S.Res. 451Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)Passed Congress

A resolution permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 12:48 PM UTC

The resolution lets Senators, Senate officers and employees gather non‑money items such as clothing, toys, food and housewares inside Senate buildings during the holiday season for charitable use. It is meant to help people in need and military families, as long as the activity follows Senate rules and federal law. The permission is temporary and ends at the close of the first session of the 118th Congress.

Key Provisions

Allows Senators, officers, and employees to collect non‑monetary donations (clothing, toys, food, housewares) in Senate buildings for charitable purposes during the holiday season, provided they comply with Senate rules and federal law.
Permits working with nonprofit organizations to deliver the collected donations.
The authority granted by the resolution expires at the end of the first session of the 118th Congress.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

SenateFloor Latest Action

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5366; text: CR S5362)

November 6, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

November 6, 2023

SenateFloor

Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5366; text: CR S5362)

November 6, 2023

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S.Res. 451 on the floor

1 Democrat

Sen. Jeff MerkleyD-OR · Nov 6, 2023

Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 451, submitted earlier today. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to and that the motion to…

Bill Text

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Agreed to SenateIssued November 6, 2023

III

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 451

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 6, 2023

Mr. Tester (for himself and Mr. Moran) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

RESOLUTION

Permitting the collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings.

Now, therefore, be it

Collection of clothing, toys, food, and housewares during the holiday season for charitable purposes in Senate buildings

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding any other provision of the rules or regulations of the Senate—

(1)

a Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate may collect from another Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate within a Senate building or other office secured for a Senator nonmonetary donations of clothing, toys, food, and housewares for charitable purposes related to serving persons in need or members of the Armed Forces and the families of those members during the holiday season, if the charitable purposes do not otherwise violate any rule or regulation of the Senate or Federal law; and

(2)

a Senator, officer of the Senate, or employee of the Senate may work with a nonprofit organization with respect to the delivery of donations described under paragraph (1).

(b)

Expiration

The authority provided by this resolution shall expire at the end of the first session of the 118th Congress.