Legislative Activity

The Non-Domiciled CDL Integrity Act establishes new federal standards for states issuing Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) to individuals who do not reside in that state. This bill sets specific, strict requirements for foreign nationals seeking a CDL, including proof of lawful status and job-related visas, while also outlining distinct procedures for applicants residing in U.S. territories. The legislation mandates enhanced record-keeping and reporting by states to the Secretary of Transportation regarding these non-domiciled licenses.

This bill amends federal law to officially include the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico in the regulations governing commercial motor vehicle safety. It grants these territories eligibility to issue commercial driver's licenses under federal standards. Furthermore, the legislation provides a five-year grace period during which these territories will be exempt from federal highway fund penalties related to certain commercial driver's license requirements while they work toward full compliance.

The No Funding for Lawless Jurisdictions Act restricts federal crime-fighting grants to state and local governments that limit cash bail for serious offenses or release convicted felons on personal recognizance. Furthermore, jurisdictions that cut their police budgets in the preceding year are ineligible for these funds, unless the cut was part of a fair, government-wide budget reduction. This legislation aims to ensure federal support only goes to jurisdictions maintaining traditional public safety and law enforcement funding standards.

The Disaster Relief Continuity Act of 2025 ensures FEMA has immediate access to necessary funding to respond to declared disasters if Congress has not yet passed the budget for Fiscal Year 2026. This automatic funding allows essential disaster aid, operational costs, and ongoing recovery projects to continue without interruption. This temporary measure remains in effect until a new budget is passed or until January 1, 2027.

The Cashless Bail Reporting Act mandates the Attorney General to publish and regularly update a public list of all state and local jurisdictions that allow defendants to be released before trial without posting cash bail. This ensures transparency by identifying governments utilizing personal recognizance or unsecured bond systems. The initial list must be published within 30 days, followed by quarterly updates.

The Faith in Housing Act of 2025 aims to address the national housing shortage by empowering religious organizations to build affordable housing on their owned land. This Act preempts restrictive local zoning laws that currently hinder these faith-based efforts to create housing for low-income families. By overriding conflicting local ordinances, the bill seeks to unlock existing property for the development of deed-restricted affordable units.

The Eliminate Shutdowns Act establishes an automatic, 14-day continuing appropriation mechanism to keep federal programs operational if Congress fails to pass a new budget by the start of the fiscal year. This funding continues to renew every 14 days until a full appropriation is enacted, ensuring essential services remain active. The Act also includes specific budgetary rules for counting this funding and sets an effective date of September 30, 2025.

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 Retire through Ownership Act amends the definition of "adequate consideration" under ERISA, specifically benefiting Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). This change allows ESOP fiduciaries to rely in good faith on valuations provided by independent appraisers, provided the appraisal uses the valuation methods specified in IRS Revenue Ruling 59-60. This clarification aims to streamline the process for determining fair asset value within retirement plans.

The Incentivize Savings Act mandates how federal agencies must handle unspent appropriations by dedicating the majority to debt reduction and allowing a portion for employee retention bonuses. This legislation also restricts future budget requests to only account for inflation unless the agency fully spends its prior allocation. Ultimately, the bill aims to encourage fiscal responsibility by linking unspent funds to debt reduction and limiting budget growth.

The Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 is a comprehensive bill focused on improving pediatric drug development, FDA oversight, and healthcare infrastructure. It revises requirements for pediatric cancer drug research, extends incentives for developing rare pediatric disease treatments, and enhances transparency in generic drug applications. Additionally, the Act establishes an FDA office to coordinate with Abraham Accords countries and makes technical adjustments to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network.

The "AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025" requires the Department of Transportation to mandate that all new vehicles include AM radio receivers as standard equipment, ensuring continued access to AM broadcasts for drivers. The Act directs the Comptroller General to study the role of AM radio in emergency alerts and allows manufacturers producing fewer than 40,000 vehicles in 2022 at least four years to comply. The rule will sunset 10 years after the enactment of this Act.

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.

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 American Franchise Act aims to protect the traditional franchise business model by clarifying the definition of a "joint employer." This legislation establishes that a franchisor is only considered a joint employer if it exercises "substantial direct and immediate control" over the essential terms of employment for a franchisee's workers. This change specifically targets liability risks associated with maintaining brand standards, ensuring franchisors are not automatically held responsible for local labor practices. The new standard applies prospectively to future legal proceedings.

The FIREARM Act aims to protect licensed firearm dealers from overly harsh penalties for minor or self-reported mistakes. It establishes new standards requiring the government to provide notice and an opportunity for dealers to correct violations before license revocation. Furthermore, the bill retroactively applies these protections to licenses previously revoked under a specific 2021 enforcement policy, allowing affected individuals a path to reapply.

The Citizen Only Updated National Tally Act (COUNT Act) mandates that federal agencies must assist the Department of Commerce in gathering comprehensive administrative records to accurately determine the citizenship status of the U.S. population. This data collection effort aims to provide policymakers with precise facts regarding immigration's impact. Furthermore, the bill requires the addition of a citizenship question to the 2030 decennial census and terminates the Census Bureau's use of differential privacy for data protection six months after enactment.

The FEMA Act of 2025 establishes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent, cabinet-level agency to lead a unified, all-hazards approach to national emergency management. The bill enacts sweeping reforms across Public Assistance, Individual Assistance, and Mitigation programs to accelerate recovery, streamline funding, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for disaster survivors and communities. Furthermore, it mandates significant new transparency measures, including public data reporting and GAO oversight, to ensure accountability for federal disaster spending.

This bill exempts federal actions related to the construction of qualifying infill housing from the environmental review requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It defines qualifying infill housing based on location, size, and successful environmental site assessments. Additionally, the legislation accelerates the required frequency for states to update their natural hazard risk assessments from every five years to every three years.

The Create Accountable Respectful Environments (CARE) for Children Act officially recognizes and integrates "cottage family homes" into federal foster care regulations. This allows these specialized homes to receive federal maintenance payments if they meet strict standards focused on family connection, trauma-informed care, and prohibiting harmful restraints. The bill ensures states maintain flexibility in utilizing these placements while upholding high standards for child well-being.