Legislative Activity

The Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act ensures that essential firearm-related government operations continue without interruption during a federal shutdown. This legislation specifically mandates the continuation of the FBI's NICS background check system and related processing at the ATF, Department of Commerce, and Department of State. By deeming these functions essential for protecting life and property, the bill prevents delays in firearm transfers and export licensing during lapses in appropriations.

The Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act mandates that the Treasury Department, in coordination with the OMB, include a new analysis of potential financial risks from major "fiscal shocks" in its annual report. This analysis must assess the short-term and long-term financial impacts of events like recessions, natural disasters, or cyber attacks on the federal government. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) will subsequently review the methodology and findings of this new fiscal assessment.

The "Don't Sell My DNA Act" amends bankruptcy law to provide robust protection for genetic information during bankruptcy proceedings. This bill prohibits the sale or lease of genetic data from the bankruptcy estate without the explicit written consent of every affected individual. Furthermore, it mandates the deletion of any unsold genetic information according to court-approved security standards.

The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act aims to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses by clarifying and expanding the scope of rules covered under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, requiring more detailed analyses of the impact of regulations on small entities, and enhancing the role and powers of the Small Business Administration's Chief Counsel for Advocacy. It also includes provisions for periodic review of rules, judicial review of compliance, and waiving fines for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses. Additionally, the Act mandates agencies to prepare plain language guides for small businesses to understand regulations and requires a Comptroller General report on the capacity of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy.

The Bankruptcy Administration Improvement Act of 2025 addresses the funding and administration of the federal bankruptcy system. This bill primarily increases the compensation for Chapter 7 trustees to address decades of stagnant pay while adjusting various bankruptcy fees to ensure the U.S. Trustee System remains self-funded. Additionally, it extends the term limits for certain temporary bankruptcy judge offices.

The Foreign Agents Transparency Act clarifies the registration timeframes under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to ensure coverage of recent activity. It also empowers the Attorney General to seek compliance orders against former agents that remain in effect after their agency relationship ends. Finally, the bill mandates annual public reports from the Attorney General detailing FARA enforcement actions taken against covered individuals.

The Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025 mandates strict transparency regarding foreign funding in U.S. civil litigation. It requires parties to disclose any foreign entity that has a contingent financial stake in a lawsuit's outcome. Furthermore, the Act explicitly bans agreements where payment contingent on a case's success comes from a foreign state or its sovereign wealth fund. The Attorney General must also submit an annual report to Congress detailing foreign litigation funding activities in federal courts.

The No Union Time on the Taxpayer’s Dime Act eliminates the practice of "official time" for federal employees engaged in union business. This means that any work performed for a labor organization must now be conducted while the employee is in a non-duty status, not while being paid by the government. The bill updates federal law to ensure union activities are not subsidized by taxpayer funds.

The "No Welfare for the Wealthy Act of 2025" amends eligibility requirements for food and nutrition benefits. To qualify, households must meet specific income and resource criteria outlined in the bill. The act takes effect one year after enactment and applies to certification periods beginning after that date.

The Hearing Protection Act aims to remove silencers from the purview of the National Firearms Act (NFA) by treating them similarly to standard firearms under federal tax law. This legislation preempts certain state and local taxes and registration requirements related to silencers involved in interstate commerce. Furthermore, the bill mandates the destruction of existing federal silencer registration records and updates federal marking requirements for manufacturers.

The "Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act" mandates that all federal agency rules must be issued and signed by a Senate-confirmed appointee. It requires that the rulemaking process be initiated by a senior appointee. The head of each agency is responsible for ensuring rules comply with the Act, while the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will offer guidance and monitor compliance. This act aims to increase accountability in federal agency rulemaking.

The "Protecting America From Spies Act" expands the reasons for denying entry into the United States, including involvement in espionage, sabotage, illegal export of goods/technology, unlawful activities, or attempts to overthrow the U.S. government. It also makes the spouse or child of someone inadmissible due to the above activities inadmissible themselves, if those activities occurred within the past 5 years. The bill also amends Section 212(d)(3)(A) to update the specific inadmissibility reasons that cannot be waived.

The "No Subsidies for Wealthy Universities Act" aims to limit federal research funding to higher education institutions based on the size of their endowment funds. It prohibits the use of federal research award funds to cover indirect costs for institutions with over $5 billion in endowment funds and sets caps on indirect cost rates for institutions with endowments between $2 billion and $5 billion, as well as for all other higher education institutions. The Act also mandates annual reporting on endowment funds and requires the Comptroller General to submit annual reports to Congress on indirect costs reimbursed to higher education institutions for federal research awards.

The "Federal Grant Accountability Act" limits indirect costs for federal research awards to higher education institutions, aligning them with the average indirect costs of private research awards. It directs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to determine the private research award rate annually, using existing federal guidelines. Additionally, the Act mandates a study by the Comptroller General to assess and compare indirect cost rates, including those funding administrative staff focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and requires a report to Congress with recommendations for improvement.

The "End U.N. Censorship Act" prohibits the use of federal funds to support the United Nations' iVerify tool, initiatives that label speech as disinformation, or contributions to international organizations involved in similar censorship efforts. Funds withheld will be rescinded and deposited into the Treasury's general fund.

The "One Agency Act" consolidates federal antitrust enforcement by transferring the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) antitrust functions, staff, assets, and funding to the Department of Justice (DOJ). This aims to streamline antitrust enforcement, eliminate overlap, and improve efficiency. The Attorney General is granted authority to restructure the Antitrust Division and manage ongoing investigations, consent decrees, and information gathering related to antitrust matters. The FTC is prohibited from initiating new antitrust actions without the Attorney General's approval during a transition period.