Legislative Activity

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of "Career and Technical Education Month" by recognizing the importance of career and technical education (CTE) in preparing students for the workforce. It acknowledges the significant number of students enrolled in CTE programs and the positive impact of CTE on academic achievement and employability. The resolution expresses the Senate's support for designating February 2025 as Career and Technical Education Month.

The Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act modifies and clarifies the Marine Debris Act and the Marine Debris Foundation, including renaming and moving sections, updating definitions, and modifying the appointment process for the Foundation's directors. It directs the Foundation to develop best practices for outreach to Indian Tribes and Tribal Governments, ensuring that the Act does not affect government-to-government consultation requirements or modify any treaty rights. The Act also updates references to the "Administrator" to "Under Secretary" and includes conforming amendments to ensure consistency throughout the legislation. Finally, it extends the authorization for carrying out the Act through fiscal year 2029 and authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2025.

The "Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2025" amends the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to enhance the national response to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. It directs the creation of a national monitoring and forecasting network, promotes research and technology development for prevention and control, and ensures collaboration among federal, state, and local entities. The Act also authorizes appropriations for these activities and allows for waivers of non-federal share requirements under certain conditions, as well as providing definitions for Indian tribes and other organizations.

The "Love Lives On Act of 2025" modifies eligibility rules for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments for surviving spouses who remarry. It allows remarried surviving spouses to receive certain educational benefits and DIC, and it continues annuity payments to surviving spouses who remarry, particularly those whose spouses died on active duty. Additionally, the Act expands the definition of "dependent" under the TRICARE program to include remarried widows or widowers whose subsequent marriage has ended.

The STEWARD Act of 2025 aims to improve recycling infrastructure and accessibility by establishing a grant program for underserved communities and enhancing data collection on recycling and composting. The act directs funds towards projects that expand recycling services, especially in areas lacking adequate facilities, and promotes public-private partnerships to reduce costs. Additionally, it mandates comprehensive reporting on recycling and composting activities, materials recovery facilities, and end markets to better understand and improve the nation's recycling rates. The act also requires federal agencies to report on their recycling and composting rates.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires that all new vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM radio for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of vehicles and AM radio in emergency alert dissemination and requires the Secretary of Transportation to regularly review the rule's impact. Penalties will be enforced for violations, and states are prohibited from enacting their own laws regarding AM radio access in vehicles.

The "Right to Contraception Act" establishes a statutory right for individuals to access and for health care providers to offer contraception, free from governmental restrictions or bans. It overrides any conflicting federal or state laws, ensuring access to contraception and related services, and allows legal recourse for violations of these rights. The Act aims to protect individual autonomy in making decisions about contraception and reproductive health.

The "Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act" directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali posthumously, recognizing his athletic achievements, advocacy for civil rights, and humanitarian efforts. The Secretary of the Treasury will design and produce the gold medal, which will then be presented to his wife, Lonnie Ali. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to the public and authorizes the United States Mint to use its funds for medal production.

This resolution recognizes the critical role of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in advancing U.S. national security interests. It emphasizes USAID's importance in reducing global threats, promoting stability, addressing migration and extremism, and maintaining U.S. leadership against China. The resolution also references the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which requires USAID to consult with Congress on significant organizational changes.

The FDA Modernization Act 3.0 mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to update regulations, replacing "animal tests" with "nonclinical tests" to align with the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, thus modernizing drug development and evaluation processes. This interim rule will take effect immediately and aims to refine terminology and definitions within Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, while also correcting technical errors in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

The "Fred Korematsu Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2025" authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Fred Korematsu in recognition of his civil rights contributions, loyalty, patriotism, and dedication to justice and equality. The Act directs the Secretary of the Treasury to create the gold medal, which will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution after the award presentation. Additionally, the Act allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs.

This resolution designates January 30, 2025, as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution. It recognizes Fred Korematsu's resistance to the unjust incarceration of Japanese-Americans during World War II. The resolution encourages reflection on the importance of political leadership, vigilance, justice, and civil rights.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These tests, which use genomic sequencing to detect multiple cancer types, will be covered for eligible beneficiaries with age and frequency limitations. The payment amount for these tests will initially align with that of multi-target stool screening DNA tests. This new coverage aims to improve early cancer detection without affecting existing Medicare-covered cancer screenings.

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 Act seeks to ensure that foreign non-governmental organizations are eligible for assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, regardless of the health or medical services they provide, as long as those services adhere to specific guidelines. It ensures that these organizations are not subject to more restrictive requirements for using non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying compared to U.S. non-governmental organizations.

This bill authorizes the creation of a Congressional Gold Medal for Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, posthumously recognizing his courageous actions during World War II when he saved approximately 200 Jewish-American soldiers from Nazi persecution by defying a direct order to identify them. The medal will be presented to his next of kin, and the bill also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to commemorate his heroism.

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.

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.

The "Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2025" expands benefits and protections for public safety officers and their families. It presumes certain cancers are line-of-duty injuries for officers with at least five years of service, updates the list of cancers covered, and broadens confidentiality protections for information provided to the Office of Justice Programs. The act also clarifies the definition of "line of duty" to include actions officers are directed, authorized, or obligated to perform. Finally, the bill allows a three-year window for filing claims based on these amendments, regardless of other legal provisions.

The "Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2025" increases excise taxes on fuel used by private jets and eliminates certain air transportation excise tax exemptions. It establishes the "Funding to Support Clean Communities Trust Fund," which will be funded by the increased taxes and used for grants and activities that deploy air quality monitoring systems, improve public transit and passenger rail infrastructure near airports, and improve public transportation in disadvantaged communities. At least 50% of the funds must be used for projects in disadvantaged communities, prioritizing those most affected by air pollution.