SRES 186 designates April 29, 2025, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day to raise public awareness about the dangers of counterfeit fentanyl pills. The resolution specifically aims to inform families and young people about how fake pills - often disguised as legitimate medications - contribute to overdose deaths, citing that illicit fentanyl was involved in 81% of drug deaths among youth aged 14-23 in 2023. It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports existing efforts to combat counterfeit pills and encourages awareness campaigns. The resolution highlights alarming statistics, including 51,010 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in 2024 and low youth awareness (only 55% of teens knew about counterfeit pills).
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.
This resolution designates the week of April 19-27, 2025, as "National Park Week" in the U.S. Senate. It encourages the public to responsibly visit, experience, and support national parks across the United States. The resolution highlights the National Park System’s role in preserving natural and cultural resources while acknowledging its economic impact and recreational value. It does not create new laws or alter funding, focusing solely on recognition and public engagement.
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.
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.
SRES 153 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in U.S. agriculture, citing that women operate over 1.2 million farms (36% of total sales, $222 billion in 2022) and work across diverse roles from farming to education and advocacy. The resolution encourages public acknowledgment of women’s impact on the agricultural workforce and food systems, urging support for women entering the field, leadership opportunities, and global food security. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but formally honors this group during National Women’s History Month and National Ag Week.
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.
This concurrent resolution authorizes the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center on April 23, 2025, for a ceremony as part of the commemoration of the days of remembrance of victims of the Holocaust.
This Senate resolution (SRES 130) commemorates Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a pioneering 19th-century physician and women's rights advocate. It honors her as the first female U.S. Army surgeon (appointed in 1864), her Civil War medical service, her Medal of Honor, and her lifelong advocacy for gender equality. The resolution formally recognizes her legacy as a trailblazer in medicine and women's rights, committing to preserve her story for future generations. As a commemorative resolution, it has no legal effect and does not create new policies or obligations.
HR 1156, the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act, extends the time limit for prosecuting fraud related to pandemic unemployment programs. It adds a 10-year window for criminal or civil actions against individuals who falsely claimed benefits under Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC). The law applies only to fraud committed during these specific pandemic-era programs and does not revive cases where the original statute of limitations had already expired before this bill passed. This change gives authorities more time to pursue fraud cases without altering the programs' core eligibility rules.
This joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales and issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on December 30, 2024. The rule generally requires persons effectuating decentralized financial (DeFi) transactions to report certain information regarding digital asset sales to the IRS.
