Legislation

This bill honors the life, achievements, and legacy of Jimmy Carter, recognizing his service as a naval officer, farmer, state senator, Governor, and President. It also acknowledges his post-presidency work promoting peace, democracy, and human rights through the Carter Center, as well as his dedication to Habitat for Humanity. The bill expresses condolences to his family upon his passing and celebrates his lasting impact as a leader and statesman.

The "Voter Integrity Protection Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to classify unlawful voting by aliens as an aggravated felony. Any alien unlawfully present in the U.S. who violates Section 611 of Title 18, United States Code, which prohibits voting by aliens in federal elections, will be subject to deportation.

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 "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.

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.

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 "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.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit non-citizens from voting in any federal, state, tribal, or local election in the United States. It grants Congress the authority to enforce this amendment. For the amendment to be valid, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures within seven years of its submission.

The "Original Students Voicing Opinions in Today's Elections (VOTE) Act" establishes a pilot program managed by the Election Assistance Commission to provide funds to local education agencies for voter registration initiatives targeting 12th-grade students. Participating agencies must consult with election officials and report on the use and effectiveness of the funds. The Election Assistance Commission will then report to Congress on the pilot program's outcomes.

The "Lead by Example Act of 2025" mandates that, beginning January 3, 2027, Members of Congress and their staff must receive healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management to submit a plan to Congress by September 15, 2025, outlining the implementation of this change. This plan will include any necessary legislative actions to ensure the transition.

The Unauthorized Spending Accountability Act establishes a three-year cycle, starting in 2026, to reduce funding for federal programs lacking proper authorization. Programs that have not been reauthorized will face annual budget cuts, and programs unauthorized for three consecutive years will be terminated. Reauthorization of a program with a sunset clause of three years or less can exempt it from these budget cuts. This act aims to ensure fiscal responsibility and congressional oversight of federal spending.

This bill formally notifies the President of the United States that the House of Representatives has elected Mike Johnson as Speaker and Kevin McCumber as Clerk. These individuals will serve in these roles for the duration of the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress.

This bill disapproves and nullifies the Department of Energy's rule regarding energy conservation standards for commercial water heating equipment.

This resolution informs the House of Representatives that the Senate has enough members present to conduct business. It directs the Secretary to notify the House that a quorum of the Senate has been assembled and is ready to proceed.

The POLICE Act of 2025 mandates the deportation of any immigrant convicted of, admitting to, or admitting to actions constituting the assault of a law enforcement officer. It broadly defines "assault" and "law enforcement officer" and requires the Department of Homeland Security to publish an annual report on the number of deportations carried out under this provision.

The "Ending Common Core and Expanding School Choice Act" redirects federal education funds to states, allocating money based on the number of eligible low-income students. States can distribute these funds directly to parents for qualified education expenses, including public, charter, and private school tuition. The bill prohibits federal mandates on curriculum, standards, and assessments, effectively ending Common Core. It also repeals the state assessment grant program.