Legislative Activity

The Concrete and Asphalt Innovation Act of 2025 establishes federal programs to accelerate research, development, and deployment of low-emissions cement, concrete, and asphalt. The bill aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions from these critical building materials while boosting domestic manufacturing and supply chains. Key components include establishing research programs, creating specialized Manufacturing USA institutes, and providing financial incentives for states to adopt greener road materials. The Act also creates an Interagency Task Force to coordinate strategies for performance standards, workforce development, and market adoption of these innovative products.

The PARTS Act of 2025, or Protecting Americans Right To Silence Act, updates the federal definition of a "firearm silencer" or "firearm muffler." This legislation clarifies that both complete sound-reducing devices and the main housing component of such a device are legally considered silencers if designed to attach to a portable firearm. This change ensures that the core components intended for noise reduction are regulated under existing federal law.

The Social Security Overpayment Relief Act limits the government's ability to recover Social Security and SSI overpayments. Specifically, the government cannot seek repayment or reduce future benefits for overpayments discovered ten or more years after the overpayment occurred. This provides relief by preventing the collection of very old benefit overpayments.

The Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025 repeals the EPA's recent multi-pollutant emissions standards for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. Furthermore, this Act prohibits the EPA from issuing future tailpipe emission regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. The EPA must update existing rules within 24 months to comply with these new restrictions.

The HELPER Act of 2025 establishes a new FHA mortgage insurance program to help first responders, educators, and law enforcement officers purchase homes. This program offers qualifying first-time homebuyers the potential for a zero down payment mortgage. A key feature is the elimination of monthly mortgage insurance premiums, though an upfront premium will still be charged.

The Baltic Security Initiative Act establishes a new program to deepen U.S. military cooperation with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to deter Russian aggression and implement NATO strategy. This initiative will focus on long-term projects like enhancing air defense, improving cyber resilience, and developing regional military capabilities. The Secretary of Defense must submit a strategy outlining these efforts and is authorized $350 million annually from FY2026 through FY2028 to support the program.

The Freedom to Haul Act of 2025 prohibits the EPA from implementing or enforcing the Phase 3 heavy-duty vehicle emission rules. Furthermore, the bill prevents the EPA from issuing tailpipe emission regulations that mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new motor vehicles based on engine type. This ensures manufacturers retain flexibility in meeting pollution standards.

The Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act of 2025 amends the Clean Air Act to prohibit states from receiving waivers to set new vehicle emission standards that restrict the sale or use of new cars with internal combustion engines. This legislation invalidates any existing or future state standards that directly or indirectly limit traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. Furthermore, the bill mandates the revocation of any previously granted waivers that conflict with this new restriction.

The Protecting Pharmacies in Medicaid Act aims to ensure pharmacies receive accurate payments under Medicaid by requiring government surveys to establish transparent national drug acquisition cost benchmarks. It also prohibits abusive "spread pricing" by requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to pass through ingredient costs plus dispensing fees directly to pharmacies. This legislation mandates greater transparency in PBM contracts and establishes penalties for non-compliant pharmacies refusing to participate in cost surveys.

The Patients Before Middlemen Act aims to increase transparency and fairness in Medicare Part D prescription drug plans by regulating Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and improving pharmacy access. The bill requires PBMs to limit their compensation to bona fide service fees and mandates extensive annual reporting on drug costs and rebates. Additionally, it establishes standards to ensure all pharmacies have fair access to Medicare networks and protects independent pharmacies.

The NFIP Extension Act of 2025 is a short-term measure designed to keep the National Flood Insurance Program operational. This bill extends both the program's authorization and its financing authority for two years, setting the new expiration date to September 30, 2025. This ensures continued coverage and funding for flood insurance nationwide.

This Act mandates the creation of a comprehensive U.S. strategy to significantly boost American exports of goods and services to Africa and Latin America/the Caribbean by 200 percent within ten years. The President must develop this plan in consultation with various government bodies and private sector groups, submitting the final strategy within 200 days of enactment. The bill also establishes dedicated Export Strategy Coordinators and requires joint trade missions to these regions to ensure successful implementation and job creation.

The Book Minimum Tax Repeal Act completely eliminates the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) for corporations, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. For non-corporate taxpayers, the bill updates the tentative minimum tax calculation with new tiered tax rates of 26% and 28%. This legislation also makes necessary technical adjustments across the Internal Revenue Code to remove references to the repealed corporate AMT structure.

The "Invest to Protect Act of 2025" establishes a grant program to support local law enforcement by providing resources for training, mental health services, recruitment, and retention. These grants prioritize de-escalation training, victim-centered approaches, and officer well-being. The program emphasizes accountability through audits, reporting requirements, and transparency in officer recruitment and retention incentives. It allocates \$50 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to facilitate these improvements in law enforcement practices and community safety.

The Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2025 ensures that surviving spouses of veterans who die from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) receive increased dependency and indemnity compensation. This benefit is provided regardless of how long the veteran had ALS before passing away. The Act applies retroactively to veterans who died from ALS on or after October 1, 2022.

The "Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act" enables state Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive care through health homes for individuals with sickle cell disease starting January 1, 2026. It requires states with sickle cell disease-focused plans to provide dental and vision services and to report on healthcare quality, access, and expenditures. The Act also directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish best practices for these state plans.

This resolution marks the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, reaffirming support for Ukraine's sovereignty and its people's resistance. It rejects Russia's territorial claims, encourages continued support for Ukraine's defense and democratic efforts, and emphasizes Ukraine's role in determining its future. The resolution also commends efforts to support Ukraine's defense, human rights, and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The "Federal Prisons Accountability Act of 2025" changes the appointment process for the Director of the Bureau of Prisons. Going forward, the President will appoint the Director with Senate approval, similar to other high-ranking officials in the Department of Justice, for a single 10-year term. The Director will report directly to the Attorney General.

The North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to present a Congressional Gold Medal to the individuals and communities who volunteered or donated to the North Platte Canteen during World War II. After the presentation, the medal will be given to the Lincoln County Historical Museum in North Platte, Nebraska, for public display. The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for creating the gold medal, and the United States Mint is authorized to produce and sell bronze duplicates.

The "Stop Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act of 2025" postpones tax deadlines for U.S. nationals held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad, including their spouses. It also allows these individuals to apply for a refund or abatement of certain tax penalties and fines paid between January 1, 2021, and the bill's enactment. The Secretaries of State, the Attorney General, and the Treasury will coordinate to identify eligible individuals and implement these provisions.