Legislative Activity

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 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 "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.