Legislative Activity

The Aid Accountability Act of 2025 significantly strengthens penalties for the misuse of specific foreign assistance funds. This bill mandates immediate termination and lifetime bans for federal employees who knowingly misappropriate these funds, requiring them to personally repay the misused amounts. Furthermore, grantees and contractors found in violation will be permanently barred from receiving future federal funding. The Secretary of State is tasked with enforcing these penalties and reporting all final decisions to Congress within 60 days.

The CBO Scoring Accountability Act mandates that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) produce annual reports for ten years following the enactment of any "major legislation." These reports must compare the actual financial impact of the law against the CBO's original estimates. If significant discrepancies occur, the CBO is required to explain the variance to Congress.

The Promoting New Bank Formation Act aims to encourage the creation of new banks by providing regulatory relief for newly insured institutions. This includes a three-year phase-in period for new capital standards and streamlined processes for adjusting initial business plans. The Act also establishes temporary, favorable capital requirements for new rural depository institutions and expands lending authority for Federal savings associations to include agricultural loans. Finally, it mandates a study on barriers to new bank formation, especially in underserved areas.

The Nuclear Medicine Clarification Act of 2025 directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to update regulations regarding medical event reporting for accidental radiation exposure. Specifically, it mandates reporting if a radiation dose resulting from an extravasation exceeds defined thresholds in the most highly irradiated tissue or skin. This ensures clearer reporting standards for unintended irradiation events in nuclear medicine.

The Military Installation Retail Security Act of 2025 restricts the Department of Defense from entering into long-term retail concessions agreements with businesses controlled by designated foreign nations. This legislation mandates that existing agreements with such retailers undergo immediate review by CFIUS for national security risks, with termination required if control by a covered nation is confirmed. Exceptions are permitted only if the service provided is vital and security risks are mitigated, requiring notification to Congress.

The Iranian Terror Prevention Act mandates the swift designation of specific Iranian-linked groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) by the Secretary of State. It requires the President to impose existing sanctions on these designated groups and any affiliated entities within 60 days of enactment. Furthermore, the bill establishes ongoing reporting requirements to Congress regarding designations and the application of sanctions.

This bill mandates the immediate rescission of specific waivers and licenses that previously allowed certain international money transfers related to Iran. It explicitly prohibits the President from reissuing similar permissions or granting new licenses that would allow the Iranian government access to restricted financial accounts. In essence, this legislation closes specific financial pathways previously opened concerning Iran.

The Maximum Pressure Act dramatically tightens and expands U.S. sanctions against Iran across its military, missile, and economic sectors, codifying existing restrictions and severely limiting the President's authority to grant sanctions relief. It mandates immediate sanctions on top Iranian officials and increases penalties for international parties aiding Iran's weapons programs. Furthermore, the bill enhances oversight by requiring numerous detailed reports to Congress regarding Iran's terrorism financing, nuclear timeline, and economic influence, while also redirecting certain frozen Iranian funds to victims of state-sponsored terrorism.

The No Iranian Energy Act aims to strengthen U.S. policy by explicitly targeting Iran's growing natural gas industry with sanctions. This bill amends existing law to ensure that sanctions apply to the sale, supply, or transfer of Iranian natural gas. The legislation reflects Congress's intent to restrict Iran's energy sector activities.

The SHORT Act aims to reform federal firearms regulations by redefining what constitutes a "firearm" for tax purposes, largely excluding antique or collector's items. It eliminates disparate federal treatment for short-barreled rifles and shotguns used lawfully and preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on these specific weapons. Furthermore, the bill mandates the destruction of certain existing federal registration and transfer records related to defined firearms.

The NICS Data Reporting Act of 2025 mandates that the Attorney General annually report data on all failed firearm background checks conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This report must be submitted to Congressional Judiciary Committees. The required data breakdown includes demographic information such as race, age, and sex, where available.

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 establishes a national standard for carrying concealed handguns across state lines. This act allows individuals legally permitted to carry in their home state to carry concealed in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The law does not override private property restrictions or prohibitions on government property, but it provides protections and legal recourse for those traveling in compliance with the new federal standard.

The Virginia Beach Heroes Act establishes special tax provisions to support the families of law enforcement officers killed in Virginia Beach on February 22, 2025. This bill ensures that donations made to these families qualify as charitable contributions. Furthermore, it protects charities distributing funds to the surviving spouses or dependents from adverse tax consequences, provided payments are made in good faith and follow reasonable guidelines.

The Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025 aims to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows F-1 student visa holders to gain temporary work authorization after completing their studies. This bill removes the government's authority to grant such work permission unless explicitly authorized by a future Act of Congress.

The "Protecting Taxpayers Wallets Act of 2025" mandates that federal agencies charge labor organizations representing their employees quarterly fees for the use of agency resources and union time. These fees are calculated based on the value of the resources used and the hourly rate of labor representatives, with strict penalties for non-payment, including the potential loss of union certification. Agencies are required to track union time accurately and agency Inspectors General must evaluate compliance with these requirements every two years. The payments collected will be deposited into the Treasury's general fund.

The Fair Access In Residency (FAIR) Act of 2025 aims to ensure equitable treatment of osteopathic (D.O.) and allopathic (M.D.) medical school graduates in residency applications. It requires hospitals receiving Medicare funds to report detailed data on D.O. and M.D. applicants and acceptances for each residency program. Hospitals failing to submit this required data will face a 2% reduction in their Medicare payments. This collected data will also be made publicly available to promote transparency in the residency recruitment process.

The Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025 ensures fair competition on federally funded construction projects by prohibiting the government from requiring or penalizing bidders based on union agreements. This legislation aims to keep federal agencies neutral in labor relations while promoting cost savings and opening opportunities for all businesses. Exceptions to this neutrality rule are strictly limited to specific public health, safety, or national security emergencies.

The Safe Routes Act of 2025 grants the Secretary the authority to waive federal vehicle weight limits for covered logging vehicles transporting raw forest products. This exemption applies only when these trucks operate within 150 air miles on the Interstate system and adhere to existing state-level weight tolerances for such materials. Essentially, the bill allows logging trucks to operate under established state rules rather than stricter federal limits for short hauls.

The Military Spouse Hiring Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand eligibility for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). This change allows employers to claim the tax credit for hiring qualified military spouses. A qualified military spouse is defined as someone certified as being married to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025 restricts the President and the Secretary of Health and Human Services from using emergency declarations to enact gun control measures. This bill specifically prevents the use of the National Emergencies Act and the Public Health Service Act for imposing new firearm restrictions. Furthermore, it amends disaster relief law to prohibit federal disaster declarations from banning the possession, sale, or transfer of firearms, ammunition, or related accessories.