Legislative Activity

This resolution officially commemorates June 19, 2025, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day." It recognizes the historical significance of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in the Southwest finally received news of their freedom. The resolution supports the nationwide celebration of this day as a vital part of American history and heritage.

The CLEAR Path Act strengthens post-employment restrictions for high-level, Senate-confirmed former U.S. officials, prohibiting them from lobbying on behalf of "countries of concern" to U.S. government employees. It also establishes a mechanism requiring Congressional approval via a joint resolution to amend the statutory definition of "country of concern." The Act reflects Congress's view that current conflict of interest rules for departing officials need close review. These new restrictions apply to officials appointed on or after the date of enactment and expire five years later.

This bill, the Big Bend National Park Boundary Adjustment Act, authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to expand the boundaries of Big Bend National Park. The expansion can include approximately 6,100 acres acquired only through donation or land exchange. Any newly acquired land will be managed as part of the existing park, and the use of eminent domain to force land sales is strictly prohibited.

This resolution formally recognizes the life, achievements, and dedicated public service of former First Lady Barbara Pierce Bush in honor of her 100th birthday. It details her journey from her early life and marriage to her tenure as Second Lady and First Lady, highlighting her crucial work championing family literacy. The bill serves as a tribute celebrating her lasting legacy as a model citizen and public servant.

The Special District Fairness and Accessibility Act mandates that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issue clear guidance ensuring that qualifying special districts are recognized as eligible local government units for federal financial assistance. Federal agencies must then update their procedures to comply with this new guidance within one year. The OMB Director will report to Congress on agency compliance two years after enactment.

The Stop Funding Genital Mutilation Act prohibits the use of federal Medicaid and CHIP funds for specified gender transition procedures, including certain surgeries, cosmetic procedures, and hormone treatments intended to alter a person's body to not match their biological sex. The bill strictly defines "sex" as male or female based on biological determination. Exceptions to this funding ban exist for treating precocious puberty, medically verifiable disorders of sex development, and emergency situations following prior transition procedures.

The LAUNCH Act aims to significantly streamline and accelerate commercial space activities by overhauling federal regulations for launch, reentry, and remote sensing licensing. It mandates the creation of a digital application tracking system and establishes a dedicated Commercial Space Transportation Administration within the Department of Transportation. Furthermore, the bill requires reviews to cut regulatory red tape and ensures industry voices are heard to foster innovation and maintain U.S. competitiveness in the global space economy.

This bill modifies the law regarding expedited review for advanced technology export licenses to Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada. It broadens the definition of "export" within this expedited review process. This change ensures that various transfers, including re-shipping, third-party transfers, and brokering deals involving defense articles, qualify for faster license approval to these key allies.

The Carla Walker Act establishes federal grants to help forensic laboratories upgrade their capabilities, specifically by adopting advanced whole genome sequencing technology for criminal investigations and identifying human remains. These grants prioritize funding for forensic genetic genealogical analysis when standard DNA testing methods fail to yield investigative leads. The law also mandates detailed reporting on the use of these funds and requires the Attorney General to submit a comprehensive report to Congress on the future implementation of forensic genetic genealogy.

The Don’t Sell My DNA Act amends federal bankruptcy law to establish strict protections for genetic information. This legislation prohibits the sale or lease of an individual's genetic data by a bankruptcy trustee unless every affected person provides explicit, written consent after the case begins. Furthermore, any genetic data not sold must be securely deleted according to court-approved standards. These new rules apply immediately to all current and future bankruptcy cases.

This bill, the Generating Retirement Ownership through Long-Term Holding Act, allows individuals to defer paying immediate taxes on capital gain dividends from regulated investment companies if those dividends are automatically reinvested into buying more shares. Tax on the deferred gain is recognized only when the shares are eventually sold, redeemed, or upon the owner's death. The legislation also grants these reinvested shares an automatic long-term holding period for tax purposes.

The PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 updates and extends key federal efforts to combat child exploitation. This bill revises the National Strategy to focus on emerging technology trends and mandates detailed resource planning for law enforcement. It also modifies the operations of Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Forces, clarifying their duties, expanding partnerships, and providing liability protections for lead prioritization decisions. Finally, the Act adjusts grant funding allocations and authorizes specific funding levels through fiscal year 2028.

The Empower Charter School Educators to Lead Act revises federal grant management for high-quality charter schools to enhance technical assistance and oversight for authorizing agencies. The bill establishes new experience and planning requirements for educator-led groups applying for pre-charter planning grants. It also adjusts the required percentages for how states must allocate these federal grant funds across various authorized activities.

The State Border Security Assistance Act establishes two new federal grant funds to support state and local efforts regarding immigration enforcement. The first fund provides resources for physical border barriers, surveillance technology, and relocation costs along the southern border. The second fund is dedicated to assisting states with the costs of arresting, prosecuting, and detaining undocumented individuals, particularly those who have committed crimes. Both programs are authorized through 2029, with remaining funds returning to the Treasury.

The STOP Screwworms Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish and operate facilities for rearing and releasing sterile New World screwworm flies to control infestations. This legislation dedicates $300 million to build these modular rearing facilities in at-risk areas and mandates annual public reporting on the threat level and control efforts. The goal is to actively combat the spread of screwworm flies threatening U.S. agriculture.

The Mission to MARS Act allocates **\$1 billion** to significantly upgrade and modernize facilities at NASA's Johnson Space Center. This funding is dedicated to improving astronaut training, updating Mission Control for deep-space missions, and enhancing infrastructure supporting commercial space activities. The goal is to prepare the center for future crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.

The Safeguarding Transit Operations to Prohibit China Act (STOP China Act) aims to prevent U.S. taxpayer funds from supporting transit vehicle manufacturing tied to the People's Republic of China (PRC). The bill specifically prohibits federal funding for the purchase of covered vehicles, such as buses or trains, produced by entities controlled by or based in designated foreign nations. To enforce this, the Act mandates the creation and regular updating of a public watchlist identifying these restricted manufacturers.

The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act introduces a new aggravating factor for federal death penalty consideration. This factor applies when an individual who is illegally present in the U.S. is convicted of killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a United States citizen. This measure aims to provide justice for victims of crimes committed by unauthorized immigrants.

The SHIELD Against CCP Act establishes a new Working Group within the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to countering threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). This group will investigate CCP exploitation across immigration, economic misconduct, drug trafficking, and financial crimes. The Act mandates annual reporting to Congress on these threats and requires the group to coordinate efforts and identify gaps in current DHS security measures.

The United States Research Protection Act of 2025 aims to strengthen national security by clarifying restrictions on malign foreign talent recruitment. This bill updates the definition of a "foreign country of concern" within existing research and innovation laws. It also broadens the scope of prohibited involvement in restricted programs to include both direct and indirect participation.