Legislative Activity

This resolution recognizes April 2025 as "Community College Month" to celebrate the significant role of community colleges in providing accessible higher education, workforce training, and economic support across the United States. It acknowledges the affordability, diverse student population, and substantial economic contributions of these institutions, which serve millions of students and contribute billions to the national economy. The resolution highlights the importance of community colleges in meeting local and regional needs while driving economic prosperity.

This resolution expresses support for designating April 1-30, 2025, as "Fair Chance Jobs Month" to promote the hiring of formerly incarcerated individuals. It aims to address the systemic barriers and stigmas that these individuals face when seeking employment, housing, healthcare, and nutrition. The resolution supports initiatives to remove obstacles to fair-chance hiring, expand job training programs, educate employers, and foster collaboration between various stakeholders to improve opportunities for returning citizens and communities affected by mass incarceration.

This resolution designates April 30, 2025, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day" to recognize the importance of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities and older adults. It highlights the role of assistive technology in promoting community inclusion, education, and employment. The resolution also commends those working to improve access to assistive technology.

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2025 designates approximately 1,559,538 acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska as wilderness under the National Wilderness Preservation System. This act amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966, providing increased protection to this area.

The "New Start Act of 2025" aims to reduce recidivism and unemployment among formerly incarcerated individuals by promoting entrepreneurship. It directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to award grants to organizations that provide entrepreneurship training and counseling to both formerly and currently incarcerated individuals. The act requires the SBA to coordinate with the Bureau of Prisons and ensure equitable distribution of grants, prioritizing applicants based on various factors, including ties to the justice-impacted community and the ability to provide ongoing programming. Finally, the Act mandates annual reports to Congress and a GAO evaluation to assess the program's effectiveness.

This resolution designates April 2025 as "Earth Month" to promote environmental stewardship and climate action. It recognizes the historical impact of Earth Day and the urgency of addressing climate change, while also supporting biodiversity preservation and learning from Indigenous communities. The resolution encourages collaborative efforts to address environmental challenges, improve energy efficiency, and educate communities about year-round environmental action. It also seeks to center the voices of frontline communities in proposed climate and environmental solutions.

The "Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025" establishes an Advisory Council to Support Victims of Gun Violence, composed of federal department heads, victims of gun violence, and victim assistance professionals. The council will survey victims and professionals to identify needs, review existing programs, assess compensation fund administration, and promote resources and best practices. It will also provide resources to help victims of gun violence with medical, financial, mental health, and legal needs, and will submit reports to Congress and the public with recommendations for additional support. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.

The FORECAST Act of 2025 aims to enhance weather research and forecasting capabilities by improving seasonal predictability, utilizing advanced technologies like AI, and supporting the development of a skilled workforce in weather and Earth system modeling. It directs the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA to conduct research, collect observational data, and advance forecast systems. The act also establishes the "Weather and Earth System Modeling and Data Assimilation Workforce Innovation Program" to support education, recruitment, and address workforce needs through scholarships, research funding, and strategic human capital planning. Finally, it authorizes specific appropriations for these activities in fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that paraprofessionals and education support staff are crucial to schools and deserve fair compensation, benefits, and working conditions that allow them to effectively support students. It advocates for livable wages, affordable healthcare, paid leave, professional development, necessary resources, and a safe working environment for these essential employees. The resolution also supports their right to have a voice in school policies and protection from retaliation when reporting workplace concerns. Additionally, it encourages employers to engage in good faith negotiations and avoid replacing or locking out these workers during strikes.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that Donald Trump is ineligible for future elections as Vice-President or President. It cites the Twelfth Amendment, stating that anyone ineligible to be President is also ineligible to be Vice-President. The resolution also references the Twenty-Second Amendment, which limits presidents to two terms, noting that Trump has already been elected twice.

The "Safety Starts at the Top Act of 2025" revises the qualifications for Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) holders. It mandates that ODA holders with substantial revenue include labor and aerospace safety representatives on their board of directors. Non-compliant entities will have their delegation rescinded by the FAA.

The "Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act" or the "ABC Act" requires a comprehensive review of Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs to simplify processes and improve communication for family caregivers. This includes reducing red tape, improving website accessibility, and providing timely and accessible information. The act mandates regular reports to Congress on the progress and impact of these improvements. Additionally, the act encourages states to conduct similar reviews to reduce administrative burdens on caregivers at the state level.

The Heating and Cooling Relief Act aims to make energy more affordable for low-income households by increasing funding for the Home Energy Assistance Program, expanding eligibility, and ensuring access to both heating and cooling assistance. It prioritizes energy efficiency upgrades, protects households from utility shutoffs and late fees, and promotes renewable energy solutions. The act also includes provisions for data collection on energy arrears and the development of state and local plans for transitioning away from fossil fuels while lowering energy costs for vulnerable households. Finally, the bill renames the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to the Home Energy Assistance Program.

The Deerfield River Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to study the Deerfield River and its major tributaries in Massachusetts and Vermont for potential inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The study will assess the river's eligibility based on its outstanding resource values. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress within three years of funding availability.

The "Salem Maritime National Historical Park Redesignation and Boundary Study Act" renames the Salem Maritime National Historic Site as the Salem Maritime National Historical Park. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a boundary study to assess the possibility of adding sites related to maritime history, coastal defenses, and military history to the park. The study will focus on Salem, Massachusetts, and its vicinity, including the Salem Armory Visitor Center and Park, with a report due to Congress within three years of funding.

The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act of 2025 establishes a program for the EPA to encourage water systems and treatment works to participate in the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center. This program aims to offset membership costs, improve data cooperation, and enhance resources for monitoring and responding to threats. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for each of the fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to carry out this section.

The "Stop Giving Big Oil Free Money Act" aims to eliminate royalty relief for oil and gas companies in the Gulf of Mexico by requiring them to make royalty payments when oil and gas prices are high. It prevents the Department of Interior from issuing new leases or allowing the transfer of existing leases to companies that do not agree to these terms. The Act also allows the Secretary of Interior to modify existing leases to include specific price thresholds for royalty suspensions, effective October 1, 2026.

The "Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify products derived from tar sands as crude oil, making them subject to the federal excise tax on petroleum. It broadens the definition of "crude oil" for excise tax purposes to include various oil types and gives the Secretary authority to classify other fuels as crude oil if they meet specific hazard and quantity conditions. This change ensures that tar sands and similar substances are taxed like traditional crude oil, closing a potential loophole. The Act is effective upon enactment.

The "Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2025" establishes a grant program, managed by the Secretary of Commerce and the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, for sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and response. It also creates the Sea Turtle Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Rapid Response Fund within the Treasury. The bill authorizes specific appropriations for both the grant program and the fund for fiscal years 2025 through 2030.

The Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act amends the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 to modernize regulations around online data collection, use, and deletion for children and teens. It expands the definition of personal information, requires verifiable consent for data collection and usage, and prohibits individual-specific advertising to children and teens. The Act also mandates FTC reports on mobile app oversight and enforcement, a GAO study on teens' privacy using financial technology, and includes a severability clause.