Legislative Activity

The Offshore Lands Authorities Act of 2025 nullifies previous presidential actions that withdrew unleased offshore lands from mineral leasing and limits the president's authority to withdraw such lands in the future. It sets acreage and time limits on withdrawals, mandates resource assessments and congressional notification, and establishes a process for Congress to disapprove withdrawals. The Act prioritizes resource assessments of withdrawn lands, emphasizing economic, energy, and national security value, and ensures withdrawals do not conflict with scheduled lease sales.

This bill asserts the constitutional right of states to defend themselves against invasion, citing the situation at the southern border from 2021-2024 as an invasion by cartels, terrorists, and criminal elements. It criticizes the Biden administration's border policies and claims the federal government failed to protect southern border states, thus empowering states to take defensive action.

The "Health Care Efficiency Through Flexibility Act" delays the mandatory switch to electronic Clinical Quality Metrics (eCQMs) for Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) until January 1, 2030, allowing them to continue using existing reporting methods. It also establishes a pilot program to test digital quality measure reporting and requires the development of standardized digital reporting methods by 2030, ensuring compatibility across various healthcare settings. A report to Congress is mandated by January 1, 2028, to present the pilot program's findings and recommendations.

The HSA Modernization Act expands access to health savings accounts (HSAs) by allowing individuals with certain veterans' benefits, those entitled to Medicare Part A due to age, and those eligible for Indian Health Service assistance to contribute. It also broadens the types of health plans that qualify for HSAs, including bronze and catastrophic plans, and allows high-deductible plans to offer mental health services with no deductible for the first $500 of expenses. The Act also increases HSA contribution limits to match deductible and out-of-pocket maximums and enables the use of HSAs for qualified long-term care services. Additionally, it permits HSAs to cover medical expenses incurred up to 60 days before the HSA was established and allows both spouses to make catch-up contributions to the same HSA.

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 "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025" amends Title IX to prohibit schools receiving federal funds from allowing males to participate in female athletic programs. Sex is defined as based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth. The bill allows males to train with female teams if it doesn't deprive females of opportunities. It also requires a study on the benefits lost to women when males participate in female sports.

The Healthcare Freedom and Choice Act nullifies a final interagency rule concerning Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance and Independent, Noncoordinated Excepted Benefits Coverage, effectively invalidating the rule.

The "Regulation Reduction Act of 2025" mandates that federal agencies repeal at least three existing regulations for every new regulation issued, ensuring that the cost of any new major regulation is offset by the cost savings from those repealed. Agency heads must also submit reports identifying costly, ineffective, or outdated regulations to Congress. This aims to reduce regulatory burdens and streamline government processes.

The "Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act" amends the Clean Air Act to limit the EPA's ability to grant waivers to state emission standards that would restrict the sale or use of new gas-powered vehicles. It prevents the EPA from including state standards under previously granted waivers if they limit gas-powered vehicle sales and requires the EPA to revoke any non-compliant waivers granted after January 1, 2022. This bill aims to ensure consumers have the option to purchase gas-powered vehicles.

The "Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act" prohibits the Secretary from providing Title X funding to any entity that performs abortions or provides funds to other entities that perform abortions, with exceptions only for abortions resulting from rape, incest, or to save the woman's life. It requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress with a list of all entities receiving Title X grants. The report must include the number of abortions performed under the exceptions, the date of the latest certification for each entity receiving a Title X grant, and a list of each entity to which a Title X grantee makes funds available.

The Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services to study the use of electronic automated systems in hospitals for organ donation referrals. The study will assess the benefits, impacts, and best practices of these systems, and develop recommendations for promoting their nationwide use. A report on the study's findings must be submitted to Congress within one year.

The "Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2025" prohibits federal funding for organizations that perform abortions or fund other organizations that do so, with exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the woman's life. The term "entity" refers to the entire legal entity, including any entity that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such entity.

The "Proxy Voting for New Parents Resolution" allows Members of the House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner who have recently given birth or whose spouse has given birth to designate another Member to vote on their behalf in the House, in committee, and in the Committee of the Whole for a period of 12 weeks. This proxy voting authority can begin before the birth if a doctor advises that the pregnancy presents a serious medical condition or that she is unable to travel safely. The resolution outlines specific procedures for designating, changing, and revoking proxy designations, ensuring transparency and adherence to instructions. Members whose votes are cast by proxy will not be counted for quorum purposes.

The Border Safety and Security Act of 2025 allows the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the entry of certain aliens at U.S. borders if it's needed to maintain control, and requires the Secretary to prohibit entry if aliens cannot be detained or placed in an appropriate program. State Attorneys General can sue the Secretary of Homeland Security in federal court if they believe this section is being violated. The bill defines "covered alien" as someone seeking entry who is inadmissible under existing immigration law.

The Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act aims to remove the tax on natural gas by repealing section 136 of the Clean Air Act. Additionally, it rescinds any unspent funds previously allocated under this section.

The "Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2025" places a one-year moratorium on federal funding to Planned Parenthood, with exceptions for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or to save the woman's life. It redirects $235 million to community health centers and ensures that overall federal funding for women's health initiatives is not reduced.

This bill renames the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lubbock, Texas, to the "General Bernie Mittemeyer VA Clinic". All official references to the clinic will reflect this new name.

The "Justice for 9/11 Act" ensures that individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay, specifically Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin Attash, and Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi, can still face trial for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack, regardless of any prior plea agreements. It allows for a death sentence in any trial for the attack, and mandates that if sentenced, these individuals will be held at Guantanamo Bay in solitary confinement with restricted contact and treatment. The bill prohibits their transfer to the continental United States or any other country.

This bill designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office." Any reference to this facility will now refer to it as the Chief Zeb Smith Post Office.