Legislative Activity

The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act of 2025 exempts from immigrant visa limits individuals eligible for visas under the Immigration and Nationality Act, provided they have a parent who naturalized under specific sections of law related to Filipino veterans who served during World War II. This exemption aims to facilitate the reunification of families of Filipino veterans who served with the United States Armed Forces during World War II.

The Noncontiguous Shipping Reasonable Rate Act of 2024 establishes a new standard for determining fair shipping costs in noncontiguous domestic ocean trade. Under this act, a rate is considered reasonable if it falls within 10 percent of a comparable international ocean rate index recognized by the Federal Maritime Commission.

The American Seabed Protection Act prohibits the issuance of new permits for the exploration and commercial mining of hard minerals on the deep seabed and the Outer Continental Shelf, with an exception for scientific research. Additionally, the bill mandates a comprehensive study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to assess the environmental, ecological, and climate impacts of such mining activities.

The Noncontiguous Shipping Relief Act of 2024 proposes an exemption to current federal shipping laws, allowing certain foreign-built and foreign-registered vessels to transport cargo between noncontiguous parts of the United States, such as Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The bill establishes specific regulatory, labor, and environmental standards that these vessels must meet to operate in U.S. domestic trade. Additionally, it introduces new legal requirements for non-citizen entities that irregularly engage in U.S. coastwise shipping.

The Noncontiguous Shipping Competition Act aims to increase shipping options by allowing foreign-flagged vessels to operate on noncontiguous trade routes under specific conditions. This exemption applies only to routes that lack sufficient competition, defined as having fewer than three independent, coastwise-qualified operators each moving at least 20 percent of the freight volume. The bill seeks to foster greater market competition and improve service reliability in these regions.

This bill expresses formal opposition to deep seabed mining and directs the President to advocate for an international moratorium on such activities. It mandates that the U.S. use its influence in global organizations to block mining and financing until comprehensive, science-based regulatory frameworks are established to ensure the protection of marine ecosystems.

The BLUE Pacific Act establishes a comprehensive, long-term strategy to deepen U.S. political, economic, and security partnerships with Pacific Island nations. By authorizing dedicated funding and resources, the bill aims to foster regional stability, climate resilience, and sustainable development while countering external influence. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to transition U.S. engagement from reactive aid to a sustained, people-centered partnership that bolsters the sovereignty and prosperity of the region.

The Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act mandates comprehensive preclearance quarantine inspections for all passengers, cargo, and mail traveling to or from Hawaii to prevent the introduction and spread of high-risk invasive species. The bill authorizes federal agencies to conduct rigorous screenings at departure points and establishes a fee structure to fully fund these essential agricultural protection services.

The Affordable Shipping for All Act prohibits shipping services from charging higher rates or refusing delivery to Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories compared to the contiguous United States. This legislation ensures equitable shipping access for noncontiguous areas, excluding high-value items exceeding $10,000.

The Sustainable Budget Act of 2025 establishes a bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform tasked with developing recommendations to balance the federal budget and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability. The bill mandates that these recommendations be submitted to Congress, where they will undergo an expedited legislative process to facilitate a timely vote.