Legislative Activity

The "Enhancing Energy Recovery Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code to update and broaden the criteria for carbon oxide disposal, use, or utilization, including secure geological storage and enhanced oil or natural gas recovery. It adjusts the applicable dollar amount for carbon oxide disposal, setting it at $17, adjusted for inflation, with a higher rate of $36 for projects meeting specific requirements. These changes apply to taxable years starting after December 31, 2024.

The JOBS Act of 2025 expands Federal Pell Grant eligibility to include students enrolled in high-quality, short-term career and technical education programs. By supporting training that leads to industry-recognized credentials, the bill aims to better align postsecondary education with the needs of high-demand job sectors. Additionally, the legislation lowers the minimum Pell Grant threshold to increase financial aid accessibility for students pursuing these career-focused pathways.

The "No Red and Blue Banks Act" prohibits the General Services Administration from awarding federal contracts to FDIC-insured banks that deny services to lawful businesses based on social policy considerations rather than financial risk. This legislation ensures that federal banking partners prioritize business merit over ideological agendas.

This joint resolution seeks to exercise congressional disapproval of the EPA’s "Waste Emissions Charge for Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems" rule. If passed, the resolution would nullify the rule, rendering it without force or effect.

**Title I:** This bill seeks to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs within the federal government by revoking prior directives, terminating DEI offices, and restricting DEI-related training and activities. **Title II:** This bill restricts federal training programs from including topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and protects employees from mandatory training on these subjects. **Title III:** This bill modifies federal contracting practices by prohibiting the use of federal funds for DEI-related activities and ensuring non-discrimination in federal programs. **Title IV:** This bill restricts the use of federal grant and cooperative agreement funds for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives, while exempting certain offices and institutions. **Title V:** This bill aims to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within federal advisory committees by outlining specific prohibitions, enforcement mechanisms, and responsibilities for agency administrators and heads to ensure compliance. **Title VI:** This bill addresses accreditation standards for higher education institutions and restricts the use of federal funds by the Secretary of Education related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. **Title VII:** This bill eliminates certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and related requirements across various federal agencies and acts. **Title VIII:** This bill focuses on the enforcement and legal standing of the Act, ensuring individuals have the right to seek justice if they believe the law has been violated, and clarifies that the law remains effective even if parts of it are deemed unconstitutional.

The Hearing Protection Act seeks to remove silencers from special regulation under federal tax law, treating them similarly to standard firearms components. This bill preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, it mandates the destruction of existing federal records identifying silencer owners and establishes new serial number marking requirements for manufacturers.

This resolution designates the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role of TCUs in providing culturally relevant education to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. TCUs serve over 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes by offering high-quality postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The resolution encourages the public to participate in activities and programs that support these institutions.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

The Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025 establishes a federal tax credit for individuals and corporations that donate to scholarship-granting organizations. These organizations provide scholarships to help eligible students cover a wide range of K-12 educational expenses, including private school tuition, tutoring, and educational therapies. The bill includes a $10 billion annual volume cap on these credits and contains robust protections to ensure the autonomy of participating schools and the rights of parents to direct their children's education.

The A PLUS Act empowers states and local communities to take greater control of federal education funding by reducing administrative red tape and allowing for the consolidation of various programs. By opting into this flexibility, states can better tailor educational reforms to their specific needs while remaining publicly accountable for student achievement. The legislation ensures that states continue to uphold civil rights protections and provide transparent reporting on student progress to parents and taxpayers.

This resolution designates January 26 through February 1, 2025, as "National School Choice Week," recognizing the importance of diverse educational options (public, charter, magnet, private, online, and homeschooling). It emphasizes the role of parents in choosing the best educational environment for their children and encourages awareness of the benefits of school choice. The resolution supports celebrating educational choice and acknowledges the contributions of students, parents, teachers, and school leaders.

This resolution commemorates the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and International Holocaust Remembrance Day, urging Americans to remember the victims of the Holocaust and fight against antisemitism. It recognizes the historical significance of Auschwitz, where 1.1 million innocent civilians were murdered, and emphasizes the importance of Holocaust education to combat intolerance. The resolution also acknowledges the recent rise in antisemitic incidents and encourages the pursuit of tolerance, peace, and justice.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.

The Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act seeks to codify the "Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance" policy into federal law, preventing future presidential administrations from reversing it. The bill prohibits the use of U.S. federal funds for foreign and domestic nongovernmental organizations that perform, promote, or provide financial support for abortion services. By establishing these permanent restrictions, the legislation aims to ensure that U.S. global health assistance is not used to facilitate abortion-related activities.

The Protecting Life in Health Savings Accounts Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the use of tax-advantaged health accounts—including HSAs, FSAs, and HRAs—for abortion expenses, with limited exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or medical necessity. Under this bill, using these funds for non-excluded abortions would no longer qualify for tax-free treatment and would be subject to tax penalties. These changes are set to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act establishes the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and health care of their children. It prohibits government entities from substantially burdening these rights unless they can demonstrate a compelling interest achieved through the least restrictive means. The bill also provides parents with the legal standing to challenge government interference in court and allows for the recovery of attorney's fees in successful cases.

The Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act amends the corporate alternative minimum tax to allow companies to fully deduct intangible drilling and development costs when calculating their adjusted financial statement income. By modernizing how these expenses are treated, the bill aims to incentivize increased domestic oil and gas production. These changes are set to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Main Street Tax Certainty Act makes the 20% pass-through business deduction permanent by removing its scheduled expiration date. This legislation ensures that owners of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations can continue to benefit from this tax relief indefinitely.

The Protecting Individuals with Down Syndrome Act prohibits performing an abortion when the procedure is motivated by a prenatal diagnosis or the possibility that the unborn child has Down syndrome. The bill establishes criminal penalties and civil liabilities for providers who violate this prohibition, while explicitly protecting the pregnant woman from prosecution or civil action. Additionally, the legislation mandates reporting of suspected violations and links compliance to federal funding eligibility.