Legislation

This bill stops organizations that get federal COVID relief money from requiring their employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Any organization that violates this rule will be required to return all COVID relief funds to the federal government. This restriction applies to funds from relief packages like the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The Default Prevention Act prioritizes U.S. government obligations by creating a tiered system to ensure that the most critical payments, such as debt interest, Social Security, and Medicare, are paid first if the debt limit is reached. The Act mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to pay these Tier I obligations before any others and requires weekly reports to Congress detailing the obligation payments. This ensures that essential services and financial commitments are met, while outlining a structured approach to managing payments when the debt limit is a constraint.

The "Securities and Exchange Commission Real Estate Leasing Authority Revocation Act" revokes the SEC's direct leasing authority for general-purpose office space, assigning it instead to the Administrator. It does not affect existing SEC leases. Additionally, the Comptroller General must update a 2016 report on independent leasing authorities of federal entities, detailing changes and the use of the General Services Administration for leasing.

This resolution formally elects Jackie Barber as the Secretary of the Senate. Her term will commence on January 3rd, 2025.

The FairTax Act of 2025 repeals federal income, payroll, estate, and gift taxes and replaces them with a national sales tax. This would impose a 23% federal sales tax on most goods and services starting in 2027, while providing a monthly sales tax rebate for qualified families. States can administer the federal sales tax if they have a conforming sales tax and agree with the Treasury Department. The Act includes a sunset provision that eliminates the sales tax if the Sixteenth Amendment, which allows Congress to levy an income tax, is not repealed within seven years.

The "Prescription Freedom Act of 2025" removes the FDA's power to mandate prescriptions for drugs, effectively deferring to state laws on prescription requirements. This change occurs six months after the Act's enactment. An exception is made, allowing the Department of Health and Human Services to still regulate prescription requirements for drugs used in abortions.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to mandate a balanced federal budget, limit government spending to 18% of GDP, and require supermajority votes to raise taxes or increase the debt limit. It includes exceptions for declared wars or serious military threats and prevents courts from ordering tax increases to enforce the amendment. The amendment would take effect five years after ratification, giving congress time to create legislation to enforce the amendment.

This bill asserts the constitutional right of states to defend themselves against invasion, citing the situation at the southern border from 2021-2024 as an invasion by cartels, terrorists, and criminal elements. It criticizes the Biden administration's border policies and claims the federal government failed to protect southern border states, thus empowering states to take defensive action.

The "Troops Before Politicians Act" ensures that members of the Armed Forces are paid on time, even during government shutdowns, by withholding the pay of Members of Congress if the military isn't paid. The Congressional members' pay will be held in an escrow account until military members are paid. Any remaining funds in the account at the end of the 119th Congress will be released to the Members of Congress.

The Justice for Rape Survivors Act amends Title 18 to increase the minimum prison sentence for aggravated sexual abuse and sexual abuse to 30 years or life.

This concurrent resolution asserts that any joint interpretation of Annex 14-C of the USMCA, such as the one proposed by the United States Trade Representative, has no legal effect unless explicitly approved by Congress. It emphasizes that Congress holds the authority over international trade agreements and their modifications. It also prohibits U.S. agencies from using the joint interpretation in legal proceedings or claiming it has legal consequences for U.S. individuals until Congress formally approves it.

The MANAGER Act mandates annual surveys for federal managers (GS13 and above) to assess their confidence in employee discipline systems, support from agency leadership, and adequacy of training. The surveys will include questions about manager support, training, and the impact of discipline processes on morale and employee retention, with options for narrative responses. The Office of Personnel Management must update regulations to reflect these changes within 180 days.

The TRUST in Congress Act mandates that members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children place covered investments, such as securities and commodities, into qualified blind trusts within a specified timeframe. These trusts must remain in place until 180 days after the member leaves office, ensuring that investment decisions are made without the member's knowledge or influence. Members must certify their compliance or declare the absence of covered investments, with these certifications being made public. An exception is provided for spouses or dependent children whose primary income is derived from a covered investment.

The "Defense of Conscience in Health Care Act" requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reinstate regulations that were in place on July 22, 2019, which protect conscience and anti-discrimination rights in healthcare. This ensures healthcare professionals and entities can act according to their religious or moral beliefs. The rule must be finalized within 6 months and will supersede any conflicting regulations.

The "Emergency Wildfire Fighting Technology Act of 2025" mandates the evaluation of container aerial firefighting systems (CAFFS) by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior for wildfire management. A report detailing the evaluation results must be submitted to relevant House and Senate committees within 120 days, following consultations with relevant agencies.

The Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act requires the Secretary to get consent-based agreements from the Governor of the state, affected local governments and Indian tribes, and any neighboring local government through which nuclear waste will be transported before using funds from the Nuclear Waste Fund for repository activities. These agreements must be written, signed, and binding, and can only be changed with the consent of all parties.

This resolution supports the observation of National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month in January 2025 to raise awareness and opposition to these crimes. It recognizes the global scale of human trafficking, the vulnerability of specific populations, and the need for a coordinated effort to prevent trafficking, support victims, and prosecute offenders. The resolution encourages collaborative initiatives and a victim-centered approach to combat human trafficking and modern slavery.

The Panama Canal Repurchase Act of 2025 directs the President, through the Secretary of State, to negotiate with Panama for the potential repurchase of the Panama Canal. Within 180 days, the President must report to Congress on the negotiation's status, detailing progress, obstacles, and anticipated outcomes.

The "Protecting Our Children from the CDC Act" mandates the public posting of all clinical trial data regarding the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines before they can be added to the child and adolescent immunization schedule. It initially removes any existing COVID-19 vaccines from the schedule until the required data is published. This ensures transparency and informed decision-making regarding childhood vaccinations.

The "Southern Border Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act" establishes a Southern Border Initiative within the Food Security Act of 1985. This initiative directs the Secretary to provide payments to agricultural producers in specific Texas counties along the southern border. These payments will support conservation practices aimed at repairing damage to agricultural land and infrastructure, addressing natural resource issues in the region with contracts lasting one year.