Legislative Activity

This joint resolution nullifies the Federal Communications Commission's rule addressing the homework gap through the E-Rate Program. By disapproving the rule, the resolution prevents the FCC from implementing measures intended to bridge the digital divide for students' home internet access.

This resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2025, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, acknowledging the ongoing crisis and need for increased awareness, resources, and updated research. It calls on the public to remember the lives lost and support the victims' families, while also urging the Department of Justice to conduct a new study to update statistics on this critical issue.

This resolution supports the designation of May 4-10, 2025, as "National Small Business Week". It recognizes the significant role of over 34.5 million small businesses in the U.S. that contribute to the economy and provide over 59 million jobs. The resolution celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, achievements, and resilience of small business owners and their employees.

The "America the Beautiful Act" reauthorizes and expands the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033, increasing its funding to $2 billion. It prioritizes projects with private donations, mandates annual project lists to Congress, and allows fund allocation even without full-year appropriations. The act also focuses on promoting donation opportunities, managing cash donations, disposing of unneeded assets, and improving preventative maintenance.

The TAME Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act aims to improve weather forecasting and wildfire risk analysis by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). It directs the Under Secretary to develop weather forecasting training datasets, create AI-driven weather models, and enhance information dissemination, while also supporting traditional weather observation methods. The Act promotes public-private partnerships, requires making AI weather models publicly available, and addresses potential risks to U.S. security from foreign access to weather data. It allocates specific appropriations for these activities through 2030.

The "Deploying American Blockchains Act of 2025" directs the Secretary of Commerce to be the lead advisor to the President on blockchain technology and to support the technology's advancement and security in the United States. This includes establishing an advisory committee to examine blockchain-related issues, develop best practices, and promote U.S. leadership in the field. The Secretary is also required to develop guidelines for blockchain deployment, focusing on technological advancements, interoperability, cybersecurity risk reduction, and potential cost savings, as well as submit regular reports to Congress on these activities.

The TAKE IT DOWN Act aims to combat the nonconsensual sharing of intimate visual depictions, including deepfakes, by establishing criminal penalties for those who knowingly publish such content and requiring online platforms to create a process for individuals to request the removal of these depictions. Platforms must remove the content within 48 hours of a valid request and make reasonable efforts to remove any known identical copies. Failure to comply with these takedown obligations will be treated as a violation under the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Act also defines key terms related to consent, digital forgeries, and covered platforms.

The "Combating Organized Retail Crime Act" aims to reduce organized retail theft by amending Title 18 of the United States Code to include theft from interstate shipments, interstate transportation of stolen goods, and sale or receipt of stolen goods. It also establishes an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to align federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal efforts to combat organized retail crime and organized supply chain crime. The center will coordinate law enforcement, share information, assist in investigations, track crime trends, and support training and technical assistance. This act seeks to provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to combat organized retail crime and enhance the coordination between different levels of government and the private sector.

The Fix Our Forests Act aims to reduce wildfire risks and improve forest health through landscape-scale restoration, community protection in wildland-urban interfaces, and strategic partnerships. It establishes programs for fireshed management, wildfire technology deployment, and biochar development, while also reforming litigation related to forest management and promoting prescribed fires. Additionally, the act creates a casualty assistance program for firefighters and their families, ensuring support during times of crisis.

This resolution designates the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week" to recognize the importance of national parks for recreation, education, and economic contributions. It encourages people to visit and support these parks while acknowledging the role of the National Park Service in protecting these resources for future generations.

The Returning Education to Our States Act aims to reorganize federal education programs by transferring responsibilities from the Department of Education to other departments like Interior, Defense, Treasury, and Labor. It establishes state block grant programs for early childhood, elementary, secondary, and higher education, providing states with more control over education funding. States must submit annual student data and undergo audits to ensure appropriate use of funds and compliance with federal civil rights laws. This act also addresses the procedural aspects of these transfers, including funding, reorganization plans, and personnel changes.

The PROTECT Act of 2025 expands the types of transactions subject to review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to include certain real estate investments by foreign governments of concern. It mandates declaration filings for greenfield and brownfield investments, ensuring greater scrutiny of transactions that could pose national security risks. This includes investments where a foreign government of concern, or entities associated with them, could exert control over U.S. real estate and businesses.

This bill authorizes the mining of federal coal reserves on approximately 800 acres of federal land in Musselshell County, Montana, under Federal Coal Lease MTM 97988. It mandates the Secretary of the Interior to approve the Bull Mountains Mining Plan Modification within 30 days of the bill's enactment, facilitating mining operations on the specified land without alterations or delays.

The FIREWALL Act creates a new refundable tax credit for individuals who make qualified disaster mitigation expenditures to improve the resilience of their homes against natural disasters. This credit covers 50% of the costs, up to a maximum of \$25,000, for measures such as strengthening roofs, installing flood protection, creating fire-resistant landscaping, and building storm shelters, with income limitations applying to the credit. The dwelling must be located in an area with a history of natural disasters to qualify. This credit aims to encourage homeowners to invest in measures that will protect their homes and communities from future disasters.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Louisiana Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr., recognizing his contributions to energy policy, natural resource conservation, and Louisiana's cultural heritage. It directs the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send a copy of the resolution to Senator Johnston's family. Upon adoption, the Senate will adjourn in his honor.

The "Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025" mandates a wide range of sanctions on Russia, its government, affiliated individuals and entities, and sectors of its economy in response to actions against Ukraine. It requires the President to make regular determinations regarding Russia's behavior and imposes escalating penalties, including financial restrictions, import bans, and increased duties, if Russia refuses to negotiate peace, violates agreements, or takes further aggressive actions against Ukraine. The Act also targets international entities that support Russia's sanctioned activities and sets conditions for the termination and reimposition of sanctions based on Russia's adherence to peace agreements.

The "RIFLE Act" repeals the existing tax on firearm transfers outlined in Section 5811 of the Internal Revenue Code, and makes corresponding technical corrections. This change removes the tax burden on the transfer of firearms. Additionally, the act clarifies that the Consumer Product Safety Commission does not have authority over firearms regulated by the Internal Revenue Code.

The Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025 limits the scope of court-ordered relief, such as injunctions and declaratory judgements, to only the parties directly involved in a case. It modifies the rules for temporary restraining orders and clarifies the scope of judicial review. The act ensures that courts cannot grant relief to non-parties unless those parties are represented.

This resolution honors the life and distinguished career of former Wyoming Senator Alan K. Simpson, recognizing his public service, military service, and contributions to Wyoming and the nation. It celebrates his work on border security, veterans affairs, entitlement reform, and fiscal responsibility, as well as his dedication to various Wyoming institutions. The resolution expresses sorrow at his passing, directs communication to the House of Representatives and his family, and adjourns the Senate in his memory.

The "SHORT Act" seeks to amend federal laws regarding short-barreled rifles and shotguns by removing them from the purview of the National Firearms Act, thereby eliminating specific taxes, registration requirements, and restrictions on interstate commerce related to these weapons, and requiring the destruction of existing related records. The bill also clarifies that federal compliance with possessing these weapons satisfies any corresponding state or local requirements. It also preempts state and local governments from enforcing certain laws that tax, mark, record, or register these weapons.