Legislative Activity

The PATRIOT Parks Act authorizes National Park Service superintendents to implement an additional surcharge on entrance fees specifically for international visitors. This new revenue is dedicated solely to maintenance, staffing, and visitor services at the park where it is collected. Additionally, the Act allows for a separate surcharge on National Parks passes purchased by international visitors, with those funds directed to the Legacy Restoration Fund for major system-wide projects.

The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl (HALT Fentanyl) Act aims to combat the opioid crisis by immediately classifying structurally similar fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances. The bill also streamlines the registration process for researchers working with Schedule I drugs and strengthens criminal penalties for trafficking these compounds. The Attorney General is required to issue implementing rules within six months of enactment.

The Say No to Indoctrination Act prohibits the teaching or promotion of concepts related to "gender ideology" in elementary and secondary schools. This amendment directly restricts curriculum content under existing federal education law. The goal is to prevent instruction on specific concepts defined elsewhere as "gender ideology."

The Equal Representation Act mandates the inclusion of a citizenship question on the decennial census starting in 2030. It requires the public release of state-by-state citizenship data following the count. Crucially, this act stipulates that non-citizens will be excluded from the population totals used to determine congressional apportionment and electoral votes.

The NATO Burden Sharing Report Act requires the Secretary of Defense to submit an annual, detailed report to Congress regarding allied contributions to collective defense. This report must outline each NATO member's defense spending, operational commitments, and industrial capacity. The goal is to ensure all allies are meeting their fair share of security responsibilities as threats evolve.

The Medicare Transaction Fraud Prevention Act establishes a pilot program to test the use of predictive risk-scoring algorithms to enhance oversight of Medicare payments for durable medical equipment and clinical diagnostic laboratory tests. This voluntary program will use smart technology to flag suspicious transactions *after* they occur, requiring human review before any payment suspension. The goal is to proactively identify and stop fraud and abuse within these specific Medicare service areas.

The Restoring Biological Truth to the Workplace Act amends federal employment law to prohibit employers from taking adverse action against employees based on their expression of views regarding the binary or biological nature of sex. This legislation also protects employees who request or use single-sex spaces, such as bathrooms or changing rooms. Furthermore, the Act expands anti-retaliation protections for employees who oppose these newly defined unlawful employment practices.

The TERMS Act mandates that online service providers clearly disclose their rules and processes for account termination or suspension *before* users sign up. This legislation requires providers to give advance written notice of most account restrictions, detailing the violation and appeal options. Furthermore, providers must publish annual transparency reports detailing enforcement actions taken against users. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tasked with enforcing these new standards.

This resolution formally recognizes the 250th birthday of the United States Army, celebrating its long history of defending the nation since 1775. It honors the valor, dedication, and core values of the soldiers who have served across two and a half centuries. The Senate encourages all Americans to observe this significant anniversary with appropriate ceremonies and programs.

The Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act streamlines the regulatory pathway for biosimilar biological products by simplifying application requirements and clarifying the criteria for automatic interchangeability. This legislation sets a specific transition date after enactment to determine when newly licensed biosimilars are deemed interchangeable with their reference products. Furthermore, it protects existing exclusivity periods and mandates the Secretary to update all relevant FDA guidance documents within 18 months.

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.

This resolution formally honors the lives and dedicated missionary service of Natalie and Davy Lloyd, who were tragically killed while serving in Haiti. It expresses the deepest condolences of the Senate to their family and friends. The measure recognizes their commitment to serving God and the Haitian community, particularly through their work with children.

The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the ability of victims and heirs to sue for the recovery of art and property stolen by the Nazis. This update explicitly blocks time-based and non-merits defenses, such as laches or the act of state doctrine, ensuring claims are decided on their facts. The law also expands the scope of recoverable property and clarifies that these provisions apply immediately to pending and future cases.

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 Expedited Removal of Criminal Aliens Act establishes a new, faster process for the government to deport non-citizens who are members of criminal gangs or terrorist organizations, or who have been convicted of specific serious crimes. This process mandates detention and bars these individuals from seeking withholding of removal. The law specifically defines vulnerable groups for the purpose of determining which misdemeanor convictions qualify for this expedited action.

The EDUCATE Act conditions federal funding for graduate medical schools on certifying they do not mandate agreement with specific divisive tenets regarding race or sex. This legislation prohibits medical schools from requiring diversity statements or establishing DEI offices as a condition for admission or employment. Furthermore, it requires accrediting agencies to ensure they do not mandate policies contrary to these provisions for medical education programs. The Act includes provisions to protect existing First Amendment rights and academic freedom.

The Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 authorizes livestock producers and their employees to take action against black vultures that are harming or threatening livestock or related property. This provision allows for the capture, killing, or dispersal of the birds, provided that poisoning is strictly prohibited. Those who take action must report the activity to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service once the required reporting form is made available.

The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025 aims to modernize and increase transparency in the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans. This bill mandates the adoption of electronic prior authorization systems and requires plans to publicly report detailed data on their approval, denial, and appeal rates. Furthermore, it establishes new standards to protect enrollees and grants the Secretary authority to enforce faster decision timelines for care requests.

The COUNTER Act grants the Department of Defense (DoD) expanded authority to neutralize threats from unmanned aircraft systems (drones) operating outside of the United States. This legislation delegates response authority, clarifies mitigation methods like remote identification, and exempts security details regarding these operations from public disclosure. Furthermore, it limits the application of certain criminal and security laws to authorized DoD and Coast Guard activities aimed at countering these aerial threats overseas.

The Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act prohibits covered entities from denying an organ transplant or related services solely because an individual has a disability. The bill mandates reasonable modifications to policies and requires consideration of an individual's support network when assessing their ability to comply with post-transplant requirements. This ensures that qualified individuals receive equal access to the entire organ transplant process, from evaluation through aftercare.