Legislative Activity

The Adams Memorial-Great American Heroes Act extends the Adams Memorial Commission's authority to 2032 and authorizes $50,000,000 for the memorial, requiring a matching non-federal contribution. The Act modifies location restrictions, allowing the memorial to be built within a specified area. It also limits administrative costs to 4% of federal funds.

This bill affirms the House of Representatives' belief that every person has the right to emergency health care, including abortion care. It argues that abortion restrictions endanger lives, force doctors to make impossible choices, and disproportionately harm people of color, low-income individuals, and LGBTQI individuals. The bill emphasizes that delays in emergency care due to abortion bans can lead to life-threatening situations and that everyone, including pregnant individuals, should have access to necessary medical care without discrimination.

The Puppy Protection Act of 2025 amends the Animal Welfare Act to establish comprehensive standards for dog dealers, focusing on humane treatment. These standards include requirements for flooring, space, temperature, nutrition, exercise, socialization, veterinary care, and breeding practices. The Act sets specific guidelines for breeding frequency, age, and veterinary procedures, as well as humane placement for retired breeding dogs. It directs the Secretary to finalize regulations for these standards within 18 months.

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025 aims to combat the illegal trafficking of machinegun conversion devices. It mandates a coordinated strategy among the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of the Treasury to prevent the import and distribution of these devices, enhance law enforcement collaboration, and provide training to identify them. The Act also allows for the forfeiture of proceeds from illegal machine gun trafficking and requires the Attorney General to report data on machinegun conversion devices in the annual firearms trafficking report.

The Stop Comstock Act seeks to revise Title 18 of the U.S. Code and the Tariff Act of 1930, narrowing the scope of prohibited materials that cannot be sent through the mail or interstate commerce to only obscene materials, thus removing restrictions related to abortion and contraception. This bill aims to repeal sections of the Comstock Act, an 1873 law that criminalized the dissemination of certain materials through the mail. By amending these laws, the bill intends to clarify and limit the federal government's power to regulate the distribution of materials deemed to be obscene.

The "Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025" establishes a multi-agency task force (JTFISN) to coordinate and lead U.S. efforts against illicit synthetic narcotics, including investigating and prosecuting trafficking crimes, and addressing the role of foreign entities like China in the opioid crisis. The JTFISN will develop strategic plans, improve interagency collaboration, and share information to disrupt synthetic drug trafficking networks. The task force is prohibited from targeting individuals for personal drug use or low-level dealing without ties to larger networks.

This bill prohibits the President from selling or licensing the export of certain defense articles to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) until the President certifies to Congress that the UAE is not providing material support to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. The restriction applies to a wide range of military equipment and technologies listed under specific categories of the United States Munitions List.

This bill supports the designation of April 5, 2025, as "Barth Syndrome Awareness Day" to raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and promote research for this rare and life-threatening genetic disorder. It recognizes the challenges in diagnosis and treatment, while also acknowledging the role of the Orphan Drug Act and the importance of patient perspectives. The bill aims to advance research, develop new treatments, and improve regulatory pathways for ultra-rare diseases like Barth syndrome.

The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025 modifies the tax treatment of research and experimental expenditures, allowing taxpayers to deduct these expenses in the year they are incurred rather than capitalizing them. This change applies to expenses related to the taxpayer's business and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021. The act also includes provisions for electing to treat these expenditures as deferred expenses and updates related sections of the tax code.

The "Access to Pediatric Technologies Act of 2025" aims to improve access to medical devices for children by requiring the establishment of national relative value units for qualifying pediatric technologies under Medicare. This ensures that manufacturers can request these units to be established using existing payment methodologies, facilitating appropriate valuation and payment for these specialized devices. The Act does not mandate coverage of any specific technology but streamlines the process for establishing payment rates, thereby encouraging innovation and availability of pediatric medical devices.

The "Do No Harm Act" amends the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 to ensure religious freedom is not used to justify discrimination or harm. It clarifies that the Act does not override federal laws protecting against discrimination, ensuring equal opportunity, or safeguarding access to healthcare and other essential services. This amendment confirms that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act applies only when the government is a party in a judicial proceeding.

The "Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act" prevents the Social Security Administration (SSA) from closing or consolidating field offices, hearing offices, and resident stations, ensuring continued access to services. It requires the SSA Commissioner to justify any planned closures to Congress with detailed analysis and cost-benefit assessments, considering the impact on vulnerable populations. The bill mandates public notice, hearings, and a final report to Congress before any changes, allowing appeals and maintaining the number of offices at or above the January 20, 2025 level, excluding temporary emergency closures.

The "Protecting Americans' Social Security Data Act" aims to safeguard Social Security data by restricting access for political appointees and special government employees, and by creating avenues for civil lawsuits for unauthorized data access or disclosure. It mandates investigations by the Inspector General of the Social Security Administration into data breaches and requires regular reports to Congress. The Act also directs the Comptroller of the United States to study the effects of changes to the Social Security Act made by this Act and subsequent Acts.

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025 amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to address vote dilution, denial, and abridgment claims, and to update which states and political subdivisions are subject to federal oversight based on a history of voting rights violations. It broadens the types of violations that allow a court to retain jurisdiction over a case, clarifies the Attorney General's authority to assign observers, and ensures transparency in voting-related changes. The Act also authorizes the Attorney General to demand documents and information to enforce voting rights and provides grants to small jurisdictions to assist with notification requirements.

The "Encouraging the EU to DESIGNATE Resolution" urges the European Union to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, citing its history of violence, human rights abuses, and support for terrorist groups. It highlights the IRGC's destabilizing actions globally, including supporting the Assad regime, assisting Russia in the Ukraine war, and plotting against U.S. officials. The resolution encourages the prioritization of this designation in discussions with the European Union.

The "Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act" ensures that members of the Armed Forces and their dependents can access leave and reimbursement for travel expenses related to abortion services and assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization, when these services are not available nearby. It protects the privacy of service members seeking such care and prohibits any adverse actions against them for utilizing these provisions. The bill aims to address barriers to reproductive healthcare created by state abortion restrictions and logistical challenges faced by military personnel.

The Strategic Ports Reporting Act requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to map and assess strategic ports, especially regarding Chinese control or investment. It mandates a report to Congress detailing the importance of these ports, potential threats, and strategies to ensure U.S. access and security, including alternatives to Chinese involvement. The Act aims to safeguard U.S. national security and economic interests related to critical maritime infrastructure.

The PAST Act of 2025 amends the Horse Protection Act to strengthen enforcement against horse soring, a cruel practice used to create an exaggerated gait. It bans action devices and weighted shoes, increases penalties for violations, and mandates the licensing and oversight of qualified inspectors, prioritizing veterinarians, to ensure fair competition and protect horses. The Act also requires the USDA to publish violation information and sets clear disqualification periods for horses found to be sore, aiming to eliminate soring in specific horse breeds.

The "Keep Americans Safe Act" aims to regulate large capacity ammunition feeding devices by making it illegal to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess magazines holding more than 15 rounds, with exceptions for law enforcement, government entities, and devices lawfully possessed before the law's enactment. It also permits the use of Byrne grants for buy-back programs of these devices and mandates that newly manufactured devices be marked with identifying information. Violators of this Act will face penalties under existing provisions of Title 18 of the U.S. Code.

The "GUARD VA Benefits Act" reinstates penalties for individuals who charge veterans unauthorized fees for assistance with their VA benefits claims. This bill amends title 38 of the United States Code to ensure that those who exploit veterans by charging unlawful fees face appropriate fines. The aim is to protect veterans from financial exploitation related to their benefits claims.