Legislative Activity

The Secure Our Ports Act of 2025 prohibits maritime facilities from contracting with companies owned or operated by China, Russia, North Korea, or Iran. This includes any foreign entity with partial ownership by these countries. The goal of this act is to protect U.S. ports from potential security threats posed by these nations.

This bill amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to modify the terms of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. It sets permit durations at no more than 10 years for state or municipal entities and no more than 5 years for other permit holders. The bill also corrects technical errors within the Act related to NPDES permits.

The Ending Major Borderland Environmental Ruin from Wildfires (EMBER) Act aims to mitigate wildfire risks and environmental damage along the southern border by establishing a vegetation management initiative and requiring the development of protocols to prevent environmental harm caused by illegal immigration. It mandates coordination between federal agencies, requires reporting on environmental damage incidents, and updates a previous government report on wildland fire management. The Act authorizes specific funding for fuels management activities and sets a timeline for the initiative's implementation and assessment.

The FISH Act of 2025 transfers authority over anadromous and catadromous fish species from the Secretary of Commerce to the Secretary of the Interior. It redefines anadromous and catadromous species within the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The Act allows for reconsideration of certain past administrative decisions and addresses administrative and legal details related to the transfer, ensuring continuity in existing legal documents, proceedings, and lawsuits. It also defines key terms like "function" and "office" to clarify the scope and implementation of the transfer.

The HELD Act aims to ensure cooperation between state and local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. It withholds federal funding from states and local governments that prevent their law enforcement agencies from sharing information with or honoring detainer requests from the Department of Homeland Security regarding immigrants in custody. The goal is to facilitate the transfer of custody of these immigrants to federal authorities for potential detention or removal proceedings. The Act also allows subdivisions of a state to apply for direct funding if the state is not eligible.

The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of 2025 aims to protect veterans by establishing a dedicated officer within the VA to combat fraud and scams targeting them. This officer will manage prevention programs, disseminate information, and coordinate with other agencies to safeguard veterans' benefits and identities. Additionally, the bill includes a minor technical correction to the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan fees.

This bill recognizes the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, a pivotal World War II battle, and commemorates the historic flag raisings on Mount Suribachi. It honors the U.S. and Japanese soldiers who fought, remembers those who died, and reaffirms the friendship between the U.S. and Japan. The bill encourages Americans to honor the veterans of Iwo Jima and today's U.S. service members.

The HEARTS Act of 2025 aims to reduce animal use in research and testing by promoting and funding alternative methods. It mandates the evaluation and utilization of non-animal methods before animal research is approved and establishes a National Center for Alternatives to Animals in Research and Testing within the NIH to develop, promote, and fund these alternatives. The Act also requires federally funded research entities to report on animal use and develop plans to reduce animal numbers in research.

The "Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act of 2025" aims to deter mail theft by increasing the maximum penalty for offenders. This bill amends existing law to raise the potential prison sentence for mail theft from 5 to 10 years.

This bill mandates the United States Postal Service to establish a distinct ZIP code solely for Eastvale, California. This change must be implemented within 180 days of the bill's enactment.

The Space Infrastructure Act designates space systems, services, and technology as critical infrastructure, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to define its scope and identify coordinating bodies. This act amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to formally include space-related assets as critical infrastructure. It also mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to report to Congress on the implementation of these changes.

The "Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025" amends existing law to establish an interest-bearing account within the U.S. Treasury for non-federal contributions to the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. This account, called the "Non-Federal Funding Account," will hold contributions and any interest earned, making the funds available to the Secretary for program expenditures without further appropriation. The bill ensures that previously and future contributed funds are deposited into the account, relieving state parties of investment loss liability once contributions are made.

The Treatment and Homelessness Housing Integration Act of 2024 directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a demonstration program that will award grants to Continuums of Care in high-homelessness areas, connecting participants in supportive housing programs with Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics for treatment of behavioral health, mental health, and substance use disorders. The program aims to improve access to care for homeless individuals with disabilities and requires a report to Congress on its effectiveness. The bill authorizes \$50,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to carry out the program.

The Legal Workforce Act mandates employers to verify employees' work eligibility through a federal verification system, requires the use of secure identity authentication technologies, and increases penalties for hiring unauthorized workers. It establishes a federal employment eligibility verification system, preempts state laws on employment eligibility verification, and protects employers from liability if they act in good faith based on the system's information. The Act also includes measures to prevent fraud and misuse of documents and Social Security numbers, and requires audits to identify unauthorized workers.