HR 906 requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish and maintain a public list of communications entities (like radio or cable companies) holding FCC licenses that have ownership ties to "covered countries" (nations designated under U.S. law). This affects FCC license holders with foreign ownership from those countries, as the FCC must identify them using ownership rules or national security agency determinations. The bill mandates the FCC to update this list annually, with an initial list due 120 days after enactment and full implementation within 18 months. The law aims to increase transparency around foreign influence in U.S. communications infrastructure without changing licensing standards.
This bill amends the Visit America Act to require the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism to specifically identify and promote music tourism destinations both domestically and internationally. It directs the agency to highlight music-related attractions (like venues, studios, and museums) and events (such as festivals and concerts) in travel promotion efforts, including for international visitors. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress on progress toward these tourism goals. It formally defines "music tourism" as travel to music-related sites or events, aligning with the bill's focus.
SRES 170 is a procedural resolution authorizing the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Senator Ron Wyden in a civil lawsuit titled *Desmond Bellard v. Ronald Wyden, U.S. Senator* pending in the Oregon Supreme Court. The resolution specifically directs Senate Legal Counsel to defend Senator Wyden in this case, which involves allegations related to his official duties as a U.S. Senator. This authorization stems from provisions in the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, which permits the Senate to provide legal representation for members facing civil actions tied to their official responsibilities. The bill does not create new policy but formally approves existing legal support for Senator Wyden in this specific litigation.
HR 1526 (NORRA of 2025) limits U.S. district courts' power to issue injunctions. It prohibits courts from granting court orders that stop actions affecting parties outside the specific lawsuit, restricting injunctions to apply only to the immediate parties involved in the case. This change would directly affect federal district courts and the parties seeking injunctive relief in litigation. The bill adds Section 1370 to Title 28 of the U.S. Code, requiring that any injunction be limited to the specific case parties. It does not alter other court powers or affect existing legal procedures beyond this specific restriction.
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering 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. Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship. 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. Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters. The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.
HR 877, the Deliver for Veterans Act, amends existing law to ensure the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) covers the full cost of delivering adaptive vehicles to eligible veterans. Specifically, it updates Section 3902(a) of Title 38 to include "the total shipping price to deliver the automobile or other conveyance to the veteran" in the VA's payment obligation. This change directly affects veterans who receive adaptive vehicles through the VA's program, removing a previous barrier where shipping costs might have been their responsibility. The bill makes no new eligibility rules but clarifies that the VA must pay for both the vehicle purchase and its delivery to the veteran's location. This is a technical adjustment to improve the existing program's implementation.
HR 586, the Vietnam Veterans Liver Fluke Cancer Study Act, directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) rates among veterans who served in the Vietnam theater during the Vietnam era. Using data from the VA Central Cancer Registry and CDC cancer registries, the study will compare cancer incidence rates between these veterans and the general U.S. population, broken down by age, gender, race, ethnicity, and location. The VA must submit an initial report to Congress within one year of the study’s completion, including findings and recommendations for addressing any identified health issues, with ongoing follow-up reports to track trends. This bill specifically affects Vietnam-era veterans who served in Vietnam, focusing on data collection and analysis rather than immediate policy changes.
This resolution (SRES 159) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring the late Senator John Bennett Johnston, Jr. (1932-2024), who represented Louisiana in the U.S. Senate from 1972 to 1997. It commemorates his career, including his work on energy policy, flood control, and Louisiana conservation efforts, and requests the Senate adjourn in his memory while sending condolences to his family. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or laws.
This bill replaces hardbound versions of the Constitution Annotated and its supplements with digital versions. It requires the Librarian of Congress to publish digital decennial editions after each tenth Supreme Court term (starting 2031) and digital pocket-part supplements after each odd-numbered year Supreme Court term (starting 2025), instead of physical copies. All digital versions must be available on a Library of Congress public website, and the bill repeals all requirements for printing physical copies after the October 2025 Supreme Court term. This affects how Congress and the public access these legal reference documents, shifting from physical books to online resources.
The Recovery of Stolen Checks Act (HR 1155) allows taxpayers who have lost or had a paper tax refund check stolen to choose receiving a replacement refund via direct deposit instead of a paper check. Taxpayers must make this election within six months of the law's enactment, and the Treasury Department will establish the required procedures. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the Secretary of the Treasury to create regulations for this process, directly affecting individuals eligible for a replacement paper check due to loss or theft. This change simplifies the replacement method without altering eligibility for refunds.
SRES 148 is a ceremonial resolution passed by the U.S. Senate to honor the late Senator Alan K. Simpson of Wyoming, who died in 2022. The resolution expresses the Senate's "profound sorrow and deep regret" over his passing and formally requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy to his family. It also directs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect during its final session following the resolution's adoption. This resolution has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents - it solely serves as a formal tribute to Simpson's legacy.
The DETERRENT Act requires higher education institutions receiving federal funding to disclose foreign gifts and contracts meeting certain value thresholds ($50,000 or more for regular foreign sources, all for "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern"). Institutions must report details including the foreign source's identity, purpose, and financial value, with all disclosures made public through a searchable database. The bill prohibits contracts with designated "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern" without a specific waiver, and includes enforcement mechanisms with fines for non-compliance. Institutions must also maintain policies requiring faculty and staff to disclose foreign connections that meet certain criteria.
