Legislative Activity

Sarah's Law mandates the detention of aliens who are charged with or have committed crimes resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to gather information about victims of crimes committed by these aliens and provide them with timely updates about the alien's status and removal efforts. The law also ensures that victims' rights under other laws are protected.

This bill removes the lesser prairie-chicken from the endangered species list, preventing its future listing under the Endangered Species Act. Effectively, it excludes the lesser prairie-chicken from the protections and authority of the Endangered Species Act.

The "Preventing Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act" amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deem aliens inadmissible and deportable if they have committed or admitted to acts constituting sex offenses, domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or violating protection orders. It broadens the definition of crimes against children to include any crime constituting domestic violence.

The "Security First Act" aims to bolster border security by increasing funding for the Operation Stonegarden grant program, designating funds for technology and equipment procurement, and establishing a trust fund. It mandates a report assessing whether Mexican drug cartels and criminal gangs should be designated as foreign terrorist organizations, and requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to analyze and update technology needs for border security along the Southwest border. Additionally, the Act requires a report on the Department of Homeland Security's hiring practices from 2018 to 2024.

The "FAITH in Small Business Act" codifies a Small Business Administration rule ensuring faith-based organizations receive equal treatment in SBA loan and disaster assistance programs. This guarantees that these organizations are not discriminated against and can participate in SBA programs on the same basis as other eligible entities.

The "Make the Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act of 2025" makes it mandatory for the Department of Homeland Security to implement the Migrant Protection Protocols, which require certain migrants to remain in a foreign country while awaiting immigration proceedings in the U.S. This is achieved by changing the language in the Immigration and Nationality Act from permissive to mandatory regarding the implementation of these protocols.

The "Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act" repeals the Corporate Transparency Act, eliminating the requirement for companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It also makes necessary technical adjustments to Title 31 of the United States Code, specifically sections related to financial recordkeeping and reporting of currency and foreign transactions, to reflect the repeal.

This bill formally acknowledges the sacrifices and courage of Vietnam War veterans, recognizing their service and the challenges they faced, including exposure to Agent Orange and the loss of over 58,000 American lives. It urges the President to address the mistreatment of these veterans and issues a formal apology on behalf of the American people for the lack of support they received both during and after the war. The bill also supports enhanced education in schools to accurately reflect the experiences of Vietnam War veterans.

The Hearing Protection Act aims to remove silencers from the purview of the National Firearms Act (NFA) by treating them similarly to standard firearms under federal tax law. This legislation preempts certain state and local taxes and registration requirements related to silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, the bill mandates the destruction of existing federal silencer registration records and updates federal marking requirements for manufacturers.

The "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025" amends Title IX to prohibit schools receiving federal funds from allowing males to participate in female athletic programs. Sex is defined as based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth. The bill allows males to train with female teams if it doesn't deprive females of opportunities. It also requires a study on the benefits lost to women when males participate in female sports.

The DIRECT Act rescinds unspent enforcement funding previously allocated to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These withdrawn funds are immediately redirected to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This redirected money is specifically designated to cover the salaries and expenses for new agents hired to secure the southern border.

This bill renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, to the "General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic". All official references to the clinic will reflect this new name.

The "Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2025" places a one-year moratorium on federal funding to Planned Parenthood, with exceptions for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the woman's life. It redirects $235 million to community health centers and ensures that overall federal funding for women's health initiatives is not reduced.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office." Any reference to this facility will now refer to it as the Chief Zeb Smith Post Office.

The "Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2025" prohibits federal funding for organizations that perform abortions or fund other organizations that do so, with exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the woman's life. The term "entity" refers to the entire legal entity, including any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such entity.

The Border Safety and Security Act of 2025 allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of certain aliens at U.S. borders if it's needed to maintain control, and requires the Secretary to prohibit entry if aliens cannot be detained or placed in an appropriate program. State Attorneys General can sue the Secretary of Homeland Security in federal court if they believe this section is being violated. The bill defines "covered alien" as someone seeking entry who is inadmissible under existing immigration law.

The "National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act" aims to support the National Law Enforcement Museum's programs for community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness through grants to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The act authorizes \$6,000,000 to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior for each of the first 7 fiscal years after the law is enacted. It requires annual progress reports to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of funds. The Act allows the Secretary to use funds to continue activities the National Law Enforcement Museum was already doing when this law was enacted.

The "REMAIN in Mexico Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to reinstate and enforce the Migrant Protection Protocols, as previously outlined in the 2019 Policy Guidance. This requires migrants and asylum seekers to remain in Mexico while awaiting U.S. immigration proceedings.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State for failing to enforce immigration laws, including those related to detention and removal. The bill defines grounds for legal action and requires expedited court proceedings.

The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025 aims to increase Congressional oversight of federal regulations by requiring Congressional approval for any "major rule" (defined as having an economic impact of at least $100 million) before it can take effect. The Act also mandates federal agencies to publish detailed information supporting a rule and requires the Comptroller General to report on each major rule. It also directs the Comptroller General to study and determine the number of rules in effect, the number of major rules in effect, and the total estimated economic cost of all these rules and submit a report to Congress with the study's findings within one year of the Act's enactment.