Legislative Activity

This resolution formally honors the life, achievements, and enduring legacy of Frederick W. Smith, the visionary founder of FedEx. It recognizes his pioneering role in revolutionizing global logistics and his significant contributions to entrepreneurship and community service in Memphis. The Senate passes this tribute to celebrate his remarkable career and dedication to innovation.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) concerning the review of applications under the Bank Merger Act. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this measure nullifies the specific OCC regulation regarding bank mergers. If enacted, the disapproved rule will have no legal force or effect.

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 Servicemembers’ Credit Monitoring Enhancement Act updates federal credit reporting laws to provide consistent protections for all members of the armed forces. This legislation replaces the term "active duty military consumer" with the broader term "armed forces member consumer" throughout the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This change ensures that credit monitoring provisions apply to all service members, regardless of their current duty status.

The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025 establishes two new grant programs aimed at boosting construction and manufacturing apprenticeships. The first program funds community outreach to recruit students and connect programs with local employers, especially in non-urban areas. The second program provides funds for expanded academic advising and student support services to improve apprenticeship program enrollment and completion rates. The Act authorizes $5 million annually for each program from 2026 through 2030.

This resolution formally recognizes the 250th birthday of the United States Army, celebrating its long history of defending the nation since 1775. It honors the valor, dedication, and core values of the soldiers who have served across two and a half centuries. The Senate encourages all Americans to observe this significant anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and programs.

The Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act mandates increased transparency by requiring federal agencies to report detailed information on all Treasury payments for public posting. It also enhances government integrity by granting the Treasury access to sensitive data, like new hire and tax records, to verify recipients and prevent improper payments. Furthermore, the bill requires agencies to verify bank account information before disbursing funds to ensure accuracy. These measures aim to improve oversight, reduce fraud, and increase accountability in federal spending.

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the Crime Victims Fund by expanding the sources of deposits. This includes allowing the Fund to receive money from certain legal settlements that do not result in a criminal conviction. Additionally, the bill temporarily allows certain recoveries from False Claims Act settlements to fund victim services through 2030, while protecting payments to whistleblowers and the government's direct recovery.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating May 2025 as Mental Health Awareness Month to combat the national mental health crisis. It emphasizes the critical need to address mental health challenges in children, support veterans, and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. Ultimately, the bill calls for treating mental wellness as a national priority equal to physical health, urging increased access to care and resources.

The CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Bond Guarantee Program. This legislation adjusts the calculation and sets new annual limits for government guarantees on bonds issued for community and economic development. Furthermore, it extends the program's authorization period and mandates the Treasury Secretary to report twice on the program's effectiveness to Congress.

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 Improving Disclosure for Investors Act of 2025 mandates the SEC to establish new rules modernizing how financial firms deliver required regulatory documents to investors, primarily by facilitating electronic delivery. This legislation sets deadlines for the SEC to finalize rules that allow digital distribution of documents like prospectuses and annual reports, while ensuring investor protections remain in place. The bill focuses solely on the method of delivery, not the substance or timing of the required disclosures themselves. If the SEC delays, covered entities can proceed with electronic delivery based on the standards outlined in the Act.

The No Tax on Tips Act creates a new federal income tax deduction for qualified tips received by workers, capped at \$25,000 annually. This deduction can be claimed regardless of whether the taxpayer itemizes or takes the standard deduction. Additionally, the bill expands an existing tax credit for employers to include beauty service establishments that pay Social Security taxes on employee tips. These provisions are set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Access to Small Business Investor Capital Act modifies how certain investment companies report their fees to the SEC. Specifically, it allows registered investment companies to exclude indirect fees and expenses paid through investments in business development companies from their "acquired fund fees and expenses" disclosure. This change aims to streamline the reporting process for funds investing in these specific entities.

This bill, the Tackling Predatory Litigation Funding Act, establishes a new, high federal tax on the profits earned by third-party investors in lawsuits, known as litigation financing. The tax is applied at the highest individual income tax rate plus an additional 3.8 percentage points on "qualified litigation proceeds." To ensure compliance, the law mandates that parties or their attorneys withhold 50% of this tax from payments made to the funder. Importantly, while taxing the funder, the bill explicitly excludes the actual settlement proceeds received by the winning party from their gross income.

This resolution officially designates May 17, 2025, as "Kids to Parks Day." The goal is to encourage children and families to engage in healthy outdoor activities by visiting local, state, and national parks. It recognizes the importance of nature for youth health and education while promoting the preservation of public lands.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits covered entities from denying an organ transplant or related services solely because an individual has a disability. The bill mandates reasonable modifications to policies and requires consideration of an individual's support network when assessing their ability to comply with post-transplant requirements. This ensures that qualified individuals receive equal access to the entire organ transplant process, from evaluation through aftercare.

The LOCOMOTIVES Act clarifies federal authority under the Clean Air Act regarding emissions standards for certain existing locomotives and engines used in construction or farm equipment. This legislation ensures that federal standards, rather than varying state standards, apply to these specific engines, particularly those under 175 horsepower and locomotives engaged in commerce. Essentially, it centralizes regulatory power over these emissions sources at the federal level.

The Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act of 2025 aims to revitalize Civilian Conservation Centers (CCCs) as residential training facilities for underserved youth. This legislation mandates the creation of specialized training programs, particularly in areas like wildland firefighting, to support the needs of the Department of the Interior and Agriculture. Furthermore, the bill establishes hiring goals and provides enhanced hiring authorities to ensure covered graduates secure employment in federal conservation and firefighting roles. It also includes provisions for improving agency housing stock using student labor.

The Conscience Protection Act of 2025 aims to strengthen protections for healthcare entities and individuals who object to participating in specific medical procedures, such as abortion, based on moral or religious beliefs. It prohibits discrimination against providers who refuse such services and significantly bolsters enforcement mechanisms within the Department of Health and Human Services. Furthermore, the Act explicitly grants individuals and affected parties the right to file private lawsuits seeking damages when these conscience protections are violated.