Legislative Activity

This Senate resolution affirms the foundational principle that the power to interpret federal law rests solely with the federal judiciary, as established by Article III of the Constitution. It reaffirms the doctrine of judicial review, stating that the courts definitively determine what the law means. Consequently, the resolution mandates that the Executive Branch must abide by all federal court rulings or pursue appropriate legal appeals.

The Baltic Security Initiative Act establishes a new program to deepen U.S. military cooperation with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to deter Russian aggression and implement NATO strategy. This initiative will focus on long-term projects like enhancing air defense, improving cyber resilience, and developing regional military capabilities. The Secretary of Defense must submit a strategy outlining these efforts and is authorized $350 million annually from FY2026 through FY2028 to support the program.

The **Preventing Risky Operations from Threatening the Education and Career Trajectories of Students Act of 2025** significantly increases accountability for higher education institutions by establishing stricter financial performance metrics, strengthening student protections against deceptive practices, and mandating greater transparency in spending and outcomes. The bill aims to empower students by simplifying loan forgiveness, banning coercive practices like forced arbitration, and ensuring they can access their transcripts regardless of outstanding debt. Furthermore, it overhauls federal oversight by creating a dedicated enforcement unit and requiring better coordination among agencies to monitor institutional integrity and contractor performance. Ultimately, this legislation seeks to protect students and taxpayers by cutting off federal aid to underperforming programs and increasing penalties for institutional misconduct.

The Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act establishes a five-year pilot program to ensure the Army's government-owned arsenals receive consistent work. This is achieved by giving significant contractual preference to private partners who agree to utilize these critical defense manufacturing facilities. Specifically, bids from companies that do not partner with an arsenal will have 20 percent added to their price during evaluation. The Secretary of Defense must report annually to Congress on the program's effectiveness and the future needs of the arsenals.

This resolution affirms the rule of law and the legitimacy of judicial review, emphasizing the Supreme Court's duty to interpret the law. It supports the established precedent that the executive branch must comply with Federal court rulings. The resolution expresses concern over statements suggesting the executive branch may disregard the authority of the Federal Judiciary.

This resolution supports designating March 3-7, 2025, as "National Social and Emotional Learning Week" to highlight the role of social and emotional learning in academic success and well-being. It recognizes SEL's impact on students' mental health and career readiness while advocating for expanded access to SEL programs for students and teachers. The resolution also encourages federal agencies to identify opportunities to promote social and emotional learning.

This resolution condemns Russia's abduction, forced transfer, and illegal deportation of at least 20,000 Ukrainian children since February 2022. It highlights the physical and psychological trauma inflicted on these children and their families. The resolution urges Russia to work with international organizations to ensure the swift return of all forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to their families.

The Reduce Food Loss and Waste Act of 2025 establishes a voluntary certification program within the Department of Agriculture to recognize and promote entities that reduce food loss and waste. This program aims to increase food donations and alternative disposal methods, such as composting. The Act also mandates revisions to an existing agreement between the USDA, FDA, and EPA to enhance coordination on food loss and waste reduction efforts.

This Act mandates the creation of a comprehensive U.S. strategy to significantly boost American exports of goods and services to Africa and Latin America/the Caribbean by 200 percent within ten years. The President must develop this plan in consultation with various government bodies and private sector groups, submitting the final strategy within 200 days of enactment. The bill also establishes dedicated Export Strategy Coordinators and requires joint trade missions to these regions to ensure successful implementation and job creation.

The End Tobacco Loopholes Act dramatically increases federal excise taxes across nearly all tobacco products to establish standardized, higher rates, including doubling the tax on cigarettes. This legislation introduces a new excise tax specifically targeting nicotine used in vaping products, treating it similarly to cigarette taxation. Furthermore, the bill mandates annual automatic tax adjustments based on the cost of living starting in 2026. Finally, it imposes a floor stocks tax on existing inventory when the new rates take effect.

The Accountability for Endless Wars Act of 2025 aims to restore Congressional oversight by establishing automatic expiration dates for military authorizations. This bill mandates that all future authorizations for the use of military force (AUMFs) will expire after 10 years. Furthermore, it terminates all existing AUMFs just six months after the Act is signed into law.

The "Affordable College Textbook Act" aims to lower the cost of college textbooks for students by expanding the use of open educational resources. It authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to higher education institutions to create and expand the use of open textbooks. The act also amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require institutions to disclose textbook price information, including whether the material is an open educational resource, on online course schedules. Finally, it directs the Comptroller General to prepare a report on the cost of textbooks and the implementation of these provisions.

This resolution affirms the Senate's position that the NIH's operations and funding should not be disrupted, as they are crucial for medical advancements and addressing public health challenges. It emphasizes that the NIH workforce is essential for sustaining medical progress and protecting national health, security, and the economy. Any interference with NIH operations or its workforce undermines biomedical research and the nation's ability to respond to public health issues.

The Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 aims to protect consumers from fraud at cryptocurrency kiosks by requiring kiosk operators to register with the Treasury Department, disclose transaction terms, implement anti-fraud policies, use blockchain analytics, and provide customer support. It sets transaction limits for new customers, requires verbal confirmation for larger transactions, and mandates refunds for fraudulently induced transactions. The Act also establishes penalties for non-compliance and ensures a dedicated communication channel for law enforcement to report suspected fraud.

The "Protecting Our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act" establishes a "Ukrainian guest status" for individuals paroled into the U.S. under the Uniting for Ukraine program, allowing them to work in the U.S. This status begins from their initial parole date and expires 120 days after the Secretary of State determines it is safe for civilians to return to Ukraine, but can be revoked by Homeland Security if the individual poses a security risk.

This resolution designates February 2025 as "American Heart Month" to raise awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD), support research, and improve health outcomes. It highlights the significant impact of CVD on Americans, including its high mortality rate and economic costs. The resolution encourages individuals to learn about their CVD risk and supports efforts to promote prevention and early detection. It also acknowledges the annual American Heart Month proclamation and the American Heart Association's National Wear Red Day.

The "Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Act" aims to regulate communications about prescription drugs, especially on social media, to prevent false or misleading information. It imposes penalties for deceptive endorsements by social media influencers and healthcare providers, mandates disclosure of payments for drug promotions, and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance on what constitutes misleading communication. The act also establishes a task force to monitor drug advertising and authorizes funding for these activities, ensuring that patients receive accurate and complete information about prescription drugs.

This bill designates a portion of Sumner Row Northwest in Washington, D.C., as "Alexei Navalny Way" to honor the Russian political activist and his fight for democratic freedoms. It requires the District of Columbia to erect street signs with the new designation near the Russian Ambassador's residence, symbolizing solidarity with the Russian people who are fighting for fundamental freedoms. Congress finds that the Putin administration has been involved in repressing people, assassinating political opponents, and committing human rights abuses. Alexei Navalny fought against corruption in Russia and was allegedly murdered by the Putin regime.

The "Department of Energy Quantum Leadership Act of 2025" amends the National Quantum Initiative Act to establish and expand quantum information science research, development, and demonstration programs within the Department of Energy. It directs the Secretary of Energy to conduct research, provide training, engage with industry, and develop strategic plans related to quantum technology, allocating specific funding for these activities. The bill also establishes a Quantum Instrumentation and Foundry Program, updates the National Quantum Information Science Research Centers, and enhances programs related to quantum networking and user expansion, all with the goal of maintaining U.S. leadership in quantum information science and technology. It also prohibits funds from being used by institutions with Confucius Institutes or for quantum research activities with foreign countries or entities of concern.

The Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act of 2025 aims to support rural hospitals by allowing states to waive certain distance requirements for critical access hospital designation, enabling more rural hospitals to qualify for this status based on community need and service expansion. It also directs a study on Medicare payment systems for rural hospitals to ensure financial sustainability and access to care, and requires a transition plan for Critical Access Hospitals to transition to new payment models within 10 years. This act is designed to prevent hospital closures in underserved rural areas by providing financial relief and updated payment structures.