Legislative Activity

The GATE CRASHERS Act establishes a new federal crime for illegally entering clearly marked, restricted Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. This legislation introduces escalating penalties for repeat offenses, ranging from 180 days for a first offense up to 10 years for a third or subsequent violation. The bill aims to enhance security by strictly penalizing unauthorized access to sensitive military property.

This Act authorizes the planning and design of infrastructure improvements for the Tye Gate and Arnold Gate at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas. The legislation sets cost ceilings for each project and specifies that existing military construction planning funds must be used for these design activities. The design requirements emphasize efficiency, utility management, and traffic coordination for both gate modernization efforts.

This act, officially titled the "No FED in West Texas Act," prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from implementing or enforcing the specific Land Protection Plan for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. Essentially, it blocks the finalization and administration of that particular refuge management plan.

This bill requires states to reimburse the federal government for the costs of deploying military forces, such as the National Guard, when state or local obstruction of federal immigration enforcement leads to civil unrest. If a state fails to pay the resulting invoice from the Department of Defense within 180 days, the President is authorized to withhold federal discretionary grant funds to cover the debt. This legislation establishes financial accountability for local interference with federal immigration operations.

The **FEHB Protection Act of 2025** is a comprehensive bill that enacts major policy changes across ten key areas, including farm subsidies, defense spending, tax reform, and border security. It extends farm support programs through 2031, provides substantial new funding for the Department of Defense and military quality of life, and overhauls tax provisions set to expire after 2025. Additionally, the bill adjusts federal agency funding, accelerates domestic energy production mandates, reforms student loan repayment, and establishes new fees for various immigration processes.

This resolution directs the Clerk of the House to make necessary technical corrections to the engrossment of H.R. 1. The changes involve fixing section references, removing redundant language, and correcting formatting errors throughout the larger bill. These edits ensure the final text is accurate before it is officially transmitted.

The ANTE Act, or Axing Nonmarket Tariff Evasion Act, empowers the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to investigate and impose new duties on goods produced in third countries by entities attempting to evade existing U.S. trade duties imposed on nonmarket economy countries. This tool allows the USTR to crack down on companies moving production specifically to circumvent Section 301 tariffs. If evasion is confirmed, remedial measures, including new duties matching the original rate, can be applied to the goods made in the third country.

The Eliminating Thickets to Increase Competition Act (ETHIC Act) aims to curb anti-competitive practices by limiting the number of patents a company can assert in a single patent infringement lawsuit against drug or biological product competitors. This prevents brand-name manufacturers from overwhelming generic challengers with numerous, related patents, often referred to as "patent thickets." Specifically, it restricts plaintiffs to asserting only one patent per defined "Patent Group" in these actions.

The Emergency Care Improvement Act officially brings qualifying Freestanding Emergency Centers (FECs) into the standard Medicare and Medicaid coverage systems. This legislation ensures that these state-licensed facilities, which operate as full emergency departments, are reimbursed for providing specified emergency services. Furthermore, the Act explicitly includes FECs under the requirements of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

This concurrent resolution establishes the official, non-binding spending targets and revenue goals for the U.S. Government for Fiscal Years 2025 through 2034. It directs congressional committees to propose specific legislative changes to meet deficit reduction targets and raise the debt limit over the next decade. Furthermore, the bill sets procedural rules, centralizing authority with Budget Committee Chairs to manage compliance and adjust allocations based on economic baselines. Finally, the House section outlines a policy commitment to achieving economic growth through deregulation and significant cuts to mandatory federal spending.

The Family Cord Blood Banking Act amends the tax code to allow individuals to treat payments for private umbilical cord blood or tissue banking services as deductible medical expenses. This change makes the cost of utilizing accredited private cord blood banks potentially tax-deductible for federal tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025 expands the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review of real estate purchases near sensitive military sites by foreign persons linked to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. This bill mandates automatic CFIUS review for these specific transactions and requires notification to local members of Congress. Furthermore, it pauses Department of Defense and Department of Transportation reviews and approvals for energy projects situated on land currently under CFIUS scrutiny for national security risks.

The EASE Act of 2025 mandates that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) test a new model to improve access to specialty health services. This "Specialty Health Care Services Access Model" will utilize digital tools, like telehealth, to connect eligible Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP beneficiaries in rural or underserved areas with necessary specialty care. The model must be tested through a network of qualified, experienced, and primarily rural-based nonprofit providers.

This act, officially named the Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act, aims to strengthen the integrity of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It mandates that states administering TANF must now adhere to the federal Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to identify and stop improper payments. Furthermore, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must report to Congress on a comprehensive plan to reduce these improper payments over the next decade.

This resolution expresses concern over China's growing influence in Panama, particularly through infrastructure projects and the management of key ports. It urges Panama to expel Chinese officials and terminate agreements that allow Chinese entities to control strategic infrastructure. The resolution also calls on the U.S. government to utilize the Neutrality Treaty to counter foreign influence, provide support to Panama, and explore a U.S.-Panama partnership to restore operational control of the Panama Canal. It seeks to safeguard the Panama Canal's neutrality, Western Hemisphere security, and U.S. national interests.

The CRUDE Act amends existing legislation to change the conditions under which crude oil exports can be restricted. It requires a joint report from the Secretaries of Defense, Energy, and Commerce to the President and Congress demonstrating that crude oil exports have caused sustained supply shortages, price increases, and adverse employment effects in the U.S. Only after this report and a presidential declaration of a national emergency can export restrictions be triggered.

The "Second Chances for Rural Hospitals Act" broadens the definition of "rural emergency hospital" under Medicare, enabling certain previously closed rural hospitals to re-qualify. Effective January 1, 2027, it allows facilities that ceased operations between 2014 and 2020 to become rural emergency hospitals. It also modifies payment rules, specifying that increased payments will not apply to facilities located less than 35 miles from the nearest hospital.

The "Telehealth Expansion Act of 2025" permanently allows individuals with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to access telehealth services without needing to meet their deductible first, starting after December 31, 2024. This removes a barrier to accessing telehealth services for HSA holders.

This resolution calls for a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments focused on fiscal responsibility. The convention will only proceed if the House Clerk cannot verify that at least 34 states have applied for a convention on fiscal responsibility. Any amendments proposed by the convention must be ratified by a vote of the people in 38 states through State Convention delegates. A copy of the resolution will be sent to the Administrator of General Services, who will then submit it to the legislatures of all states.

The "No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit businesses involved in marijuana or controlled substance trafficking from claiming tax deductions or credits for their expenses. This restriction applies regardless of whether the business is violating federal or state law. The change will be effective for expenses paid after the bill is enacted.