Legislative Activity

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 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 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 Fighting Foreign Illegal Seafood Harvests Act of 2025 (FISH Act) establishes a comprehensive national policy to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing and related crimes like forced labor. Key provisions include creating a public "black list" of offending foreign vessels subject to U.S. port restrictions and authorizing the Treasury Department to impose sanctions on entities involved in these illegal activities. The Act also mandates improved data sharing, increased international cooperation, and strategic investments to help partner nations strengthen their own fisheries management and enforcement capabilities.

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.

The Equality Act comprehensively amends federal civil rights laws to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across key areas of American life. This legislation expands existing protections in public accommodations, employment, housing, credit access, and jury service. Its purpose is to ensure consistent and clear nationwide enforcement of non-discrimination principles for LGBTQ individuals and women.

This bill mandates that the Social Security Administration (SSA) implement a new schedule for mailing paper Social Security statements to beneficiaries, beginning no later than January 1, 2027. The frequency of these mailed statements increases with the recipient's age, ensuring regular updates even for those with online accounts. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes necessary appropriations to cover the administrative costs associated with this expanded mailing requirement starting in fiscal year 2026.

The Safe American Food Exports (SAFE) Act of 2025 authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to negotiate specific trade agreements with foreign markets during domestic animal disease outbreaks. These agreements aim to maintain U.S. livestock and animal product exports by establishing measures like regionalization or zoning. This ensures trade continuity by using the latest scientific standards when negotiating with importing countries.

The American Infrastructure Bonds Act of 2025 establishes a new federal tax credit for issuers of qualifying municipal bonds used for infrastructure projects. This credit reimburses the issuer for 28% of the interest paid on the bond. While the interest remains tax-exempt for the bondholder, it must be treated as taxable income for the issuer for federal purposes.

This resolution officially supports the goals of World Malaria Day and affirms that combating global malaria is in the vital national interest of the United States. It commends past U.S. efforts in reducing cases worldwide while recognizing the current threat of stalled progress and domestic resurgence. The bill encourages continued U.S. leadership through international partnerships and innovation to achieve significant global reductions by 2030.

The COAST Anti-Drilling Act of 2025 permanently prohibits all new oil and gas leasing and development activities on the Outer Continental Shelf in the North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Straits of Florida planning areas. This legislation ensures the protection of these key ocean regions from future drilling exploration.

The FIGHT Act of 2025 significantly strengthens federal prohibitions against animal fighting ventures, particularly those involving roosters, by expanding illegal activities to include attendance by minors and gambling. This bill enhances enforcement by tightening restrictions on interstate transport and advertising, while also empowering private citizens to file lawsuits to enjoin violations. Furthermore, the Act allows for the seizure of real property used to facilitate these illegal fighting activities.

This resolution officially designates the week of April 19 through April 27, 2025, as "National Park Week." It recognizes the historical significance and vital mission of the National Park Service in preserving America's natural and cultural treasures. The bill encourages the public to visit, experience, and support these cherished sites during this designated week.

This resolution supports designating a week in April as Black Maternal Health Week to raise national awareness of the severe maternal health crisis facing Black women and birthing people in the U.S. It highlights that systemic racism and discrimination drive unacceptable disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity rates. The resolution calls for specific investments and policy changes, including expanded postpartum coverage and culturally competent care, guided by the voices of the affected community.

The Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts Act (BUMP Act) prohibits the manufacture, sale, and possession of devices or modifications that significantly increase the firing rate of semiautomatic firearms to mimic machinegun function. Existing owners of such modified firearms must register them within 120 days of enactment to maintain lawful possession. This legislation updates federal law by classifying these rate-of-fire-enhancing modifications as regulated items under the National Firearms Act.

The American Family Act fundamentally restructures the Child Tax Credit by replacing the annual lump sum with advance monthly payments for qualifying children. This legislation establishes a new refundable monthly credit of up to $360 per child, alongside a separate $500 non-refundable credit for other dependents. These advance payments are subject to income phase-outs and will reconcile with the final tax return. The old annual Child Tax Credit is terminated for tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

The Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act prioritizes states that have not yet received funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) suicide prevention grants. This legislation ensures that eligible organizations in unfunded states receive a scoring preference during the grant review process. The goal is to guarantee that every state eventually receives at least one VA suicide prevention grant.

The Health Tech Investment Act aims to establish specific, cost-based payment rules for advanced algorithm-based healthcare services under Medicare, starting in 2026. This ensures that services utilizing AI or machine learning receive appropriate payment based on manufacturer-submitted costs while in the New Technology Ambulatory Payment Classification (NTAP). The bill also clarifies eligibility for these new technologies within the Medicare outpatient payment system.

The Tax Cut for Workers Act of 2025 significantly expands and makes permanent the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for workers without qualifying children by lowering the minimum age, substantially increasing the credit amount, and raising income thresholds. It also allows taxpayers to elect to use higher prior-year earned income to calculate their current EITC benefit. Furthermore, the bill permanently extends current EITC application rules for U.S. territories like Puerto Rico.