Legislative Activity

The Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025 prohibits the Department of Defense from entering into or extending long-term concession agreements with retailers controlled by countries that pose a national security risk, with a waiver option if the retailer provides vital goods or services and mitigates risks. It mandates a review of existing agreements with retailers connected to these countries, requiring termination unless a waiver is granted or the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) determines no harm to national security. Covered retailers must disclose relationships with covered nations to CFIUS, who will then assess national security implications. The Secretary of Defense must terminate agreements for non-compliance or misrepresentation of ownership.

This resolution designates April 5, 2025, as "Gold Star Wives Day" to honor the sacrifices and contributions of the surviving spouses and families of fallen U.S. Armed Forces members. It recognizes the 80th anniversary of Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., an organization that has supported these families since 1945. The resolution encourages the public to observe this day to promote awareness of the organization's important role.

The Families Care Act amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to enhance the National Family Caregiver Support Program. It expands support services to include peer support, prioritizes consideration for diverse caregiver needs including those affected by substance use disorders, and ensures regular support from the Assistant Secretary. The act also mandates the preparation, publication, and dissemination of resources for family caregivers.

The Strategic Ports Reporting Act requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to map and study strategic ports, assessing China's efforts to control these ports and the potential risks to U.S. interests. The Act mandates a report to Congress outlining strategies to secure trusted investment, protect strategic ports from Chinese control, and ensure open access. This report will include assessments of national security threats, vulnerabilities, and funding sources to enhance transparency and mitigate negative impacts of China's influence over strategic maritime infrastructure.

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to classify health care sharing ministry memberships, including shared medical expenses and administrative fees, as medical expenses. It clarifies that these ministries are not considered health plans or insurance for tax purposes. This change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act aims to improve the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster loan program by increasing oversight and accountability. It mandates regular risk assessments, enhances loan eligibility verification, and requires the SBA to develop better performance metrics. The act also seeks to streamline the loan application process and improve communication with disaster victims.

The "Strategy for Public Health Preparedness and Response to Artificial Intelligence Threats" Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a comprehensive strategy for addressing public health threats arising from the misuse of artificial intelligence. This includes establishing a framework for preparedness, identifying capability gaps, and outlining strategies to mitigate risks such as the development of biological weapons and treatment-resistant pathogens. The strategy will be submitted to Congress and integrated into broader public health emergency preparedness efforts.

The "Incentivizing Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Sales Act of 2025" incentivizes land conservation by excluding from gross income the gains from sales of real property to qualified organizations for the purposes of the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program. This exclusion applies to various real property interests, including remainder interests and restrictions on property use, as long as the sale aligns with Department of Defense REPI program goals. There are limitations to prevent short-term property speculation by pass-through entities, with exceptions for family-owned entities. This act aims to promote both military readiness and environmental protection through strategic land conservation.

The "Interstate Transport Act of 2025" allows individuals to transport knives across state lines for any lawful purpose, provided the knives are not directly accessible in vehicles or are stored in locked containers. This act protects individuals from arrest and covers legal costs if the law is successfully used as a defense, also allowing for the expungement of records in such cases. It does not override existing state laws regarding knife possession, carry, or transport.

The "Disaster Assistance Fairness Act" amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to provide federal assistance to residential common interest communities, condominiums, and housing cooperatives damaged by major disasters. It directs the President to create rules that debris removal from these communities after a major disaster is in the public interest if it threatens life, public health, safety, or economic recovery, as confirmed by a state or local government. The Act also covers the repair of essential common elements in condominiums and housing cooperatives, provided an individual's or household's share of these repair costs is well-documented. These changes will apply to major disasters declared on or after the enactment of this law.

The "Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act" allows FEMA to reimburse state, tribal, and local governments in North Carolina for repairing or replacing private roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Helene, if they are the sole access to homes or essential services. To be eligible for reimbursement, government officials must inspect and verify the need for repairs, ensure the roads/bridges remain open during repairs, and comply with all state and federal regulations. Individuals who have already received disaster assistance for road or bridge repairs can choose to continue with that assistance or return the funds to be eligible for reimbursement under this act. The Administrator will base eligible costs on certified estimates from licensed engineers unless there is evidence of fraud.

The POLICE Act of 2025 amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make any alien who assaults a law enforcement officer deportable. It requires the Department of Homeland Security to publish an annual report detailing the number of aliens deported for assaulting a law enforcement officer.