Legislative Activity

The Police Officers Protecting Children Act amends title 18 of the United States Code to allow qualified and retired law enforcement officers to carry a concealed firearm in a school zone, as long as the firearm remains concealed.

The Strengthening Local Processing Act of 2025 aims to bolster local meat and poultry processing by providing resources, grants, and training programs to smaller establishments. This includes creating a database of HACCP plans, increasing the federal share for state inspection expenses, expanding interstate shipment opportunities, and establishing a grant program to enhance processing resilience. The bill also supports workforce development through training programs at educational institutions and processing facilities.

The "Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the presentation of three Congressional Gold Medals to honor the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. These medals will be given to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, the United States Hockey Hall of Fame, and the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum for public display. The Act also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to fund the medal production.

The "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act" mandates that individuals provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. It amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to include these requirements and directs states to reject applications lacking such proof. The Act also outlines acceptable forms of documentation, verification processes, and penalties for non-compliance, while allowing provisional ballots under certain conditions. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must notify state election officials when an individual becomes a naturalized citizen.

This bill nullifies the Department of Energy's rule regarding energy conservation standards for gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. By disapproving the rule, the bill prevents the new energy conservation standards from taking effect.

The "No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act" aims to deter Iran and other hostile entities from taking U.S. nationals hostage by imposing strict penalties and increasing oversight of Iranian assets. It mandates detailed reports on the use of restricted Iranian funds, requires reviews of sanctions for hostage-takers, and seeks to limit travel for Iranian diplomats at the United Nations. The Act also directs the creation of a strategy to deter hostage-taking and wrongful detention, and calls for assessing the invalidation of U.S. passports for travel to Iran. Finally, the act seeks to freeze and seize Iranian assets internationally.

The "No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act" aims to prevent U.S. taxpayer money from supporting the Taliban by requiring the State Department to actively oppose financial support to the Taliban from foreign countries and NGOs, especially those receiving U.S. aid. It mandates reports to Congress on entities supporting the Taliban, the status of direct cash assistance programs in Afghanistan, and the status of the Afghan Fund, including measures to prevent Taliban access to these funds. The Act also requires the development and implementation of a strategy to discourage support to the Taliban, utilizing U.S. foreign assistance as a deterrent.

The "10th Amendment Restoration Act of 2025" establishes a Constitutional Government Review Commission to evaluate federal agencies and determine if their authority aligns with powers delegated by the Constitution. The Commission will make recommendations on whether to repeal agencies' authorizing statutes, aiming to return non-delegated powers to the states or the people. It will also suggest how to distribute federal budget savings to states for administering returned powers. Congress will then consider the Commission's recommendations under expedited procedures.

The U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025 mandates a review of the relationship between the United States and South Africa, focusing on South Africa's alignment with actors like China, Russia, and Hamas. It requires the President to certify whether South Africa has undermined U.S. national security or foreign policy interests and to submit reports to Congress detailing findings and identifying individuals potentially subject to sanctions for corruption or human rights abuses. The Act expresses concern over South Africa's foreign policy decisions and their potential impact on U.S. interests.

The "Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2025" allows Members of Congress to use VA facilities to meet with constituents, ensuring accessible and visible meeting spaces during regular business hours. The VA Secretary must set regulations for these spaces within 90 days, with rental rates similar to other government office spaces in the area. These regulations must comply with existing laws and cannot be used for campaign activities or interfere with VA operations, and use of facilities is prohibited 60 days before a federal election.

The Youth Suicide Prevention Research Act amends the Advancing Research to Prevent Suicide Act, expanding the National Science Foundation's research on childhood suicide. The NSF will now study the impact of adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress on youth suicide.

The "Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act" prohibits Federal Reserve Banks from offering financial products or services directly to individuals, maintaining accounts for individuals, or issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly or indirectly. It also blocks the Federal Reserve from testing, creating, or implementing a CBDC, or using it to implement monetary policy, without explicit congressional authorization. The bill clarifies that these restrictions do not apply to digital versions of the dollar that are open, permissionless, and private, like physical currency.

The Iranian Terror Prevention Act mandates the Secretary of State to designate specific organizations as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) within 90 days. It directs the President to determine and potentially impose sanctions on these organizations and associated entities within 60 days. The Secretary of State must also regularly report to Congress on new entities that could be designated as FTOs or sanctioned. Finally, the President is required to report to Congress justifying any decisions not to sanction a listed organization.

The "Dietary Guidelines Reform Act of 2025" aims to improve the process of establishing national dietary guidelines by ensuring they are based on strong scientific evidence, updated regularly, and free from irrelevant considerations. It establishes an Independent Advisory Board to guide the scientific review process, mandates transparency regarding conflicts of interest, and requires the use of standardized review methods and evidence rating for each guideline. The act also prioritizes addressing high-priority health concerns and providing affordable, accessible, and nutritionally adequate recommendations, including guidance for individuals with common nutrition-related chronic diseases.

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.

The "DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act" mandates collaborative research and development between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation to advance their respective missions. This collaboration will be formalized through a memorandum of understanding, promoting data sharing, supporting research infrastructure, and fostering STEM education. A report detailing the outcomes and future opportunities of this coordination is required within two years, ensuring adherence to research security guidelines. The bill aims to improve research and development effectiveness through collaborative efforts.

The "Mathematical and Statistical Modeling Education Act" aims to improve STEM education by directing the National Science Foundation to award grants for innovative math modeling education approaches, including statistical modeling, data science, and operations research. It also directs the NSF to arrange for a NASEM study on mathematical and statistical modeling education in grades pre-K through 12, to examine factors that enhance or impede the implementation of mathematical and statistical modeling in elementary and secondary education. The Act requires reports to Congress on evaluation results and recommendations, and authorizes funding for these initiatives through 2030.

The "Innovative FEED Act of 2025" amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to regulate zootechnical animal food substances—additives that affect digestion or gut health, but are not intended to treat animal diseases. It classifies these substances as food additives, requiring FDA approval based on safety and intended effect, with specific labeling requirements. The FDA retains authority over approval and can reject substances that do not achieve their intended effect. This act does not authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to require the use of any zootechnical food substance or food additive.

The Air America Act of 2025 authorizes the Director of the CIA to award payments to former employees of Air America and affiliated companies who supported the U.S. government between 1950 and 1976, or to their survivors. Eligible individuals or their survivors could receive up to $40,000 for five years of qualifying service, with additional amounts for longer service, with a cap on total awards at $60 million. The Act establishes application procedures, limitations on attorney fees, and prohibits judicial review of the Director's decisions, while also requiring regular reports to Congress on the status of the award payments. This act does not qualify anyone for federal benefits like retirement, disability, or death benefits.

The Combating Houthi Threats and Aggression Act mandates reports on Houthi capabilities, attacks on Red Sea and Gulf of Aden shipping, and violations of the UN arms embargo against Yemen. It authorizes the President to impose sanctions on those involved in Houthi attacks on international shipping or those providing support to the Houthis. The Act aims to protect maritime security and U.S. national security interests in the region. This act will terminate 5 years after it becomes law.