Legislative Activity

This joint resolution directs the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that lack specific authorization from Congress. It asserts that only Congress has the constitutional authority to declare war or authorize such military action. The measure mandates the termination of these ongoing hostilities unless Congress passes a new law authorizing the use of force, while preserving the President's authority to use force in immediate self-defense.

The Auto Reenroll Act of 2025 modifies rules for automatic enrollment retirement plans (QACAs and EACAs) to encourage continued participation. This legislation allows an employee's prior election to opt out of automatic contributions to automatically expire after three years or less. Upon expiration, the employee is automatically reenrolled in the plan unless they actively choose to opt out again. These changes aim to simplify reenrollment processes and maintain higher participation rates in employer-sponsored retirement savings.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress regarding human rights practices in El Salvador within 30 days. The report must cover credible allegations of abuses, including torture, forced disappearances, and judicial fairness, particularly in light of the "State of Exception." Furthermore, it requires an accounting of U.S. actions taken to promote human rights and assess the risk of U.S. security assistance supporting officials involved in abuses.

The Contaminated Wells Relocation Act authorizes NASA to enter into an agreement with the Town of Chincoteague, Virginia, to help fund the relocation of drinking water wells currently situated on NASA-managed land. This agreement allows NASA to reimburse the town for costs associated with planning and establishing replacement wells on Chincoteague-controlled property. The final agreement must detail the relocation plan, new well locations, and estimated costs, and must be submitted to Congress within 18 months of enactment.

The Protecting Global Fisheries Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive U.S. strategy to combat illegal, unreported, or unregulated (IUU) fishing worldwide through international collaboration. This Act authorizes the President to impose significant sanctions, including asset freezes and port denials, against foreign persons and vessels involved in IUU fishing or endangered species trade. Furthermore, it mandates regular briefings and detailed annual reports to Congress from the Secretary of State regarding global counter-IUU fishing efforts and China's role in the issue.

The PEER Support Act aims to formally recognize and professionalize the role of certified peer support specialists who have lived experience in recovery. It establishes a new Office of Recovery within SAMHSA to support these specialists and enhance recovery services nationwide. Furthermore, the bill mandates the official classification of this profession and requires a federal report on state criminal background check policies for peer specialists.

The Religious Workforce Protection Act aims to support religious workers facing long delays in obtaining lawful permanent residence. It extends nonimmigrant status for those stuck in green card backlogs, even past the normal five-year limit for R-1 visas. Furthermore, the bill modifies job flexibility rules for certain long-waiting religious workers and exempts those who left the U.S. due to the R-1 visa time limit from the usual one-year foreign residence requirement before reapplying.

This joint resolution officially terminates the national emergency declared by the President on February 1, 2025, regarding duties on articles imported from Canada. By doing so, it ends the special powers and rules activated under that specific declaration. This action effectively cancels the emergency order.

This bill establishes a national registry, managed by the Secretary of State, to track Korean American families separated by the Korean War who wish to reunite with relatives in North Korea. It mandates that U.S. diplomatic efforts with North Korea prioritize making progress on these family reunions. Furthermore, the Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues must report annually on the registry's status and North Korea's cooperation.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include military spouses as eligible hires. This allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring individuals certified as spouses of active-duty military personnel. The provision applies to wages paid for individuals hired after the Act's enactment date.

The Expanding Medical Education Act establishes a new federal grant program to fund the creation, upgrade, or expansion of medical and osteopathic schools, especially in medically underserved areas. Priority is given to institutions planning to open where no other medical school currently exists or that serve minority populations in unserved locations. Funds must be used to recruit and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds and develop curricula focused on care in underserved communities. The Secretary must report to Congress every five years on the program's impact on the healthcare workforce and access to care.

The Safe Schools Improvement Act aims to combat bullying and harassment in schools by requiring states that accept federal funding to establish clear anti-bullying policies, define prohibited conduct based on protected characteristics, and implement systems for reporting and tracking incidents. This legislation mandates that local districts inform all stakeholders about prohibited conduct and establish formal complaint processes. Furthermore, the bill requires regular state and federal evaluations to assess the effectiveness of these measures in reducing harmful behavior while respecting existing non-discrimination laws and free speech rights.

This bill authorizes the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative to enhance citizen safety and strengthen the rule of law in designated Caribbean nations through 2029. The program focuses on combating organized crime, improving law enforcement capabilities, and promoting economic opportunities for at-risk youth. It also establishes a five-year strategy to increase regional resilience and response capabilities against natural disasters. The Secretary of State and USAID Administrator are required to submit detailed implementation and progress reports to Congress annually.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency concerning energy declared by the President in January 2025. The resolution nullifies Executive Order 14156, effectively ending the emergency powers invoked under the National Emergencies Act.

This bill designates the General George C. Marshall House in Virginia as an affiliated area of the National Park System to promote awareness of George C. Marshall, Jr.'s historical significance. The George C. Marshall International Center will manage the affiliated area, with the Secretary of the Interior authorized to provide technical and financial assistance. This designation does not grant the Secretary of Interior authority to acquire property or assume financial responsibility for the house's operation.

This resolution expresses the Senate's opposition to deploying U.S. military assets or personnel to "take over" Gaza. It emphasizes the importance of Palestinian self-determination, warns against the negative consequences of U.S. control over Gaza, and highlights public and congressional concerns about unauthorized military action and financial expenditure. The resolution underscores that the U.S. should not use its military or resources to control Gaza.

The "Foreign Assistance Accountability and Oversight Act" establishes a Director of Foreign Assistance within the State Department to optimize the impact of foreign assistance by aligning resources with foreign policy goals, measuring effectiveness, and promoting transparency. This director will lead strategic planning, budget processes, and program evaluations, ensuring resources are obligated in a timely manner. The act also affirms USAID's status as an independent agency and emphasizes the importance of congressional oversight in foreign assistance management.

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 "JOBS Act of 2025" expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in short-term job training programs (150-600 hours) that lead to credentials in high-demand fields. These programs must meet specific requirements, including alignment with industry needs and assurance from state boards. The act also requires accrediting agencies to assess the quality of these programs and mandates data sharing between the Departments of Education and Labor. Finally, the bill lowers the threshold for the minimum Federal Pell Grant from 10 percent to 5 percent.

The "African Diaspora Heritage Month Act of 2025" directs the President to annually proclaim a month as African Diaspora Heritage Month, recognizing the significant contributions and heritage of the approximately 50 million people in the U.S. who are part of the African diaspora. It encourages state and local governments, as well as the people of the United States, to observe the month with relevant programs and activities. The act highlights the economic, cultural, and social impact of the African diaspora, emphasizing their role in shaping government policy and fostering cross-cultural engagement. It also recognizes their commitment to family, community, and work ethic, as well as their right to access Federal resources and participate in civil life.