Legislative Activity

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 "States' Education Reclamation Act of 2025" abolishes the Department of Education, transferring its programs to other federal departments and providing states with grants equivalent to their 2025 federal education funding. States must use these funds for elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education, adhering to state laws and maintaining fiscal accountability through annual audits and reports. The Act also prohibits discrimination in programs funded by these grants and requires a plan for the Department of Education's closure. Finally, the Government Accountability Office must submit a report reviewing the feasibility of funding education by lowering the federal tax burden and ending federal grants for education programs.

The Disaster Reforestation Act modifies the rules for deducting casualty losses of uncut timber due to fire, storm, theft, or other casualties. Taxpayers can deduct losses based on the difference between the timber's appraised value before the loss and its salvage value, with specific appraisal and reforestation requirements. The definition of "other casualties" includes losses from wood-destroying insects or invasive species, or severe drought. It applies to timber held for sale in a trade or business that is not a passive activity for losses sustained in taxable years beginning after the enactment of this Act.

The Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act of 2025 aims to reduce preventable amputations due to peripheral artery disease (PAD) through increased education, expanded Medicare and Medicaid coverage of PAD screening tests for at-risk individuals, and the development of quality measures focused on amputation prevention. This act establishes a PAD education program, waives cost-sharing for PAD screening tests for at-risk beneficiaries, and promotes amputation prevention programs. Ultimately, the goal is to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and address disparities in amputation rates.

The GLRI Act of 2025 reauthorizes the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which aims to protect and restore the Great Lakes ecosystem. The act allocates $500 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to support this initiative.

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 "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 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.