Legislative Activity

The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2025 establishes competitive grant programs to fund comprehensive, evidence-based sex education in schools, colleges, and youth organizations. The bill aims to address historical inequities by ensuring education and sexual health services are medically accurate, culturally responsive, and accessible to all young people, especially underserved populations. It also creates grants specifically for training educators and improving the delivery of youth-friendly sexual health services. Funding is authorized through 2031, with resources redirected from previous abstinence-only programs.

The Vote at Home Act of 2025 aims to modernize federal elections by establishing nationwide standards for voting by mail. It mandates that states mail ballots to all registered voters at least two weeks before federal elections and requires free postage for return ballots. Additionally, the bill overhauls voter registration by streamlining processes at the DMV and implementing automatic registration for eligible citizens who provide proof of citizenship when obtaining a driver's license.

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 Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025 establishes new federal penalties for officials who negligently fail to provide immediate medical attention to individuals in federal custody experiencing medical distress, resulting in unnecessary harm or death. This Act mandates training for all covered officials and requires investigations by the Inspector General for any such failures. Furthermore, it grants State Attorneys General the authority to file civil suits on behalf of harmed residents.

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.

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.

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.

This joint resolution disapproves of a proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It specifically blocks the transfer of certain defense equipment, including Chinook helicopters and related support systems, that was previously planned for the UAE government. Congress is using its authority to halt this specific arms deal.

The Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act of 2025 extends critical support for law enforcement officers. This bill reauthorizes a vital program designed to provide necessary treatment and support services. Specifically, it renews the program's authorization from 2025 through 2029.

The Housing Acquisitions Review and Transparency (HART) Act amends antitrust reporting requirements to treat aggregated purchases of residential property within a calendar year as a single transaction. This mandates antitrust premerger notification filings when cumulative acquisitions meet certain thresholds. The Act also narrows existing exemptions, generally requiring reporting for investment or rental property purchases unless they are strictly for personal use. The FTC and DOJ are tasked with updating regulations and creating new reporting forms to implement these changes.

The Strong Communities Act of 2025 establishes the COPS Strong Communities Program to provide competitive grants for local law enforcement training. These funds support officers and recruits attending specialized programs, contingent upon a commitment to serve in their local community for at least four years afterward. The bill also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing grant recipients, training plans, and officer retention rates to ensure transparency.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to the Government of Qatar. Specifically, this action blocks the planned sale which includes MQ9B drones, guided bombs, and associated support equipment. Congress is utilizing this resolution to formally halt the specified arms transaction.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 establishes a presumption that certain cancers leading to death or disability in public safety officers were caused by on-duty exposure to recognized carcinogens. This law defines specific exposure-related cancers and sets conditions, such as five years of service, for the presumption to apply. It also updates review processes for adding new cancers to the list and grants retroactive application and filing extensions for eligible past and present claims.

The Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act establishes the "Civilian Law Enforcement Task Grants" program. This program allows local law enforcement agencies to receive federal funding to hire retired officers for specialized tasks or to train current civilian staff. The grants aim to enhance agency capabilities in areas like complex investigations and digital forensics while ensuring strict accountability through mandatory annual audits.

The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates and extends key federal efforts to combat child exploitation. This bill revises the National Strategy to focus on emerging technology trends and mandates detailed resource planning for law enforcement. It also modifies the operations of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces, clarifying their duties, expanding partnerships, and providing liability protections for lead prioritization decisions. Finally, the Act adjusts grant funding allocations and authorizes specific funding levels through fiscal year 2028.

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 directs the Senate Legal Counsel to initiate a civil lawsuit to enforce the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution against the President. The action seeks to legally prevent the President from accepting gifts, payments, or benefits from foreign governments without explicit Congressional approval. This measure is being taken due to concerns that the President's personal financial dealings with foreign entities may violate constitutional restrictions designed to ensure undivided loyalty to the United States.

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, 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 Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act mandates that health plans cover medically necessary diagnosis and treatment for congenital anomalies or birth defects affecting the eyes, ears, teeth, mouth, or jaw. This coverage must apply to outpatient and inpatient care, including necessary dental and orthodontic support, unless the procedure is purely cosmetic. These new requirements take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.