Legislative Activity

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.

The Remove the Stain Act officially rescinds the 20 Medals of Honor awarded for actions during the Wounded Knee Massacre of 1890. This action is taken because Congress finds that these awards dishonor the integrity of the nation's highest military decoration. Recipients of these specific medals are not required to return the physical award.

The Andrew Kearse Accountability for Denial of Medical Care Act of 2025 establishes new federal penalties for officials who negligently fail to provide immediate medical attention to individuals in federal custody experiencing medical distress, resulting in unnecessary harm or death. This Act mandates training for all covered officials and requires investigations by the Inspector General for any such failures. Furthermore, it grants State Attorneys General the authority to file civil suits on behalf of harmed residents.

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.

The Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2025 establishes a formal, publicly accessible code of conduct for Supreme Court Justices and creates a judicial investigation panel to handle related ethics complaints. The bill also mandates stricter disclosure requirements for gifts and income received by Justices, and significantly expands the circumstances under which a federal judge must recuse themselves due to financial ties or lobbying influence. Finally, it institutes new disclosure rules for parties and *amici curiae* in cases before the Court, alongside studies to monitor judicial compliance.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to the Government of Qatar. Specifically, this action blocks the planned sale which includes MQ9B drones, guided bombs, and associated support equipment. Congress is utilizing this resolution to formally halt the specified arms transaction.

This resolution officially recognizes the vital roles and significant contributions of teachers across the United States in strengthening the nation's civic, cultural, and economic well-being. It specifically designates National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5–9, 2025, to raise public awareness and encourage greater respect for the teaching profession. Ultimately, this measure serves as a formal expression of gratitude from Congress to educators nationwide.

The Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025 establishes a presumption that certain cancers leading to death or disability in public safety officers were caused by on-duty exposure to recognized carcinogens. This law defines specific exposure-related cancers and sets conditions, such as five years of service, for the presumption to apply. It also updates review processes for adding new cancers to the list and grants retroactive application and filing extensions for eligible past and present claims.

The Housing Acquisitions Review and Transparency (HART) Act amends antitrust reporting requirements to treat aggregated purchases of residential property within a calendar year as a single transaction. This mandates antitrust premerger notification filings when cumulative acquisitions meet certain thresholds. The Act also narrows existing exemptions, generally requiring reporting for investment or rental property purchases unless they are strictly for personal use. The FTC and DOJ are tasked with updating regulations and creating new reporting forms to implement these changes.

This joint resolution addresses two separate actions regarding foreign military sales. First, it formally blocks a proposed defense article and services sale to the United Arab Emirates. Second, it approves a different, specific sale of non-Major Defense Equipment, spare parts, and support services to the UAE, as detailed in Transmittal No. 2525.

This joint resolution provides for congressional disapproval of a proposed foreign military sale to the United Arab Emirates. However, the accompanying text indicates this resolution is actually **approving** the extension of spare parts and support for the UAE's existing helicopter fleet, including Apache, Black Hawk, and Chinook aircraft. It confirms Congress's acceptance of this specific logistics and maintenance sale renewal.

This joint resolution disapproves of a proposed foreign military sale of defense articles and services to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It specifically blocks the transfer of certain defense equipment, including Chinook helicopters and related support systems, that was previously planned for the UAE government. Congress is using its authority to halt this specific arms deal.

The End Price Gouging for Medications Act requires the Secretary of HHS to establish annual reference prices for prescription drugs based on international pricing benchmarks. These reference prices will cap the retail list price for beneficiaries of major federal health programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Furthermore, this pricing structure must be extended to all consumers, including those with private insurance or who are uninsured. Manufacturers who violate these price caps face significant civil penalties, with collected funds directed to the NIH for drug research and development.

The Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act establishes a new, non-regulatory program to coordinate restoration and protection efforts across the five-state watershed. This initiative will develop a comprehensive strategy and support it through a competitive, voluntary grant program to fund projects benefiting ecology, water quality, and climate resilience. The law specifically mandates outreach to environmental justice communities and requires annual reporting to Congress on funded projects. Funding is authorized through fiscal year 2030, with at least 75% of appropriations dedicated to the grant program.

This resolution calls for the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to address the severe crisis facing civilians in Gaza, highlighting widespread hunger and the collapse of essential services due to blocked aid. It urges the Administration to immediately use all diplomatic tools to secure the release of hostages, lift the blockade on aid, and work toward a lasting end to the fighting.

The Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends child labor laws to significantly restrict the employment of minors in tobacco agriculture. This legislation prohibits individuals under 18 from having direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves while working on farms. The goal is to strengthen child labor protections specifically within the tobacco industry.

This resolution directs the Senate Legal Counsel to initiate a civil lawsuit to enforce the Foreign Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution against the President. The action seeks to legally prevent the President from accepting gifts, payments, or benefits from foreign governments without explicit Congressional approval. This measure is being taken due to concerns that the President's personal financial dealings with foreign entities may violate constitutional restrictions designed to ensure undivided loyalty to the United States.

This resolution condemns the acceptance of substantial gifts, such as presidential aircraft, from foreign governments, citing serious national security and foreign influence concerns. It asserts that accepting such gifts violates the Constitution's Emoluments Clause and undermines public trust. The measure demands that the President must receive explicit Congressional approval before accepting any significant foreign gift.

This bill establishes federal minimum nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for hospitals to improve patient safety and quality of care. It mandates that hospitals create transparent staffing plans developed with input from direct care nurses and sets strict enforcement mechanisms, including civil penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, the Act supports the nursing profession by expanding scholarship and stipend programs and funding new nurse retention and mentorship initiatives.