Legislative Activity

The Camden National Battlefield Park Study Act mandates the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive study of the Camden Battlefield area in South Carolina. This study will determine the national significance of the site and assess the feasibility of establishing it as a National Park Service unit. The Secretary must report findings and recommendations to Congress within three years.

The Equal Shot Act of 2025 aims to prevent discrimination against businesses within the firearms industry when applying for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). This legislation explicitly prohibits the SBA from denying loans or guarantees solely based on an applicant's status as a firearm entity, affiliate, or trade association. The Act first establishes clear definitions for these industry participants to ensure fair and equal consideration for all qualified applicants.

The College Transparency Act establishes a secure, new Postsecondary Student Data System to track student enrollment, completion, and post-college outcomes across higher education institutions. This system aims to increase transparency for students and families by providing clear data on costs and success rates, while minimizing duplicate reporting burdens for schools. The collected data will be used for secure research and public reporting of aggregate statistics, strictly prohibiting the sale of data or its use for federal college rankings.

This resolution formally honors the significant economic and cultural contributions of small, domestic firearm manufacturers to the United States. It recognizes these businesses as vital to supporting American manufacturing, job creation, and the traditions of recreational shooting sports. Furthermore, the resolution designates August 2025 as "National Shooting Sports Month."

The Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act of 2025 aims to reform how Medicare pays for emergency air ambulance services. It requires the Secretary of HHS to update the payment system using newly collected cost and usage data from providers. Furthermore, the bill mandates the timely finalization of data collection rules and directs the GAO to study the true costs of these essential emergency transports.

This bill, the Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025, directs Congress to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the historic Buffalo Soldier regiments for their distinguished service to the United States. The medal will be designed and struck by the Secretary of the Treasury and ultimately housed at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The Act also authorizes the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to help cover the costs of production.

This Act, the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, establishes stricter federal penalties for non-citizens convicted of murder if they were inadmissible or deportable at the time of the crime. Specifically, first-degree murder committed by such individuals will carry a mandatory sentence of death or life imprisonment. This legislation amends federal criminal sentencing guidelines based on the offender's immigration status.

The Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025 updates federal law by removing the requirement that manufactured homes must sit on a permanent chassis to qualify under federal safety standards. This Act mandates that all states must certify to HUD within one year that they treat these homes equally across financing, taxation, and sales regulations. States failing to certify risk having the sale of non-chassis manufactured homes prohibited within their borders. The law also requires annual compliance updates and federal coordination to ensure consistent treatment of these housing types.

The GENIUS Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework for the issuance and management of "payment stablecoins" in the United States. It mandates strict reserve requirements, capital standards, and regulatory oversight for approved issuers to ensure consumer protection and financial stability. The bill also clarifies the legal status of these stablecoins, explicitly stating they are not securities or commodities, while setting penalties for non-compliance.

The Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act ensures that offering portable or standard employee benefits will not, by itself, cause a worker to be classified as an employee under federal law. This change allows companies to offer valuable benefits to independent workers without automatically triggering employee status for tax or labor purposes. The legislation aims to encourage the provision of portable benefits to the independent workforce.

This resolution officially commemorates June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day." It recognizes the historical significance of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in the Southwest finally received news of their freedom. The resolution supports the nationwide celebration of this day as a vital part of American history and heritage.

The GOLDEN DOME Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive, next-generation missile defense shield to counter rapidly evolving global threats from ballistic, hypersonic, and unmanned systems. The bill creates a powerful, direct-reporting Program Manager to oversee the rapid development, testing, and deployment of integrated defense capabilities across space, air, land, and sea domains. It authorizes over $23 billion in funding, prioritizing the acceleration of space-based sensors, advanced interceptors, and non-kinetic defense technologies. Furthermore, the Act streamlines acquisition processes and enhances the Department of Defense's authority to protect assets against incursions by unmanned aerial systems.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) concerning the review of applications under the Bank Merger Act. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this measure nullifies the specific OCC regulation regarding bank mergers. If enacted, the disapproved rule will have no legal force or effect.

This Senate resolution formally condemns the recent rise in ideologically motivated attacks against Jewish individuals and institutions across the United States, specifically citing the violent assault in Boulder, Colorado. It reaffirms the Senate's commitment to combating antisemitism and all forms of politically motivated violence. The resolution calls for thorough investigation and prosecution of such acts, upholding the right of all citizens to live without fear of religious or political intimidation.

This resolution officially designates July 16, 2025, as "Glioblastoma Awareness Day" to highlight the severity of this aggressive brain cancer. It honors those affected by glioblastoma and supports ongoing efforts to improve patient outcomes. The bill specifically calls for increased public awareness, collaboration in research, and continued funding for better treatments and diagnostic tools.

This resolution formally declares the nation's foundational belief in the inherent right to life for every human being, including the unborn. It recognizes the Supreme Court's decision to return authority over life protection laws to the people and their elected officials. Furthermore, the bill establishes an annual "Life Month" to commend organizations supporting life and urge lawmakers to enact protections for the unborn.

The Protect LNG Act of 2025 establishes specific rules for federal agency decisions and litigation concerning Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export facilities. This bill ensures that existing LNG facility permits remain valid even if their environmental reviews are challenged in court, requiring agencies to fix errors rather than voiding authorizations. Furthermore, it centralizes legal challenges to these decisions in the U.S. Court of Appeals circuit where the facility is located and imposes a strict 90-day deadline for filing lawsuits after final agency approval.

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 Association Health Plans Act expands the ability for certain groups or associations of employers to band together to offer health plans under federal law (ERISA). This allows broader groups, including self-employed individuals, to qualify as a single employer for offering coverage. The bill also provides these associations with flexibility in setting premium rates based on the risk profile of each participating employer. However, these plans must still adhere to existing federal protections against discrimination based on health status or pre-existing conditions.

The LOCOMOTIVES Act clarifies federal authority under the Clean Air Act regarding emissions standards for certain existing locomotives and engines used in construction or farm equipment. This legislation ensures that federal standards, rather than varying state standards, apply to these specific engines, particularly those under 175 horsepower and locomotives engaged in commerce. Essentially, it centralizes regulatory power over these emissions sources at the federal level.