Legislative Activity

The FEMA Independence Act of 2025 establishes FEMA as a cabinet-level independent agency, led by a Director reporting directly to the President, to more effectively manage and respond to disasters. It outlines the roles, responsibilities, and authority of the Director and FEMA, including mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The Act also mandates an Office of the Inspector General within FEMA and transfers functions, personnel, and resources to the newly independent agency. Finally, the bill makes conforming amendments to other laws to reflect FEMA's new status.

The "Stop CARB Act of 2025" repeals the Clean Air Act's waivers that allow California to set its own emission standards for nonroad engines, vehicles, and locomotives. This bill stops other states from adopting California's emission standards for new motor vehicles, ensuring a national standard. It voids existing waivers and denies pending applications related to these standards.

The "Fair and Open Competition Act of 2025" seeks to ensure open competition and government neutrality in federal construction projects by preventing requirements for or bans against agreements with labor organizations. It prohibits discrimination based on labor affiliation, reduces construction costs, and expands job opportunities. The Act mandates revisions to regulations and allows exemptions only in special circumstances like public health or national security threats.

The "Save Our Shrimpers Act" aims to protect the U.S. shrimping industry by preventing federal funds from supporting foreign shrimp farming through international financial institutions. It prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from providing funds to international financial institutions that use the funds for shrimp farming, processing, or export activities in foreign countries. Additionally, the Act mandates an annual report from the Comptroller General to Congress on the compliance of U.S. Executive Directors at international financial institutions regarding opposition to financial assistance for surplus commodities and minerals.

The Traveler's Gun Rights Act amends title 18 of the United States Code to define "State of residence" for active duty military members, their spouses, and those without a physical residence. It clarifies residency for individuals with homes in multiple states and requires background checks to include a residential address or, if not applicable, the address of a private mailbox or post office box.

The "Protecting the Right to Keep and Bear Arms Act of 2025" prevents the President and the Department of Health and Human Services from using national emergencies or public health emergencies to enact gun control measures. It also amends the Stafford Act to ensure that disaster relief efforts do not infringe on Second Amendment rights related to firearms, ammunition, and accessories.

The Department of Government Efficiency Act, also known as the DOGE Act, codifies Executive Order 14210 into law. This gives the Executive Order the full force and effect of a statute passed by Congress.

The Stop the Cartels Act aims to combat drug and human trafficking by prioritizing intelligence gathering, blocking funds to Mexico until cooperation barriers are removed, and designating drug cartels as Special Transnational Criminal Organizations. It also stops federal grant money from going to state or local governments that don't follow federal immigration laws and modifies current immigration laws, particularly concerning the treatment of alien minors and asylum eligibility. Additionally, the act reauthorizes and modifies federal programs aimed at preventing and treating substance abuse, increasing funding for certain block grants while eliminating or phasing out several other related programs.

The "International Nuclear Energy Financing Act of 2025" aims to promote nuclear energy by directing the Secretary of the Treasury to advocate for the removal of prohibitions on financial and technical assistance for nuclear energy generation and distribution at international development banks. It also seeks to establish "Nuclear Energy Assistance Trust Funds" to provide financial and technical support for nuclear energy projects in borrowing countries, ensuring competitive financing and adherence to U.S. or allied standards. The Act requires annual reporting on these efforts and will terminate 10 years after enactment.

This bill disapproves and invalidates the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's rule regarding overdraft lending practices of very large financial institutions. The rule, found in the Federal Register, is nullified by this disapproval.

The "No Tax Dollars for the United Nations Immigration Invasion Act" prohibits the U.S. government from financially contributing to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). It also mandates a study by the Comptroller General to identify all federal assistance programs that provide funds to these organizations, detailing amounts, restrictions, and potential repayments, as well as an audit of the Department of State’s Refugee Travel Loan Program. A report summarizing the study and audit results must be submitted to Congress within 180 days of the Act's enactment.

The "Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2025" increases penalties for stealing firearms from licensed dealers. It sets stricter punishments, including up to 20 years in prison, for violating laws related to firearm theft. The act also mandates minimum prison sentences of 3 years for burglaries and 5 years for robberies targeting licensed firearm businesses.

The HEIRS Act of 2025 aims to help families resolve issues related to Heirs Property. The Act authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish grant programs for states, local governments, territories, or Tribal governments that have adopted the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act or a similar law. It also provides grants to eligible entities for housing counseling, legal aid, and financial help to clear titles and keep homes in the hands of heirs property owners. Finally, it amends the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to include specific counseling and referral requirements related to heirs property.

The "Protecting America's Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2025" aims to safeguard U.S. agricultural land by prohibiting its purchase or lease by individuals or entities associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia, while also preventing their participation in USDA programs. The bill expands reporting requirements under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978, increases penalties for violations, and mandates public online databases of foreign ownership. Additionally, it requires regular reports from the Secretary of Agriculture, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Government Accountability Office on foreign ownership and its potential risks.

The "USA FIRST Act" redirects unspent funds from the United States Agency for International Development to the Disaster Relief Fund. This fund supports the Stafford Act, which provides aid for major disasters.

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 aims to provide legal relief to victims of trafficking by allowing them to vacate convictions or expunge arrests for certain federal offenses committed as a direct result of their trafficking. It also allows for reduced sentences for covered prisoners and enables the use of grant funds for legal representation in post-conviction relief cases. The act further establishes a "human trafficking defense," and mandates reports to Congress on the implementation and impact of these provisions. This bill seeks to address the exploitation of forced criminal activity by human traffickers and provide support and protection to survivors.

The Supporting the Local Radio Freedom Act prevents Congress from imposing new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between broadcasters and the recording industry, where radio provides free publicity that boosts music sales and supports artists. The act recognizes local radio's crucial role in communities by providing news, weather updates, and public service announcements. Ultimately, this bill aims to protect local radio stations and businesses from economic harm, ensuring they can continue serving their communities without additional financial burdens.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, effective from the date of enactment. It adjusts gift tax calculations by setting the lifetime gift exemption at $10,000,000, with inflation adjustments after 2011. The Act also includes transitional rules for applying certain sections of the Internal Revenue Code during the enactment year.

The "One Flag for All Act" generally prohibits the display of flags other than the U.S. flag on the exterior or in public areas of covered federal buildings. There are explicit exceptions for flags such as POW/MIA flags, state flags displayed at a Member of Congress's office, flags representing the Armed Forces, flags of historical significance, and flags representing local jurisdictions where the building is located. The bill defines "covered public buildings" broadly, including federal buildings, Senate and House buildings, military installations, and U.S. embassies and consulates.

The "Extending Limits of U.S. Customs Waters Act" updates the definition of "customs waters" to align with international law, Presidential Proclamation 5928, and Presidential Proclamation 7219. It extends U.S. customs authority to include the territorial sea and contiguous zone, as permitted by international law. These changes will take effect the day after the Act is enacted.