Legislation

The "Strengthening State and Local Efforts to Counter Transnational Repression Act" amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to bolster law enforcement's ability to counter transnational repression and related terrorism threats. It mandates the development of a training program for state, local, and tribal law enforcement to identify, record, and share information on transnational repression, as well as to protect potential targets and victims. The Act also calls for research and development of technology to enhance participation in these training programs and requires a report to Congress on its implementation. Transnational repression is defined as actions by a foreign government or its agents intended to coerce, harass, or threaten individuals in the U.S.

This bill impeaches Judge James E. Boasberg, Chief Judge for the District of Columbia, for high crimes and misdemeanors. The impeachment accuses Boasberg of abusing judicial power for political gain by obstructing the President's authority to remove aliens associated with a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization. Boasberg is accused of interfering with the President's enforcement of laws, jeopardizing national safety, and undermining the separation of powers. The bill seeks his removal from office.

The Safeguard Pets, Animals, and Research Ethics Act (SPARE Act) aims to reduce and eventually eliminate animal testing in federally funded research by promoting alternative methods. It prohibits the use of federal funds for animal research with some exceptions, and establishes a fund to support the transition to non-animal testing methods. The act also requires research facilities to establish programs for releasing research animals to adoption or sanctuary and mandates public reporting and annual audits to ensure compliance. Violators may face civil penalties.

The Timely Departure Act mandates nonimmigrant visa applicants (excluding certain visa types and those from visa waiver countries) to pay a bond between $5,000 and $50,000 to ensure timely departure from the U.S. Overstaying a visa results in automatic forfeiture of the bond, ineligibility for future immigration benefits for 4 to 12 years, and prompt removal from the U.S. Asylum seekers must apply before their authorized stay expires, or they will be ineligible. The forfeited bonds will be used for immigration detention and enforcement.

The China Trade Relations Act of 2025 withdraws normal trade relations with the People's Republic of China (PRC), subjecting Chinese products to standard trade rules. It expands the conditions under which the PRC is ineligible for normal trade relations, citing human rights violations, non-compliance with international labor standards, economic espionage, and failure to protect religious and cultural heritage. The President can waive these restrictions under certain conditions, but Congress can terminate any extensions. The Act also requires regular reports to Congress on the PRC's compliance with these conditions.

The TOTAL Care Act initiates a five-year pilot program within the TRICARE Prime program, allowing female beneficiaries to access obstetrical and gynecological care without needing a referral, including the option to select a TRICARE OBGYN provider as an additional primary care manager. Within four years, the Secretary of Defense must report to Congress on the program's impact on TRICARE Prime enrollment and costs.

The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 authorizes and sets minimum standards for notary publics to perform electronic and remote notarizations for transactions affecting interstate commerce. It requires recognition of notarizations across state lines and in federal courts, while also allowing states to set their own standards and requirements under certain conditions. The Act does not mandate notaries to perform electronic or remote notarizations and includes provisions to protect against fraud and false advertising.

The "Farm to Fly Act of 2025" aims to boost the production and use of sustainable aviation fuels by including them in Department of Agriculture bio-energy programs. It amends existing definitions to recognize sustainable aviation fuel and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to promote its development through collaborative initiatives and manufacturing assistance. This act supports U.S. agriculture, enhances energy security, and promotes clean energy in the aviation sector by utilizing sustainable biomass resources.

This bill proposes withholding 50% of federal transportation funds from Washington, D.C., if the Mayor does not remove the "Black Lives Matter" phrase from Black Lives Matter Plaza and all D.C. government materials within 60 days. It also requires the redesignation of the Plaza as Liberty Plaza.

The "Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025" allocates $150 million from 2025-2029 to improve public access to private lands for recreational purposes. A portion of the funds, $3 million, will be used to specifically enhance access to land covered by wetland reserve easements through agreements with state and tribal governments.

The Generative AI Terrorism Risk Assessment Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to produce annual assessments for the next five years on how terrorist groups might use generative AI to threaten the U.S., and recommend how to counter these threats. These assessments will analyze terrorist groups' use of generative AI for spreading extremist messages, radicalizing or recruiting individuals, or enhancing their ability to develop weapons. The assessments will be submitted in an unclassified format, with a classified annex if needed, and shared with relevant congressional committees, state and local fusion centers, and the National Network of Fusion Centers.

This bill renames the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming, to honor Barbara L. Cubin. The newly named center will be known as the "Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center". The bill also directs that any law, regulation, map, record, or other official paper of the United States refer to the center as the "Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center".

The Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act of 2025 permanently extends the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan guarantee program for residential cooperative housing units. It directs the VA Secretary to establish regulations that align with industry standards and promote the program to veterans, lenders, and realtors. Additionally, it sets loan fee rates and clarifies that cooperative housing shares are considered residential property for loan guarantee purposes.

The "Standard FEES Act" aims to create a uniform fee schedule for processing applications to place communications facilities on federal properties. Fees will be based on direct processing costs and must be competitively neutral, with exceptions considered for public benefit and broadband expansion. The General Services Administration will establish the fee schedule, and executive agencies will adopt aligned regulations. Fees collected can only be used for processing these applications.

The "Tribal Labor Sovereignty Act of 2025" amends the National Labor Relations Act by clarifying that Indian tribes and their tribally owned businesses on Indian lands are considered employers. This act defines key terms such as "Indian tribe," "Indian," and "Indian lands" to ensure clarity in its application. The change aims to affirm tribal sovereignty over labor relations within their lands.

The MERIT Act requires federal agencies to reinstate probationary employees who were terminated as part of a mass termination event between January 20, 2025, and the Act's enactment date, providing them with back pay and benefits. The Act also mandates reports on government employee terminations and the reinstatement process. It defines key terms such as "affected probationary employee" and "mass termination" to clarify the scope and applicability of the Act. This act ensures that affected employees are treated as involuntarily separated without cause and outlines the process for determining back pay and providing notice to eligible employees.

This resolution expresses support for designating March 18, 2025, as "National Agriculture Day." It recognizes and celebrates the significant impact of agriculture as a leading industry in the United States.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 1200 William Street, Room 200, in Buffalo, New York, as the "William J. Donovan Post Office Building." It also mandates that any reference to this facility in U.S. records shall reflect this new designation.

The "Arturo Alfonso Schomburg Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes a Congressional Gold Medal for Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance, to honor his work in collecting and preserving the history and culture of the African diaspora. Following the award ceremony, the medal will be given to the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture for display and research. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the gold medal to cover production costs.

The Overdose Response Action Data for Actionable Reforms (RADAR) Act aims to improve data collection and surveillance of opioid-related overdoses through grants and collaboration among federal agencies. It reforms the Office of National Drug Control Policy, enhances state opioid response grants, and establishes a wastewater pilot program to detect illicit substances in communities. The act also expands access to opioid overdose reversal medication and provides grants for schools to administer emergency overdose treatment, while also including fentanyl test strips as drug paraphernalia to avoid prosecution.