Legislative Activity

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

**Title I:** This bill seeks to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government by revoking prior directives, terminating DEI offices, and restricting DEI-related training and activities. **Title II:** This bill restricts federal training programs from including topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and protects employees from mandatory training on these subjects. **Title III:** This bill modifies federal contracting practices by prohibiting the use of federal funds for DEI-related activities and ensuring non-discrimination in federal programs. **Title IV:** This bill restricts the use of federal grant and cooperative agreement funds for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, while exempting certain offices and institutions. **Title V:** This bill aims to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within federal advisory committees by outlining specific prohibitions, enforcement mechanisms, and responsibilities for agency administrators and heads to ensure compliance. **Title VI:** This bill addresses accreditation standards for higher education institutions and restricts the use of federal funds by the Secretary of Education related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. **Title VII:** This bill eliminates certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and related requirements across various federal agencies and acts. **Title VIII:** This bill focuses on the enforcement and legal standing of the Act, ensuring individuals have the right to seek justice if they believe the law has been violated, and clarifies that the law remains effective even if parts of it are deemed unconstitutional.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the EPA’s "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems" rule. If passed, the resolution would nullify the rule, rendering it without force or effect.

The SHOW UP Act of 2025 requires federal executive agencies to reinstate the telework policies and practices that were in effect on December 31, 2019. To expand telework beyond those pre-pandemic levels, agencies must conduct a comprehensive impact study and obtain certification from the Office of Personnel Management proving that such changes will improve mission performance and reduce operational costs.

The Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of the Interior reissue the 2017 rule to remove the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear population from the federal endangered species list. This legislation requires the action to be completed within 180 days and explicitly prohibits judicial review of the reissued rule.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

This resolution designates January 26 through February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week," recognizing the importance of diverse educational options (public, charter, magnet, private, online, and homeschooling). It emphasizes the role of parents in choosing the best educational environment for their children and encourages awareness of the benefits of school choice. The resolution supports celebrating educational choice and acknowledges the contributions of students, parents, teachers, and school leaders.

The Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2025 establishes a procedural safeguard to ensure that the Crime Victims Fund is consistently utilized for its intended purpose of supporting victims of crime. By creating a point of order in both the House and Senate, the bill prevents Congress from withholding or diverting funds below a defined three-year average of annual deposits. This legislation aims to address the chronic under-disbursement of the Fund, which is financed entirely by federal fines and penalties rather than taxpayer dollars.

The Freedom from Government Surveys Act makes participation in the American Community Survey (ACS) entirely voluntary. It eliminates legal penalties for refusing to answer survey questions and requires the Census Bureau to explicitly inform recipients that participation is not mandatory.

The FAIR Act of 2025 reforms federal civil forfeiture laws to protect property owners by raising the government's burden of proof, mandating judicial oversight, and expanding access to legal counsel. The bill also eliminates nonjudicial forfeiture and ends programs that share seized assets with state and local law enforcement, redirecting proceeds to the General Fund of the Treasury. Additionally, it provides new protections for individuals accused of structuring transactions and increases transparency in forfeiture reporting.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Reauthorization Act expands financial and medical support for individuals impacted by U.S. nuclear testing, uranium mining, and Manhattan Project waste. This legislation broadens eligibility criteria, increases compensation amounts, and simplifies the claims process for affected workers and downwind communities. Additionally, it mandates environmental monitoring and research to protect public health in areas historically exposed to nuclear radiation.

The PEACE Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal education funds for curricula or instruction that promotes "divisive concepts" related to race. The bill specifically restricts teaching that assigns collective guilt, promotes racial stereotyping, or suggests that individuals are inherently oppressive based on their race.

This joint resolution exercises congressional authority to disapprove and nullify the Department of Energy’s recent rule regarding energy conservation standards for consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. By passing this measure, Congress prevents the rule from taking effect, effectively blocking the proposed regulatory changes.

The Resiliency for Ranching and Natural Conservation Health Act authorizes federal land managers to provide ranchers with temporary access to vacant grazing allotments during extreme natural disasters. This legislation ensures that permit holders can maintain their operations while their primary lands recover, without altering the long-term status or management of those vacant allotments.

The Codifying Useful Regulatory Definitions (CURD) Act establishes a formal federal definition for "natural cheese" to ensure consumer transparency and consistency in labeling. By distinguishing natural cheese from processed varieties, the bill sets clear standards for production and prohibits states from imposing conflicting labeling requirements.

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2025 prohibits the use of federal funds for abortion services and federally subsidized health insurance plans that include abortion coverage. The bill also mandates increased transparency by requiring health plans to clearly disclose abortion coverage and associated premium surcharges in all marketing and enrollment materials. Exceptions are provided for cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospital transport and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child is protected from prosecution. The bill also allows the woman on whom the abortion was performed to file a civil action against anyone who violated the requirements if a child was born alive.

This bill mandates that federal agencies submit comprehensive zero-based budgets to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget every six years. Additionally, most agencies are required to identify specific programs for elimination to achieve a minimum 2 percent reduction in discretionary spending.

The Northwest Energy Security Act mandates that the Federal Columbia River Power System be operated in accordance with the 2020 Columbia River System Operations Environmental Impact Statement. It establishes strict requirements for any future amendments to these operations and prohibits structural changes that would restrict hydroelectric power generation or navigation on the Snake River without explicit congressional authorization.

The Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act mandates that the Secretary of State designate Ansarallah (the Houthis) as a foreign terrorist organization. Additionally, the bill requires the President to impose targeted sanctions on the group and its affiliates within 90 days of enactment.