Save Our Shrimpers Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being made available to international financial institutions (e.g., the International Monetary Fund) for financing activities related to foreign shrimp farms. The bill also requires an annual report on compliance by U.S. leadership of international financial institutions with policies to oppose financing for certain commodities or minerals. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of the Treasury to condition any provision of federal funds to an international financial institution on the requirement that the funds not be used to finance any activity related to shrimp farming, shrimp processing, or the export of shrimp in any foreign country. Under current law, Treasury must instruct U.S. leadership of international financial institutions to oppose providing financial assistance for the production or extraction of any commodity or mineral for export if (1) the commodity or mineral is in surplus on world markets, and (2) the export of such commodity or mineral will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers of a competing commodity or mineral (or of the same or a similar commodity or mineral). This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to investigate and annually report to Congress on the extent to which U.S. leadership at these institutions have carried out Treasury's instructions.
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 bill, the PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025, updates and strengthens pipeline safety regulations across the United States. It increases funding for pipeline safety programs through fiscal year 2030, requires risk-based inspections of pipeline facilities, and establishes a voluntary information-sharing system for pipeline safety data. The bill also addresses safety concerns related to emerging gases like hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and improves emergency response planning requirements. It directly affects pipeline operators, state pipeline safety programs, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
This bill prohibits U.S. courts from enforcing foreign judgments or awards related to lawsuits where the underlying claim stems from a U.S. person complying with U.S. sanctions or export controls, or where a foreign court asserted jurisdiction based on those sanctions. It directly affects foreign entities or individuals seeking compensation from U.S. persons for contract disputes arising from U.S. sanctions compliance. The key mechanism adds a new rule (Section 1660) to federal law, requiring dismissal of such cases in U.S. courts and allowing defendants to remove them to federal district court. Exceptions include cases involving terrorism, U.S. government contracts, or disputes resolved under U.S. dispute resolution agreements. The bill applies broadly to all foreign litigation tied to U.S. sanctions, not exclusively to Russia.
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.
This Senate resolution formally welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla to the United States for a state visit where the King will address a joint session of Congress. The document highlights the long-standing diplomatic and security partnership between the two nations, noting shared values and cooperation on issues like defense and technology. It also marks the occasion as the first time a British monarch has addressed Congress since 1991, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American independence.
This Senate resolution commemorates April 6, 2026, as the day the Artemis II crew set a new record for the farthest distance traveled by astronauts from Earth. The bill honors the four crew members and celebrates the successful launch, journey, and safe return of the mission, which marked the first human trip to the Moon in over 50 years. It also recognizes the contributions of NASA personnel, international partners, and industry contractors who supported the effort. The text serves as a formal acknowledgment of these achievements rather than a change to existing laws or policies.
This bill, the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act, aims to strengthen protections and incentives for individuals who report tax violations to the Internal Revenue Service. It directly affects whistleblowers who submit information about tax evasion or avoidance schemes and the IRS officials who evaluate those reports. Key changes include requiring Tax Court reviews of whistleblower awards to be conducted de novo based on the original administrative record, granting whistleblowers anonymity before the Tax Court unless a societal interest outweighs potential harm, and adding interest to award amounts if the IRS delays providing preliminary recommendations. The legislation also modifies IRS annual reports to include descriptions of top tax avoidance schemes disclosed by whistleblowers and corrects a provision regarding attorney fee deductions for whistleblowers.
This bill would require the revocation of U.S. passports for citizens with overdue child support payments exceeding $2,500. It amends the Social Security Act to mandate automatic passport revocation (replacing previous options for restriction or limitation) and requires advance notice to the individual before revocation. An exception allows temporary passports for emergency return to the U.S. from abroad. The policy directly affects parents who owe significant child support arrears, with no mention of broader implementation or outcomes.
This bill modifies state unemployment programs to help job seekers start businesses. It removes the requirement that participants must first exhaust regular unemployment benefits before accessing self-employment assistance. States must now approve business plans or require entrepreneurial training/counseling for participants, who must also certify weekly participation. The bill also raises the cap on program participants from 5% to 10% of unemployed individuals. These changes aim to expand access to business ownership support through state unemployment systems.
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.
HR 4690, the Reliable Federal Infrastructure Act, repeals specific energy efficiency standards for federal buildings. It directly affects federal agencies and buildings subject to the repealed standards under Section 305(a)(3)(D) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6834(a)(3)(D)). The bill removes these standards from federal law, stating they "shall have no force or effect," and updates related provisions in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 to eliminate references to the repealed standards. This is a procedural repeal focused solely on removing existing requirements, not creating new infrastructure or policy.
