Passing the Time, Cancelling More Regulations
By Amy West GovTrack.us, May 9, 2025
This week the House and Senate continued their increasingly established pattern: passing bills either uncontroversial within the whole chamber or uncontroversial within the Republican members while most of the time and effort goes towards behind the scenes negotiations on the in-progress reconciliation bill.
Some of the passed bills are substantive because of what they do or what they prohibit. One substantive bill that has continued to see no action in the House is S. 1077: District of Columbia Local Funds Act, 2025 which would restore Washington, D.C.'s funding levels after the House cut them in an earlier bill. There's been no progress even though the Senate voted for it unanimously and the White House has said it supports this bill. Speaker Johnson said, before ending the House's work on Thursday after a single vote that day, that "there just isn't enough time".
Will Become Law
These regulations regarding rubber tire manufacturing emissions and vehicles in Glen Canyon National Park are now cancelled and will be signed by the President soon.
H.J.Res. 61: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufacturing” passed the Senate 55-45
H.J.Res. 60: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to “Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles” passed the Senate 50-43
Only Passed in One Chamber So Far
These bills all will need to pass the other chamber in the exact same form before they can become law. That means they're all early in the legislative process.
H.R. 1503: Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2025 passed 406-1
H.R. 530: ACES Act, which would provide for a study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine on the prevalence and mortality of cancer among individuals who served as active duty aircrew in the Armed Forces, passed 376-5.
H.R. 36: MEGOBARI Act, which would counter the influence of the Chinese Communist Party, the Iranian Regime, and the Russian Federation in the nation of Georgia, passed 349-42
H.R. 881: DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act passed 266-153
H.R. 276: Gulf of America Act passed 206-211
S.J.Res. 13: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the Department of the Treasury relating to the review of applications under the Bank Merger Act passed 52-47
S.J.Res. 7: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to “Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program” passed 50-38
Both chambers are scheduled to be in session for the next two weeks. However, your GovTracker will be taking a long weekend next week, so no recap next Friday. However, we will have a piece we think you'll appreciate on a larger issue in Congress.
Hawaii Congressional Delegation
April 30, 2025 — Bill Text
S. 1534: Women and Underrepresented Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2025
This bill’s text is now available.
Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI] is the sponsor of this bill.
May 5, 2025 — Introduced
S.Res. 204: A resolution recognizing escalating threats to freedom of the press and freedom of speech worldwide, including increasing harm to journalists reporting in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, reaffirming the vital role that a free and
Sponsor: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI]
This resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI] is a member of the committee.
May 5, 2025, 5:29 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Proceed on H.J.Res. 61: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufactu
Motion to Proceed Agreed to 51/43
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 5, 2025, 6:50 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 530: ACES Act
Passed 376/5
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
May 5, 2025, 6:56 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 36: MEGOBARI Act
Passed 349/42
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
May 6, 2025 — Introduced
S. 1624: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor on the work geographic index for physicians’ services furnished in Hawaii.
Sponsor: Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI]
This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
May 6, 2025, 11:31 a.m. — Vote
H.J.Res. 61: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Rubber Tire Manufactu
Joint Resolution Passed 55/45
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 6, 2025, 12:25 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Proceed on S.J.Res. 13: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the Department of the Treasury relating to the review of app
Motion to Proceed Agreed to 53/46
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 6, 2025, 1:53 p.m. — Vote
On Ordering the Previous Question: H.Res. 377: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 276) to rename the Gulf of …
Passed 206/200
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Nay
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
May 6, 2025, 2 p.m. — Vote
H.Res. 377: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 276) to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America”, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 881) to establish Department of Homeland Security funding restrictions on institutions
Passed 213/209
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
May 6, 2025, 2:13 p.m. — Vote
On the Nomination PN20: Frank Bisignano, of New Jersey, to be Commissioner of Social Security Administration for the term expiring January 19, 2031
Nomination Confirmed 53/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 6, 2025, 2:52 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Proceed on S.J.Res. 7: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to “Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program”.
Motion to Proceed Agreed to 53/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 6, 2025, 5:10 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Proceed on H.J.Res. 60: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to “Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles”.
Motion to Proceed Agreed to 53/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 7, 2025 — Introduced
H.R. 3263: To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a floor on the work geographic index for physicians’ services furnished in Hawaii.
Sponsor: Rep. Jill Tokuda [D-HI2]
This bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and House Committee on Ways and Means which will consider it before sending it to the House floor for consideration.
May 7, 2025, 5:25 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 1503: Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2025
Passed 406/1
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
May 7, 2025, 5:30 p.m. — Vote
S.J.Res. 13: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency of the Department of the Treasury relating to the review of app
Joint Resolution Passed 52/47
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 7, 2025, 5:34 p.m. — Vote
H.R. 881: DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act
Passed 266/153
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Nay
May 8, 2025 — Bill Text
S. 612: A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.
This bill’s text for status Reported by Senate Committee (May 8, 2025) is now available.
Sen. Brian Schatz [D-HI] is the sponsor of this bill.
May 8, 2025 — Introduced
S. 1689: A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for a national outreach and education strategy and reach to improve behavioral health among the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population, while addressing stigma ag
Sponsor: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
May 8, 2025 — Introduced
S.Res. 208: A resolution supporting the designation of May 10, 2025, as “National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day”.
Sponsor: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
1 cosponsor is on that committee.
May 8, 2025 — Introduced
S.Res. 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 t
Sponsor: Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI]
This resolution was referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary which will consider it before sending it to the Senate floor for consideration.
Sen. Mazie Hirono [D-HI] is a member of the committee.
May 8, 2025, 10:35 a.m. — Vote
On Motion to Recommit: H.R. 276: Gulf of America Act
Failed 203/213
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: Yea
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: Yea
May 8, 2025, 10:42 a.m. — Vote
H.R. 276: Gulf of America Act
Passed 211/206
Rep. Case [D-HI1]: No
Rep. Tokuda [D-HI2]: No
May 8, 2025, 11:18 a.m. — Vote
S.J.Res. 7: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to “Addressing the Homework Gap Through the E-Rate Program”.
Joint Resolution Passed 50/38
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 8, 2025, 11:50 a.m. — Vote
H.J.Res. 60: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Park Service relating to “Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: Motor Vehicles”.
Joint Resolution Passed 50/43
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay
May 8, 2025, 1:51 p.m. — Vote
Motion to Invoke Cloture: Motion to proceed to S. 1582
Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected 48/49
Sen. Hirono [D-HI]: Nay
Sen. Schatz [D-HI]: Nay