Legislative Activity

The Disaster Response Flexibility Act of 2025 establishes an optional Alternative Block Grant Program allowing states impacted by a major disaster to receive a lump-sum payment instead of traditional direct public assistance from FEMA. This program provides states with upfront funding to manage recovery costs, requiring them to forgo other direct Stafford Act aid for that specific event. States accepting the grant must submit recovery plans and regular progress reports to FEMA.

The Disaster Housing Flexibility Act of 2025 establishes an optional Alternative Block Grant Program allowing states to receive a lump sum of federal funds for temporary disaster housing instead of the standard individual application process. This program requires FEMA to estimate the total assistance cost, which states can then manage directly. If funds remain after recovery, states may repurpose the surplus for eligible preparedness or mitigation activities. States accepting the grant must adhere to strict reporting requirements detailing fund usage and effectiveness.

The American Privacy Restoration Act is a straightforward bill designed to completely repeal the USA PATRIOT Act. This action will erase all amendments made by the PATRIOT Act, reverting relevant sections of law to their original text as it existed before October 26, 2001. In essence, this legislation seeks to undo the legal changes enacted by the PATRIOT Act.

The CHOICE for Veterans Act of 2025 aims to overhaul how veterans receive assistance with their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It establishes new rules for the recognition, fees, and conduct of agents and attorneys who represent veterans. The bill also mandates increased transparency regarding available assistance and requires a review of the entire representative recognition process.

The Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2025 temporarily modifies the physician self-referral prohibition (Stark Law) to allow physician practices to dispense certain Medicare Part D prescription drugs directly to their patients between 2026 and 2030. This exception is subject to specific conditions regarding prescribing, patient history, and dispensing location. The bill also mandates a GAO study to examine trends in physician office drug dispensing and makes a minor adjustment to the allocation for the Medicare Improvement Fund.

The Duty Drawback Clarification Act updates the U.S. tariff schedule to standardize the classification of whiskies under Chapter 22. This legislation removes an outdated whiskey classification code and requires the U.S. International Trade Commission to add new statistical tracking codes for imports. These changes will take effect 15 days after the Act is officially enacted.

The Civilians Resisting Unlawful Strikes Against Divine Establishments Act (CRUSADE Act) prohibits the use of any United States weapon, weapon system, or military implement against Christian civilians or Christian property in foreign countries. This measure ensures that American-supplied military equipment cannot be utilized in actions targeting these groups abroad.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act aims to combat sophisticated, cross-border criminal organizations driving massive increases in retail and supply chain theft. This bill updates federal laws regarding stolen goods and money laundering to strengthen enforcement tools against these groups. Furthermore, it establishes a new federal Coordination Center within Homeland Security to share intelligence and coordinate efforts between federal, state, and private sector partners. The legislation recognizes that these theft rings often fund other serious criminal activities, threatening national security and the economy.

The Putting Trust in Transparency Act mandates that any tax-exempt organization receiving federal funding must publicly disclose the names, zip codes, and donation amounts of its major contributors listed on IRS Form 990 Schedule B. This is intended to increase oversight of organizations acting as government agents using taxpayer money. Failure to comply with this new public disclosure requirement can result in the revocation of the organization's tax-exempt status.

The Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025 expands the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review of real estate purchases near sensitive military sites by foreign persons linked to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. This bill mandates automatic CFIUS review for these specific transactions and requires notification to local members of Congress. Furthermore, it pauses Department of Defense and Department of Transportation reviews and approvals for energy projects situated on land currently under CFIUS scrutiny for national security risks.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in Iran's energy sector and those who provide financial support for its destabilizing activities. It mandates sanctions on foreign entities involved in processing, exporting, or selling Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemicals, while also establishing an interagency working group to coordinate and enforce these sanctions. The Act also amends existing legislation to require the identification of individuals involved in sanctionable activities or sanctions evasion related to Iranian oil and gas sales.

The Keep Our Girls Safe Act of 2025 amends Title IX to prohibit individuals of one sex from entering locker rooms while individuals of the opposite sex are actively using them during school or educational activities. This legislation establishes clear boundaries for sex-segregated facilities in federally funded educational settings. The provisions of the Act will take effect 30 days after becoming law.

The Reducing Medically Unnecessary Delays in Care Act of 2025 aims to establish stricter federal standards for prior authorization decisions made by Medicare contractors and private Medicare plans. This bill mandates that coverage denials must be based on clear, evidence-based clinical criteria developed with input from practicing physicians. Furthermore, it requires plans to post their authorization rules online, provide advance notice of changes, and publicly report approval and denial statistics. Finally, all final denials of care must be reviewed and issued by a qualified, board-certified physician.

The SHORT Act aims to reform federal firearms regulations by redefining what constitutes a "firearm" for tax purposes, largely excluding antique or collector's items. It eliminates disparate federal treatment for short-barreled rifles and shotguns used lawfully and preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on these specific weapons. Furthermore, the bill mandates the destruction of certain existing federal registration and transfer records related to defined firearms.

The No Partisan Radio and Partisan Broadcasting Services Act (NPR and PBS Act) prohibits all federal funding, direct or indirect, for the National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). This measure immediately ends government financial support for these two national broadcasting entities. The restriction also applies to any successor organizations.

The Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025 aims to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows F-1 student visa holders to gain temporary work authorization after completing their studies. This bill removes the government's authority to grant such work permission unless explicitly authorized by a future Act of Congress.

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 establishes a national standard for carrying concealed handguns across state lines. This act allows individuals legally permitted to carry in their home state to carry concealed in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The law does not override private property restrictions or prohibitions on government property, but it provides protections and legal recourse for those traveling in compliance with the new federal standard.

The Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act of 2025 aims to ensure equitable treatment of osteopathic (D.O.) and allopathic (M.D.) medical school graduates in residency applications. It requires hospitals receiving Medicare funds to report detailed data on D.O. and M.D. applicants and acceptances for each residency program. Hospitals failing to submit this required data will face a 2% reduction in their Medicare payments. This collected data will also be made publicly available to promote transparency in the residency recruitment process.

This resolution expresses concern over China's growing influence in Panama, particularly through infrastructure projects and the management of key ports. It urges Panama to expel Chinese officials and terminate agreements that allow Chinese entities to control strategic infrastructure. The resolution also calls on the U.S. government to utilize the Neutrality Treaty to counter foreign influence, provide support to Panama, and explore a U.S.-Panama partnership to restore operational control of the Panama Canal. It seeks to safeguard the Panama Canal's neutrality, Western Hemisphere security, and U.S. national interests.

The Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025 ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from requiring or penalizing bidders based on union agreements. This legislation aims to keep federal agencies neutral in labor relations while promoting cost savings and opening opportunities for all businesses. Exceptions to this neutrality rule are strictly limited to specific public health, safety, or national security emergencies.