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.

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.

This act updates tax law to broaden the definition of highly compensated individuals whose compensation is subject to deduction limits for corporations. It expands the scope beyond traditional employees to include anyone providing services to the company, as well as certain highly paid former officers. The goal is to prevent companies from deducting excessive executive pay from their taxable income.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress regarding human rights practices in El Salvador within 30 days. The report must cover credible allegations of abuses, including torture, forced disappearances, and judicial fairness, particularly in light of the "State of Exception." Furthermore, it requires an accounting of U.S. actions taken to promote human rights and assess the risk of U.S. security assistance supporting officials involved in abuses.

This joint resolution terminates the national emergency declared on April 2, 2025, which was used to impose global tariffs. Upon enactment, this resolution immediately ends the emergency declaration and revokes any special powers or funding activated by that order.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating April 2025 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month." It highlights the significant employment barriers faced by the millions of Americans with past conviction records. The bill champions efforts to remove structural roadblocks, expand job training, and connect formerly incarcerated individuals with stable employment opportunities.

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.

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 Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2025 officially designates approximately 1.56 million acres of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as protected wilderness. This action places the specified area under the strict protections of the National Wilderness Preservation System. This designation overrides conflicting regulations within the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The Protecting Military Servicemembers Data from Foreign Adversaries Act of 2025 prohibits data brokers from selling or transferring lists containing military servicemember information to foreign adversaries or entities controlled by them. This Act grants enforcement authority to the Federal Trade Commission and State Attorneys General to ensure compliance. Furthermore, the Comptroller General must report to Congress within one year on the effectiveness of these protections and recommend necessary expansions.

The Medicare for All Act establishes a comprehensive, universal national health insurance program to cover all U.S. residents, eliminating most private insurance duplication and nearly all out-of-pocket costs for covered services. The bill mandates extensive benefits, including long-term care, and institutes a strict National Health Budget to control overall spending through global payments for facilities and negotiated drug prices. It also includes a transition period that immediately enhances current Medicare by eliminating deductibles and adding dental, vision, and hearing benefits.

This bill extends the expiration date of the Defense Production Act of 1950 by one year. It ensures that the government retains its existing emergency authorities under the Act through September 30, 2026.

The Climate Change Financial Risk Act of 2025 mandates that the Federal Reserve develop tools to assess and manage the growing physical and transition risks that climate change poses to the stability of the U.S. financial system. The bill establishes a technical advisory group to help create distinct climate risk scenarios (e.g., 1.5°C and 2°C warming) for use in mandatory biennial stress tests for large financial institutions. Following these tests, major firms must submit detailed climate risk resolution plans, which regulators can reject, potentially restricting capital distributions if the plans are inadequate.

The Pursuing Equity in Mental Health Act aims to address mental health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority groups through several key actions. It increases funding for existing grant programs, mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies to identify mental health research gaps in minority populations, and supports the development of culturally competent health professional training. Finally, the bill establishes a national outreach and education strategy while providing significant new funding to the NIH and NIMHD to advance relevant research and community engagement.

The Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2025 permanently prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from issuing any new oil and gas leases or extending existing ones in the Arctic areas of the outer Continental Shelf. This legislation establishes an outright ban on the exploration, development, or production of minerals in these specific Arctic waters. The defined geographic scope of this prohibition aligns with the existing definition used in the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984.

The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act of 2025 increases federal support for meals served through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This legislation mandates an immediate 10-cent increase for every meal or snack reimbursed under the program. The bill also simplifies the existing reimbursement calculation structure for sponsoring organizations supporting day care homes.

The New England Coastal Protection Act permanently prohibits new oil and gas leasing for exploration or production on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. This legislation ensures that the Secretary of the Interior cannot issue any future leases for drilling in these specific New England offshore waters.

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.

The Resources for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2025 establishes an Advisory Council within the Department of Health and Human Services to support victims of gun violence. This council will define key terms, assess the needs of victims and service providers, and identify best practices for support. Its primary goal is to share comprehensive information on available medical, financial, and mental health resources with the public and relevant government bodies. The council will operate for five years and is required to issue detailed reports on resource gaps and recommendations for improvement.

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.