Track Richard's sponsored bills, co-sponsored legislation, and voting record
This resolution officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as National Police Week to honor law enforcement officers, remember those killed in the line of duty, and encourage public observance.
Charles Grassley
Senator
IA
Charles Grassley
Senator
IA
This resolution officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week." It serves to honor the valor and integrity of law enforcement officers across the nation. The resolution specifically remembers the officers killed in the line of duty during 2024 and encourages the public to observe this week to show appreciation for law enforcement personnel.
This resolution urges immediate U.S. diplomatic action to secure the release of hostages, end the blockade preventing humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza, and achieve a lasting cessation of hostilities.
Peter Welch
Senator
VT
Peter Welch
Senator
VT
This resolution calls for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to address the severe crisis facing civilians in Gaza, highlighting widespread hunger and the collapse of essential services due to blocked aid. It urges the Administration to immediately use all diplomatic tools to secure the release of hostages, lift the blockade on aid, and work toward a lasting end to the fighting.
This resolution condemns the acceptance of substantial gifts, such as presidential aircraft, from foreign governments as a threat to national security and a violation of the Constitution.
Brian Schatz
Senator
HI
Brian Schatz
Senator
HI
This resolution condemns the acceptance of substantial gifts, such as presidential aircraft, from foreign governments, citing serious national security and foreign influence concerns. It asserts that accepting such gifts violates the Constitution's Emoluments Clause and undermines public trust. The measure demands that the President must receive explicit Congressional approval before accepting any significant foreign gift.
The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act establishes a new federal tax credit to incentivize the construction and rehabilitation of affordable homes in low-income communities by closing the financing gap for developers.
Todd Young
Senator
IN
Todd Young
Senator
IN
The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act establishes a new federal tax credit designed to close the financing gap for building and rehabilitating homes in distressed, low-income communities. This credit incentivizes developers to construct or substantially rehabilitate qualified residences in "qualified census tracts" and sell them affordably to low-to-moderate-income homeowners. State agencies will oversee allocations, ensure affordability standards are met, and enforce repayment rules if the home is sold too quickly.
The End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025 bans high-ranking government officials and their families from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing digital assets while in office and for one year after leaving, with civil and criminal penalties for knowing violations.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
The End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025 prohibits high-ranking government officials and their immediate families from issuing, sponsoring, or endorsing specific digital assets while in office and for one year after leaving. This legislation establishes both civil penalties, including fines based on financial gain, and criminal penalties, including imprisonment, for knowing violations involving digital assets like cryptocurrencies and NFTs. The Act specifically targets conflicts of interest by treating these prohibited financial transactions as unofficial acts, removing official immunity protections.
This Act bans paid conversion therapy practices aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, treating violations as unfair and deceptive business practices enforceable by the FTC and Attorneys General.
Patty Murray
Senator
WA
Patty Murray
Senator
WA
The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 bans the practice of paid conversion therapy aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, deeming it ineffective and harmful. This Act treats the provision or advertisement of such therapy as an unfair or deceptive business practice under the FTC Act. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Attorney General, and State Attorneys General. The law includes a severability clause ensuring that the invalidation of one provision does not void the entire Act.
The TEST AI Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program, led by NIST, to develop measurement standards and build testbeds for evaluating the reliability and security of federal Artificial Intelligence systems.
Ben Luján
Senator
NM
Ben Luján
Senator
NM
The TEST AI Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program, managed by NIST, to develop reliable measurement standards for evaluating federal Artificial Intelligence systems. This effort requires collaboration between the Departments of Commerce and Energy to create necessary testing facilities, known as "testbeds." A newly formed Working Group will advise on developing standards covering AI reliability, security, and bias, with a final report submitted to Congress detailing findings and future needs.
This resolution recognizes escalating global threats to journalists and reaffirms the vital role of a free press in upholding democracy and U.S. foreign policy priorities.
Brian Schatz
Senator
HI
Brian Schatz
Senator
HI
This resolution recognizes the escalating global threats against journalists and reaffirms the vital role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and informing the public. It highlights the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, emphasizing that press freedom is a priority for U.S. foreign policy. The measure calls for the U.S. government to continue championing journalist safety and accountability for those who attack the press worldwide.
This resolution officially designates April 2025 as Community College Month to recognize the vital role over 1,000 community colleges play in providing accessible education, workforce training, and economic prosperity across the United States.
Edward Markey
Senator
MA
Edward Markey
Senator
MA
This resolution officially designates April 2025 as Community College Month to celebrate the vital role of over 1,000 community colleges nationwide. These institutions are recognized for providing accessible, affordable higher education and essential workforce training. The bill emphasizes their significant contribution to advancing local economies and overall U.S. prosperity.
This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 4-10, 2025, as National Small Business Week to celebrate the vital contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs nationwide.
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
Joni Ernst
Senator
IA
This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.
The PREVAIL Act reforms patent trial procedures, tightens rules for challenging patents, dedicates USPTO fees solely to the agency, and expands support for small businesses and universities within the patent system.
Christopher Coons
Senator
DE
Christopher Coons
Senator
DE
The PREVAIL Act aims to strengthen the U.S. patent system to better protect American innovation and national security against foreign competition. It introduces significant procedural reforms to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and patent review processes, including stricter conduct rules and limitations on duplicative legal challenges. Furthermore, the bill ensures that all fees collected by the USPTO are dedicated solely to its operations and expands fee reductions for academic and small business innovators.
This bill prohibits insurance discrimination against living organ donors, clarifies organ donation surgery as a serious health condition under FMLA, and mandates updates to government educational materials on donation.
Tom Cotton
Senator
AR
Tom Cotton
Senator
AR
The Living Donor Protection Act of 2025 prohibits life, disability, and long-term care insurers from denying coverage or increasing premiums solely because an individual is a living organ donor. The bill also clarifies that organ donation surgery qualifies as a serious health condition under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for both private and federal employees. Finally, it mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to update educational materials regarding the risks, benefits, and insurance implications of living donation.
This resolution demands the Secretary of State report to Congress within 30 days on credible allegations of human rights violations by the Salvadoran government, including conditions in its prisons and the impact of U.S. assistance.
Timothy Kaine
Senator
VA
Timothy Kaine
Senator
VA
This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress regarding human rights practices in El Salvador within 30 days. The report must cover credible allegations of abuses, including torture, forced disappearances, and judicial fairness, particularly in light of the "State of Exception." Furthermore, it requires an accounting of U.S. actions taken to promote human rights and assess the risk of U.S. security assistance supporting officials involved in abuses.
This Act mandates detailed congressional review of federal agency workforce reduction plans by requiring agencies to provide comprehensive justifications for planned reductions in force.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
The Reduction in Force Review Act enhances congressional oversight of federal agency workforce reductions. It mandates that agencies provide detailed justifications, including alternatives considered and impact assessments, when announcing a planned reduction in force (RIF). This ensures that significant workforce restructuring actions receive thorough review by Congress.
This act establishes a competitive grant program through the NSF to boost the participation and retention of women, people with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields.
Mazie Hirono
Senator
HI
Mazie Hirono
Senator
HI
The Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025 establishes a new grant program administered by the National Science Foundation. This program is designed to increase the participation and retention of women, people with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Eligible organizations can apply for competitive funding to support activities like mentoring, internships, and outreach programs aimed at these groups. Congress has authorized $15 million annually for this initiative from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
This bill bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specified semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices while grandfathering existing possession and requiring background checks for future transfers of those grandfathered items.
Adam Schiff
Senator
CA
Adam Schiff
Senator
CA
The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It grandfathers existing possessions but requires background checks for all future private transfers of these previously owned weapons. The bill also permits the use of federal Byrne grant funds for state-run buy-back programs targeting these banned items.
This resolution expresses strong support for designating April 2025 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month" to promote employment and remove systemic barriers for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Edward Markey
Senator
MA
Edward Markey
Senator
MA
This resolution expresses strong support for designating April 2025 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It highlights the significant employment barriers faced by the millions of Americans with past conviction records. The bill champions efforts to remove structural roadblocks, expand job training, and connect formerly incarcerated individuals with stable employment opportunities.
The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 strengthens the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions, expanding enforcement powers for the Secretary of Agriculture and the Attorney General, imposing stricter penalties for violations, and ensuring seized animal care costs are covered.
Richard Blumenthal
Senator
CT
Richard Blumenthal
Senator
CT
The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding inspection powers. It grants the Attorney General direct authority to sue violators, seek injunctions, and impose substantial daily civil penalties. Furthermore, the bill allows for the seizure of animals involved in violations and mandates that collected penalty funds be used to reimburse temporary animal care costs.
This resolution officially designates April 2025 as Financial Literacy Month to promote essential personal finance education across the nation.
John Reed
Senator
RI
John Reed
Senator
RI
This resolution officially designates April 2025 as "Financial Literacy Month" to raise national awareness about the critical need for personal finance education. It highlights current financial struggles, such as high household debt and lack of banking access, while emphasizing that financial education leads to better economic outcomes. The resolution encourages federal, state, and local entities to observe the month with programs promoting essential skills like budgeting, saving, and debt management.
The Equality Act comprehensively expands federal non-discrimination protections across public accommodations, employment, housing, credit, and jury service to explicitly include sexual orientation and gender identity.
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
Jeff Merkley
Senator
OR
The Equality Act comprehensively amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across key areas of American life. This legislation expands existing protections in public accommodations, employment, housing, credit access, and jury service. Its purpose is to ensure consistent and clear nationwide enforcement of non-discrimination principles for LGBTQ individuals and women.