Legislative Activity

The Honey Integrity Act aims to protect the integrity of honey sold in the United States by establishing a clear standard of identity for honey and creating a Honey Integrity Program. This program mandates testing for adulteration by commercial honey packers, requires reporting of test results and any identified adulteration, and authorizes investigation and destruction of adulterated honey. The Act also directs the Secretary to submit a report to Congress detailing enforcement actions regarding misbranded honey.

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.

This resolution recognizes and honors teachers who have achieved or maintained National Board Certification as of March 2025, acknowledging their positive impact on student learning and potential lifetime earnings. It encourages the growth of new National Board Certified Teachers by urging educators, administrators, school districts, and States to provide candidates with incentives and support.

The "Protecting Life and Integrity in Research Act of 2025" prohibits federal funding and support for research using human fetal tissue obtained from induced abortions, while allowing for the development of new cell lines not derived from such tissue. The bill permits research on fetal tissue from miscarriages or stillbirths and amends the Public Health Service Act to redefine related terms and conditions. It also prohibits the solicitation or acquisition of human fetal tissue when the pregnancy was initiated to provide the tissue or the tissue was obtained pursuant to an induced abortion.

The "Pay Our Troops Act of 2025" ensures that members of the Armed Forces, essential Department of Defense civilians, and contractors continue to receive pay and allowances during periods when regular funding is disrupted. This act provides necessary appropriations to cover these costs for fiscal year 2025. The Act's provisions will terminate upon the enactment of regular appropriations, a continuing resolution that provides funding for the same purpose, or on January 1, 2026.

**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.

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 Aviation Workforce Development Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow expenses for aviation maintenance and commercial pilot courses to be considered qualified higher education expenses for qualified tuition programs. This change applies to distributions made after the enactment of this law, aiming to support workforce development in the aviation sector.

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 Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act establishes a grant program to expand commercial truck parking and improve safety. The program provides funds to states, local governments, and tribal entities for projects that increase parking availability, improve existing facilities, and use technology to manage parking. The Act also requires a biennial report to Congress on the availability of truck parking and the effectiveness of funded projects. It authorizes $151 million per fiscal year from 2025 through 2029 for these initiatives.

This bill expresses support for the Iranian people's desire for a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear republic, while condemning the Iranian regime's human rights abuses, support for terrorism, and attempts to develop nuclear weapons. It affirms the right of the Iranian people to self-determination and supports continued sanctions against the current regime. The bill also calls for the protection of Iranian political refugees in Albania.

The Cyber PIVOTT Act aims to bolster the cybersecurity workforce by expanding CISA's education and training programs to community colleges and technical schools, offering scholarships for students in cyber-related fields who commit to a service obligation in government. This act prioritizes skills-based training, internships, and industry-relevant certifications, while also establishing recruitment and resource platforms to connect graduates with federal job opportunities. The goal is to significantly increase the number of students enrolled in cybersecurity programs, addressing critical workforce gaps in the cyber sector. The Act also requires CISA to review its education and training programs and report to Congress.

The Disaster Management Costs Modernization Act allows excess funds from disaster relief grants to be used for building capacity, management costs, preparedness measures, and mitigation activities related to major disasters or emergencies. These excess funds will remain available for 5 years and the Comptroller General must submit a report to Congress assessing the appropriateness of the amount set aside for management costs. These changes apply to grant awards related to major disasters or emergencies declared on or after the enactment date of this Act, and funded with amounts appropriated on or after the enactment date. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out these changes.

The Bureaucratic Labor Adjustment and Downsizing Effort Act eliminates nonessential civil service positions within the executive branch that are not exempt from furlough due to funding lapses. Any position designated as non-exempt from furlough will be abolished, and federal funds will no longer be used for the salary or expenses of these positions. Vacant positions are abolished immediately, while occupied positions are abolished as soon as they become vacant. The bill also prevents any positions from being newly designated as exempt from furlough.

The "Protect and Serve Act of 2025" creates federal offenses for intentionally causing serious injury or death to law enforcement officers because of their status as officers. It sets penalties including imprisonment and fines, with increased penalties if death results or if kidnapping or attempted killing is involved. Federal prosecution requires certification from the Attorney General, based on a request from the state or if it is in the public interest to ensure substantial justice. The act defines "law enforcement officer" and "State" for the purposes of the new offenses.

The "Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act" modifies excise tax regulations by treating marketplace providers as the importer and seller for excise tax purposes on taxable sporting goods sold through their platform if the goods are shipped from outside the U.S. This applies when the marketplace provider lists the product, collects payments, and the manufacturer is not the marketplace provider. The regulations will be applied to sales in calendar quarters starting 60 days after the enactment of this Act.

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 "PSA Screening for HIM Act" aims to improve early detection of prostate cancer by requiring group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover prostate cancer screenings without cost-sharing for high-risk men aged 40 and over, including African-American men and those with a family history of the disease. This coverage mandate ensures that high-risk individuals have access to potentially life-saving screenings, aligning with the goal of reducing prostate cancer-related deaths and improving treatment outcomes. The Act defines "men with a family history of prostate cancer" as those with a first-degree relative with prostate cancer, associated cancers, or genetic alterations linked to increased risk. This provision is set to take effect for plan years starting on or after January 1, 2026.

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 "Smithsonian American Women's History Museum Act" authorizes the creation of the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum on the National Mall. It ensures the museum's exhibits and programs reflect the diverse experiences and perspectives of women in the United States, seeking guidance from varied sources. The Act mandates regular reports to Congress on the museum's efforts to meet these diversity requirements.