Legislative Activity

This bill, the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, officially authorizes Congress to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Team for their historic "Miracle on Ice" victory. The medals will be struck by the Treasury and permanently displayed at specific national sports museums. The Act also permits the sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

This bill amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to expand the sharing of information regarding suspected intellectual property rights violations in trade. It lowers the threshold for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to share nonpublic merchandise data with rights holders from "suspects" to having a "reasonable suspicion" of a violation. This allows CBP to share details about merchandise, packaging, and shipping obtained from online marketplaces and other entities involved in importing goods.

The "Clergy Act" allows clergy members to revoke their exemption from Social Security coverage, making them eligible for benefits. To revoke the exemption, clergy must file an application by the due date of their second tax year after December 31, 2027, with the revocation taking effect in either the first or second tax year after that date. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Social Security, must submit a plan to Congress on how to inform clergy about this new option.

The Innovate Less Lethal to De-Escalate Tax Modernization Act aims to encourage the development and use of safer policing tools. This bill exempts qualifying less-than-lethal projectile devices and their ammunition from federal excise taxes normally applied to firearms and ammunition. Furthermore, it removes these specific less-lethal devices from the stringent regulations imposed by the National Firearms Act. The legislation establishes clear criteria for what qualifies as a less-lethal device eligible for these tax and regulatory exemptions.

The Combating the Lies of Authoritarians in School Systems Act (CLASS Act) establishes new disclosure requirements for public elementary and secondary schools receiving federal funding. As a condition of this aid, schools must report any foreign funding or contracts exceeding \$10,000 within 30 days. This reporting mandates identifying the foreign source, country of origin, and the terms of the funding or contract.

The Energy Choice Act prevents state and local governments from enacting bans or restrictions on the type or source of energy services consumers can access. This legislation protects consumer choice across various energy sources, including natural gas, hydrogen, propane, and electricity, provided the energy is sold across state lines. Essentially, it limits local interference with energy delivery options.

This bill officially designates the United States Postal Service facility located at 890 East 152nd Street in Cleveland, Ohio, as the "Technical Sergeant Alma Gladys Minter Post Office Building." The legislation ensures that all official records and documents reflect this new name for the post office.

The Claiming Age Clarity Act mandates that the Social Security Administration update its official terminology to provide clearer language regarding benefit claiming ages. This legislation replaces terms like "early eligibility age" and "full retirement age" with "minimum monthly benefit age" and "standard monthly benefit age," respectively. These changes must be implemented within 12 months of enactment or by January 1, 2027, whichever is later.

The Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act extends the popular Acute Hospital Care at Home program through September 2030. It also mandates a comprehensive new study comparing the quality, outcomes, and costs of home-based acute care versus traditional inpatient hospital care. Finally, the bill makes a minor adjustment to the funding level of the Medicare Improvement Fund.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act focuses primarily on improving pediatric drug development and ensuring patient access to necessary treatments. This legislation mandates new research requirements for molecularly targeted pediatric cancer drugs, strengthens FDA enforcement of pediatric study completion, and extends incentives for developing drugs for rare pediatric diseases. Additionally, the bill updates organ transplant network functions and establishes an Abraham Accords Office within the FDA to enhance international regulatory cooperation.

This bill extends and significantly enhances the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) for employers hiring from targeted groups, increasing the credit amount and adjusting it for inflation through 2031. It also removes the age limit for SNAP recipients claiming the credit and adds qualified military spouses as an eligible group. Furthermore, the legislation mandates an inter-agency initiative to promote the hiring of targeted workers in key industries like manufacturing and healthcare.

The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act of 2025 exempts specific, clearly defined less-than-lethal projectile devices from standard federal firearm restrictions under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. This exemption applies only to devices incapable of firing standard ammunition and designed to minimize the risk of serious injury or death. The bill also establishes a process for manufacturers to seek official confirmation from the Attorney General regarding a device's classification.

This bill, the CREATIVE Act of 2025, establishes a new federal grant program through the Department of Commerce to support nonprofit arts organizations. These competitive grants aim to increase job opportunities for artists and creative professionals, and improve the quality and availability of arts facilities and programming. Funding can be used for hiring, facility construction/acquisition, or maintenance and repairs.

The Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2025 incentivizes first-time homebuyers to complete financial literacy housing counseling programs. By completing the required counseling before applying for a loan or signing a sales agreement, eligible homebuyers will receive a 25 basis point discount on their mortgage insurance premium payments. This act aims to promote financial preparedness among new homeowners.

The Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2025 establishes a new federal program to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed mental health services and supports in schools through grants and contracts. These funds will support partnerships to implement awareness campaigns, staff training on trauma and suicide risk, and direct student and family treatment. The Secretary must ensure equitable distribution of funding, which is capped at \$2 million per award, with Congress authorized to appropriate \$300 million annually for the initial years.

This resolution formally honors the life and legacy of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk, who was tragically assassinated at Utah Valley University. It condemns political violence and calls upon all Americans to reject extremism in favor of civil debate. The bill expresses deep sympathy to his family and urges a renewal of commitment to the values of faith, family, and freedom he championed.

The Fair Housing for Disabled Veterans Act ensures that veterans' disability compensation or pension payments are excluded when determining income eligibility for low-income housing tax credits and related rental project bonds. This change prevents veterans from being penalized for their service-related benefits when applying for affordable housing assistance. The Act takes effect immediately upon passage.

This resolution supports designating the week of September 21 through September 27, 2025, as "Gold Star Families Remembrance Week." The measure aims to officially recognize and honor the profound sacrifices made by families who have lost a loved one serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. It encourages communities nationwide to observe this week through acts of service and by celebrating the lives of these fallen service members.

The SHINE for Autumn Act of 2025 aims to significantly improve federal support for state-level stillbirth research and data collection. It authorizes grants for states to enhance surveillance, track risk factors, and build local capacity for analyzing stillbirth data, provided the information remains de-identified. Furthermore, the bill mandates the development of standardized guidelines and educational materials regarding stillbirth awareness and risk factors, developed in consultation with experts and bereaved families.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.