Legislative Activity

This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to the safety and well-being of refugees and displaced persons globally, recognizing the severity of the current worldwide displacement crisis. It strongly advocates for upholding U.S. legal and moral obligations by restoring and strengthening the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and full asylum protections. The measure specifically calls on federal leaders to reverse recent restrictive policies that have suspended refugee admissions and limited access to protection. Ultimately, this statement urges the U.S. to resume its leadership role in humanitarian aid and international refugee resettlement efforts.

The Jury ACCESS Act of 2025 explicitly prohibits the exclusion of citizens from serving on federal juries based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This amendment updates existing federal law to ensure equality in jury service selection. The bill ensures that all capable citizens have the right to serve, regardless of their identity.

The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act restricts how consumer reporting agencies can share your credit report when you are seeking a residential mortgage loan. Specifically, it limits the sharing of these reports unless they are connected to a firm offer of credit or are being sent to parties directly involved in your current mortgage, such as the originator or servicer. This ensures that your sensitive financial information is only accessed by relevant parties during the home loan process.

The Keeping Obstetrics Local Act is a comprehensive bill designed to stabilize rural and safety-net hospitals providing maternity care through enhanced financial support, including minimum Medicaid payment rates and anchor payments. It also expands continuous Medicaid and CHIP coverage for new mothers for a full year postpartum and invests in the maternal health workforce by supporting emergency staffing and simplifying cross-state provider enrollment. Finally, the act mandates greater transparency by requiring hospitals to give advance public notice of obstetric unit closures and report more detailed operational data to Medicare.

The HCBS Relief Act of 2025 significantly increases federal Medicaid funding for states that commit to improving their Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs. This temporary boost requires states to use the extra funds to raise provider reimbursement rates, increase worker compensation, and expand access to services for eligible individuals. States must ensure this new federal money supplements, rather than replaces, existing state spending on HCBS.

The State Public Option Act establishes a new Medicaid buy-in option for eligible individuals starting in 2026, with federal support for state administrative costs. The bill also mandates that Medicaid payments for certain primary care services must meet Medicare Part B rates and requires states to cover comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortions. Finally, it updates federal funding timelines for newly eligible individuals and directs a review of Medicaid quality measures.

The Protect IVF Act establishes a federal right to access fertility treatments, such as IVF, based on widely accepted medical standards. It prohibits states from enacting or enforcing rules that create unnecessary roadblocks or conflict with these established medical practices. The law empowers individuals, providers, and insurers to sue to strike down restrictive state laws that interfere with evidence-based fertility care. Ultimately, this Act ensures that decisions regarding fertility treatment remain between patients and their doctors, overriding conflicting state regulations.

The Court Legal Access and Student Support Act of 2025 (CLASS Act) prohibits institutions of higher education receiving federal aid from forcing students into mandatory arbitration or waiving their right to sue the school in court. This legislation exempts student enrollment agreements from federal arbitration requirements, ensuring students retain the ability to pursue legal claims against their institutions. These new provisions will take effect one year after the bill is enacted into law.

The My Body, My Data Act of 2025 establishes strict rules for how businesses (regulated entities) can collect, use, and share sensitive reproductive and sexual health information. This Act grants individuals the rights to access, correct, and delete their personal health data held by these entities. Furthermore, it mandates transparent privacy policies and explicitly prohibits entities from retaliating against individuals who exercise their new privacy rights.

The Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2025 aims to provide lasting protection for inventoried roadless areas within our National Forests. This legislation mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture must adhere to the existing "Roadless Rule," prohibiting the construction of new roads, the reconstruction of old roads, and timber harvesting within these designated areas. The Act seeks to preserve critical watersheds, support wildlife, and maintain areas for traditional recreation without imposing new restrictions outside of these roadless zones.

This resolution designates June 6, 2025, as National Naloxone Awareness Day to combat the ongoing opioid crisis. It emphasizes the critical role of naloxone in reversing overdose deaths and calls for increased public education on its use. The bill encourages federal, state, and local entities to improve access to this life-saving medication.

This Act mandates coordination between FinCEN and the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure small businesses understand and comply with beneficial ownership reporting requirements established under the Corporate Transparency Act. The bill requires the agencies to create a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) detailing joint efforts like public outreach, language access, and scam prevention training. Furthermore, the agencies must submit regular joint reports detailing compliance efforts and the number of companies brought into compliance.

This resolution officially designates May 2025 as ALS Awareness Month to highlight the serious and progressive nature of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It recognizes the challenges faced by the tens of thousands affected, including long diagnosis times and the burden on caregivers. The Senate commits to supporting research, improving access to treatment and support services, and honoring those working to combat the disease.

This bill, the Striking and Locked Out Workers Healthcare Protection Act, prohibits employers from terminating or altering group health plan coverage for employees during a lawful strike or a lockout intended to gain leverage in collective bargaining. The Act establishes significant civil penalties, up to $\$150,000$ per violation, for employers who illegally cut off this coverage. Furthermore, it allows for individual directors and officers to be held personally liable for these violations.

The Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act repeals key liability protections for gun manufacturers found in the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). This legislation also mandates that records from the federal Firearms Trace System database must be discoverable and admissible as evidence in civil proceedings. The bill aims to allow victims of gun violence greater access to information for civil lawsuits.

The Reducing Waste in National Parks Act mandates the National Park Service (NPS) to establish a program to significantly reduce or eliminate the sale of disposable plastic products, including single-use water bottles, across all park units. Regional directors must implement these changes after assessing operational costs, infrastructure needs, and vendor contracts, while prioritizing visitor safety regarding water access. The NPS must also develop visitor education strategies and conduct biennial reviews to evaluate the program's effectiveness and impact on public health.

The Vote at Home Act of 2025 aims to modernize federal elections by establishing nationwide standards for voting by mail. It mandates that states mail ballots to all registered voters at least two weeks before federal elections and requires free postage for return ballots. Additionally, the bill overhauls voter registration by streamlining processes at the DMV and implementing automatic registration for eligible citizens who provide proof of citizenship when obtaining a driver's license.

This bill seeks to permanently reauthorize the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 by repealing its scheduled expiration date. By removing the sunset provision, Congress ensures these sanctions against Iran's weapons programs and support for terrorism remain in effect indefinitely. The legislation reaffirms the U.S. policy to fully enforce the existing sanctions.

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 SMART Prices Act aims to strengthen Medicare by significantly accelerating and expanding the number of drugs eligible for price negotiation. This bill lowers the time requirements for certain single-source drugs to qualify for negotiation and adjusts the maximum fair price ceilings for negotiated drugs starting in 2028. Overall, the legislation seeks to increase price competition and lower costs within the Medicare drug program.