Legislative Activity

This resolution officially recognizes May as Jewish American Heritage Month to celebrate the significant contributions of Jewish Americans throughout U.S. history. It calls on leaders to use this month to educate the public about Jewish heritage and actively counter the current rise in antisemitism. The measure emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety and dignity of the Jewish American community.

The Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of 2025 mandates that federal contractors establish clear processes for reporting security weaknesses found in their systems used for government work. This law requires updating the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to ensure contractors actively seek out and disclose vulnerabilities, aligning with existing government security guidelines. These new disclosure requirements will apply to contractors whose contracts meet or exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The Act authorizes no new funding for its implementation.

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.

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 Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 authorizes livestock producers and their employees to take action against black vultures that are harming or threatening livestock or related property. This provision allows for the capture, killing, or dispersal of the birds, provided that poisoning is strictly prohibited. Those who take action must report the activity to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service once the required reporting form is made available.

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 Mapping America's Pharmaceutical Supply Act (MAPS Act) aims to strengthen the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain by requiring the regular updating of an Essential Medicines List and mandating comprehensive risk assessments of drug sourcing. This legislation directs federal agencies to map the supply chains for these critical drugs, identifying vulnerabilities related to foreign reliance and national security risks. Furthermore, the Department of Defense must report biannually on pharmaceuticals sourced or manufactured in China.

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.

The LOCOMOTIVES Act clarifies federal authority under the Clean Air Act regarding emissions standards for certain existing locomotives and engines used in construction or farm equipment. This legislation ensures that federal standards, rather than varying state standards, apply to these specific engines, particularly those under 175 horsepower and locomotives engaged in commerce. Essentially, it centralizes regulatory power over these emissions sources at the federal level.

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 officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week." It serves to honor the valor and integrity of law enforcement officers across the nation. The resolution specifically remembers the officers killed in the line of duty during 2024 and encourages the public to observe this week to show appreciation for law enforcement personnel.

The Primary Care Enhancement Act of 2025 updates tax rules for direct primary care service arrangements, allowing monthly subscription fees up to \$150 to qualify as deductible medical expenses. This legislation ensures that participation in these arrangements does not disqualify individuals from contributing to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The \$150 limit will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2027.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) recent rule aimed at closing the "Homework Gap" using the E-Rate Program. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, Congress is formally rejecting the FCC's specific plan to extend E-Rate funding for student home internet access. Consequently, the FCC's rule, published on November 29, 2024, will not take effect.

The Growing America’s Small Businesses and Manufacturing Act aims to support businesses through significant tax code changes. This bill permanently extends a specific method for calculating business interest expense limitations. Additionally, it substantially increases the immediate expensing limits (Section 179) for purchasing new depreciable business assets. These provisions are designed to encourage investment and growth for small businesses and manufacturers starting in tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Securing America's Ports of Entry Act of 2025 aims to enhance border security by mandating the annual hiring of new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, contingent upon funding, until staffing needs are met. The bill also requires a comprehensive report detailing necessary infrastructure and technology upgrades at ports of entry to combat drug smuggling. Furthermore, it establishes stricter quarterly reporting requirements for CBP regarding temporary staff assignments and service agreements to ensure operational transparency.

This Act establishes a "single point of contact" within the Social Security Administration (SSA) to assist victims of Social Security number misuse or lost cards. This dedicated contact will manage the entire resolution process, ensuring continuity and coordination across SSA departments. The goal is to streamline service and reduce the burden on individuals affected by identity theft involving their SSN.

The American Innovation and Jobs Act aims to boost U.S. competitiveness by restoring immediate expensing for most business research and development (R&D) investments. It also significantly expands the refundable R&D tax credit for new and small businesses, increasing the maximum refund amount and raising eligibility thresholds. Furthermore, the bill makes technical adjustments to the R&D credit calculation to make it more accessible for startups. These provisions are designed to incentivize domestic innovation and job creation starting in tax years after 2021 and 2024, respectively.

The MOMS Act aims to support mothers and unborn children through three main areas: establishing a federal resource website, Pregnancy.gov, to connect expecting and new mothers with local services. It also creates grant programs to fund organizations that support carrying pregnancies to term and expand access to prenatal/postnatal telehealth care. Finally, the Act mandates that states establish and enforce child support obligations on behalf of unborn children upon the mother's request.

The No Official Palestine Entry Act of 2025 restricts the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from holding any status beyond observer in United Nations agencies. This legislation also modifies the U.S. standing in the UN, prohibiting full membership and capping participation at a level above observer status. Importantly, the Act explicitly states that none of its provisions apply to Taiwan.

The SHIELD Against CCP Act establishes a new Working Group within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to countering threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This group will investigate CCP exploitation across immigration, economic misconduct, drug trafficking, and financial crimes. The Act mandates annual reporting to Congress on these threats and requires the group to coordinate efforts and identify gaps in current DHS security measures.