Marsha Blackburn

This bill requires the Department of Justice, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services, to award grants for states, tribal nations, localities, and community-based organizations to establish response teams to address adverse childhood experiences associated with exposure to trauma.

Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025

This act permanently extends and expands judicial authority under the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016. The law allows and establishes procedures for civil claims and causes of action to recover artwork and other property lost between 1933 and 1945 because of Nazi persecution.

Among the changes, the act removes the deadline for filing civil claims or causes of action. Currently, the filing deadline is December 31, 2026. (Claims must still be filed within six years of the claimant's discovery of the property in question.)

The act permits courts to exercise jurisdiction over civil claims or causes of action against a foreign state without regard to the nationality or citizenship of the alleged victim. The art or property at issue must still have a connection to the foreign state's commercial activities in the United States.

Additionally, the act authorizes nationwide service of process, which allows courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over defendants in any judicial district where they may be found, reside, have an agent, or transact business.

Finally, the act limits the defenses that may be asserted against civil claims or causes of action, including by prohibiting

• defenses based on the passage of time, including equitable defenses such as laches (i.e., unreasonable delays); and

• discretionary bases for dismissal that are unrelated to the merits of the claim, including international comity (i.e., deference to the laws of other countries).

These changes apply to pending and future civil claims or causes of action.

Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes through FY2031, revises, and establishes programs that support recruitment, education, retention, and advanced practices of nurses and nursing school faculty.

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes programs within the Health Resources and Services Administration that provide grants to support increased enrollment in nursing education (including for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds), advanced nursing education and specialized training, nurse retention, and enhanced patient care. The bill also reauthorizes programs that support student loan repayment and scholarships for nurses who agree to work at facilities with critical nursing shortages and nursing faculty who work at accredited schools of nursing.

Also, the bill expands certain grants to include (1) training on the use of new technologies such as telehealth and virtual resources, and (2) care for survivors of sexual assault.

Additionally, the bill temporarily establishes (1) grants to nursing schools for supplementing the salaries of eligible faculty for a period of up to three years to enhance faculty recruitment and retention, and (2) grants to state agencies, nonprofits, and nursing schools for establishing nursing workforce centers and collecting data regarding the nursing workforce.

Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2025

This bill extends a specialized rate increase for Medicare payment of ground ambulance services in rural areas until January 1, 2028, and provides for a higher rate increase for services furnished between October 1, 2025, and January 1, 2028.

Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2025

This bill establishes several requirements and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.

Specifically, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards; (2) annually submit to the CMS for publication specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.

The CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology must publish on the CMS' website a report that analyzes the information received from MA plans, the feasibility of implementing real-time decision making with respect to prior authorization requests, and the impact of decisions that are made using artificial intelligence on patient access.

This resolution supports the observation of National Hospital Week from May 11, 2025, through May 17, 2025.

Dismantling Ideological Policies for Semiconductors and Science Act

This bill repeals requirements and eliminates positions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in various federal programs and offices focused on science. Each of the repealed provisions was originally included in the CHIPS and Science Act.

Among other modifications, the bill

• repeals a provision authorizing the National Institute for Standards and Technology to conduct outreach to and develop research collaborations with historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and other minority-serving institutions;

• eliminates the position of Chief Diversity Officer within the National Science Foundation (NSF);

• repeals an NSF grant program to enable institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations to increase the participation of women and underrepresented minorities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers; and

• eliminates references to diversity in the purposes and responsibilities of the Office of STEM Engagement within the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

The bill also prohibits executive branch agencies from requiring entities seeking federal funding to have certain policies in place, unless such a requirement is imposed by a federal statute. Such policies include those related to hiring, training, and retaining a diverse workforce; providing childcare for employees; minimizing adverse impacts on the environment and local communities; and consultation with labor organizations.

(On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing, which directed the termination of all federal DEI programs, offices, and positions, including Chief Diversity Officer positions.)

Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit China Act or the STOP China Act

This bill prohibits federal transportation funds from being used to purchase rolling stock (e.g., rail cars or buses) or fueling or charging infrastructure from entities with ties to China, North Korea, Russia, or Iran (i.e., a covered nation). In general, this replaces a current prohibition on the use of Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) funds for rolling stock from manufacturers owned or controlled by corporations based in certain countries.

Specifically, Department of Transportation (DOT) funds, which include FTA funds, may not be used for the purchase of rolling stock or bus fueling or charging infrastructure from entities with ties to a covered nation. This prohibition also applies to vehicles that incorporate electric power trains from such entities.

The prohibition broadly applies to corporations, joint ventures, individuals, and organizations with ties to covered nations. Examples of applicable entities include an individual whose activities are directed or financed by a covered nation or an entity that is owned or controlled by a covered nation or such an individual.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) must publish a list of the applicable entities and update the list annually.

The bill includes an exception for motor vehicles or fueling and charging stations used for (1) inspecting or investigating vehicles or equipment; or (2) vehicle safety research, development, or testing.

Bankruptcy Administration Improvement Act of 2025

This bill makes several changes to the administration of bankruptcy cases, particularly by increasing certain fees, extending the sunset date of various fees, and extending the term of specified bankruptcy judgeships.

The bill increases the fees paid to the trustee in Chapter 7 (liquidation) cases.

The bill extends for an additional five years the fees paid quarterly to the U.S. trustee in Chapter 11 (reorganization) cases. The bill also increases the fee percentage for cases with large disbursements, subject to limitations.

Finally, temporary bankruptcy judgeships in various districts are extended for an additional five years.

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Nurses Week.