Legislative Activity

This resolution authorizes the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to fund its operations, staffing, and investigations from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It establishes specific spending caps for the committee’s expenses, including dedicated limits for consulting services and staff training. Additionally, the bill outlines the administrative procedures for processing payments and managing agency contributions for employee compensation.

The "Chemical Tax Repeal Act" repeals excise taxes on specific taxable chemicals and substances listed under subchapters B and C of Chapter 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This repeal is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

The Officer John Barnes Act requires the Bureau to inform claimants of their benefit eligibility determination within 270 days of receiving a claim.

The Local Access to Courts Act (LACA) expands federal judicial accessibility by establishing new court locations in College Station, Texas, and El Centro, California. This legislation amends federal law to authorize the U.S. District Courts in the Eastern District of Texas and the Southern District of California to hold proceedings in these additional cities.

The "Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act" establishes new federal crimes and penalties for individuals who intentionally flee from law enforcement officers while operating a vehicle near the U.S. border. Convictions under this law can lead to imprisonment, fines, and immigration consequences such as inadmissibility or deportation. The Attorney General must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the enforcement and impact of this law.

The "Wildfire Victim Tax Relief and Recovery Act" provides tax relief for victims of the Texas Panhandle wildfires by classifying disaster relief payments as qualified for tax exemptions. It also amends the tax code to include "fire" as a condition for involuntary conversion of livestock, allowing for tax benefits and extended replacement periods for livestock lost in wildfires. Additionally, the bill allows proceeds from livestock sales due to fire to be treated similarly to those from floods under existing tax provisions. These provisions aim to ease the financial burden on those affected by wildfires, offering tax relief and flexibility in reinvesting in their operations.

The AIM HIGH Act directs the Secretary of the Air Force to establish a Technical Training Center of Excellence. This center will foster collaboration among Air Force training sites, serve as a premier training location for maintainers across all military branches, and promote innovation in technical training. The center will also connect with industry and schools to share best practices and serve as a central hub for aviation technology and training advancements.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to permanently set the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices at nine. If ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years, this amendment would constitutionally mandate the current size of the Court.

The TICKET Act mandates that ticket sellers disclose the total price of event tickets, inclusive of all fees, in any advertisement or listing, as well as provide a breakdown of the base ticket price and each individual fee to the buyer. This act aims to provide transparency in ticket pricing and is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.

The Education Freedom Scholarships and Opportunity Act establishes federal tax credits for individual and corporate taxpayers who contribute to scholarship-granting and workforce training organizations. These contributions support elementary and secondary education, as well as vocational and apprenticeship programs, through a federally managed web portal. The legislation includes a $10 billion annual cap on total tax-credit-eligible contributions and explicitly prohibits federal interference in the operations of private, religious, or home education providers.

The "Defund the CFPB Act" seeks to eliminate the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s primary source of mandatory funding by capping its annual transfer from the Federal Reserve at zero dollars. This legislation effectively removes the Bureau's independent funding mechanism, requiring a fundamental change to its financial structure.

The Stop Illegal Reentry Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to significantly increase criminal penalties for foreign nationals who reenter the United States after being removed or deported. The bill establishes stricter sentencing guidelines, including mandatory minimum prison terms for individuals with prior aggravated felony convictions or repeated reentry offenses. Additionally, it expands the legal definition of "removal" to include departures agreed upon during criminal proceedings.

The Personalized Care Act of 2025 expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by removing the requirement to be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan. The bill significantly increases annual contribution limits, allows HSA funds to cover insurance premiums and direct primary care fees, and lowers the tax penalty for non-qualified distributions. These reforms aim to provide individuals with greater flexibility and tax-advantaged options for managing their personal healthcare expenses.

This bill designates the street segment in front of the Embassy of Cuba in Washington, D.C., as "Oswaldo Payá Way." This action honors the legacy of the late Cuban dissident and his lifelong commitment to democracy and human rights.

This joint resolution exercises congressional authority to disapprove and nullify the Department of Energy’s recent rule regarding energy conservation standards for consumer gas-fired instantaneous water heaters. By passing this measure, Congress prevents the rule from taking effect, effectively blocking the proposed regulatory changes.

The MACARTHUR Act mandates that the United States Military Academy formally incorporate the foundational principles of "Duty, Honor, Country" into its official mission statement. This legislation reinforces the importance of these core values as essential pillars of the Academy's culture and cadet education.

The MEDAL Act of 2025 honors the extraordinary service of Medal of Honor recipients by significantly increasing their monthly special pension from $1,406.73 to $8,333.33. Additionally, the bill establishes a monthly pension for surviving spouses, ensuring continued support for the families of these distinguished heroes.

The Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2025 mandates CFIUS review for real estate transactions near military sites by entities linked to adversarial nations, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The bill also prevents the approval of energy projects on such properties while they are under national security investigation. This legislation ensures that foreign investments near sensitive military infrastructure are subject to rigorous oversight and risk assessment.

The Student Empowerment Act expands the use of 529 education savings accounts to cover a broader range of K-12 expenses, including curriculum, tutoring, standardized testing, and educational therapies. These expanded benefits apply to students enrolled in public, private, or religious schools, as well as those receiving a homeschool education.

The Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act seeks to eliminate Section 136 of the Clean Air Act, effectively repealing the associated greenhouse gas emissions charge. Additionally, the bill mandates the rescission of all unobligated funds previously allocated to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.