Legislative Recap for Weeks 15–17
Vibes changed after Congress took two weeks off
Congress took a two week vacation, which is why Project Liberal did not do a summary for the previous two weeks. During that time, congress members in the Democratic Party continued to travel and appear before people while Republicans struggled with hostile crowds at town halls.
There are major signs that political winds are shifting. Donald Trump’s approval ratings took a nosedive over the last several weeks, and this is likely changing the political math for many lawmakers.
Before we do last week’s recap, here are some overall highlights from the last three weeks.
Vibe shift
Republicans are not doing so well with their constituents. Chuck Grassley was screamed more than usual this time, and Mike Lawler made headlines after a woman was dragged out as the crowd chanted “Let her stay!”
Additionally, four Democratic lawmakers followed in the footsteps of Senator Chris Van Hollen and travelled to El Salvador to visit with diplomatic leaders there. Yassamin Ansari, Maxine Dexter, Maxwell Frost and Robert Garcia all traveled to the country and the diplomatic pressure has been surprisingly effective. President Bukele faced unexpected pressure from his own citizens in light of the possibility that its prisons might be housing innocent people.
Meanwhile, AOC and Bernie continue to fill stadiums. AOC has raised nearly $10 million in mostly small-dollar donations, despite a lack of commitment to any race in particular.
The first week back in Congress saw Articles of Impeachment introduced, signs of civil war in the GOP over budget negotiations, and Trump’s unceremonious dismissal of National Security Advisor Mike Walz.
In more good news, Republican Thom Tillis stated this week that he may torpedo Trump’s pick for US Attorney for the DC circuit because he once avidly defended January 6 protestors personally. Meanwhile, Democratic Governors are being forced to testify on sanctuary cities in June.
The focus of House bills last week was commerce and technology, and most of them passed easily by voice vote. Notably, some of them seem to expand, rather than repeal, regulations. The TICKET Act, for example, requires transparent pricing for sites like Ticketmaster, a consumer protection rule.
Progress report
Now more than four months in, Congress appears to have accomplished very little. This is a snapshot of Congress’ progress so far this session:
Days in session:
70 in the Senate and 58 in the House.
Bills passed:
11 Senate bills (1 that originated from the House)
105 House bills (2 that originated from Senate)
Bills enacted into law:
Five. Three regulatory disapprovals, the Laken Riley Act, and the first stopgap appropriations bill to keep the government funded until September.
Total bills introduced to date:
1,783 in the Senate and 3,603 in the House
SENATE
The Senate failed to pass a bill that would have ended the national emergency granting Trump tariff powers. The Senate also passed several disapprovals related to environmental issues.
National Emergency Designation on Global Tariffs: S.J. Res. 49 To terminate the national emergency declared to impose global tariffs. Republicans Rand Paul, Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted for the bill. However, the bill failed 49-49 when two Senators that supported the measure — Republican Mitch McConnell and Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse — failed to show up to vote. A motion to reconsider failed.
Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act: S. 616 Amends title 36 to revise the Federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. The bill passed by Unanimous Consent.
Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act: S. 307 Addresses sexual harassment and sexual assault of Bureau of Prisons staff in prisons. The bill passed by Unanimous Consent.
Disapprovals
Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards (disapproval): H.J. Res. 42 Nullifies the rule “Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements, Labeling Requirements, and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment''. The disapproval passed 52-46.
Clean Air Act (disapproval): S.J. Res. 31, Repeals a Biden-era rule aimed at limiting emissions of mercury and other pollutants under the Clean Air Act. Passed by roll call vote 52-46.
Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards (disapproval): H.J. Res. 75 Nullifies the rule “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Commercial Refrigerators, Freezers, and Refrigerator-Freezers''. Disapproval passed by roll call vote 52-45.
Nominations Confirmed
David Perdue to be Ambassador to the People's Republic of China. Passed by roll call vote 67-29.
Warren Stephens to be Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Passed by roll call vote 59-39.
Other highlights
· Senate Aging Committee convened to discuss antisemitism
· Senate Appropriations Committee discusses biomedical research
HOUSE
The House passed many bills relating to commerce and technology (such as broadband and 6G), with an emphasis on foreign investment and trade. Most of the bills passed by voice vote and with little opposition.
There now seems to be bipartisan desire to move on economic issues amid the economic catastrophe of Trump’s trade wars.
Bills passed
Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act: H.R. 973 Establishes consumer standards for lithium-ion batteries. Passed by roll call vote 365-42.
Youth Poisoning Protection Act: H.R. 1442 Bans the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrite to individuals. Passed by roll call vote 378-42.
Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act: H.R. 1402 Requires sellers of event tickets to disclose comprehensive information to consumers about ticket prices and related fees. Passed by roll call vote 409-15.
Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act: H.R. 859 Requires the disclosure of a camera or recording capability in certain internet-connected devices. Passed by roll call vote 415-9.
Tools to Address Known Exploitation by Immobilizing Technological Deepfakes on Websites and Networks Act: S. 146 Requires covered platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate visual depictions. Passed by roll call vote 409-2.
American Music Tourism Act of 2025: H.R. 617 Amends the Visit America Act to promote music tourism. Passed by voice vote.
Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025: H.R. 1479 Prohibits unfair and deceptive advertising of prices for hotel rooms and other places of short-term lodging. Passed voice vote.
Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2025: H.R. 2480 Democrat-authored bill that requires SelectUSA to coordinate with State-level economic development organizations to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production. Passed by voice vote.
Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act: H.R. 1721 Directs the Secretary of Commerce to conduct a study on the feasibility of manufacturing in the United States products for critical infrastructure sectors. Passed by voice vote.
Secure Space Act of 2025: H.R. 2458 Amends the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from granting a license or United States market access for a geostationary orbit satellite system or a nongeostationary orbit satellite system, or an authorization to use an individually licensed earth station or a blanket-licensed earth station, if the license, grant of market access, or authorization would be held or controlled by an entity that produces or provides any covered communications equipment or service or an affiliate of such an entity. Passed by voice vote.
Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act of 2025: H.R. 2444 Establishes a critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program in the Department of Commerce, and secures American leadership in deploying emerging technologies. Passed by voice vote.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Reauthorization Act of 2025: H.R. 2482 Reauthorizes the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Passed by voice vote.
Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act: H.R. 866 Directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to conduct a study of the national security risks posed by consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router. Passed by voice vote.
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2025: H.R. 2399 Requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a vetting process for prospective applicants for high-cost universal service program funding. Passed by voice vote.
Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced Networks Act: H.R. 2449 Directs the Federal Communications Commission to establish a task force to be known as the “6G Task Force''. Passed by voice vote.
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act: H.R. 906 Directs the Federal Communications Commission to publish a list of entities that hold authorizations, licenses, or other grants of authority issued by the Commission and that have certain foreign ownership. Passed by voice vote.
Disapprovals
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (disapproval): H.J. Res. 78, Repeals the rule “Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for the San Francisco Bay-Delta Distinct Population Segment of the Longfin Smelt'' Passed by roll call vote 216-195
California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards (disapproval): H.J. Res. 88 Repeals “California State Motor Vehicle and Engine Pollution Control Standards; Advanced Clean Cars II; Waiver of Preemption; Notice of Decision.” Passed by roll call vote 246-164.
New laws
H.J. Res. 25 Repeal of “Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales''. Signed on April 10, 2025. (Public Law 119–5)