Legislative Activity

The Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act aims to accelerate the commercialization of federally funded small business research. It achieves this by improving the review process for SBIR/STTR proposals to prioritize market potential, establishing Technology Commercialization Officials within agencies, and increasing flexibility and assistance options for award recipients. The bill also mandates comprehensive annual reporting to track the real-world impact and success of these innovations.

The PREVAIL Act aims to strengthen the U.S. patent system to better protect American innovation and national security against foreign competition. It introduces significant procedural reforms to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and patent review processes, including stricter conduct rules and limitations on duplicative legal challenges. Furthermore, the bill ensures that all fees collected by the USPTO are dedicated solely to its operations and expands fee reductions for academic and small business innovators.

This resolution expresses strong Congressional support and appreciation for the Republic of Romania and the Republic of Moldova as they defend their democracies against malign Russian interference. It highlights their crucial roles as NATO and EU partners, respectively, and condemns ongoing Russian efforts to destabilize their upcoming elections. The bill urges the U.S. government and international partners to increase support for the sovereignty and election integrity of both nations.

The Safe and Secure Housing for Opioid Recovery and Enduring Stability Act of 2025 (Safe SHORES Act) reauthorizes and updates a vital pilot program to help individuals in opioid recovery secure stable housing. This legislation extends the program's duration through 2030, guarantees a minimum annual funding floor of $50 million, and allows funds to be used for essential furniture costs. Furthermore, it establishes new monitoring requirements and mandates detailed annual reporting to Congress on program effectiveness and resident outcomes.

The NO FAKES Act of 2025 establishes exclusive property rights for individuals over the creation and use of their digital voice and visual likenesses (Digital Replicas). This federal law grants the right holder the authority to license or control the use of these replicas, both during the individual's life and for a set period after death. The Act outlines specific licensing rules, liability for unauthorized use in commerce, and safe harbor provisions for online services that comply with takedown notices based on digital fingerprinting.

The NO TIME TO Waste Act establishes a new Office of Food Loss and Waste within the USDA to coordinate efforts toward a national goal of cutting food waste by 50% by 2030. The bill creates new grant programs to improve food recovery infrastructure and fund public-private partnerships for waste reduction at the local level. It also mandates new federal contractor requirements for food donation and launches a national education campaign focused on consumer behavior and food labeling.

This bill establishes the private, nonprofit Foundation for Standards and Metrology to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in advancing measurement science and technical standards. The Foundation will accelerate the commercialization of research by partnering with industry, academia, and other groups. It will be governed by an independent Board of Directors and must develop a plan for financial self-sustainability within five years.

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 Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025 aims to increase the participation of private landlords in the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, particularly in high-opportunity neighborhoods. It establishes new incentives, such as one-time payments and security deposit assistance, funded by the Herschel Lashkowitz Housing Partnership Fund. The Act also modernizes inspection standards, requires the use of specific Small Area Fair Market Rents, and mandates annual reporting on the program's effectiveness.

The "Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism Act" or the "UNITED Act," aims to enhance the economic relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom through a comprehensive trade agreement. It grants the President the authority to negotiate such an agreement, targeting tariff and non-tariff barriers, while ensuring consultation with Congress throughout the negotiation process. The Act sets a deadline for initiating negotiations and specifies that any agreement cannot be waived, suspended, or terminated without congressional approval, emphasizing adherence to trade priorities and accountability.

The "RESTORE Patent Rights Act of 2025" aims to strengthen patent protection by restoring the presumption that patent holders are entitled to an injunction against those who infringe on their patents. This bill seeks to reverse recent court decisions that have made it more difficult for patent owners to stop infringement, particularly benefiting individual inventors, universities, startups, and small businesses. By making it easier for patent holders to obtain injunctions, the act intends to discourage patent infringement and promote innovation.

The "Retirement Security for American Hostages Act of 2025" amends the Social Security Act to provide retirement benefits to U.S. nationals who were wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. It ensures these individuals are credited with deemed wages for each month of their detainment or hostage situation, based on the national average wage index, for the purpose of calculating Social Security benefits. The bill requires the Social Security Commissioner to establish regulations for application and certification, with the changes taking effect 24 months after enactment.

The "Fair Credit for American Hostages Act of 2025" amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to protect individuals who have been unlawfully or wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad. It prevents consumer reporting agencies from including adverse information in a consumer report about a "covered consumer" if the information is from the period of their detention or hostage situation and can be authenticated. This bill aims to ensure that Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad are not penalized on their credit reports due to their captivity.

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.

The National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act, or NO BAN Act, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit discrimination based on religion and national origin in nonimmigrant visas and immigration benefits. It limits the President's authority to suspend or restrict the entry of aliens, requiring specific justification, narrow tailoring, and congressional consultation. The Act also mandates reports on visa applicants and the impact of any suspensions or restrictions. Finally, it allows affected parties to sue the government if these regulations are not followed.

This resolution affirms that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is vital to advancing American national security interests. It highlights the agency's role in promoting global stability, mitigating foreign threats, and maintaining U.S. leadership in an era of strategic competition.

The STABLE Trade Policy Act restricts the President’s authority to impose tariffs on goods from U.S. allies and free trade agreement partners. Under this bill, the President must submit a formal request to Congress detailing the necessity and potential impact of any proposed tariff. These tariffs can only be implemented following the passage of a joint resolution of approval by Congress through an expedited legislative process.

This bill directs the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to procure a statue of Benjamin Franklin for permanent display within the United States Capitol. The legislation mandates that the statue be acquired by the end of 2025 and installed in a public-accessible location by December 31, 2026.