Legislative Activity

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 "Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2025" aims to provide students with clear and standardized information about college costs and financial aid. It mandates the Department of Education to develop a standard "Financial Aid Offer" form with consistent terminology, ensuring that colleges present cost information, grants, scholarships, net price, and loan details in a transparent format. Colleges receiving federal aid must use this standard form and terminology in all financial aid communications. This act seeks to empower students and families to make informed decisions about financing higher education.

Lulu's Law requires the Federal Communications Commission to include shark attacks in wireless emergency alerts. This will allow people in affected areas to receive timely warnings about potential shark attacks.

This resolution designates April 2025 as "Financial Literacy Month" to highlight the critical role of personal financial education and the repercussions of financial illiteracy. It acknowledges the significant number of unbanked and underbanked households, the struggles faced by people with disabilities, and the growing household debt in the U.S. The resolution encourages the government, schools, organizations, and individuals to promote financial literacy through various programs and activities during this month. It also emphasizes the positive impact of financial education on credit scores, retirement planning, and overall financial well-being.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to limit consumer reporting agencies from providing consumer reports to other entities for credit transactions involving residential mortgage loans. Exceptions are made for firm offers of credit or insurance, authorized access, or if the entity currently originates or services the consumer's mortgage, or is an insured depository institution or credit union holding a current account for the consumer. The act will take effect 180 days after enactment.

The "Abortion Funding Awareness Act of 2025" requires states to report annually all Medicaid payments made to abortion providers, including payment details, abortion statistics, and methods used. These state reports will then be compiled into a comprehensive report by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and submitted to Congress and made public. This aims to increase transparency regarding the use of federal funds for abortions. The act amends the Social Security Act to ensure state compliance with these reporting requirements.

The PRO Veterans Act of 2025 seeks to improve the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operations through increased oversight and accountability. It mandates quarterly budget briefings to Congress, limits critical skill incentives for VA Senior Executive Service employees, and establishes a Veterans Experience Office to enhance customer service and gather data on veteran satisfaction. The act also requires annual reports and congressional reviews to ensure effective implementation and improvement of veteran services.

The "Safeguarding American Education From Foreign Control Act" aims to increase transparency in higher education by amending disclosure requirements for foreign gifts and contracts. It mandates institutions to report gifts or contracts from foreign sources to the Secretary of Education, who then transmits these reports to the FBI and Director of National Intelligence. The threshold for reporting is set at $250,000 for sources not associated with a covered nation, while any amount from a covered nation must be reported. The Act also requires the Secretary to transmit all past and present records related to Section 117 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to the FBI and Director of National Intelligence.

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.

This resolution disapproves and nullifies the EPA's rule that allowed California to set its own vehicle and engine pollution control standards. The rule in question is the "Advanced Clean Cars II" and "Waiver of Preemption." By disapproving this rule, the resolution seeks to prevent California from implementing stricter emission standards than the federal government.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that relaxed certain pollution control standards for motor vehicles and engines in California. The rule covered heavy-duty vehicle emissions, advanced clean trucks, zero-emission airport shuttles, and related certifications. By disapproving the rule, Congress prevents its implementation.

This joint resolution disapproves and nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency's rule that allowed California to set its own vehicle and engine pollution control standards. The specific rule being targeted is the "Omnibus Low NOX Regulation, Waiver of Preemption." This action effectively blocks California's ability to implement these stricter pollution standards.

The "Prescription Pricing for the People Act of 2025" directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and report to Congress on the practices of pharmacy benefit managers and other intermediaries in the pharmaceutical supply chain, including their impact on drug prices and competition. The FTC is required to identify any legal or regulatory barriers hindering antitrust enforcement in the pharmaceutical industry and suggest improvements for transparency and competition. Additionally, the FTC must report on complaints of anticompetitive behavior by sole-source drug manufacturers and recommend policies to enhance enforcement.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 expands access to telehealth services under Medicare by removing geographic restrictions, expanding eligible practitioners and originating sites, and making waivers for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Native American health facilities permanent. It also enhances program integrity by clarifying fraud and abuse laws, authorizing additional funding for oversight, and addressing unusual billing patterns. Additionally, the act supports beneficiaries and providers by requiring the development of resources and training, reviewing quality measures, and mandating the publication of data on telehealth services. These changes aim to make telehealth a more accessible, high-quality, and permanent option for patients, particularly those in underserved areas.

The Cormorant Relief Act of 2025 mandates the reissuance of the depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities, expanding its scope to include additional states and lake/pond managers. This order allows for the regulated taking of cormorants to protect aquaculture resources. The Fish and Wildlife Service must reissue the order within one year of the Act's enactment, ensuring it mirrors the original but with the specified expansions.

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.

This resolution supports "Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month" and aims to raise awareness of the emotional harm caused by international parental child abduction to children and parents. It recognizes past efforts, such as the Hague Convention and the work of organizations and government programs, to combat this issue. The resolution encourages continued U.S. leadership in educating the public about the negative impacts of international parental child abduction.

This resolution designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to recognize the vital role of women in agriculture. It acknowledges women's significant contributions as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors within the agricultural sector. The resolution supports celebrating women's impact on food resources and the agricultural workforce, encouraging their continued involvement and leadership in the field.

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.

The "Feral Swine Eradication Act" reauthorizes and modifies the feral swine eradication and control program, renaming it from a "pilot program" and updating key definitions. It allocates $75 million annually from 2025-2030, adjusts cost-share percentages between federal and producer contributions, and mandates monitoring of eradicated areas to prevent reoccurrence. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on program activities and outcomes.