Legislative Activity

This resolution condemns the People's Republic of China's coercive military and economic actions against Japan following statements regarding Taiwan. It reaffirms the strong U.S.-Japan alliance and commitment to regional stability. Furthermore, the bill calls on the PRC to cease its pressure tactics and urges the U.S. to work with allies to counter such coercion in the Indo-Pacific.

The Pet and Livestock Protection Act officially removes the gray wolf from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife. This legislation mandates the reissuance of the November 3, 2020, final rule concerning the gray wolf's delisting within 60 days of enactment. Furthermore, the reissuance of this rule is explicitly barred from judicial review.

The Reliable Power Act mandates annual long-term reliability assessments by the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) to proactively identify risks of power shortages. If a "generation inadequacy" is found, it triggers a review process for certain federal agency regulations that affect power generation resources. This ensures federal agencies must address and respond to FERC's recommendations on how their proposed rules might impact the reliability of the bulk-power system before finalizing those actions.

The Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act prohibits payment card networks and financial processors from creating or requiring special merchant category codes specifically for firearm retailers. This legislation aims to prevent the singling out of businesses that sell firearms, ammunition, or related components through transaction coding. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcement and reporting annually to Congress on the law's implementation.

**ESA Amendments Act of 2025 Summary:** The ESA Amendments Act of 2025 seeks to modify and update the Endangered Species Act of 1973 by prioritizing conservation efforts, incentivizing private land stewardship, and increasing transparency and accountability. The act focuses on streamlining regulations, limiting legal challenges, and ensuring that decisions are based on sound science and economic considerations. These changes aim to balance species protection with the needs of private landowners and state management, while also addressing international trade regulations.

The Respect State Housing Laws Act aims to clarify federal housing regulations by amending the CARES Act. Specifically, this legislation removes Section 4024(c) from the CARES Act.

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.

The "Equal Representation Act" mandates the inclusion of a citizenship status question on the 2030 census and all future censuses. It requires the Secretary to report the number of citizens and non-citizens in each state. It also changes the way congressional districts are calculated by excluding non-citizens from the population count used for apportionment.

The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act establishes a new Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee program to help U.S.-based small manufacturers finance equipment, facilities, and workforce training. The bill specifically defines eligible small manufacturers as those whose primary business is in manufacturing sectors 31, 32, or 33 and have all production facilities located domestically. Additionally, it increases the maximum loan limits available to these small manufacturers across several existing SBA loan programs.

The Fair Allocation of Interstate Rates Act prevents transmission providers from passing the costs of certain interstate transmission projects onto consumers in states that did not mandate the project. Specifically, costs for facilities built to implement one state's policy cannot be allocated to out-of-state consumers unless that state expressly consents. This legislation establishes a presumption that only the residents of the implementing state benefit from and should bear the costs of such facilities.

The Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act streamlines the process for providing federal housing assistance in rural areas by exempting certain residential construction or modification projects on existing infill sites from full environmental review under NEPA. This aims to reduce administrative delays and costs associated with building affordable homes where infrastructure already exists. The Secretary of Agriculture must report to Congress in five years on the impact of this exemption.

This resolution honors the service and sacrifice of America's veterans on Veterans Day, 2025, recognizing the history of the observance from Armistice Day. It affirms the nation's deep commitment to supporting the over 15 million veterans and their families. The resolution calls upon the public to observe Veterans Day and ensure veterans continue to receive the services they deserve.

The Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025 establishes a pilot program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants and forgivable loans for essential home repairs. These funds will go to local implementing organizations to assist eligible homeowners and landlords of affordable rental units with accessibility, habitability, and efficiency upgrades. The program aims to preserve affordable housing and ensure safe living conditions while maximizing coordination with existing federal, state, and local repair resources. This pilot program is authorized to operate until October 1, 2031.

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.

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.

This bill, the Welles Remy Crowther Congressional Gold Medal Act, authorizes the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Welles Remy Crowther for his extraordinary heroism and sacrifice during the September 11, 2001, attacks. The medal will be presented to his mother, Alison Crowther, on behalf of Congress. The Act also permits the creation and sale of bronze duplicates to cover production costs.

The Dismantle Foreign Scam Syndicates Act establishes a high-level Task Force, chaired by the Secretary of State, to develop and execute a comprehensive U.S. strategy against transnational criminal organizations running massive online scams, often utilizing victims of human trafficking in Southeast Asia. This strategy must focus on disrupting these operations, sanctioning responsible parties, and providing support for rescued victims. The bill authorizes $30 million over two years to fund these efforts and requires annual reporting to Congress on progress and impact.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that the Secretary of Transportation establish a rule requiring AM broadcast radio receivers to be installed as standard equipment in new passenger motor vehicles. This requirement aims to ensure public access to AM radio signals, which are often used for emergency alerts. The bill also directs a GAO study on the effectiveness of AM radio within the national emergency alert system compared to other technologies. Finally, the Act preempts state and local laws on this matter and includes a sunset provision eight years after enactment.

This bill amends District of Columbia law to lower the minimum age at which a minor can be tried as an adult for certain criminal offenses from sixteen to fourteen years old. It modifies the jurisdiction of the Family Court, allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to potentially face adult criminal proceedings for specified crimes. These changes only apply to offenses committed on or after the law's effective date.

The Pay Our Troops Act of 2026 ensures that active duty military personnel and essential civilian support staff continue to receive their pay if Congress has not yet passed the full budget for fiscal year 2026. This act provides automatic continuing appropriations from the Treasury to prevent a lapse in military salaries due to budget delays. The funding automatically terminates once a new budget or continuing resolution is passed, or on January 1, 2027, whichever comes first.