Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.

The Reduction in Force Review Act enhances congressional oversight of federal agency workforce reductions. It mandates that agencies provide detailed justifications, including alternatives considered and impact assessments, when announcing a planned reduction in force (RIF). This ensures that significant workforce restructuring actions receive thorough review by Congress.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and extends the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its total authorized funding. This legislation adjusts funding priorities to favor projects receiving private contributions and streamlines the process for accepting and allocating public donations. Additionally, it mandates reporting on efforts to reduce the existing deferred maintenance backlog and improve future preventative maintenance across public lands.

The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical federal research funding for preterm labor and the care of low birthweight infants through fiscal year 2029. It mandates the establishment of an interagency working group to coordinate efforts related to prematurity. Furthermore, the bill requires a comprehensive study by the National Academies on the financial costs, causes, prevention, and support opportunities related to preterm births.

The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 authorizes notaries to perform electronic and remote notarizations for transactions affecting interstate commerce, provided they adhere to strict identity verification and audio/video recording standards. This Act mandates that notarizations validly performed in one state must be recognized by federal courts and other states. Furthermore, it clarifies that states can set higher standards or restrict notaries from using these new technologies based on commission status, while protecting existing rights against fraud or duress.

This Senate resolution urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw a proposed rule that would reduce opportunities for public notice and comment on new regulations. The Senate emphasizes that robust public input is essential for creating fair and effective policies that impact millions of Americans. It calls for HHS to maintain the established 54-year practice of allowing stakeholders to provide feedback before finalizing significant rule changes.

The Rural Patient Monitoring (RPM) Access Act aims to improve access to remote patient monitoring for rural Medicare beneficiaries. It establishes a minimum payment floor for the practice expense and malpractice indices used in calculating RPM service reimbursements, effective January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the bill mandates new quality and data reporting standards for providers offering RPM services to ensure high-quality care and track program savings for Medicare.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding inspection powers. It grants the Attorney General direct authority to sue violators, seek injunctions, and impose substantial daily civil penalties. Furthermore, the bill allows for the seizure of animals involved in violations and mandates that collected penalty funds be used to reimburse temporary animal care costs.

The Contaminated Wells Relocation Act authorizes NASA to enter into an agreement with the Town of Chincoteague, Virginia, to help fund the relocation of drinking water wells currently situated on NASA-managed land. This agreement allows NASA to reimburse the town for costs associated with planning and establishing replacement wells on Chincoteague-controlled property. The final agreement must detail the relocation plan, new well locations, and estimated costs, and must be submitted to Congress within 18 months of enactment.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It grandfathers existing possessions but requires background checks for all future private transfers of these previously owned weapons. The bill also permits the use of federal Byrne grant funds for state-run buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 21 through April 25, 2025, as "National Home Visiting Week." It recognizes the critical role that evidence-based home visiting programs play in supporting new parents and ensuring healthy development for young children. The bill highlights the extensive reach of these services, which support hundreds of thousands of families nationwide. By supporting this designation, the Senate affirms the value of these programs in strengthening families and promoting positive early childhood outcomes.

The Equality Act comprehensively amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across key areas of American life. This legislation expands existing protections in public accommodations, employment, housing, credit access, and jury service. Its purpose is to ensure consistent and clear nationwide enforcement of non-discrimination principles for LGBTQ individuals and women.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 comprehensively reforms the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program by updating state allocation formulas based on population and inflation, and by modifying tenant eligibility rules to protect vulnerable residents. The bill also introduces significant changes for property owners regarding casualty loss, acquisition costs, and incentives for serving extremely low-income households. Finally, it directs efforts toward increasing program transparency and encouraging local governments to reform restrictive housing policies.

The Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act of 2025 significantly enhances the rehabilitation tax credit by setting a standard 20% credit rate and introducing a new, higher 30% rate for qualifying small projects, including special provisions for rural areas. The bill also allows for the transfer of these credits and eliminates the requirement to reduce a property's cost basis when claiming the credit. These changes aim to incentivize the rehabilitation and placement in service of historic properties after the enactment date.

The Stop Stealing our Chips Act establishes a new Whistleblower Incentive Program to reward individuals who voluntarily report violations of U.S. export control laws, particularly concerning advanced AI chips sent to adversaries. This program offers financial incentives of 10% to 30% of collected fines and provides strong legal protections against employer retaliation for those who report violations. The bill also creates the Export Compliance Accountability Fund to finance these awards and the program's operations.

The Chesapeake National Recreation Area Act of 2025 establishes the Chesapeake National Recreation Area across Maryland and Virginia to protect and interpret the natural and historical resources of the Chesapeake Bay. The Secretary of the Interior will manage the area, acquiring land only through donation or willing sale, strictly prohibiting eminent domain. The Act also creates a temporary 19-member Advisory Commission to guide management planning and coordinate with existing Bay programs.

The SOAR Act of 2025 aims to significantly reform Medicare coverage for supplemental oxygen therapy by ending competitive bidding and establishing new payment rates for suppliers. The bill also protects access to respiratory therapist services by ensuring Medicare reimbursement for their work. Furthermore, it strengthens fraud prevention through mandated electronic documentation while simultaneously restoring clinical judgment in claim reviews. Finally, the Act establishes a comprehensive set of new rights and protections for beneficiaries receiving oxygen equipment and services.

The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2025 makes the existing adoption tax credit fully refundable, allowing taxpayers to receive the benefit even if they owe no tax. This is achieved by relocating the credit within the tax code and updating related references. The bill also mandates the Treasury Department to issue regulations establishing a standardized third-party affidavit form for verifying adoption expenses. These changes will apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act aims to combat sophisticated criminal gangs engaged in large-scale retail and supply chain theft. This bill strengthens federal law by updating money laundering and stolen property statutes, including establishing a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for certain offenses. Crucially, it mandates the creation of a specialized federal Coordination Center within Homeland Security to unify efforts across all levels of law enforcement and private industry against these transnational criminal organizations.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week." It recognizes the historical significance and vital mission of the National Park Service in preserving America's natural and cultural treasures. The bill encourages the public to visit, experience, and support these cherished sites during this designated week.