Legislative Activity

The Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2025 bans the practice of paid conversion therapy aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, deeming it ineffective and harmful. This Act treats the provision or advertisement of such therapy as an unfair or deceptive business practice under the FTC Act. Enforcement authority is granted to the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Attorney General, and State Attorneys General. The law includes a severability clause ensuring that the invalidation of one provision does not void the entire Act.

The SEMI Investment Act clarifies and expands the definition of an "advanced manufacturing facility" eligible for the existing investment tax credit. This change specifically targets property used to manufacture semiconductors, semiconductor equipment, or essential semiconductor materials. The legislation provides detailed definitions for both direct and indirect production materials that qualify for this credit. Furthermore, it mandates the Treasury and Commerce Departments to publish and annually update a definitive list of qualifying materials.

The American Innovation and Jobs Act aims to boost U.S. competitiveness by restoring immediate expensing for most business research and development (R&D) investments. It also significantly expands the refundable R&D tax credit for new and small businesses, increasing the maximum refund amount and raising eligibility thresholds. Furthermore, the bill makes technical adjustments to the R&D credit calculation to make it more accessible for startups. These provisions are designed to incentivize domestic innovation and job creation starting in tax years after 2021 and 2024, respectively.

The **RESEARCHER Act** mandates that federal research agencies establish new policies to address the financial instability of graduate and postdoctoral researchers. It requires the development of guidelines to improve researcher stipends, benefits, and support systems like housing and childcare. The law also enhances data collection and mandates studies by the National Academies and GAO to track progress in supporting these critical members of the research workforce.

The Tax Relief for New Businesses Act simplifies tax treatment for new businesses by combining start-up and organizational expenditures under a single set of rules. This legislation significantly increases the immediate deduction limit for these initial costs from $\$5,000$ to $\$50,000$, with the phase-out threshold raised to $\$150,000$. It also introduces special rules for how these new deductions affect Net Operating Loss (NOL) calculations for partnerships and S corporations. These changes are effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Youth Substance Use Prevention and Awareness Act amends federal grant usage to specifically fund public service announcement (PSA) campaigns aimed at preventing substance use among young people. Grantees can now use these funds for creating and running age-appropriate PSAs across various media platforms, including funding youth-led PSA contests. Furthermore, the Attorney General is required to issue an annual report detailing the funded campaigns, the research supporting them, and their effectiveness.

The Small Business Liberation Act exempts qualifying small business concerns from certain import duties or requirements imposed by the President under a national emergency declaration. This provision ensures that small businesses are shielded from specific trade restrictions enacted during national emergencies.

This resolution expresses strong support for designating the week of May 4 through May 10, 2025, as National Small Business Week. It aims to celebrate the vital contributions of the over 34.5 million small businesses that support tens of millions of jobs nationwide. The bill honors the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit of small business owners in every community.

This resolution recognizes the escalating global threats against journalists and reaffirms the vital role of a free and independent press in upholding democracy and informing the public. It highlights the dangers faced by reporters in conflict zones and under repressive regimes, emphasizing that press freedom is a priority for U.S. foreign policy. The measure calls for the U.S. government to continue championing journalist safety and accountability for those who attack the press worldwide.

The Captive Primate Safety Act amends the Lacey Act to prohibit the importation, sale, breeding, and possession of certain nonhuman primate species across state lines. This new law makes most commercial and private activities involving these primates illegal, with limited exceptions for pre-existing, registered owners and authorized research facilities. The Secretary of the Interior is tasked with developing enforcement regulations within 180 days of enactment.

The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes and extends the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through fiscal year 2033, increasing its total authorized funding. This legislation adjusts funding priorities to favor projects receiving private contributions and streamlines the process for accepting and allocating public donations. Additionally, it mandates reporting on efforts to reduce the existing deferred maintenance backlog and improve future preventative maintenance across public lands.

The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2025 aims to simplify and broaden what inventions qualify for patent protection by eliminating judge-made exceptions to current law. It establishes that any useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter is eligible, provided it meets a new "specific and practical utility" standard. While core exclusions like pure mathematical formulas and abstract business methods remain, the bill clarifies that human genes and natural materials are patentable if modified or used in a new invention. This legislation ensures that eligibility is determined by examining the entire claim, independent of existing novelty or obviousness standards.

The SECURE Notarization Act of 2025 authorizes notaries to perform electronic and remote notarizations for transactions affecting interstate commerce, provided they adhere to strict identity verification and audio/video recording standards. This Act mandates that notarizations validly performed in one state must be recognized by federal courts and other states. Furthermore, it clarifies that states can set higher standards or restrict notaries from using these new technologies based on commission status, while protecting existing rights against fraud or duress.

The PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical federal research funding for preterm labor and the care of low birthweight infants through fiscal year 2029. It mandates the establishment of an interagency working group to coordinate efforts related to prematurity. Furthermore, the bill requires a comprehensive study by the National Academies on the financial costs, causes, prevention, and support opportunities related to preterm births.

This resolution formally requests the Secretary of State to submit a detailed report to Congress regarding human rights practices in El Salvador within 30 days. The report must cover credible allegations of abuses, including torture, forced disappearances, and judicial fairness, particularly in light of the "State of Exception." Furthermore, it requires an accounting of U.S. actions taken to promote human rights and assess the risk of U.S. security assistance supporting officials involved in abuses.

The Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 establishes a comprehensive national policy to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and its links to forced labor. The bill mandates the creation of a public blacklist of foreign vessels and owners engaged in these illicit activities, imposing strict consequences such as port access denial and import bans on their seafood. Furthermore, it directs federal agencies to enhance enforcement coordination, develop strategies for data sharing, and increase technical assistance to foreign nations to strengthen global fisheries sustainability.

The Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 comprehensively defines and bans the manufacture, sale, and transfer of specific semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It grandfathers existing possessions but requires background checks for all future private transfers of these previously owned weapons. The bill also permits the use of federal Byrne grant funds for state-run buy-back programs targeting these banned items.

The Better CARE for Animals Act of 2025 significantly strengthens the enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act by clarifying definitions and expanding inspection powers. It grants the Attorney General direct authority to sue violators, seek injunctions, and impose substantial daily civil penalties. Furthermore, the bill allows for the seizure of animals involved in violations and mandates that collected penalty funds be used to reimburse temporary animal care costs.

This bill modifies the railroad track maintenance credit by significantly increasing the maximum credit amount per mile from $\$3,500$ to $\$6,100$. It also updates the eligibility period for qualifying expenditures and mandates that the new credit limit will be adjusted for inflation starting in 2026. These changes are designed to provide greater financial support for ongoing railroad infrastructure upkeep.

The Claiming Age Clarity Act standardizes the terminology used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) when discussing retirement ages. This legislation replaces terms like "full retirement age" and "early eligibility age" with clearer, consistent language such as "standard monthly benefit age" and "minimum monthly benefit age." The SSA is mandated to update all official materials to reflect this new terminology by January 1, 2027.