Legislative Activity

The Susan Muffley Act of 2025 mandates that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) recalculate guaranteed pension benefits for participants in specific, named pension plans. This recalculation ensures beneficiaries receive their full vested plan benefit, ignoring standard federal guarantee limits. The PBGC must issue catch-up lump-sum payments with interest to those previously underpaid. Funding for these increased benefits will be provided through a newly established Treasury trust fund.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to modify how federal excise taxes collected on distilled spirits shipped from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands are transferred back to those territories. It removes previous limitations on these tax transfers. Additionally, the bill establishes a new requirement mandating that Puerto Rico dedicate a portion of these transferred funds to its Conservation Trust Fund.

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 Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act aims to strengthen democracy, economic stability, and security across the seven nations of the Western Balkans. The bill codifies existing sanctions, launches new initiatives to combat corruption and bolster cybersecurity, and promotes cultural and leadership exchanges. Ultimately, it seeks to accelerate the region's integration with European and transatlantic institutions while countering malign foreign influence.

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 Buying American Cotton Act of 2025 establishes a new tax credit to incentivize businesses to use cotton grown in the United States. This Domestic Cotton Consumption Credit is calculated based on the amount of qualified U.S. cotton in an eligible product sold, factoring in processing location and market price. The bill mandates strict digital tracing requirements to prove the origin of the cotton throughout the supply chain. Special enhanced credit multipliers are available for businesses that elect to claim the credit separately for qualified U.S. cotton yarn or fabric components.

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.

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.

This resolution congratulates the students, parents, teachers, and leaders of public charter schools for their ongoing contributions to American education. It highlights the growth, academic achievements, and parental choice offered by these tuition-free public schools. The measure officially recognizes and supports the goals of the 26th Annual National Charter Schools Week, scheduled for May 11–17, 2025.

This resolution strongly condemns the Russian Federation for the abduction, forced transfer, and illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. It asserts that the return of all abducted children must be a prerequisite before finalizing any peace agreement to end the war. The bill highlights Russia's intent to erase Ukrainian identity through forced adoption and citizenship changes, actions deemed violations of international law and potential war crimes.

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 TAKE IT DOWN Act establishes new federal crimes for the intentional sharing of nonconsensual intimate images, including realistic AI-generated deepfakes, with enhanced penalties for content involving minors. It mandates that online platforms create clear reporting systems and remove reported nonconsensual intimate content within 48 hours. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is empowered to enforce these notice and removal requirements against covered platforms.

This resolution officially designates May 17, 2025, as "Kids to Parks Day." The goal is to encourage children and families to engage in healthy outdoor activities by visiting local, state, and national parks. It recognizes the importance of nature for youth health and education while promoting the preservation of public lands.

This resolution officially supports the goals and ideals of National Hospital Week, observed from May 11 through May 17, 2025. It recognizes the essential, high-quality care provided by the nation's hospitals and the vital work performed by their dedicated staff. The resolution encourages the public to observe this week with appropriate programs to honor the crucial role hospitals play in community health.

The Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act of 2025 permanently establishes a 7-year recovery period for the depreciation of motorsports entertainment complexes. This legislation allows owners and operators of these facilities to continue writing off building costs significantly faster than standard commercial property. By removing the previous expiration date, the bill ensures long-term tax predictability for the motorsports industry.

The Kids Online Safety Act establishes a comprehensive "duty of care" requiring online platforms to design features that mitigate specific harms to minors, such as those related to mental health and exploitation. It mandates that platforms provide minors with default, restrictive safety settings and robust parental controls over data sharing and recommendations. Furthermore, the legislation demands significant transparency regarding algorithmic ranking systems and grants the FTC enforcement authority.

This resolution officially designates the week of May 11 through May 17, 2025, as "National Police Week." It serves to honor the valor and integrity of law enforcement officers across the nation. The resolution specifically remembers the officers killed in the line of duty during 2024 and encourages the public to observe this week to show appreciation for law enforcement personnel.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and processors from requiring firearms retailers to use a unique Merchant Category Code (MCC) that singles them out. This ensures that credit and debit card transactions for firearms and ammunition are treated the same as general retail purchases. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcing this prohibition and reporting annually to Congress on compliance efforts.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of the recent rule finalized by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (BCFP) concerning overdraft lending practices at very large financial institutions. By passing this resolution, Congress is effectively vetoing and preventing the enforcement of that specific BCFP regulation.

This resolution affirms the official U.S. position that the only acceptable outcome of any nuclear deal with Iran is the complete dismantlement and destruction of its entire nuclear program. It mandates that any future peaceful nuclear cooperation must require Iran to cease all domestic uranium enrichment and submit to stringent, unconditional international verification protocols. Ultimately, the bill asserts that the U.S. must never permit Iran to gain the capability to produce a nuclear weapon.