Legislation

The "Help Our Kelp Act of 2025" establishes a grant program within NOAA to support the conservation, restoration, and management of kelp forest ecosystems, prioritizing native wild kelp. Grants will be awarded to various entities, including the fishing industry, educational institutions, and tribal organizations, for projects that enhance ecosystem resilience, restore natural food chains, and integrate Indigenous knowledge. The federal share of funding for a project cannot exceed 85% of the total project cost, and a minimum of $750,000 per year is reserved for grants to Indian Tribes. The act authorizes $5,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030 for these initiatives.

The "Respect State Housing Laws Act" repeals a provision in the CARES Act that restricted states' abilities to enforce their own eviction moratoriums. This change clarifies that state laws regarding evictions should be respected and not overridden by federal measures. By removing the subsection, the bill aims to restore states' authority over housing regulations and eviction processes within their jurisdictions.

The "Unborn Child Support Act" allows mothers to seek child support payments starting from the first month of conception. These payments can be collected retroactively and the amount will be determined by a court, considering the best interests of both the mother and child. The mother must consent to paternity establishment, and no measures can risk harm to the unborn child. This act defines "unborn child" as any human being at any stage of development carried in the womb.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

The Weather Radar Coverage Improvement Act aims to modernize the nation's weather radar system by directing the creation of a plan to replace the current NEXRAD system with advanced phased array radar technology by 2040. This plan includes developing prototypes, establishing a testbed for commercial radars, and consulting with experts to improve coverage and accuracy. The Act also allows the National Weather Service to contract with third parties to fill existing radar coverage gaps, potentially using weather cameras to supplement radar data.

The "Stop the Opioid Pill Presser and Fentanyl Act" aims to combat the opioid crisis by regulating the manufacturing, distribution, and sale of pill presses and encapsulating machines and their critical parts. It amends the Controlled Substances Act to include these machines as drug paraphernalia, mandates serialization and registration of these machines and their parts, and imposes penalties for violations such as tampering with serial numbers or operating without registration. This act seeks to prevent the misuse of these machines in the production of illicit drugs like fentanyl.

The "Abolish the Fogarty International Center Act of 2025" eliminates the John E. Fogarty International Center for Advanced Study in the Health Sciences.

The CARTEL Act of 2025 mandates U.S. Customs and Border Protection to publish detailed monthly reports on various border security operational statistics, including alien encounters, drug seizures, and terrorist watchlist matches. It also requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit an annual report to Congress assessing attempts by foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations to infiltrate the United States.

The Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2025 extends government funding and several critical healthcare programs through April 11, 2025, preventing disruptions in services such as community health centers, Medicare provisions, and telehealth. It also addresses budgetary considerations to ensure the Act is not subject to certain spending constraints. Additionally, the Act extends protections for facilities against drone threats, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission whistleblower program, and the authorization for the National Cybersecurity Protection System. Finally, the bill allocates additional funding to the Department of Defense, FEMA, and the Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation.

The Value Over Cost Act of 2025 amends federal law to prioritize either the lowest overall cost or the best value when making purchases through the multiple award schedule program. This change ensures that government acquisitions through this program meet the needs of the federal government or the United States while remaining fiscally responsible.

The "No Solar Panels on Fertile Farmland Act of 2025" restricts federal tax credits for solar energy projects built on prime farmland. It amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude properties on land designated as "prime farmland" by the Secretary of Agriculture from eligibility for residential clean energy, renewable electricity production, energy, clean electricity investment, and clean electricity production credits. This act aims to preserve valuable agricultural land by discouraging the development of solar facilities on fertile farmland.

This bill censures Representative Lauren Boebert for her disparaging and racist comments against Representative Al Green, which are deemed to violate the standards of conduct for members of the House. Boebert will be required to appear before the House to receive the censure, which will be publicly read by the Speaker.

The New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2025 permanently extends the New Markets Tax Credit, which incentivizes investment in low-income communities. It removes the credit's expiration date and adjusts the credit amount for inflation after 2025. The act also provides alternative minimum tax relief for qualified equity investments made after December 31, 2024.

This bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a grant program through the Department of Labor, awarding funds to community colleges for the development of high-quality workforce programs that lead to credentials in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs. These grants require partnerships with employers and a focus on serving individuals with barriers to employment, with the aim of improving program quality, accessibility, and alignment with workforce needs. The bill authorizes appropriations of $65,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2031 for this purpose.

This bill removes Representative Green from the House Committee on Financial Services due to disruptive behavior during the State of the Union address and subsequent actions. His behavior was deemed a breach of decorum, a discredit to the House, and a violation of House rules.

The "Preventing SBA Assistance from Going to China Act" amends the Small Business Act to prevent businesses with significant ties to the People's Republic of China from being classified as a small business. A business is ineligible if it is based or incorporated in China, or if more than 25% of its voting stock is owned by Chinese citizens or entities. This ensures that SBA assistance is not directed towards businesses affiliated with the Chinese government.

This bill acknowledges and honors the significant contributions, valor, and sacrifices of military animals and their handlers throughout history, recognizing their vital role in the United States' freedom and safety. It supports establishing a yearly process to nominate animals for the Medal of Bravery and Distinguished Service Medal, further commemorating their meritorious achievements.

The "Restoring American Sovereignty Act" allows the President to use previously paused funds to deport illegal aliens from the United States. This overrides any conflicting laws that may be in place.

The "Protecting Sensitive Locations Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship, except in exigent circumstances. It mandates training, reporting, and oversight for enforcement activities near these locations, and invalidates evidence obtained in violation of the Act. The Act aims to ensure discretion and limit enforcement impact on sensitive community spaces, while also requiring annual reports to Congress on enforcement actions taken in sensitive locations.

The "Racehorse Tax Parity Act" amends the tax code to reduce the holding period for racehorses to 12 months, aligning them with other livestock and qualifying them as section 1231 assets. This change, effective for taxable years after 2024, simplifies tax treatment for racehorse owners.