Legislative Activity

The Pay Our Coast Guard Act ensures that Coast Guard members receive equitable pay and benefits compared to other Armed Forces. Crucially, it establishes automatic appropriations to continue paying active and essential civilian personnel during a funding lapse that specifically affects only the Coast Guard while the Department of Defense remains funded. This measure guarantees essential operational continuity and support for service members and their families during such shutdowns.

The "Capital Gains Inflation Relief Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to adjust the basis of certain assets, like common stock and tangible property, for inflation when calculating capital gains or losses, using the GDP deflator to determine the inflation adjustment. This adjustment applies to indexed assets held for more than 3 years and acquired after December 31, 2025, requiring taxpayers to maintain written records of the original purchase price. The bill includes specific rules for pass-through entities, regulated investment companies, and real estate investment trusts, and disallows adjustments for sales between related persons or when the primary purpose is to increase the indexing adjustment. It also authorizes the Secretary to prescribe regulations to carry out the purposes of this section.

Eric's Law amends title 18 of the United States Code, mandating that if a jury cannot unanimously agree on a sentencing recommendation in certain cases, the court must impanel a new jury for a special hearing upon the government's request. If the second jury also fails to reach a unanimous sentencing recommendation, the court is required to impose a sentence other than death.

The "Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act" aims to enhance cooperation between federal and local law enforcement by allowing state and local officers to act as agents of the Department of Homeland Security and protecting them from liability when complying with immigration detainers. It defines "sanctuary jurisdictions" as those that restrict information sharing or compliance with federal detainment requests, and it makes these jurisdictions ineligible for certain federal grants, reallocating those funds to non-sanctuary jurisdictions. This act does not protect individuals who knowingly violate civil or constitutional rights.

The "Border Airport Fairness Act of 2025" mandates the President to designate specific primary airports near the U.S. northern or southern border as ports of entry, eliminating user fees at these locations. To qualify, these airports must be linked to a nearby land border crossing or seaport and fulfill Customs and Border Protection's established criteria for port of entry designation. This act aims to improve border access and streamline entry processes at eligible airports.

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 "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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.