Legislative Activity

This resolution formally recognizes the 2024 Venezuelan election results, affirming the opposition's victory and condemning the Maduro regime's refusal to step down. It specifically honors Nobel Laureate María Corina Machado for her courageous advocacy for democracy. Furthermore, the resolution demands the regime ensure Machado's safety and release all political prisoners.

The Shawnee National Forest Conservation Act of 2025 designates approximately 750 acres as the Camp Hutchins Wilderness and establishes three Special Management Areas—Camp Hutchins, Ripple Hollow, and Burke Branch—to protect ecological and scenic resources. The Act mandates specific management plans for these areas, prohibiting commercial timber harvesting while allowing necessary activities like prescribed fire and invasive species control. Furthermore, it withdraws the designated lands from mineral entry and disposal to ensure long-term conservation.

This resolution strongly condemns recent Russian incursions into the airspace of NATO member countries and reaffirms the United States' unwavering commitment to Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. It explicitly denounces Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine and its pattern of intimidation against allies. The measure serves as a clear statement that the U.S. will defend every inch of NATO territory against attack.

The AI LEAD Act fundamentally reforms product liability law by establishing clear standards for when developers and deployers of "covered products" are legally responsible for harm caused by those products. It sets specific, often high, bars for proving developer liability related to design defects, failure to warn, and strict liability for dangerous conditions. Furthermore, the Act prohibits companies from using contracts to entirely waive their liability and establishes a federal right of action for individuals to enforce these new standards in court.

The Sparking Production of Urban and Rural Housing Act (SPUR Housing Act) establishes a new federal program to support emerging developers in affordable housing. This program will provide competitive grants to nonprofits and Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs). These recipients must use the funds to offer financing, technical training, and mentorship to new developers, particularly those working in distressed communities and high-opportunity areas. The Act authorizes $50 million annually for this initiative from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

The Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act of 2025 establishes minimum federal standards for concussion safety and management plans in public schools receiving federal education funding. This Act mandates comprehensive education, immediate removal from activity upon suspected concussion, and strict written clearance protocols for returning to both sports and academics. States failing to comply face escalating reductions in their Elementary and Secondary Education Act funding.

The Protecting Consumers from Unreasonable Credit Rates Act of 2025 establishes a national cap of 36% on the total annual interest and fees for most consumer credit products. This legislation aims to eliminate predatory lending practices by ensuring all associated charges are included in the calculation of this maximum rate. Furthermore, the bill mandates clearer disclosure of credit costs for open-end plans, like credit cards, using a standardized "FAIR" format. Violations of this new federal rate cap carry severe civil and criminal penalties for creditors.

The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act aims to address healthcare staffing shortages by recapturing unused employment-based immigrant visas from previous years. These recaptured visas are specifically reserved for professional nurses (25,000) and physicians (15,000) to expedite their entry into the U.S. The bill also mandates premium processing for these petitions without imposing extra fees and includes worker protection attestations to prevent displacement of U.S. workers.

The America's Clean Future Fund Act establishes a new Climate Change Finance Corporation (C2FC) to finance low-emission projects and prioritizes investments in disadvantaged communities. The bill simultaneously imposes a federal Carbon Fee starting at \$75 per ton in 2027, with escalating rates designed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Revenue generated funds the C2FC, provides carbon fee rebates to eligible individuals, supports agricultural transition payments, and offers transition assistance grants for fossil fuel-impacted communities.

This resolution formally recognizes the widespread, decades-long human rights abuses occurring in Eritrea, including indefinite imprisonment and inhumane conditions. It condemns the absence of democratic institutions and expresses strong support for the rights and freedom of the Eritrean people. The bill calls on the Eritrean government to release political prisoners and uphold the freedoms promised in its own constitution.

The REMEDY Act aims to reform how brand-name drug companies use patent listings to delay generic competition. This legislation requires companies to designate a single, unchangeable "covered patent" to trigger the thirty-month exclusivity period against generic applications. Consequently, the automatic 30-month delay will only start if a patent infringement lawsuit is filed specifically concerning that designated patent for newer drugs. This measure seeks to prevent the manipulation of patent listings that extends market exclusivity beyond intended limits.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the Voting Rights Act by establishing new standards to challenge discriminatory voting practices and updating federal oversight criteria for states. It mandates greater transparency for all changes to voting rules and implements "practice-based preclearance" for certain jurisdictions. Additionally, the bill creates new federal criminal penalties for using force or threats to intimidate voters or election workers.

The Adjunct Faculty Loan Fairness Act of 2025 updates eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness for adjunct and contingent faculty. This bill allows service as an adjunct instructor at colleges or vocational schools to qualify for loan forgiveness, provided specific minimum teaching hour requirements are met. It grants the Secretary of Education flexibility in defining qualifying teaching service under these new parameters.

The CHILD Act of 2025, or the Comprehensive Health and Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act of 2025, significantly expands background check requirements under the National Child Protection Act of 1993. This legislation broadens the definition of a "covered individual" to include more employees, volunteers, and applicants seeking licensure or certification from organizations that contract with qualified entities. The goal is to ensure comprehensive vetting for anyone working or seeking approval within organizations connected to child protection services.

The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2025 establishes new specialized offices within the FBI, DOJ, and DHS to combat domestic terrorism through enhanced investigation, analysis, and coordination. The bill mandates regular, detailed joint reporting to Congress on domestic terrorism threats, including specific analysis of White supremacist and neo-Nazi activity. It also creates an interagency task force to investigate infiltration of law enforcement and the military by these extremist groups. Finally, the Act ensures that all new enforcement and training measures strictly adhere to First Amendment protections.

The Climate Change Resiliency Fund for America Act of 2025 establishes a framework for investing in climate adaptation infrastructure. It creates an expert Commission to guide infrastructure spending priorities and establishes a dedicated Treasury Fund, financed through the sale of government debt, to support these resilience projects. The bill specifically mandates that at least 40% of the funds benefit vulnerable communities and requires prevailing wages for all funded work.

This Senate resolution expresses the body's deep condolences and honors the memory of the seven victims of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois. It specifically recognizes the bravery of the first responders and medical staff who aided victims at the scene. The resolution stands in solidarity with the Highland Park community and all victims of senseless gun violence across the nation.

This resolution recognizes Tunisia's historical role as the birthplace of the Arab Spring and commends its initial democratic achievements. It expresses deep concern over the recent erosion of democratic norms, including the consolidation of presidential power and the suppression of political opposition. The Senate urges the Tunisian government to release political prisoners and restore judicial independence. Furthermore, it calls on the Administration to consider imposing sanctions on officials undermining democratic principles.

This bill amends federal law to implement a comprehensive ban on smoking and the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems on the premises of all Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. The prohibition covers both indoor spaces and outdoor grounds under VHA control. This measure aims to create entirely smoke-free environments for veterans receiving care.

The POST Act of 2025 updates the "85/15 rule" for private, for-profit higher education institutions receiving federal student aid. This new requirement mandates that these schools must derive at least 15 percent of their total revenue from non-federal sources to maintain eligibility. Failure to meet this threshold results in an immediate two-year suspension from federal student aid programs. The Act also establishes strict guidelines for calculating qualifying revenue and requires annual reporting to Congress on institutional funding sources.