Legislative Activity

The "Early Detection of Vision Impairments for Children Act of 2025" aims to improve children's vision and eye health by establishing statewide early detection and intervention programs through grants to states, territories, and tribal organizations. These funds will support initiatives such as implementing early detection practices, developing data systems, reducing disparities in underserved populations, and raising public awareness. The Act also provides for technical assistance, applied research, and program evaluation to ensure effective implementation and coordination among various agencies. Finally, the Act authorizes \$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 for the general program, and an additional \$5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 is authorized to provide referrals to wrap-around vision services.

The Safer Skies Act of 2025 expands security screening requirements for air carrier operations that operate under specific regulations, conduct passenger-carrying operations for compensation, offer individual seats in advance, provide publicly available schedules, operate airplanes with more than nine passenger seats, and do not use TSA-managed checkpoints. This act mandates that these operations comply with security screening standards outlined in federal regulations and requires the TSA Administrator to revise rules and policies to ensure compliance.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act" enables individuals with valid concealed carry permits or the legal right to carry concealed firearms in their home state to do so across state lines, provided they are not federally prohibited from possessing firearms and carry a valid photo ID. This law respects private and state/local government restrictions on firearms, protects individuals from unwarranted arrest, and allows legal action for violations of these rights. It also permits concealed carry in National Parks and other federal lands open to the public and clarifies that handguns include magazines and ammunition.

The "Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act" directs the Attorney General to produce a series of reports analyzing attacks against law enforcement officers, unreported aggression towards officers, and the mental health and wellness of officers. These reports will include data collection and recommendations for improving training programs, protective gear, and mental health resources for law enforcement. The goal is to provide federal resources to law enforcement and deter attacks against officers. The Attorney General will consult with various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and relevant organizations, to develop these reports.

The Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act allows the promotion of non-supervisory attorneys at the Board of Veterans' Appeals to the GS-15 grade level. This aims to enhance career opportunities for attorneys and reduce the backlog of cases.

The Pakistan Democracy Act aims to support democracy in Pakistan by mandating the U.S. Secretary of State to determine if sanctions should be imposed on General Asim Munir. It also authorizes sanctions on individuals involved in the wrongful persecution and imprisonment of political detainees, including Imran Khan, by restricting their entry into the United States. The President has the authority to waive these sanctions under certain conditions, with required certification to Congress.

The "Independent Programmers Tax Incentive Act" introduces a tax credit for eligible video distributors who carry independent programmers, aiming to support diversity in media. This credit covers a portion of license fees paid to qualified independent programmers, with caps based on subscriber numbers. The FCC is required to report biennially to Congress on the state of independent programming and how to further support it.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The "Block Organ Transplant Purchases from China Act of 2025" prohibits Medicare, Medicaid, group health plans, and health insurance issuers from covering organ transplants performed in China or those not procured through the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, along with related medical services. Healthcare providers who furnish prohibited transplants or services will face criminal and civil penalties. The Act allows coverage for services needed to save a life after a prohibited transplant and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue rules to implement these provisions.

The "Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025" amends the Clean Air Act to ensure that regulations do not mandate specific technologies in vehicles or restrict the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. It requires the EPA to revise any conflicting regulations issued after January 1, 2021, within 24 months to comply with these changes.

The HELPER Act of 2025 amends the National Housing Act to establish an FHA mortgage insurance program for first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and teachers. This program allows the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to insure mortgages up to 100% of the appraised value for eligible first-time homebuyers, waiving down payment requirements but requiring an up-front mortgage insurance premium. Mortgagors must meet specific eligibility criteria, including being a first-time homebuyer, completing a housing counseling program, and meeting employment and good standing requirements as a first responder. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2032 and requires reauthorization of the program after 5 years.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

The "Crucial Communism Teaching Act" aims to educate high school students about the history and dangers of communism and similar ideologies, highlighting their contrast with American principles of freedom and democracy. It directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a civic education curriculum and oral history resources, featuring stories from victims of communism. The curriculum will cover past and present communist regimes, focusing on human rights abuses and aggression against democratic entities. The Foundation will collaborate with education officials to implement the curriculum in high schools.

The "Save Our Shrimpers Act" aims to protect the U.S. shrimping industry by preventing federal funds from supporting foreign shrimp farming through international financial institutions. It prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from providing funds to international financial institutions that use the funds for shrimp farming, processing, or export activities in foreign countries. Additionally, the Act mandates an annual report from the Comptroller General to Congress on the compliance of U.S. Executive Directors at international financial institutions regarding opposition to financial assistance for surplus commodities and minerals.

Tyler's Law mandates a study by the Secretary of Health and Human Services on fentanyl testing practices in hospital emergency departments, including frequency, costs, benefits, risks, and patient experience. Following the study, the Secretary will issue guidance on routine fentanyl testing for overdose patients, ensuring clinicians are aware of substances included in drug tests, and the potential impact on future overdose risk and general health.

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 BAH Restoration Act aims to restore the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to cover 100% of service members' housing costs. This will be done by amending title 37 of the United States Code, ensuring that the monthly BAH is equivalent to the determined monthly cost of adequate housing based on pay grade, dependency status, and location. The Secretary of Defense will determine the specific housing costs in each area.

The "Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2025" aims to solidify the United States' role in the global energy market by granting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission sole authority over approving or denying natural gas export and import facilities. This includes LNG terminals, streamlining the approval process. The Act does not alter the authority of other federal agencies, and it preserves the President's power to restrict imports or exports under existing laws and sanctions, particularly concerning state sponsors of terrorism. "State sponsor of terrorism" is defined by referencing specific sections of existing law.

The "Turkey Diplomatic Realignment Act" shifts the State Department's oversight of Turkey from the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs to the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, acknowledging Turkey's evolving geopolitical position. This administrative change reflects concerns over Turkey's foreign policy direction, including its relationships with non-Western powers and strained relations with allies. The Act aims to recalibrate U.S. diplomatic engagement with Turkey, and requires a report to Congress assessing the effectiveness of this realignment within five years.

The SPEED for BEAD Act amends the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to streamline broadband deployment grants. It renames the "Equity" program to "Expansion," allows funds for workforce development, and permits removal of high-cost locations from project areas. The act also prohibits certain conditions related to labor, climate change, and network management, and ensures consideration of all broadband technologies.