Legislative Activity

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.

This resolution designates the week of February 24-28, 2025, as "Public Schools Week," to recognize the importance of public education. It expresses Congress's support for strengthening public schools through various measures, including empowering educators, supporting student well-being, and promoting equal opportunities. The resolution emphasizes the vital roles of educators, parents, and community stakeholders in ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education. It also acknowledges the importance of federal funding in supporting public schools.

Ethan's Law aims to reduce gun violence by promoting responsible firearm storage. It establishes a federal requirement for gun owners to securely store firearms, especially in homes with minors or individuals prohibited from owning firearms, with penalties for improper storage. The law also creates a grant program to assist states and Indian Tribes in implementing similar safe storage laws. Additionally, it expresses the sense of Congress that failing to securely store a firearm constitutes negligence and can establish legal causation for harm resulting from its discharge.

This resolution designates February 2025 as "Hawaiian Language Month" or "ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi Month," recognizing the importance of preserving, protecting, and promoting the Hawaiian language. It acknowledges the historical suppression of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and celebrates ongoing revitalization efforts. The resolution encourages participation in activities and programs that honor and celebrate the language throughout the month.

The Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act of 2025 amends Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 4001, to prohibit the detention of individuals in the United States based solely on protected characteristics. Protected characteristics include race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and any additional characteristic the Attorney General specifies. The Attorney General cannot remove any of the characteristics already listed (race through disability).

The Stop Antiabortion Disinformation (SAD) Act aims to prevent deceptive advertising related to reproductive health services, particularly concerning abortion and contraception. It empowers the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to regulate and enforce this prohibition, including the ability to bring civil actions against violators, with significant financial penalties for non-compliance. The Act also mandates regular reporting to Congress on enforcement activities.

The "First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal to collectively honor the First Rhode Island Regiment for their heroic service during the Revolutionary War. This regiment, one of the first racially integrated units in American history, was composed of African American, Indigenous, and mixed-race soldiers. The gold medal will be presented to the Rhode Island State Library for public display and research, with the hope that it will also be exhibited at other locations associated with the Regiment. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

The DRIVE Act of 2025 ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides a mileage reimbursement rate for beneficiary travel that is at least equal to the federal rate provided to government employees. It also mandates that the VA process and pay these mileage allowances within 90 days of receiving a complete and accurate claim. This bill aims to reduce the financial burden on veterans when traveling to receive medical care.

The "Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend an excise tax exemption on alternative motorboat fuels. This expansion includes vessels that operate solely between U.S. ports on either the Atlantic or Pacific coast. This amendment to Section 4041(g) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 takes effect for fuel sales or usage after December 31, 2025.

The SALONS Stories Act aims to support domestic violence prevention by increasing grant funding to states that require cosmetologists and barbers to undergo training on recognizing and responding to signs of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. This training will equip them to refer clients to resources for victims. The Attorney General can increase grants to eligible states by up to 10% for up to three years, with $5,000,000 authorized annually from 2027 through 2033 for this purpose.

The "Carried Interest Fairness Act of 2025" changes the tax treatment of certain partnership interests, especially those related to investment management services. It reclassifies certain capital gains as ordinary income for partners providing these services, modifies the valuation and tax implications of partnership interests transferred for services, and introduces stricter rules to prevent tax avoidance. This act aims to ensure that income derived from investment management is taxed at ordinary income rates rather than more favorable capital gains rates. It also includes provisions addressing qualified dividend income, gains from qualified small business stock, and the treatment of income from special purpose acquisition companies.

This resolution declares racism a public health crisis, citing significant racial inequities in health outcomes and the impact of historical and contemporary racism. It commits to establishing a nationwide strategy to address health disparities, dismantle systemic practices that perpetuate racism, and promote efforts to improve social determinants of health for racial and ethnic minorities. The resolution supports similar declarations at the local level and calls for reforms to address policies leading to poor health outcomes. It also charges the people of the United States to ensure the country honors its moral purpose of advancing the truths that all people are created equal with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The SECURE Firearm Storage Act aims to reduce gun theft from federally licensed firearms businesses by requiring them to secure firearms with hardened steel rods or locked safes/vaults when the premises are closed. It also mandates secure storage for paper records of firearm inventory and transactions and allows the Attorney General to set additional security requirements. Non-compliant licensees will face civil penalties, license suspension, or revocation.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of "Career and Technical Education Month" by recognizing the importance of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing students for the workforce. It acknowledges the significant number of students enrolled in CTE programs and the positive impact of CTE on academic achievement and employability. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.

The "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to limit immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations like schools and places of worship, requiring supervisor consultation and discreet conduct. Exceptions are allowed only in cases of national security or public safety threats or medical emergencies. The Act mandates annual training, detailed reporting of enforcement actions, and evidence suppression for violations, enhancing oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires that all new vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM radio for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of vehicles and AM radio in emergency alert dissemination and requires the Secretary of Transportation to regularly review the rule's impact. Penalties will be enforced for violations, and states are prohibited from enacting their own laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The "Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act" aims to improve the hygienic handling of breast milk, baby formula, and related items during airport security screening. It mandates the TSA to update its guidance in consultation with maternal health organizations to minimize contamination risks and ensure adherence to hygienic standards. Additionally, it requires a report from the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General on compliance and the impact of screening technologies on these items.

The "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act" aims to discourage companies from shifting profits and operations overseas to avoid U.S. taxes. It achieves this by amending the tax code to calculate foreign income on a country-by-country basis, limiting interest deductions for domestic corporations in international financial reporting groups, modifying rules related to inverted corporations, and treating certain foreign corporations managed and controlled in the U.S. as domestic corporations for tax purposes. The bill also repeals the reduced tax rate on net CFC tested income and foreign-derived intangible income, increases the deemed paid credit for taxes related to tested income, and eliminates the carryback of foreign tax credits. These changes are intended to level the playing field and ensure that multinational corporations pay their fair share of taxes on income earned abroad.