Chris Van Hollen

This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i religious minority and Iran's continued violation of international human rights treaties. The resolution calls on Iran to (1) immediately release Baha'is and others imprisoned or detained solely on account of religion, (2) end its state-sponsored campaign of hate propaganda against the Baha'is, and (3) reverse certain policies that discriminate against Baha'is and other religious minorities. The resolution also urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.

Family Vaccine Protection Act

This bill provides statutory authority for the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and establishes related requirements. The bill also conditions the removal of a vaccine from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) on supportive scientific evidence.

The ACIP provides advice and recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on the use of vaccines and immunization strategies in the United States. Currently, the ACIP is governed by a charter. The bill establishes statutory requirements for the ACIP’s membership, procedures, and responsibilities for providing guidance and recommendations on the use of vaccines, including newly authorized vaccines and vaccines in response to public health emergencies.

Also, currently, the CDC reviews and decides whether to adopt the ACIP’s recommendations. The bill requires (1) the CDC to adopt any ACIP recommendation unless the CDC determines it is not supported by a preponderance of the best available scientific evidence, and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the CDC, as applicable, to publish the scientific basis and notify Congress of any action they take that is contrary to an ACIP recommendation.

The VICP is a no-fault compensation program allowing individuals to seek federal funds for injuries allegedly caused by covered vaccines. Currently, HHS may modify via rulemaking the table of vaccines covered under the VICP. The bill requires any removal of a vaccine from the table to be supported by a preponderance of the best available scientific evidence regarding the vaccine’s safety or efficacy.

Strengthening Protections for Domestic Violence and Stalking Survivors Act of 2025

This bill extends federal restrictions on the receipt, possession, shipment, and transportation of firearms and ammunition to new types of stalking and domestic violence offenders.

Specifically, the bill extends federal firearms-related restrictions to individuals who are convicted of a misdemeanor crime of stalking. The term misdemeanor crime of stalking means a federal, state, tribal, or local offense involving harassment, intimidation, or surveillance that (1) causes emotional distress; or (2) places a person in reasonable fear of harm to themselves, an immediate family member, a current or former cohabitant, an intimate partner, or a pet.

Additionally, the bill extends federal firearms-related restrictions to individuals who are subject to a domestic violence protection order that restrains them from harassing, stalking, or threatening a current or former dating partner (regardless of when the relationship occurred) or an individual similarly situated to a spouse. Currently, the restrictions only apply if the domestic violence protection order restrains the individual from harassing, stalking, or threatening a co-parent, a current or former spouse, or a current or former cohabitant.

Finally, the bill extends federal firearms-related restrictions to individuals who commit a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against the child of a current or recent former dating partner. Currently, the restrictions only apply if the offense is committed against a current or recent former dating partner.

Ending Forced Arbitration of Race Discrimination Act of 2025

This bill prohibits a predispute arbitration agreement or predispute joint-action waiver from being valid or enforceable with respect to a case relating to a race discrimination dispute at the election of the person alleging the discrimination.

This resolution expresses support for the designation of November 20-December 20, 2025, as National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month.

Background Check Expansion Act

This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals).

Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check.

The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers, such as a gift between spouses.

Preventive Health Savings Act

This bill requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), upon receiving a request from Congress, to determine if proposed legislation would reduce spending outside of the 10-year budget window through the use of preventive health care.

Under the bill, the term preventive health care generally refers to an action that focuses on the health of the public, individuals, and defined populations in order to protect, promote, and maintain health and wellness and prevent disease, disability, and premature death.

If CBO determines that the proposed legislation would result in net reductions in budget outlays from the use of preventive health care, any CBO projection regarding the legislation must include (1) a description and estimate of the reductions in outlays, and (2) a description of the basis for these conclusions.

Any estimate provided by CBO pursuant to this bill must be used as a supplementary estimate and may not be used to determine compliance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 or any other budgetary enforcement controls.

This resolution recognizes November 2025 as National Native American Heritage Month and the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day.