Legislative Activity

The ENFORCE Act aims to strengthen federal laws against child exploitation. It clarifies the crime of producing child pornography and significantly enhances enforcement against obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse. Key provisions include removing the statute of limitations for related offenses, requiring sex offender registration for those convicted, and establishing a presumption of detention before trial.

This bill mandates the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to disinter the remains of Fernando V. Cota from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Texas, within one year of enactment. The Secretary must first notify the next of kin regarding the planned removal. Upon notification, the remains will be released to the next of kin or the VA will arrange final disposition if the family does not respond.

The Enduring Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act introduces a mandatory **\$5,000 special assessment** for non-indigent individuals or entities convicted of specific federal offenses related to trafficking. This additional fee is intended to provide further resources or support for victims.

This bill, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025, amends existing law to strengthen the ability of victims and heirs to file claims for art looted by the Nazis. It explicitly blocks procedural defenses, such as statutes of limitations, to ensure these claims are decided on their actual merits. The legislation clarifies that it applies to all victims of Nazi persecution, regardless of nationality, and overrides certain judicial doctrines that have previously prevented recovery.

The Scam Compound Accountability and Mobilization Act addresses the growing threat of transnational cyber-enabled fraud originating from criminal operations, often involving human trafficking victims in Southeast Asia. This bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive U.S. strategy to counter these scam compounds and hold the responsible criminal organizations accountable. Furthermore, it establishes new authorities for imposing sanctions on facilitators and requires a review of legal tools to ensure victims can receive financial redress from seized assets.

This bill establishes a State judicial threat intelligence and resource center to enhance the security of state and local judges and court staff. It directs the State Justice Institute to provide support for creating this center, which will offer training, conduct security assessments, and proactively monitor threats. The center will also develop a national database for sharing threat information across law enforcement agencies. Finally, the Institute must submit an annual report detailing the scope and seriousness of threats against the judiciary.

The Space RACE Act establishes the National Institute for Space Research within NASA to coordinate and support U.S. microgravity research and development across government agencies and non-governmental entities. This Institute will help transition in-space research from the International Space Station to next-generation platforms. It is authorized to issue grants and provide technical assistance to ensure the continuity and advancement of American space-based scientific exploration.

The Restricting Ex-Vetted Officials from Knowledge Exploitation (REVOKE) Act prohibits former Department of Defense personnel from holding security clearances if they lobby for specific Chinese military companies identified by the Department of Defense and Treasury. This measure aims to prevent the exploitation of sensitive knowledge by individuals working on behalf of foreign adversaries. The Secretary of Defense retains a limited waiver authority based on national security interests.

The END Illicit Chinese Tobacco Act amends federal law to explicitly mandate the destruction of any imported tobacco products found to be adulterated, misbranded, or counterfeit. This legislation strengthens the ability of the FDA to stop illicit Chinese tobacco products at the border.

This resolution supports the goals and ideals of Red Ribbon Week, observed annually from October 23rd through 31st, to promote drug prevention education. It recognizes the ongoing national drug crisis, particularly the dangers of synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The bill encourages all Americans to wear red ribbons and participate in activities that promote healthy, drug-free lifestyles.

The HUD Transparency Act of 2025 mandates that the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide annual testimony to Congress. This testimony must detail the office's efforts to combat fraud, waste, and abuse, assess HUD program effectiveness, and evaluate the agency's resource needs. The goal is to enhance public accountability and oversight of HUD operations.

This bill mandates the Administrator for Nuclear Security to develop and present a comprehensive plan to modernize and accelerate the Material Staging Capabilities within the nuclear security enterprise. The plan must outline modernization phases, estimate total costs, and aim to speed up key milestones for fiscal year 2026. The modernization effort must proceed concurrently with infrastructure upgrades for high explosives capabilities.

This bill mandates that secondary schools provide military recruiters with the same access to students and campus facilities as any other prospective employer or institution of higher education. It requires schools to facilitate a minimum of four in-person recruitment events annually. Furthermore, the legislation compels local educational agencies to disclose specific student contact and academic information to military recruiters upon request.

The PARTNERS Act establishes a pilot program for joint training between the U.S. and Mexican Armed Forces focused on countering transnational criminal organizations. This initiative will involve the Mexican military training in the United States on tactics like rotary-wing operations, network analysis, and counter-illicit trafficking. The Secretary of Defense is required to submit a detailed plan for this cooperative security effort to Congress.

The PAID OFF Act of 2025 restricts certain exemptions under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) for agents representing foreign government or corporate entities owned or controlled by designated "countries of concern." It establishes a process requiring Congressional approval via a joint resolution for the Secretary of State to modify this list of concerning countries. These significant changes are set to terminate five years after the date the Act becomes law.

The Kayla Hamilton Act revises the standards for placing unaccompanied alien children in federal custody to prioritize child safety and prevent trafficking. It mandates enhanced screening, consultation with law enforcement, and stricter criteria for placement settings and sponsors. This legislation ensures that placement decisions are made only after comprehensive safety checks are completed for the child and potential sponsors.

The "United States Legal Gold and Mining Partnership Act" aims to combat illicit gold mining in the Western Hemisphere by developing a comprehensive strategy to disrupt connections between illegal actors and artisanal mining, counter illicit financing, and build law enforcement capacity. It requires the Secretary of State to create a multi-year plan, brief Congress on Venezuelan illicit gold activities, and conduct international financial investigations. The act also promotes responsible gold mining practices through public-private partnerships and authorizes appropriations to support the implementation of the strategy.

The Strengthening Child Exploitation Enforcement Act updates federal laws to enhance protections against crimes involving minors. This bill clarifies definitions in kidnapping and sexual abuse statutes, broadens the scope of sex trafficking offenses, and establishes a new federal crime for certain intentional touching of minors under 16. Furthermore, it standardizes penalties, ensuring attempts to commit these offenses carry the same weight as completed acts.

The Protecting Americans from Russian Litigation Act of 2025 aims to shield U.S. persons and companies from legal repercussions for complying with U.S. sanctions and export control laws. It prohibits the enforcement of foreign court judgments or arbitration awards in U.S. courts if those foreign decisions penalize compliance with U.S. sanctions. This protection generally does not apply to victims of terrorism or cases where parties contractually agreed to U.S.-only jurisdiction.

The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act aims to combat illegal drug manufacturing by tightening regulations on equipment used to make counterfeit pills. This bill expands the definition of regulated persons to include those dealing in specific pill-making machinery and their critical parts. It mandates permanent serial numbers on these machines and parts, requiring transaction reporting to the Attorney General. Furthermore, the Act prohibits the removal or alteration of these required identification numbers.