Legislative Activity

The Adoption Tax Credit Refundability Act of 2025 makes the existing tax credit for adoption expenses fully refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive the excess credit amount as a refund. This is achieved by renumbering the credit section and updating related tax code references. The bill also mandates new regulations for verifying adoptions via standardized affidavits. These changes will apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

This resolution urges the United States to immediately prioritize global nuclear disarmament and lead the world back from the brink of nuclear war. It calls on the President to negotiate verifiable arms reduction treaties with all nuclear states to halt the arms race and prevent catastrophic conflict. Key actions include renouncing "first use," ending hair-trigger alert postures, and ceasing the development of new nuclear weapons. Furthermore, the bill demands comprehensive support, cleanup, and economic transition planning for communities and workers affected by past and present nuclear activities.

This resolution is an official request demanding the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services immediately provide Congress with documents concerning the seizure of legally-protected taxpayer and child privacy data by the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE). Specifically, it seeks records detailing DOGE's access to sensitive worker and financial data stored in the National Directory of New Hires and the Federal Parent Locator Service. The inquiry focuses on the legality, security protocols, and scope of these large-scale data requests, particularly those exceeding 40 million records.

The Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act of 2025 seeks to amend federal gun laws by banning devices and modifications that significantly increase the rate of fire of semiautomatic firearms, effectively treating them like machineguns. The bill specifically prohibits the manufacture, sale, or possession of such accessories and modified firearms after 120 days of enactment. Existing owners of previously modified firearms must register them under the National Firearms Act within that same timeframe to legally keep them.

The American Family Act fundamentally overhauls the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with a system of advance, refundable monthly payments delivered directly to families. These monthly allowances vary based on the child's age, with higher amounts provided for younger children. The bill also establishes a separate, smaller credit for other dependents and outlines procedures for annual renewal and reconciliation of advance payments when filing taxes.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 establishes a phased increase of the federal minimum wage, culminating in a \$17.00 per hour rate five years after enactment, followed by automatic annual adjustments tied to median wage growth. This bill also phases out the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and workers under 20, ensuring they eventually earn the standard federal minimum wage. Furthermore, it sets a schedule to eliminate subminimum wages for individuals with disabilities and prohibits the issuance of new special certificates allowing for lower pay.

The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act of 2025 establishes federal minimum standards for collective bargaining rights for public employees across the nation. It requires the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to review state laws to ensure they substantially provide these minimum rights, including the right to organize and bargain collectively. If a state fails to meet these standards, the FLRA will administer federal labor relations rules for the uncovered employees. The Act also prohibits strikes or lockouts that would measurably disrupt emergency or public safety services.

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates federal housing tax credit allocations to reflect current economic realities and boosts minimum state allotments. It reforms tenant eligibility rules to stabilize tenancy and enhance protections for vulnerable residents, including victims of abuse. The bill also provides disaster relief for property owners, increases incentives for housing the extremely low-income, and directs greater resources toward Native American and rural housing needs. Finally, it streamlines administrative processes and signals a future focus on data transparency and discouraging restrictive local zoning.

This bill officially terminates the national emergency that the President declared on April 2, 2025, under Executive Order 14257. It utilizes the authority of the National Emergencies Act to immediately end the emergency declaration. Consequently, all special powers and authorities activated by that declaration are rescinded.

The Tax Fairness for Workers Act restores key federal tax deductions for employees, effective after 2024. This legislation makes union dues fully deductible "above the line," meaning they reduce Adjusted Gross Income without itemizing. Additionally, it allows itemizers to deduct certain other job-related business expenses that were previously limited.

The Protecting Data at the Border Act establishes strict new rules requiring U.S. government agencies to obtain a warrant based on probable cause before searching the digital contents of U.S. persons' electronic devices at the border. The bill prohibits coercion for access credentials and mandates detailed annual reporting on all digital searches conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. Furthermore, any digital evidence obtained in violation of these new procedures is inadmissible in any legal proceeding.

The Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness Act establishes the private, nonprofit Foundation for Standards and Metrology. This Foundation will work with NIST to advance measurement science and technical standards to boost the U.S. economy and speed up technology commercialization. It will be governed by an independent Board of Directors and must develop a plan to become financially self-sustaining within five years.

The SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act significantly raises the resource limits for individuals and couples applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), starting in 2025. This legislation also mandates that these new resource limits will be automatically adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. The goal is to allow SSI applicants to save more money without losing eligibility for benefits.

The Armenian Genocide Education Act establishes a program managed by the Librarian of Congress to develop and share educational resources combating denial of the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide. This initiative will create online materials, train educators, and encourage the integration of accurate history into school curricula. The Act authorizes $2 million annually for five years to support these educational efforts aimed at promoting awareness and preventing future atrocities.

This joint resolution expresses the disapproval of Congress regarding a proposed foreign military sale to Israel. Specifically, it blocks the transfer of 35,529 general-purpose bomb bodies and 4,000 I2000 Penetrator warheads. The bill uses congressional authority to prohibit this specific arms transfer that was previously submitted for review.

The Reclaim Trade Powers Act focuses on streamlining U.S. trade law by eliminating outdated presidential authority. Specifically, this bill repeals Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which granted the President powers related to balancing international payments. This action reclaims and modernizes existing trade statutes.

The Revitalizing Downtowns and Main Streets Act establishes a new 20% federal tax credit for converting eligible, older commercial buildings into affordable housing. This incentive aims to increase housing supply by requiring that at least 20% of the converted units remain rent-restricted for low-income residents for 30 years. State agencies will allocate these credits, which are subject to a national cap of $12 billion, based on approved plans prioritizing financially necessary projects.

The COST of Relocations Act mandates that Federal agencies conduct a detailed, OMB-guided cost-benefit analysis before executing any "covered relocation" of jobs. Agencies must submit this analysis to their Inspector General (OIG), who then reviews the methodology and findings before reporting directly to Congress. This process ensures transparency and rigorous economic justification for significant federal job moves.

The No Tax Subsidies for Stadiums Act of 2025 prohibits the issuance of federal tax-exempt bonds for financing or refinancing professional sports stadiums. This legislation immediately ends the federal tax break previously available to investors purchasing bonds used for stadium construction or renovation. Consequently, any bonds issued for these facilities will now be subject to federal taxation.

This bill, the Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act, aims to modernize U.S. trade law by eliminating outdated provisions. Specifically, it repeals Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. This action removes an old, unilateral tariff authority from the books.