Legislative Activity

The "Stop Harassing Owners of Rifles Today Act" or "SHORT Act" modifies firearm regulations by redefining "firearm" under the National Firearms Act, removing short-barreled rifles and shotguns from certain restrictions, and preempting state laws that tax, mark, record, or register these weapons. The Act also mandates the destruction of records related to these specific weapons held by the Attorney General.

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.

This bill expresses support for the recognition of "Detransition Awareness Day" to increase understanding and support for individuals who have detransitioned or are detransitioning back to their biological sex. It calls for comprehensive mental health services, informed consent regarding the risks of sex trait modification interventions, and extended statutes of limitations for related medical malpractice claims. The bill also urges the Department of Health and Human Services to review and revise guidelines to promote ethical medical standards and protect patient rights. It encourages states to adopt similar resolutions and initiatives to support detransitioning individuals.

The "Reimbursing Border Communities Act of 2025" establishes a grant program for local governments within 200 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border to reimburse security-related expenses, including wages for local law enforcement. To be eligible, communities must apply, provide required information, and not be sanctuary jurisdictions. Grant amounts are capped at $500,000 per fiscal year and cannot be used for certain purposes, such as funding nonprofits or providing resources to aliens. The Act requires annual reports to Congress and authorizes \$25 million in appropriations per fiscal year from 2026 through 2036.

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.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 620 East Pecan Boulevard in McAllen, Texas, as the "Agent Raul H. Gonzalez Jr. Memorial Post Office Building." It also mandates that all legal and official documents will refer to the facility by this new name.

The "Pay Our Border Patrol and Customs Agents Act of 2025" ensures that U.S. Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection officers are paid during any government shutdown in fiscal year 2025. The bill appropriates the necessary funds to cover the salaries and expenses of these essential employees, guaranteeing they continue to receive paychecks even when the government is shut down.

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 "Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025" increases penalties for stealing firearms from licensed dealers. It sets stricter punishments, including up to 20 years in prison, for violating laws related to firearm theft. The act also mandates minimum prison sentences of 3 years for burglaries and 5 years for robberies targeting licensed firearm businesses.

This bill expresses support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic, while condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, support for terrorism, and attempts to develop nuclear weapons. It affirms the right of the Iranian people to self-determination and supports continued sanctions against the current regime. The bill also calls for the protection of Iranian political refugees in Albania.

The SCREEN Act requires online platforms that host or provide pornographic content to implement technology verification measures to prevent minors from accessing harmful material. It mandates that these platforms use reliable age verification methods, undergo regular audits by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to ensure compliance, and protect user data collected during the verification process. The FTC is responsible for enforcing the Act, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report to Congress on the effectiveness and impact of these measures. This act aims to protect children from the harmful effects of online pornography.

The "Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act" restricts federal funds from being used by foreign and domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish abortion-related items, or support entities that do so. This includes barring funds for referrals, counseling, lobbying, and training related to abortions. The restrictions do not apply to abortions in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is at risk.

The Reinforcing Sanctions on Iranian Terrorists Act requires the President to determine whether to apply sanctions to the Iran Airports Company, which facilitates Mahan Air's operations, due to Mahan Air's support for terrorist activities and the Iranian government's destabilizing actions. This determination must be submitted to Congress within 90 days of the Act's enactment. The Act reinforces existing sanctions against Mahan Air, which has been identified as supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps-Qods Force.

The "Promoting American Patriotism In Our Schools Act" mandates that schools receiving federal funds must require daily Pledge of Allegiance recitation, prominently display the U.S. flag in classrooms and gyms, and provide education on the flag's history. Individuals can abstain from reciting the Pledge for religious or personal reasons. Non-compliant schools will face enforcement by the Secretary.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The "National Right-to-Work Act" amends both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to protect an employee's right to choose whether or not to join or support a labor union. It eliminates the possibility of mandatory union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment, ensuring that employees cannot be forced to join or support a union against their will.

The "Freight RAILCAR Act of 2025" introduces a tax credit for modernizing freight railcars, encouraging investments in newer, more efficient railcars. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 10% of their freight railcar fleet modernization expenses, with a limit of 1,000 qualified freight railcars per year. The credit applies to railcars that increase capacity, improve fuel efficiency, or meet updated performance standards, and is available for three years after the Act's enactment. The Secretary of the Treasury is required to submit a report to Congress detailing the credit's usage and impact on railcar modernization and scrapping.

The "Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act" prevents payment card networks from assigning a unique merchant category code to firearm retailers. The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the Act, investigating complaints, and reporting to Congress. This law overrides state and local laws regarding merchant category codes for firearm retailers and does not establish a private right of action.

The "Protecting American Energy Production Act" affirms that states have primary regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing on state and private lands. It prohibits the President from enacting a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

The Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from sharing veterans' personal information with the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) based solely on the fact that the veteran requires assistance managing their benefits. Information can only be shared if a judge has determined the veteran to be a danger to themselves or others.