's impact on youth development.
John Boozman
Senator
AR
John Boozman
Senator
AR
This resolution expresses support for designating October 5 through October 11, 2025, as National 4-H Week. It recognizes 4-H as a vital youth development program that empowers millions of young people through hands-on learning. The bill encourages citizens to celebrate the organization's significant impact on developing confident and compassionate leaders.
This Act mandates federal agencies to compensate contractors for employee costs incurred due to funding lapses and appropriates necessary funds to cover resulting contract price adjustments.
Tina Smith
Senator
MN
Tina Smith
Senator
MN
The Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 ensures federal agencies compensate contractors for employee costs incurred due to government funding lapses or shutdowns. This act mandates contract price adjustments to cover reasonable expenses for furloughed or impacted contractor employees, up to a specified weekly limit. The law also provides necessary appropriations to cover these adjustments and requires public reporting on the compensation provided.
This bill waives the 10% early withdrawal tax penalty for federal workers taking up to \$30,000 from their Thrift Savings Plan during a government shutdown and adjusts TSP loan rules during such lapses in appropriations.
Timothy Kaine
Senator
VA
Timothy Kaine
Senator
VA
The Emergency Relief for Federal Workers Act of 2025 provides financial relief to federal employees affected by government shutdowns. This bill waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty on Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) distributions up to \$30,000 taken due to a shutdown. Furthermore, it establishes rules allowing furloughed or non-paid employees to take TSP loans and prevents missed loan payments during a shutdown from being treated as a taxable distribution.
This bill allows federal contractors and affected government employees to make penalty-free, tax-deferred withdrawals of up to $30,000 from retirement accounts during a federal funding lapse, with a three-year window to repay the funds.
Catherine Cortez Masto
Senator
NV
Catherine Cortez Masto
Senator
NV
The Emergency Relief for Federal Contractors Act of 2025 allows individuals affected by a federal government shutdown to make penalty-free withdrawals of up to $30,000 from their retirement plans. These "Federal Government shutdown distributions" allow affected contractors, grantees, and D.C. employees to access funds during a lapse in appropriations lasting at least two weeks. Withdrawals are spread out over three tax years for income tax purposes, and individuals have three years to repay the withdrawn amount.
This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and nullify the recent CMS rule concerning the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's Market Integrity and Affordability.
Mark Warner
Senator
VA
Mark Warner
Senator
VA
This joint resolution seeks to disapprove and nullify a specific rule published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services concerning the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Market Integrity and Affordability." If enacted, this measure would prevent the CMS rule from having any legal force or effect.
This resolution supports designating September 19, 2025, as "National Concussion Awareness Day" to boost public understanding, improve diagnosis and management protocols, and encourage further research on concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries.
Margaret Hassan
Senator
NH
Margaret Hassan
Senator
NH
This resolution supports the designation of September 19, 2025, as "National Concussion Awareness Day" to highlight the seriousness of concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). It emphasizes the need for better public awareness, improved diagnostic protocols, and stronger "return-to-play/learn" guidelines, especially for young people. Ultimately, the goal is to encourage federal, state, and local leaders to collaborate on prevention and proper management strategies.
The H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2025 significantly tightens requirements, increases wages, and strengthens enforcement across both the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to protect U.S. workers from fraud and displacement.
Charles Grassley
Senator
IA
Charles Grassley
Senator
IA
The H–1B and L–1 Visa Reform Act of 2025 significantly overhauls temporary work visa programs to protect U.S. workers and increase transparency. This bill establishes stricter wage requirements, imposes anti-displacement rules, and grants enforcement agencies greater authority to audit and penalize employers for fraud and abuse. Ultimately, it aims to prioritize highly skilled workers and prevent the over-reliance on foreign labor in the U.S. workforce.
This Act prioritizes and formalizes U.S. defense cooperation, military financing, and pre-positioning of defense articles for key NATO allies bordering Russia and Belarus to enhance collective security against aggression.
Roger Wicker
Senator
MS
Roger Wicker
Senator
MS
The Eastern Flank Strategic Partnership Act of 2025 prioritizes U.S. defense cooperation with key NATO allies bordering Russia and Belarus. This legislation establishes a formal definition for "Eastern Flank strategic defense partners" based on location, defense spending commitments, and hosting NATO forces. It mandates that these partners receive priority access to U.S. security assistance, financing, and pre-positioned military stockpiles to enhance regional deterrence. The Act also requires a briefing to Congress detailing the implementation plan for these new cooperative measures.
The Jumpstart on College Act authorizes funding to support partnerships that increase the number of low-income and underrepresented students who earn a recognized postsecondary credential by completing college degrees or certificates on time.
Edward Markey
Senator
MA
Edward Markey
Senator
MA
The Jumpstart on College Act aims to increase the number of students, particularly those from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds, who complete a recognized postsecondary degree or certificate on time. The bill authorizes $250 million annually for competitive grants to eligible entities (colleges partnering with school districts) and to states to expand early college high school and dual enrollment programs. Recipients must focus on rigorous academic support, professional development, and ensuring students earn college credit tuition-free. Finally, the Act mandates annual reporting on key student outcomes, including credential attainment and college enrollment rates.
This act restricts federal justice grant recipients from dealing with licensed firearm dealers flagged by the ATF for frequently selling guns quickly recovered in crimes, while also mandating increased public sharing of gun tracing data.
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
The Responsible Retirement of Law Enforcement Firearms Act of 2025 ties federal justice grant eligibility to responsible firearm purchasing practices. Organizations receiving Edward Byrne Grants must agree not to deal with licensed dealers who have a high number of firearms traced back to them shortly after retail sale. Furthermore, the bill mandates the ATF to regularly share tracing information with state and local law enforcement and publicly list these "covered licensed dealers."
This bill reauthorizes a federal grant program to help student parents stay in college by providing funding to institutions for accessible and affordable on-campus child care services.
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
Tammy Duckworth
Senator
IL
The CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act establishes a federal grant program to help student parents remain in college by making childcare accessible. The Secretary of Education can award five-year grants to eligible colleges and universities to provide on-campus or subsidized childcare services to student parents who qualify for Pell Grants. Grantees must ensure the funded programs meet specific quality benchmarks within three years and report annually on student outcomes. The Act authorizes $500 million annually for this program from Fiscal Years 2026 through 2031.
This resolution expresses support for recognizing September 22-28, 2025, as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week" to honor the vital role these schools play in educating AANHPI students.
Mazie Hirono
Senator
HI
Mazie Hirono
Senator
HI
This resolution expresses support for designating a week in September 2025 as "Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes the vital role these institutions play in educating a significant portion of AANHPI students, many of whom are low-income and first-generation college attendees. The bill encourages these schools to seek funding for culturally relevant programs that boost student success. Ultimately, this measure celebrates the contributions of these institutions to American higher education and cultural diversity.
This resolution calls on the President to recognize a demilitarized State of Palestine alongside a secure State of Israel, consistent with international law and a two-state solution.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
This resolution calls on the President to formally recognize a demilitarized State of Palestine alongside a secure State of Israel, consistent with international law and the two-state solution. It outlines historical context and current obstacles, urging an end to settlement expansion and violence from all sides. Ultimately, the bill seeks to advance a negotiated peace that ensures security for Israel and self-determination for Palestinians.
This resolution officially recognizes September 20, 2025, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day while urging the VA and DoD to rectify past discrimination and ensure full access to earned benefits and healthcare.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
This resolution officially designates September 20, 2025, as National LGBTQ+ Servicemembers and Veterans Day to honor their service and contributions. It formally acknowledges the long history of discrimination and harm caused by past military policies against LGBTQ+ individuals. Furthermore, the resolution urges the VA and DoD to take corrective action, including restoring benefits and ensuring full access to earned healthcare, such as gender-affirming care.