Legislative Activity

The Protecting Kids from Gun Marketing Act prohibits firearm manufacturers and dealers from advertising or marketing guns and related gear in ways that appeal to minors under 18. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with creating specific rules banning tactics like using cartoons or offering free merchandise to children. This act grants the FTC, State Attorneys General, and harmed individuals the authority to enforce these new marketing restrictions in federal court.

The Protecting Community Television Act revises the definition of a "franchise fee" under the Communications Act of 1934. This change modifies the language from "includes" to "means" and adds "other monetary assessment" to clarify what payments local governments can charge cable operators. Ultimately, this bill refines how franchise fees are calculated and assessed.

This Act mandates coordination between FinCEN and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure small businesses understand and comply with beneficial ownership reporting requirements established under the Corporate Transparency Act. The bill requires the agencies to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing joint efforts like public outreach, language access, and scam prevention training. Furthermore, the agencies must submit regular joint reports detailing compliance efforts and the number of companies brought into compliance.

The Complete Streets Act of 2025 establishes a national program requiring states to create systems for funding and technical assistance to ensure all public roads are designed safely for every user, including pedestrians, cyclists, and transit riders. Eligible entities must adopt formal Complete Streets policies to qualify for grants aimed at fixing infrastructure gaps, especially in underserved communities. The bill mandates new federal design standards for federally funded road projects to incorporate protected bike lanes, accessible sidewalks, and improved lighting. Finally, states must dedicate a minimum of 5% of certain federal highway funds annually to implement these comprehensive safety and accessibility improvements.

The Public Service Worker Protection Act expands the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to explicitly cover federal, state, and local government employees. This ensures that public service workers are protected by federal workplace safety standards. The effective date varies depending on whether a state already has an approved OSHA plan.

The Ending Qualified Immunity Act aims to restore the original intent of civil rights law by eliminating the legal doctrine of qualified immunity. This act prevents state and local government officials from using defenses like "good faith" or "clearly established law" to avoid liability. Consequently, individuals will have a clearer path to sue officials who violate their constitutional rights under Section 1983.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as Community College Month to celebrate the vital role of over 1,000 community colleges nationwide. These institutions are recognized for providing accessible, affordable higher education and essential workforce training. The bill emphasizes their significant contribution to advancing local economies and overall U.S. prosperity.

The Small Business Liberation Act exempts qualifying small business concerns from certain import duties or requirements imposed by the President under a national emergency declaration. This provision ensures that small businesses are shielded from specific trade restrictions enacted during national emergencies.

The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends and significantly enhances federal programs supporting small business innovation and technology transfer through 2030. The bill increases mandatory funding levels for the SBIR and STTR programs, establishes new paid fellowships to build a skilled workforce, and streamlines the path for small businesses to commercialize their federally-funded research with the government. Furthermore, it strengthens oversight, transparency, and accountability across these critical research and development initiatives.

This resolution officially designates April 30, 2025, as "National Assistive Technology Awareness Day." It highlights the critical role assistive technology plays in enabling people with disabilities and older adults to fully participate in education, employment, and community life. The bill also commends the dedicated professionals and organizations working to ensure access to these essential tools and services.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating April 2025 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It highlights the significant employment barriers faced by the millions of Americans with past conviction records. The bill champions efforts to remove structural roadblocks, expand job training, and connect formerly incarcerated individuals with stable employment opportunities.

The Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2025 officially designates approximately 1.56 million acres of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as protected wilderness. This action places the specified area under the strict protections of the National Wilderness Preservation System. This designation overrides conflicting regulations within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The New Start Act of 2025 establishes a five-year grant program, the "New Start Program," administered by the SBA, to fund entrepreneurial training and counseling for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. This initiative aims to reduce recidivism and increase economic stability by supporting justice-impacted individuals in starting or expanding small businesses. Grantees will receive funding to offer comprehensive business training, mentorship, and connections to capital, with the SBA required to report annually on the program's impact.

This resolution officially designates April 2025 as "Earth Month" to elevate environmental stewardship beyond a single day. It recognizes the ongoing climate crisis and its disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities. The measure encourages nationwide participation in conservation efforts, centering Indigenous knowledge and frontline voices in climate action planning. Ultimately, it calls for sustained efforts to promote clean energy, protect natural resources, and ensure a healthy environment for future generations.

The FORECAST Act of 2025 aims to significantly enhance the nation's ability to produce accurate, longer-range weather predictions, specifically focusing on subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) forecasting weeks or months in advance. This bill mandates improvements in research, advanced multi-model forecasting systems, and the integration of emerging technologies like AI. Furthermore, it establishes a new workforce program to recruit and train experts in next-generation weather modeling and data assimilation to support these critical forecasting efforts.

The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 establishes an Advisory Council within the Department of Health and Human Services to support victims of gun violence. This council will define key terms, assess the needs of victims and service providers, and identify best practices for support. Its primary goal is to share comprehensive information on available medical, financial, and mental health resources with the public and relevant government bodies. The council will operate for five years and is required to issue detailed reports on resource gaps and recommendations for improvement.

This Senate resolution expresses the sense of Congress that paraprofessionals and essential education support staff deserve fair compensation, comprehensive benefits, and improved working conditions. It highlights the critical role these millions of workers play in schools while addressing current issues like low wages, benefit gaps, and job instability. The resolution calls for stable employment, living wages, affordable healthcare, and greater inclusion in school decision-making. Ultimately, it affirms that respecting support staff is vital for student success.

This Senate resolution formally expresses the view that Donald Trump is constitutionally ineligible to be elected or serve as President or Vice-President in any future election. The resolution cites the Twelfth and Twenty-Second Amendments, noting that Trump has already been elected to the presidency twice. Therefore, the Senate declares its sense that he cannot hold those offices again.

The Safety Starts at the Top Act of 2025 updates the qualifications for large organizations holding certain FAA delegations (ODA holders). Specifically, entities with over \$15 billion in annual revenue must now ensure their board of directors includes labor representatives and aerospace safety experts. The FAA is required to promptly review and rescind delegations from any current ODA holder that fails to meet these new board composition standards within 90 days of enactment.

The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act (ABC Act) mandates a comprehensive review of Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security programs to significantly simplify application processes, forms, and communications. This effort aims to reduce the burden on family caregivers by eliminating redundant information requests across agencies. The responsible officials must report their simplification plans and progress to Congress within two years of enactment.