President Biden signed new legislation over Christmas Eve authorizing everything from the nation's official bird to protections for children in youth shelters.
Here are some of the most urgent pieces of holiday law.
End institutional child abuse laws
Paris Hilton, the famous singer and actress, has spent months pushing for federal legislation that would hold treatment centers and nursing homes that serve young people accountable. She frequently appeared on the Hill to encourage lawmakers to pass the Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act in the House and Senate.
December was a fruitful month. The Senate unanimously approved the bill, and the House voted 367-33 to send it to President Biden's desk. He signed the law into law on Tuesday, securing a political victory for Hilton, who had expressed potential interest in serving as a congressman.
Campus Hazing Prohibition Law
Biden also passed legislation creating disclosure regulations for higher education institutions receiving federal funding, requiring them to include a report on campus hazing in their annual safety reports. The bill was sponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D.Y.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.), as well as Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) and Rep. Jeff Duncan (D-Ga.). Suggested by R.S.C.).
Hazing is frequently found to be part of the pledge process for fraternities and sororities on college campuses. According to the report, more than half of college students are involved in some form of campus hazing. north carolina state university.
Post office designation
The president signed two bills to rename local post offices to honor community leaders in Texas and California.
Located at 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, this location is now the Sergeant Billy D. Waugh Post Office, honoring the CIA operative and Army soldier who served our country for more than 50 years.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. John Collin (R-Texas) sponsored the bill.
The city of San Francisco will honor the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) thanks to a bill sponsored by Sens. LaFonza Butler (D-Calif.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) The name of the post office has been changed.
renaming federal buildings
Biden signed several bills to rename federal buildings. The Department of Veterans Affairs community clinic in Lynchburg, Virginia will now be known as the Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic.
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, has been renamed after the late U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.). Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) sponsored the bill.
The late Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) also had the Paul S. Sarbanes Visitor and Education Center named after him as Fort McHenry National Historic Monument and Historic Cathedral in Baltimore, Maryland. won a special honor.
The effort was sponsored by the senator's son, Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.), and the state's congressional delegation.
official bird of the usa
The bald eagle has long been the unofficial mascot of the United States, but Mr. Biden signed on as the first one. law It will be officially announced on Christmas Eve.
The Biden administration also rolled out some last-minute surprises, including pardons for federal death row inmates, and throughout its final month in office. He is expected to hand over the role of commander in chief to President-elect Trump in January.
