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Rhode Island Congressional Bills

Browse federal bills sponsored by your state's delegation.

State Legislature US Congress

All 4,695 Active 4,074 In committee 4,057 Passed 537 Signed 74 Failed 10

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SRES 255: A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri.

This resolution (SRES 255) is a ceremonial Senate measure honoring former U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri, who died on May 13, 2025. It recognizes his 40+ years of public service, including his roles as Missouri Governor (1973-1977, 1981-1985) and U.S. Senator (1987-2011). The resolution directs the Senate to adjourn briefly as a mark of respect and transmit a copy to his family. It has no policy impact or direct effect on constituents, as it is purely commemorative.

Josh Hawley (R) · 99 co-sponsors

passed · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

SRES 214: A resolution recognizing the significance of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as an important time to celebrate the significant contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history of the United States.

SRES 214 is a non-binding Senate resolution recognizing May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It celebrates the historical contributions of these communities to U.S. history and acknowledges their diverse populations, which together represent over 10% of the U.S. population. The resolution references key milestones like the 1965 Immigration Act and the 60th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Discovery mission, while noting ongoing challenges such as hate crimes. As a ceremonial resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally honors these communities' achievements and cultural significance.

Mazie K. Hirono (D) · 29 co-sponsors

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1892: Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025

The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2025 amends the law governing deposits into the Crime Victims Fund, adding two new sources: funds from declined criminal prosecutions (without conviction) and certain False Claims Act recoveries (from 2025 through 2030). It specifically excludes two types of False Claims Act funds from these deposits: payments to whistleblowers (qui tam plaintiffs) and reimbursements for government fraud damages. This bill directly affects the Crime Victims Fund, which provides support to victims of crime, and adjusts how federal agencies handle False Claims Act cases. The changes aim to modify the fund's funding sources without altering the False Claims Act itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

Lisa Murkowski (R) · 31 co-sponsors

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1904: Ending Taxpayer Support for Big Egg Producers Act

This bill amends federal law to restrict government compensation for large egg producers affected by avian influenza. It defines "covered entities" as egg producers with over $100 million in annual revenue or 1,500 employees, requiring them to certify they will not pay dividends or repurchase stock for two years after receiving payments. Private equity-owned or public companies must also certify they cannot access other funding without significant harm to operations. Violating these certification requirements could trigger repayment of funds plus fines or up to 5 years in prison. The bill targets existing indemnity payments under the Animal Health Protection Act, not new funding.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1867: Closing the De Minimis Loophole Act

This bill eliminates a duty-free exemption for small shipments under $800, ending the "de minimis" loophole that previously allowed duty-free entry for certain low-value goods. It immediately applies to shipments from China (with a 3-day transition for goods already in transit) and to shipments from other countries 120 days after enactment. The bill requires importers to provide detailed product codes (HTS numbers) for informal entries and mandates new rules to improve duty collection and enforcement. The Treasury Secretary must issue implementing regulations within 120 days to enforce these changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1889: A bill to repeal the sunset provision of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

This bill (S 1889) repeals the expiration date ("sunset") of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, making those sanctions permanent. It directly affects U.S. sanctions policy toward Iran, keeping in place existing penalties for Iran's weapons programs, ballistic missile development, and support for terrorism. The key mechanism is amending Section 13 of the 1996 Act to remove the sunset provision and related language, ensuring the sanctions remain enforceable indefinitely. Congress states this policy is necessary due to Iran's acquisition of weapons and support for proxies threatening U.S. allies.

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1887: Vote at Home Act of 2025

The Vote at Home Act of 2025 would require all states to mail ballots to registered voters at least two weeks before federal elections, making voting by mail the default option for all eligible voters. It eliminates unnecessary barriers like notary requirements and excuse documentation for mail-in voting while ensuring ballots are accessible for people with disabilities. The bill also mandates free postage for election mail and expands automatic voter registration through motor vehicle departments. These changes would directly affect all voters participating in federal elections across the United States, aiming to increase accessibility and participation.

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1903: A bill to prohibit changes to Medicare and Medicaid in reconciliation.

This bill amends the Congressional Budget Act to explicitly prohibit changes to Medicare and Medicaid through the budget reconciliation process. It modifies Section 310(g) to add specific references to Medicare (Title XVIII) and Medicaid (Title XIX) of the Social Security Act, ensuring these programs are excluded from reconciliation considerations. The key mechanism prevents Congress from using the fast-track budget reconciliation procedure to alter Medicare or Medicaid funding, benefits, or structure. This directly affects congressional budget procedures, not the programs themselves, by restricting how lawmakers can make changes to these healthcare programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 22, 2025

S 1866: SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025

The SCREENS for Cancer Act of 2025 reauthorizes and strengthens the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which provides free or low-cost screening and diagnostic services to low-income, uninsured, or underinsured women. The bill increases annual funding to $235 million for fiscal years 2026-2030, expands the program’s focus to include cancer prevention alongside detection and control, and adds specific requirements to reduce health disparities and improve access for underserved populations. Key provisions include updated guidelines for follow-up care, enhanced patient navigation services, and a requirement for a GAO report by 2027 assessing program eligibility, service trends, and barriers to screening. The program directly serves women across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, territories, and tribal organizations, building on its existing record of providing over 16.5 million screenings to 6.4 million people since 1991.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2025

SRES 240: A resolution affirming that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are fundamental values of the United States and emphasizing the ongoing need to address discrimination and inequality in the workplace, pre-K through 12th grade and higher education systems, government programs, the military, and our society.

This resolution (SRES 240) affirms that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are core U.S. values and emphasizes the need to address ongoing discrimination across multiple sectors. It directly affects workplaces, K-12 and higher education systems, healthcare, housing, government programs, and the military by citing data on persistent inequities - such as racial disparities in housing discrimination, wage gaps, and underrepresentation in leadership. The resolution does not create new laws but encourages federal, state, and local entities to adopt inclusive policies and remove barriers to opportunity. It references evidence from agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to support its focus on systemic discrimination. The Senate calls for promoting environments where all individuals can achieve their full potential.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Mazie K. Hirono (D) · 21 co-sponsors

in committee · Rhode Island · House May 21, 2025

HRES 441: Expressing support for the designation of May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month".

HRES 441 is a symbolic House resolution expressing support for designating May 2025 as "Mental Health Awareness Month." It does not create new laws, allocate funding, or change existing policies - it solely aims to raise public awareness about mental health challenges. The resolution cites statistics on rising mental health issues (including youth depression, suicide rates, and disparities in care access) to underscore the need for greater attention. It encourages the public, schools, and organizations to use the month to promote mental well-being and reduce stigma, but contains no concrete policy changes or mandates.

Andrea Salinas (D) · 47 co-sponsors

in committee · Rhode Island · Senate May 21, 2025

S 1843: Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025

S 1843, the Second Chance Reauthorization Act of 2025, extends funding for existing federal reentry programs through 2030 instead of 2023. It updates timeframes across multiple programs, including state reentry demonstration projects (adding substance use disorder treatment and housing services), family-based substance abuse grants, prison education evaluations, career training for incarcerated individuals, and community mentoring programs. These programs directly support people returning from incarceration by providing critical services like recovery support, job training, and transitional housing. The bill makes no new policy changes but continues current federal funding mechanisms for reentry assistance.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing