Legislative Activity

The Smoke and Heat Ready Communities Act of 2025 authorizes the EPA to provide grants and technical assistance to help local communities prepare for and mitigate the health risks of wildfire smoke and extreme heat. The bill also establishes research centers and funding initiatives to improve air quality monitoring, public communication, and community-based resilience strategies.

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.

The Rural Hospital Support Act strengthens the financial stability of rural healthcare providers by permanently extending key Medicare payment programs, including the Medicare-dependent hospital (MDH) and low-volume hospital programs. The bill also updates payment calculation formulas for sole community and Medicare-dependent hospitals to reflect more recent cost data, ensuring these facilities receive fair and sustainable reimbursement.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

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 Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025 authorizes the posthumous awarding of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his lifelong dedication to civil rights, justice, and equality. This legislation honors his legacy as a champion for constitutional guarantees and his courageous stand against the unjust incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II.

The Keep Our PACT Act ensures federal support for public education by establishing mandatory funding increases for Title I programs and special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). By providing a decade-long roadmap for increased investment, the bill aims to fulfill long-standing federal commitments to school districts and students with disabilities. This legislation designates these funds as emergency spending to ensure consistent, reliable resources for schools across the country.

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 (Global HER) Act ensures that foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) remain eligible for U.S. foreign assistance regardless of the legal health services or advocacy they provide using their own non-U.S. funds. By overriding restrictive policies, the bill protects the autonomy of these organizations to deliver comprehensive care and engage in advocacy, provided their activities comply with local laws and would be legal if performed in the United States.

This resolution emphasizes the importance of the Department of Health and Human Services' role in providing timely and accurate health information to the public. It recognizes the value of resources like the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and the Health Alert Network in protecting public health. The resolution expresses the Senate's belief that Americans should have continuous access to this vital information.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.

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 Drug-price Transparency for Consumers Act of 2025 mandates that direct-to-consumer advertisements for prescription drugs and biological products include the wholesale acquisition cost for a 30-day supply. By requiring this disclosure for products costing $35 or more, the bill aims to empower patients to make more informed purchasing decisions and foster greater price competition. Manufacturers that fail to comply with these transparency requirements face civil monetary penalties.

The Restricting First Use of Nuclear Weapons Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds for a first-strike nuclear attack unless Congress has explicitly authorized it through a declaration of war. This legislation aims to establish constitutional checks and balances by ensuring that a nuclear strike cannot be initiated without congressional approval, except in response to an existing nuclear attack against the United States or its allies.

The Wildland Firefighters Congressional Gold Medal Act honors the courage, sacrifice, and essential service of the nation’s wildland firefighters. This legislation authorizes the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded collectively to these frontline responders in recognition of their dedication to protecting our communities and natural resources. The medal will be housed at the National Interagency Fire Center, with bronze duplicates made available for public purchase.

The Competition and Antitrust Law Enforcement Reform Act of 2025 aims to strengthen U.S. antitrust enforcement by making it easier for regulators to challenge anticompetitive mergers and exclusionary conduct. The bill enhances the legal tools and financial resources available to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, while establishing new protections for whistleblowers and increasing penalties for antitrust violations. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to curb excessive market power, promote innovation, and protect consumers, workers, and small businesses from anticompetitive practices.

The Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025 establishes a federal pilot program to provide grants and forgivable loans for essential home repairs, accessibility modifications, and energy-efficiency upgrades. Administered by state and local organizations, the initiative supports both low-income homeowners and small-scale landlords to improve housing habitability and safety. The program aims to preserve affordable housing while streamlining coordination across existing federal, state, and local repair resources.

The Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team in recognition of their historic victory. This legislation honors the team’s extraordinary achievement, which served as a defining moment in American sports and a source of national inspiration during the Cold War. The medals will be permanently displayed at three prominent institutions dedicated to Olympic and hockey history.

The Washington, D.C. Admission Act provides for the admission of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, while maintaining a smaller federal district to serve as the seat of the U.S. government. This legislation establishes the framework for the transition, including the transfer of property, the restructuring of local and federal authorities, and the granting of full congressional representation to the new state's residents. It also creates a transition commission to ensure the orderly shift of legal, financial, and administrative responsibilities.

The Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act establishes a 13-member commission tasked with investigating the legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination in the United States. The commission is charged with documenting these historical injustices and their ongoing impact on living African Americans to develop formal proposals for reparatory justice. Ultimately, the body will submit its findings and recommendations for remedies, including potential compensation and educational initiatives, to Congress.