Legislative Activity

This joint resolution expresses Congress's disapproval of a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule concerning California's "Advanced Clean Cars II" pollution control standards. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, Congress is effectively vetoing this EPA regulation. This action prevents the EPA's rule regarding California's vehicle emission standards from taking effect.

This joint resolution expresses Congress's formal disapproval of a recent rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concerning California's pollution control standards for heavy-duty vehicles and engines. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, this measure nullifies the EPA's proposed regulations regarding emission standards, warranty provisions, and zero-emission vehicle requirements. Consequently, the specific EPA rule published on April 11, 2023, will not take legal effect.

The Driving Forward Act permanently extends an existing exemption allowing certain school bus drivers to bypass the "under-the-hood" portion of their skills test. This change codifies the rules previously established in a 2024 Federal Register notice. States utilizing this exemption must still report annually on the number of drivers who qualify under these permanent terms for the next six years.

The Trade Review Act of 2025 establishes a mandatory 60-day congressional review period for any new or increased import duties imposed by the President. The President must notify Congress within 48 hours of imposing such duties, detailing the justification and impact. Unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval within 60 days, the new or increased duty automatically expires.

The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 aims to significantly expand access to telehealth services under Medicare by permanently removing outdated geographic restrictions and broadening provider eligibility. The bill also enhances program integrity by dedicating new funding to oversight and establishing educational outreach for providers with unusual billing patterns. Finally, it mandates new resources, training, and public data reporting to ensure the quality and accessibility of virtual care for all beneficiaries.

The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025 mandates sweeping economic penalties against the Russian Federation and its affiliates for actions against Ukraine. This legislation requires the President and Treasury Secretary to impose escalating sanctions on Russian officials, financial institutions, and energy sector entities. Furthermore, the Act prohibits U.S. persons from investing in Russian debt, bans the trading of Russian securities on U.S. exchanges, and imposes a massive 500% import duty on Russian goods. Sanctions can only be terminated if Russia agrees to a verifiable peace deal with Ukraine.

The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act updates the Port Infrastructure Development Program to ensure fairer distribution of funding. This legislation mandates that project selections for both major and smaller port improvements must achieve equitable geographic representation across the United States. The goal is to spread vital port investments more evenly nationwide.

This bill establishes the private, nonprofit Foundation for Standards and Metrology to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in advancing measurement science and technical standards. The Foundation will accelerate the commercialization of research by partnering with industry, academia, and other groups. It will be governed by an independent Board of Directors and must develop a plan for financial self-sustainability within five years.

This Senate resolution clarifies that United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 only addressed the PRC's representation at the UN and does not endorse China's "One China Principle" regarding Taiwan's sovereignty. The resolution strongly opposes the People's Republic of China's efforts to misuse this vote to isolate Taiwan internationally. It reaffirms the U.S. position that the issue of Taiwan's final status remains unsettled and supports Taiwan's meaningful participation in global organizations.

This resolution condemns the People's Republic of China and the Hong Kong government for systematically dismantling Hong Kong's promised autonomy and democratic freedoms. It specifically denounces the imposition and expansion of sweeping national security laws used to suppress dissent, arrest activists, and target journalists. The resolution urges international accountability for these actions and calls for the immediate release of all political detainees.

This resolution formally honors the life and distinguished public service career of the Honorable Alan K. Simpson, former U.S. Senator for Wyoming. It celebrates his extensive tenure in both state and federal government, highlighting his focus on fiscal responsibility and support for veterans. The Senate expresses its deep sorrow at his passing and directs that the day's adjournment serve as a final tribute to his memory.

The Unity through Service Act of 2025 establishes an Interagency Council on Service to unify and expand opportunities across military, national, and public service sectors. The bill promotes joint research and coordinated recruitment strategies between these service branches to strengthen civic duty nationwide. It also enhances transition assistance for service members entering civilian life and requires several reports to Congress on integration efforts and recruitment lessons learned.

This resolution celebrates the 100th anniversary of WOWO radio, recognizing its century of broadcasting excellence since 1925. It honors the station's significant history, from pioneering broadcasts to its current role as a voice for conservative values in the community. The Senate officially commends WOWO for its long-standing service and supports its future mission.

The Safe and Secure Transportation of American Energy Act broadens criminal penalties for actions that threaten energy transportation infrastructure. This legislation expands prohibited activities beyond simple destruction to include vandalism, tampering, and disrupting the operation or construction of pipelines and related facilities. These enhanced penalties are enforced under existing federal law.

The Major Richard Star Act allows veterans with combat-related disabilities to receive both veteran's disability compensation and military retired pay concurrently, without reduction. This act amends Title 10 of the United States Code to ensure that disability retirees with combat-related disabilities are not subject to reductions in retired pay due to receiving veteran's disability compensation. These changes will take effect the first day of the month following the enactment of the Act.

The Foreign Agents Transparency Act clarifies and strengthens the enforcement mechanisms of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). It retroactively clarifies the five-year look-back period for registration obligations and allows the Attorney General to seek compliance orders even after representation for a foreign principal has ended. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Attorney General submit an annual report to Congress detailing all FARA enforcement actions taken against covered individuals.

The Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act mandates that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) adopt specific industry standards as mandatory safety rules for lithium-ion batteries in personal electric transportation within 180 days of enactment. These rules will automatically update when the underlying industry standards are revised, unless the CPSC determines the update does not improve safety. The CPSC must also report to Congress five years after enactment regarding battery-related incidents involving these consumer products.

The Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act of 2025 makes technical corrections and clarifications to the 2022 Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This bill adjusts rules for where lawsuits can be tried, clarifies the evidence needed to prove harm from water exposure, and sets limits on attorney fees. All changes are applied retroactively as if enacted on August 10, 2022, while preserving existing deadlines for filing claims.

The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 establishes new minimum fleet sizes for the Air Force's fighter aircraft inventory and delays the enforcement date for these higher requirements until 2030. The bill mandates strict quarterly reporting on new aircraft procurement and distribution, while prioritizing the assignment of new, advanced fighters to existing operational squadrons. Furthermore, it places a freeze on reducing the number of Air National Guard fighter squadrons through 2030 and requires an annual plan to ensure the Guard's fleet recapitalizes at the same pace as the active force.

The Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 addresses the high rates of PTSD among public safety officers and telecommunicators due to job-related trauma. This bill directs the Attorney General to report on and propose federal programs offering specialized, confidential mental health treatment and preventative care for these essential workers. The goal is to establish effective, accessible support systems across all levels of government to combat behavioral health conditions and reduce suicide among first responders.