Legislative Activity

The SHOPP Act of 2025 expands nutrition incentives under the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) by allowing states to include fresh or fresh frozen fruits and vegetables as eligible items for year-round matching funds. This legislation also broadens the definition of "produce" within the program to explicitly include legumes alongside fruits and vegetables. The goal is to increase access to a wider variety of healthy food options for program participants.

The "Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025" mandates the Secretary of the Interior to regularly report to Congress on the state of global critical mineral and rare earth element resources, including identifying resources controlled by foreign entities of concern. It also requires establishing a process for U.S. individuals to notify the government when divesting stock in foreign critical mineral operations, and directs the development of a strategy to collaborate with allied countries on advanced mining and processing technologies. The goal is to ensure the U.S. and its allies have secure access to these critical resources.

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 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 "CATCH Fentanyl Act" mandates pilot projects to evaluate advanced technologies, including AI, for detecting contraband, illegal drugs, weapons, and human smuggling at U.S. land ports of entry. These projects aim to enhance inspection efficiency, reduce wait times, and improve existing detection equipment. The Act requires reports to Congress on the effectiveness, impacts on privacy and civil liberties, and recommendations for implementing new technologies, while forbidding new funding appropriations.

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.