Legislative Activity

This resolution supports National Nurses Week, observed from May 6-12, 2025, and recognizes the vital contributions of nurses to healthcare in various roles, including patient care, advocacy, and research. It emphasizes the need for strengthening nursing workforce development and encourages public recognition of nurses' importance to patients' lives.

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 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.

The Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 amends the Energy Act of 2020, updating the definition of critical minerals to include critical materials designated by the Secretary of Energy. This bill requires the Secretary of Energy to update the list of critical minerals within 45 days of a new critical material designation.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the railroad track maintenance credit from $3,500 to $6,100, with inflation adjustments starting after 2025. It also extends qualified railroad track maintenance expenditures to January 1, 2024. These changes are effective for expenditures in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This resolution expresses Senate support for designating April 2025 as "Parkinson's Awareness Month" to raise awareness of the disease's impact, promote research for better treatments and a cure, and support those living with Parkinson's and their families. It acknowledges the increasing prevalence and cost of Parkinson's, the challenges faced by patients and caregivers, and the importance of continued efforts to improve their quality of life. The resolution also recognizes individuals with Parkinson's participating in clinical trials, and commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and individuals working to improve the quality of life for people living with Parkinson's and their families.

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 BE GONE Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include sexual assault and aggravated sexual abuse in the definition of aggravated felonies. This change would mean immigrants convicted of these crimes would be subject to deportation.

This resolution supports National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2025 and aims to increase awareness of the dangers of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, particularly among young people. It acknowledges the alarming rise in fentanyl-related deaths and supports efforts to combat the spread of these deadly pills. The resolution designates April 29, 2025, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day.

The "Combating Organized Retail Crime Act" aims to reduce organized retail theft by amending Title 18 of the United States Code to include theft from interstate shipments, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and sale or receipt of stolen goods. It also establishes an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to align federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal efforts to combat organized retail crime and organized supply chain crime. The center will coordinate law enforcement, share information, assist in investigations, track crime trends, and support training and technical assistance. This act seeks to provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to combat organized retail crime and enhance the coordination between different levels of government and the private sector.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to limit consumer reporting agencies from providing consumer reports to other entities for credit transactions involving residential mortgage loans. Exceptions are made for firm offers of credit or insurance, authorized access, or if the entity currently originates or services the consumer's mortgage, or is an insured depository institution or credit union holding a current account for the consumer. The act will take effect 180 days after enactment.

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.

The "Abortion Funding Awareness Act of 2025" requires states to report annually all Medicaid payments made to abortion providers, including payment details, abortion statistics, and methods used. These state reports will then be compiled into a comprehensive report by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and submitted to Congress and made public. This aims to increase transparency regarding the use of federal funds for abortions. The act amends the Social Security Act to ensure state compliance with these reporting requirements.

The "Mining Regulatory Clarity Act" amends mining laws to allow operators to locate multiple mill sites on public land for mining-related activities, sets a 5-acre limit for each site, and specifies that these sites do not grant mineral rights. It establishes an "Abandoned Hardrock Mine Fund" using claim maintenance fees from mill sites to support abandoned mine cleanup, and makes clerical updates to existing fee regulations. The bill clarifies the use of mill sites for waste disposal and mineral development, while preserving existing claimant rights and government regulatory authority.

The REPAIR Act of 2025 aims to streamline the judicial review process for project authorizations, setting time limits for legal claims and prioritizing agency correction over halting projects. It requires mediation for stalled projects, overseen by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council, to expedite reauthorization. The act also limits who can bring lawsuits and ensures cases are randomly assigned to judges and makes information on judicial review timelines publicly available. Finally, the act modifies the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 to prevent lawsuits regarding project approvals or authorizations.

The Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025 amends the Wildfire Suppression Aircraft Transfer Act of 1996, allowing military aircraft to be used for dropping water, in addition to fire retardant, for wildfire suppression. It ensures that aircraft sold by the Department of Defense are exclusively used for wildfire suppression services. This act extends the Department of Defense's authority to sell aircraft and parts for wildfire suppression until October 1, 2035.

The "Jobs in the Woods Act" establishes a competitive grant program within the Department of Agriculture to support career pathway training programs in low-income, nonmetropolitan areas for forestry operations and forestry products industries. Grants will range from $500,000 to $2,000,000 for up to 4 years. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated each year from 2025 through 2029 to carry out the grant program.

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.

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.