Legislative Activity

This joint resolution nullifies the Federal Communications Commission's rule addressing the homework gap through the E-Rate Program. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents the FCC from implementing measures intended to bridge the digital divide for students' home internet access.

The GENIUS Act establishes a regulatory framework for payment stablecoins in the United States, requiring issuers to be "permitted payment stablecoin issuers" and maintain 1-to-1 reserves. It sets standards for reserve composition, redemption policies, and regular reporting, while also granting the Comptroller authority to regulate Federal qualified payment stablecoin issuers and allowing state-level regulation for smaller issuers under certain conditions. The Act also addresses anti-money laundering concerns, custody of reserves, and the treatment of stablecoin issuers during insolvency proceedings, and clarifies that payment stablecoins are not securities or commodities. Finally, the Act creates an exception for foreign payment stablecoin issuers under specific conditions and reciprocity for payment stablecoins issued in overseas jurisdictions.

This resolution supports the designation of May 4-10, 2025, as "National Small Business Week". It recognizes the significant role of over 34.5 million small businesses in the U.S. that contribute to the economy and provide over 59 million jobs. The resolution celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, achievements, and resilience of small business owners and their employees.

This joint resolution disapproves of and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that modifies the classification of major pollution sources under the Clean Air Act. The resolution aims to reverse the EPA's decision to allow certain major sources of pollution to be reclassified as area sources, thereby changing the regulatory requirements for these sources.

The Insurance Data Protection Act aims to protect the confidentiality of insurance companies' data by limiting the subpoena power of the Office of Financial Research and ensuring that financial regulators coordinate with other agencies before collecting data from insurance companies. It facilitates the sharing of non-public information among federal and state agencies and insurance regulators while maintaining confidentiality and legal privileges. The act also clarifies that existing agency disclosure requirements apply to data submitted to financial regulators.

This resolution designates April 2025 as "Financial Literacy Month" to highlight the critical role of personal financial education and the repercussions of financial illiteracy. It acknowledges the significant number of unbanked and underbanked households, the struggles faced by people with disabilities, and the growing household debt in the U.S. The resolution encourages the government, schools, organizations, and individuals to promote financial literacy through various programs and activities during this month. It also emphasizes the positive impact of financial education on credit scores, retirement planning, and overall financial well-being.

The "Combating CCP Labor Abuses Act of 2025" aims to combat human rights abuses by the Chinese government. It mandates the Department of Commerce to train its employees on human rights abuses, particularly forced labor against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The Act also requires the Secretary of Commerce to provide guidance to U.S. businesses on identifying and avoiding involvement with entities engaged in these abuses, focusing on risks and preventative measures. This guidance is purely advisory.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act aims to combat the nonconsensual sharing of intimate visual depictions, including deepfakes, by establishing criminal penalties for those who knowingly publish such content and requiring online platforms to create a process for individuals to request the removal of these depictions. Platforms must remove the content within 48 hours of a valid request and make reasonable efforts to remove any known identical copies. Failure to comply with these takedown obligations will be treated as a violation under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Act also defines key terms related to consent, digital forgeries, and covered platforms.

The Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program Enhancement Act of 2025 amends the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996. The bill revises subsection (a)(1)(A)(ii) by removing "except in the case of crops and grasses used for grazing" and revises subsection (l)(1) by removing ".". This change expands the program to include crops and grasses used for grazing.

The "New Markets for State-Inspected Meat and Poultry Act of 2025" amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Poultry Products Inspection Act to allow interstate shipment of meat and poultry products inspected under state programs. It authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to oversee state meat and poultry inspection programs, enforce federal requirements, and report on the status of these programs. This act overrides state laws that restrict the sale of state-inspected meat and poultry products in interstate commerce, aiming to broaden market access for state-inspected producers.

This resolution designates the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week" to recognize the importance of national parks for recreation, education, and economic contributions. It encourages people to visit and support these parks while acknowledging the role of the National Park Service in protecting these resources for future generations.

This joint resolution nullifies the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule regarding overdraft lending practices specifically for very large financial institutions. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents the rule from taking effect.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Louisiana Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr., recognizing his contributions to energy policy, natural resource conservation, and Louisiana's cultural heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to Senator Johnston's family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in his honor.

This resolution disapproves and nullifies the EPA's rule that allowed California to set its own vehicle and engine pollution control standards. The rule in question is the "Advanced Clean Cars II" and "Waiver of Preemption." By disapproving this rule, the resolution seeks to prevent California from implementing stricter emission standards than the federal government.

This bill mandates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director to reinstate the rule delisting the gray wolf from the endangered and threatened species list, as previously outlined in the 2020 final rule. The reissuance must occur within 60 days of the bill's enactment and will not be subject to judicial review.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that allowed California to set its own vehicle and engine pollution control standards. The specific rule being targeted is the "Omnibus Low NOX Regulation, Waiver of Preemption." This action effectively blocks California's ability to implement these stricter pollution standards.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that relaxed certain pollution control standards for motor vehicles and engines in California. The rule covered heavy-duty vehicle emissions, advanced clean trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, and related certifications. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its implementation.

The DETERRENT Act aims to increase transparency and oversight of foreign funding in higher education by amending the Higher Education Act of 1965. It requires institutions to disclose foreign gifts and contracts, particularly those from countries or entities of concern, and establishes penalties for non-compliance. The Act also mandates policies to manage conflicts of interest and potential espionage risks, and enhances interagency coordination for enforcement. Ultimately, the bill seeks to protect U.S. national security and academic integrity by ensuring greater accountability in foreign funding of higher education.

The Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs accurately represent the diverse experiences of women in the United States, seeking guidance from various sources reflecting different viewpoints. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on the museum's progress in meeting these diversity requirements.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding eligible practitioners and originating sites, and making waivers for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Native American health facilities permanent. It also enhances program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, authorizing additional funding for oversight, and addressing unusual billing patterns. Additionally, the act supports beneficiaries and providers by requiring the development of resources and training, reviewing quality measures, and mandating the publication of data on telehealth services. These changes aim to make telehealth a more accessible, high-quality, and permanent option for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.