Legislative Activity

The American Victims of Terrorism Compensation Act aims to increase financial support for victims of state-sponsored terrorism by transferring forfeited funds and penalties into the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. It mandates the distribution of these funds to eligible claimants through additional, pro-rata payments, and requires regular reporting on the Fund's activities and balances. The Act also allows for the use of Department of Justice personnel to assist with the administration of the fund, and ensures remaining funds from prior payments are used for additional compensation.

The Small Business Investment Act of 2025 incentivizes investment in small businesses by increasing the exclusion for gains from qualified small business stock and reducing the holding period requirement to three years. It also allows the holding period of convertible debt instruments to be included when calculating the holding period of acquired stock. Additionally, the Act broadens the types of corporations that can qualify for certain tax benefits related to small business stock, including S corporations.

The "Promoting Resilient Buildings Act" aims to enhance community resilience to natural disasters through several key initiatives. It refines definitions related to hazard mitigation, establishes a residential resilience pilot program providing grants for home retrofits against disasters, and clarifies the scope of these changes within existing disaster relief programs. This act prioritizes assisting individuals with financial needs and requires a comprehensive report to Congress on the program's effectiveness.

The "Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act of 2025" directs the Secretary of Agriculture to contract a covered institution to review the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program's effectiveness, benefits, and burdens on cattle producers. Following the review, the Secretary must submit a report to the Senate and House Agriculture Committees with findings and recommendations for program improvements, including ways to reduce burdens on cattle producers.

The "Public Safety First Act" mandates the detention of aliens who have committed theft, burglary, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury. It amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to ensure these individuals are detained throughout their immigration proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security is required to issue detainers for these aliens, ensuring they are taken into custody.

This bill renames the Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Dallas, Texas, to the "Eddie Bernice Johnson VA Medical Center" in honor of Congresswoman Johnson's service to veterans, including her time as a Chief Psychiatric Nurse at the Dallas VA and her 30 years in Congress advocating for veterans' issues. All references to the medical center will reflect this new designation.

The "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025" permits individuals legally authorized to carry a concealed firearm in their home state to do so in any other state that allows concealed carry, provided they possess a valid photo ID and either a concealed carry permit or the legal right to carry without one in their home state. When carrying a concealed handgun in another state, individuals must adhere to the same restrictions imposed on residents of that state. This law does not override state laws regarding the issuance of concealed carry licenses or permits.