This bill would amend federal law to strengthen penalties for organized retail crime by expanding definitions of theft to include digital goods, gift cards, and setting a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for charges over a 12-month period. It would establish a new "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" under Homeland Security to coordinate Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement efforts against cross-jurisdictional theft groups. The Center would share information with retailers, transportation companies, and law enforcement agencies, track crime trends, and produce annual reports on organized retail crime. This legislation directly affects retailers, supply chain businesses, and law enforcement agencies, while targeting organized crime groups responsible for a 93% increase in larceny incidents and rising safety concerns for retail employees. The bill aims to address significant financial losses and supply chain disruptions noted in the National Retail Federation's 2023 data.
This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Kempthorne, a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. It formally acknowledges his public service across various roles, including his work on environmental conservation, veterans' support, and economic development in Idaho. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family. Additionally, the Senate stands in adjournment as a final mark of respect to his memory.
This Senate resolution formally recognizes the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as National Small Business Week to honor the contributions of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States. The measure expresses appreciation for the economic role these businesses play and acknowledges the resilience of their owners and employees. By adopting this designation, the Senate aims to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within every community without imposing any new laws or regulations.
Clergy Act This bill establishes a two-year window for certain members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners to revoke their exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Under current law, such individuals who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an irrevocable exemption and will not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment. The IRS must develop a plan to inform members of the clergy and Christian Science practitioners of their eligibility to revoke prior exemptions, pursuant to the bill's changes.
The ALERT Act (HR 7613) requires the Federal Aviation Administration to improve aviation safety through several key measures. It mandates the evaluation and potential implementation of enhanced collision avoidance systems (ACAS-Xa) for commercial aircraft and ACAS-Xr for rotorcraft, with specific deadlines for rulemaking and installation. The bill establishes committees to develop recommendations for safety technology requirements, requires safety risk assessments for air traffic controllers, and addresses operational procedures at high-traffic airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National. These provisions affect air carriers, air traffic controllers, rotorcraft operators, and Department of Defense aircraft operations. The act aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce midair collision risks through technology upgrades and improved safety protocols.
This Senate resolution formally recognizes March as Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month to highlight these serious health conditions. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to encourage public awareness and education about blood clot risks. It affects the general public by promoting information about prevention, symptoms, and the importance of early detection for these life-threatening conditions. The resolution underscores that approximately 900,000 people in the United States are affected annually and that many deaths from these conditions are preventable.
This bill (HR 7084) restricts U.S. port access for vessels arriving from specific Western Hemisphere ports that have been seized or expropriated by foreign governments from U.S. owners. It applies only to ports in countries with U.S. free trade agreements, where the port or its exclusive access land (owned by a U.S. person) was nationalized without proper compensation. The President must designate such ports if a foreign government seizes U.S. property under a free trade agreement, and may deny entry to vessels transiting those designated ports until the dispute is resolved. This policy change directly affects U.S. vessel operators and foreign governments involved in property disputes, requiring the President to remove designations once compensation is provided or the dispute is resolved.
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE America Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, and requires photo identification to vote, in federal elections. Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship, a valid U.S. passport, or a valid government-issued photo identification card that shows the applicant's place of birth was in the United States. Further, the bill (1) requires states to accept and process a voter registration application in the event of a name discrepancy in the applicant's documentation, as long as the applicant provides additional documentation; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. Within 30 days of the bill's enactment, each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources. Further, each state must submit its complete official list of eligible voters to the Department of Homeland Security for comparison with the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system, which is used to verify immigration status. Individuals who are identified as noncitizens must be given the opportunity to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill (1) provides for a private right of action for certain violations, and (2) establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses. The bill prohibits a state or local election official from providing a ballot for a federal election to an individual who does not present valid physical photo identification. An individual who does not present the required identification must be permitted to cast a provisional ballot. However, an election official may not determine that the individual is eligible under state law to vote in the election unless, not later than three days after casting the provisional ballot, the individual presents (1) the identification required, or (2) an affidavit attesting that the individual does not possess the identification because of a religious objection to being photographed. Further, an election official may not allow for voting methods other than in-person voting unless the individual submits the ballot with (1) a copy of their photo identification, or (2) the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit attesting that the individual is unable to obtain a copy of a valid photo identification after making reasonable efforts to obtain a copy. This prohibition shall not apply to overseas military voters or individuals provided the right to vote other than in person under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act. State and local government officials must provide, to the extent practicable, public access to a digital imaging device for the purpose of allowing individuals to use the device at no cost to make a copy of their valid photo identification.
The Recreational Drone Empowerment Act clarifies that recreational drone operators may fly in specific controlled airspace without needing additional permission. It amends federal aviation law to explicitly include Class E airspace above uncontrolled Class G airspace and Class E airspace extensions around airports (such as near airports with Class B, C, D, or E surface areas). This change directly affects hobbyist drone users by removing ambiguity about where they can legally operate their devices. The bill makes existing rules clearer but does not alter overall flight restrictions or create new requirements.
HR 6267, the Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act of 2025, directs the Comptroller General to study challenges in adopting digital documentation across the aviation supply chain. The study will examine barriers for manufacturers, repair stations, airlines, and brokers in using digital tools like electronic FAA Form 8130-3, as well as the FAA’s transition from paper records and physical signatures to digital systems. It requires a report within one year of enactment, including recommendations to encourage digital adoption industry-wide and accelerate the FAA’s shift to digital documentation. The bill does not create new regulations but aims to identify pathways for modernizing supply chain verification to combat counterfeit parts. The Transportation Secretary must respond to recommendations within 120 days of the report’s submission.
This bill establishes new safety and medical requirements for "unified boxing organizations" (UBOs), which are boxing groups that manage title belts and rankings without separate sanctioning bodies. It directly affects UBOs and boxers under their contracts by mandating comprehensive medical screenings (including annual physicals, brain MRIs, and pregnancy tests for female boxers), requiring two ambulances and three physicians at ringside during matches, and providing boxers with mandatory health insurance covering $25,000 in injury costs. Key provisions include strict anti-doping testing protocols (with no cost to boxers), prohibitions on boxers betting on matches, and UBOs covering all medical expenses. The bill also requires UBOs to register publicly with the Federal Trade Commission and adhere to updated industry standards for boxer compensation and safety.
The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue new regulations within one year of enactment, enabling commercial supersonic flights (faster than the speed of sound) over U.S. airspace without special permission. These regulations would only permit such flights if the aircraft is operated to prevent sonic booms from reaching the ground. The bill directly affects companies developing and operating supersonic aircraft, as well as the FAA, which must revise existing rules to accommodate this change. This policy shift removes current barriers to routine supersonic travel in U.S. airspace under specific noise-reduction conditions.
