Legislative Activity

This resolution designates the first full week in May as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. It encourages increased education and routine screening for tardive dyskinesia (TD) among individuals prescribed antipsychotic medications. The goal is to improve early detection and intervention for this condition, which causes uncontrollable movements.

The Dennis John Benigno Traumatic Brain Injury Program Reauthorization Act of 2025 renames and updates the national TBI surveillance program, expanding data collection to focus on high-risk populations and long-term outcomes. The bill extends funding authorizations for federal TBI programs and state grant initiatives through fiscal year 2030. It also mandates a comprehensive report to Congress on TBI risk factors and requires a new study on the long-term symptoms and conditions following a brain injury.

This joint resolution formally honors the thirteen U.S. service members who were killed in the August 26, 2021, bombing at Abbey Gate during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. It recognizes their ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation and expresses deep gratitude to their families. The resolution also designates a National Day of Remembrance to ensure their faithful service is never forgotten.

This resolution calls on Federal and State courts to immediately unseal all non-protected court materials related to the criminal investigations and prosecutions involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. It asserts that the public interest in transparency outweighs any claims to privacy regarding these sealed documents. The goal is to make the records public, allowing redactions only to protect victims or ongoing prosecutions.

This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that all public renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" should be performed exactly as written by Francis Scott Key in English. The resolution emphasizes preserving the original lyrics to honor the anthem's historical integrity and patriotic significance. It serves as a formal encouragement for traditional and accurate performance of the national anthem.

This bill appropriates funding for the operations, staffing, and leadership expenses of the Legislative Branch for Fiscal Year 2026. It sets specific budgets for Congress, the Capitol Police, and support offices like the CBO, while also establishing rules governing fund usage. Key provisions include restrictions on purchasing certain foreign technology and mandates for increased CBO transparency.

This resolution officially commemorates June 11, 2025, as "World Franchise Day" to recognize the significant contributions of the franchising industry to the U.S. economy. It highlights franchising's role in job creation, supporting nearly 8.8 million jobs and contributing almost 3% of the nation's GDP. The measure also celebrates franchising as a pathway to business ownership for many Americans, including veterans and minorities.

The Prescription Information Modernization Act of 2025 allows drug manufacturers to provide required prescribing information to doctors and pharmacists digitally, rather than solely on paper. Healthcare providers retain the right to opt-in to receive paper copies upon request, free of charge. The Secretary of HHS must establish final rules within one year to implement this transition, ensuring accessibility and provider choice.

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 Medicaid VBPs for Patients Act updates federal rules to better integrate value-based purchasing (VBP) arrangements into Medicaid and Medicare drug pricing calculations. This legislation allows for more flexible "best price" reporting for performance-based drug deals and clarifies how refunds or rebates tied to patient outcomes affect average price calculations. Furthermore, the Act mandates new guidance for states on using VBPAs for inpatient Medicaid drugs and creates an exception to the federal anti-kickback statute for certain manufacturer payments related to these arrangements. Finally, it directs the GAO to study the effectiveness and impact of VBPAs across federal healthcare programs.

The Lowering Broadband Costs for Consumers Act of 2025 aims to stabilize and lower consumer broadband costs by reforming the Universal Service Fund (USF). This bill mandates the FCC to require major content and service providers ("Edge providers") to contribute financially to the USF alongside traditional broadband companies. Additionally, it establishes a new, targeted funding mechanism to ensure support reaches carriers serving high-cost, rural areas.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a specific rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning California's vehicle and engine pollution control standards, known as the "Omnibus" Low NOx Regulation. By disapproving the rule, Congress immediately cancels the EPA's submission, preventing it from taking legal effect. This action effectively rejects the EPA's attempt to implement those specific California standards.

The Ensuring Access to Specialty Care Everywhere (EASE) Act requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a new model focused on improving access to specialty health services. This "Specialty Health Care Services Access Model" will utilize provider networks, often based in rural areas, to deliver coordinated specialty care to eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries living in underserved regions. The model aims to leverage digital tools to connect patients with necessary specialists through established, qualified provider networks.

The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025 amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit states from receiving waivers to set new vehicle emission standards that restrict the sale or use of new cars with internal combustion engines. This legislation invalidates any existing or future state standards that directly or indirectly limit traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Furthermore, the bill mandates the revocation of any previously granted waivers that conflict with this new restriction.

The 988 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act strengthens security measures for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program. It mandates immediate reporting of cybersecurity vulnerabilities or incidents within 24 hours to designated officials. Furthermore, the bill requires a comprehensive study on the cybersecurity risks facing the 988 Lifeline network.

The Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 aims to accelerate the development of new cancer treatments for children by expanding the FDA's authority to require pediatric investigations for molecularly targeted cancer drugs. It also extends the incentive program that grants priority review vouchers to encourage the development of drugs for rare pediatric diseases. The bill mandates studies on the effectiveness of these new requirements and the existing voucher system.

This bill grants the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma a limited, one-year window to sue the U.S. government in the Court of Federal Claims over specific land disputes related to their 1805 treaty in Illinois. This special jurisdiction allows the court to hear the case regardless of standard time limits. In exchange for this opportunity, all other historical Illinois land claims by the Tribe are permanently extinguished.

The "Quapaw Tribal Settlement Act of 2025" establishes a trust account within the Department of Interior and authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to pay \$137.5 million to the Quapaw Nation and individual members, as Claimants, to settle legal claims. It outlines a process for distributing these funds, prioritizing mediation among the Claimants to develop a distribution plan. If mediation fails, the Secretary of the Interior will determine the final allocation of the settlement proceeds based on a set of procedures and deadlines.