Legislative Activity

The ANCHOR Act requires the National Science Foundation (NSF) Director to develop a plan to improve cybersecurity and telecommunications for the U.S. Academic Research Fleet, including assessments of needs, costs, and opportunities for shared solutions. The plan will address network capabilities for scientific missions, cybersecurity recommendations, and a spending plan involving multiple stakeholders. The Act allows the Director to support cyberinfrastructure and cybersecurity upgrades to the fleet, and requires a progress report on the plan's implementation.

The "Celestial Time Standardization Act" directs NASA to develop a coordinated lunar time standard to support future space operations. This standard will ensure interoperability and accuracy for navigation and science on the Moon. NASA will coordinate with federal agencies, private sector, and international partners to implement this lunar time, with a report due to Congress within two years.

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 "Preventing Ranked Choice Corruption Act" prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting in all federal elections beginning in 2026. This act amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to explicitly forbid ranked-choice voting systems, where voters rank candidates by preference.

The "No Handouts for Drug Advertisements Act" disallows tax deductions for advertising and promotional expenses for prescription drugs marketed directly to consumers, excluding ads in professional journals and periodicals. This applies to covered entities, including drug sponsors and outsourcing facilities, and affects expenses incurred after the Act's enactment. The goal of the bill is to reduce the amount of direct-to-consumer drug advertising.

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 Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to remove the gray wolf from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife, as previously established in the 2020 rule. This action must be completed within 60 days of the Act's enactment. The Act explicitly prohibits any judicial review of this reissuance.

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.

This bill rescinds a waiver that allowed the transfer of funds from South Korea to Qatar, as well as any related licenses issued by the Treasury Department. It also prevents the President from reissuing similar waivers or licenses for the same purpose. Additionally, the bill prohibits the President from waiving restrictions or issuing licenses that would allow Iran to access or benefit from certain restricted accounts.

The "Secretary of the Coast Guard Act of 2025" establishes the position of Secretary of the Coast Guard, who will be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. This new Secretary will report directly to the Secretary, and the Commandant of the Coast Guard will report directly to the Secretary of the Coast Guard, streamlining the chain of command.

The "No Iranian Energy Act" amends the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 to impose sanctions on the sale, supply, or transfer of natural gas to or from Iran.

The Dual Loyalty Disclosure Act mandates that candidates for federal office must disclose in their statement of candidacy if they hold citizenship in any country besides the United States, specifying the country. This disclosure requirement will be enforced by the Federal Election Commission immediately upon the enactment of the law.

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 "Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act" directs the Attorney General to produce a series of reports analyzing attacks against law enforcement officers, unreported aggression towards officers, and the mental health and wellness of officers. These reports will include data collection and recommendations for improving training programs, protective gear, and mental health resources for law enforcement. The goal is to provide federal resources to law enforcement and deter attacks against officers. The Attorney General will consult with various stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies and relevant organizations, to develop these reports.

This bill establishes the "Congressional Fitness Challenge," a national program promoting physical fitness among students aged 6-17 through voluntary fitness tests administered by certified professionals. Participants will complete tests like running, pull-ups, curl-ups, and sit-and-reach, with performance standards set by covered committees based on age, gender, and disability considerations. Data will be collected and aggregated to track national fitness levels, and participants meeting benchmarks will receive certificates recognizing their achievement at gold, silver, or bronze levels. The program will be overseen by the House Administration Committee and the Rules and Administration Committee, who will jointly create regulations and guidance for implementation.

This bill reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, updating references and adding a clause to develop requirements for data sharing. It also authorizes $56,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030 to support these activities.

This bill censures Representative Al Green of Texas for disrupting the President's address to Congress on March 4, 2025. It condemns his actions and orders him to appear before the House of Representatives to receive a formal reprimand. During this time the Speaker of the House will publicly read the resolution of censure.

**ESA Amendments Act of 2025 Summary:** The ESA Amendments Act of 2025 seeks to modify and update the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by prioritizing conservation efforts, incentivizing private land stewardship, and increasing transparency and accountability. The act focuses on streamlining regulations, limiting legal challenges, and ensuring that decisions are based on sound science and economic considerations. These changes aim to balance species protection with the needs of private landowners and state management, while also addressing international trade regulations.

The Forest Service Accountability Act mandates that the President, with Senate approval, appoint the Chief of the Forest Service, choosing someone with expertise in forest and natural resources management. The Senate Committees on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Energy and Natural Resources will jointly review the nomination. Within 30 days of the Act's enactment, the President must submit a nomination for the Chief of the Forest Service to the Senate.