Legislative Activity

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of "Career and Technical Education Month" by recognizing the importance of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing students for the workforce. It acknowledges the significant number of students enrolled in CTE programs and the positive impact of CTE on academic achievement and employability. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires that all new vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM radio for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of vehicles and AM radio in emergency alert dissemination and requires the Secretary of Transportation to regularly review the rule's impact. Penalties will be enforced for violations, and states are prohibited from enacting their own laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The Job Protection Act amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to expand leave eligibility. The Act reduces the employment period required for eligibility to 90 days for all employees, including federal and congressional employees. It also broadens the scope of employers subject to the Act to include those with one or more employees. These changes apply to leave taken on or after the date of the Act's enactment.

The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park Establishment Act Amendments Act of 2025 expands the boundary of the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park in Vermont. It authorizes the acquisition of land within the updated boundaries for park inclusion and allows for the continuation of Vermont's agricultural and forestry practices on acquired lands. This act also establishes the National Park Service Stewardship Institute within the park to promote conservation and stewardship through various programs and partnerships.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Mentoring Month" to recognize the positive impact of mentoring on youth development. It highlights mentoring's role in improving academic achievement, fostering leadership skills, and supporting at-risk youth. The resolution encourages expanding mentoring opportunities to address the significant need for mentors among young people nationwide. It also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of mentoring program staff and volunteers.

This resolution congratulates the University of Vermont men's soccer team, the Catamounts, on their first NCAA Division I national championship win in 2024. It celebrates their victory over Marshall University, key players, and the pride they brought to Vermont. The resolution also directs the Secretary of the Senate to send copies to the university's interim president, athletic director, and head coach.

This resolution recognizes the critical role of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in advancing U.S. national security interests. It emphasizes USAID's importance in reducing global threats, promoting stability, addressing migration and extremism, and maintaining U.S. leadership against China. The resolution also references the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which requires USAID to consult with Congress on significant organizational changes.

The "Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025" extends the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 through fiscal year 2026, providing continued payments to states and counties with federal land. It ensures that county payment elections from fiscal year 2023 remain effective and extends the authority for special projects on federal land and the expenditure of county funds. The bill also extends the Resource Advisory Committee pilot program and makes technical corrections to the original act.

This resolution designates February 3-7, 2025, as "National School Counseling Week" to recognize the vital role school counselors play in students' academic, social, and emotional development. It aims to raise awareness of the challenges students face and the importance of adequately supporting school counseling programs. The resolution encourages Americans to participate in events that highlight the importance of school counselors in helping students succeed.

The "Keep Our PACT Act" aims to increase funding for Part A of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) over the next decade. It mandates specific funding increases for these programs each year from 2026 to 2035, with the goal of fully funding IDEA at 40% of the national average per-pupil expenditure for students with disabilities by 2035. This bill designates these funding increases as emergency spending.

This resolution designates the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role of TCUs in providing culturally relevant education to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. TCUs serve over 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes by offering high-quality postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The resolution encourages the public to participate in activities and programs that support these institutions.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act seeks to ensure that foreign non-governmental organizations are eligible for assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, regardless of the health or medical services they provide, as long as those services adhere to specific guidelines. It ensures that these organizations are not subject to more restrictive requirements for using non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying compared to U.S. non-governmental organizations.

This resolution expresses the Senate's view that the U.S. should remain committed to the Paris Agreement, support policies at all levels of government to reduce global warming pollution, and encourage actions by businesses, investors, and individuals to combat climate change. It recognizes the economic benefits of clean energy investments and the need for collective efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The WEATHER Act of 2025 directs the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to research and develop a single index insurance policy that protects farmers against income losses resulting from extreme weather events. This policy must be available nationwide and offer flexible coverage options, with priority given to small-scale and underserved producers. The goal is to provide timely financial assistance to farmers affected by severe weather, supporting the resilience of the agricultural sector. A report to Congress is required within one year detailing the research, development, and recommendations for the policy.

The "Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2025" aims to establish that a first-use nuclear strike by the U.S. is a major act of war that requires a declaration of war by Congress. It prohibits the use of federal funds for any first-use nuclear strike unless explicitly authorized by a congressional declaration of war. A "first-use nuclear strike" is defined as a nuclear attack initiated without confirmation of a prior nuclear strike against the U.S., its territories, or its allies. This bill seeks to reinforce Congress's constitutional authority to declare war and provide checks and balances on the President's power to authorize nuclear weapon use.

The Neighbors Not Enemies Act repeals the Alien Enemies Act, which granted the president broad authority to detain or remove citizens of hostile nations during times of war or declared invasion. This repeal eliminates the possibility of using this outdated law to target individuals based on their national origin during conflict.

The "Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions Act" (CURD Act) defines "natural cheese" to differentiate it from processed cheese, setting specific criteria for its production and composition. It restricts the use of "natural cheese" on labels to products meeting these standards, while allowing "natural" or "all-natural" claims as per existing regulations. The Act amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to include this new definition in labeling regulations.