Legislative Activity

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.

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 Public Service Worker Protection Act expands the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to explicitly cover federal, state, and local government employees. This ensures that public service workers are protected by federal workplace safety standards. The effective date varies depending on whether a state already has an approved OSHA plan.

The VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act of 2025 encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to prioritize the design-build construction method for future facility projects. Congress finds that this method can lead to faster construction, fewer change orders, and better value for the VA's extensive capital improvement plan. The bill mandates the use of specific federal design-build selection procedures for VA construction contracts.

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.

The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025 establishes a formal, publicly accessible code of conduct for Supreme Court Justices and creates a judicial investigation panel to handle related ethics complaints. The bill also mandates stricter disclosure requirements for gifts and income received by Justices, and significantly expands the circumstances under which a federal judge must recuse themselves due to financial ties or lobbying influence. Finally, it institutes new disclosure rules for parties and *amici curiae* in cases before the Court, alongside studies to monitor judicial compliance.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to modernize and increase transparency in the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and requires plans to publicly report detailed data on their approval, denial, and appeal rates. Furthermore, it establishes new standards to protect enrollees and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timelines for care requests.

This resolution congratulates the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of public charter schools for their ongoing contributions to American education. It highlights the growth, academic achievements, and parental choice offered by these tuition-free public schools. The measure officially recognizes and supports the goals of the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week, scheduled for May 11–17, 2025.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act establishes new federal crimes for the intentional sharing of nonconsensual intimate images, including realistic AI-generated deepfakes, with enhanced penalties for content involving minors. It mandates that online platforms create clear reporting systems and remove reported nonconsensual intimate content within 48 hours. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is empowered to enforce these notice and removal requirements against covered platforms.

The COUNTER Act grants the Department of Defense (DoD) expanded authority to neutralize threats from unmanned aircraft systems (drones) operating outside of the United States. This legislation delegates response authority, clarifies mitigation methods like remote identification, and exempts security details regarding these operations from public disclosure. Furthermore, it limits the application of certain criminal and security laws to authorized DoD and Coast Guard activities aimed at countering these aerial threats overseas.

This resolution officially recognizes the vital roles and significant contributions of teachers across the United States in strengthening the nation's civic, cultural, and economic well-being. It specifically designates National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5–9, 2025, to raise public awareness and encourage greater respect for the teaching profession. Ultimately, this measure serves as a formal expression of gratitude from Congress to educators nationwide.

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 Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 establishes numerous new protected zones—including Special Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Areas, Protection Areas, and Recreation Management Areas—across Gunnison County, Colorado. The bill mandates specific management plans focused on conservation, while generally restricting off-highway vehicle and bicycle use to existing designated routes. Additionally, it formally designates several new Wilderness Areas and clarifies land use restrictions, including withdrawing certain lands from oil and gas leasing.

The American Music Tourism Act of 2025 directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to actively promote domestic and international travel focused on U.S. music destinations and events. This legislation mandates the identification and promotion of key music tourism sites to boost both domestic visitation and international competitiveness. The Assistant Secretary must also report on the progress of these music tourism initiatives to Congress.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

This resolution supports designating May 2, 2025, as "National Space Day" to recognize the significant positive impact of the U.S. aerospace community. It highlights past and current achievements in space exploration and the resulting technological benefits for the nation. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of inspiring the next generation in STEM fields.

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.

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 Small Business Liberation Act exempts qualifying small business concerns from certain import duties or requirements imposed by the President under a national emergency declaration. This provision ensures that small businesses are shielded from specific trade restrictions enacted during national emergencies.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2025, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls." It highlights the severe crisis of violence, homicide, and human trafficking disproportionately affecting American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls. The bill calls for national recognition of this day to honor victims and urges the Department of Justice to conduct an updated study on the crisis. Ultimately, it acknowledges ongoing efforts while emphasizing that more action is urgently needed to address this national tragedy.