Legislative Activity

The "Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2025" permits and sets performance standards for pulsating light systems on vehicles to help prevent rear-end collisions. It mandates the Secretary of Transportation to update Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108 within 180 days to include these systems. The bill defines a pulsating light system as a high-mounted stop lamp that pulses rapidly up to 4 times within 1.2 seconds upon braking before converting to a continuous light.

The "Protecting the Second Amendment in Financial Services Act" prevents banks and credit card companies from using specific merchant codes that would identify businesses selling firearms or ammunition. This ensures that financial institutions cannot track or discriminate against legal firearm-related transactions.

The "National Right-to-Work Act" amends both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to protect an employee's right to choose whether or not to join or support a labor union. It eliminates the possibility of mandatory union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment, ensuring that employees cannot be forced to join or support a union against their will.

This bill transfers the functions, assets, and responsibilities for implementing the Food for Peace Act from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Secretary of Agriculture will now administer the program, though the Famine Early Warning Systems Network will remain under USDA control. This change allows the USDA to quickly update necessary rules to ensure a smooth transition of the program.

The Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025 initiates a 20-year demonstration project aimed at helping blind Americans receiving Social Security disability benefits return to work. For the first 10 years, eligibility for benefits will be determined without considering substantial gainful activity, and benefits will be reduced based on earnings above a set amount, incentivizing employment without immediate loss of support. The project waives certain benefit requirements to facilitate successful employment, with participants having the option to opt out after the initial 10-year period. This act aims to support blind individuals in their transition back to the workforce while maintaining a safety net.

The Fair Disaster Assistance Act of 2025 prevents FEMA from sending disaster assistance denial notices to applicants before their insurance claims are fully processed. This ensures individuals are not prematurely denied assistance while awaiting insurance determinations. The Act directs FEMA to establish regulations to implement this change.

The "Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act" amends Section 529 savings accounts to include expenses related to postsecondary credentialing programs. This allows 529 funds to cover costs like tuition, fees, books, supplies, and testing fees for recognized programs and credentials, as defined by the bill. These changes would apply to distributions made after the bill is enacted.

The Litigation Transparency Act of 2025 requires parties in civil actions to disclose the identity of any third party entitled to payment contingent on the outcome of the case, along with the relevant agreements. This disclosure aims to increase transparency in civil litigation by revealing who financially benefits from the lawsuit's outcome. Certain payments, such as loan repayments and attorney's fees, are exempt from this disclosure requirement. The Act applies to both ongoing and future court cases.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to exclude the net value of a family farm (on which the family resides) or a small business (with no more than 100 employees and owned/controlled by the family) from consideration as an asset when determining financial need for federal student aid. This change aims to make higher education more accessible for students from family farm and small business backgrounds.

The Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025 aims to enhance the safety of postal workers by funding high-security infrastructure upgrades, including electronic mailbox keys. The bill also mandates the appointment of dedicated federal prosecutors for postal crimes in every judicial district and requires stricter sentencing guidelines for those who assault or rob postal employees.

The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 establishes a competitive grant program to expand education and training for careers in the residential construction industry. By providing $20 million annually, the bill supports community colleges and trade schools in developing skilled labor pipelines, with a priority on serving rural and underserved populations. These programs aim to increase the supply of qualified workers while helping to address local housing needs through flexible, industry-aligned training.

The Love Lives On Act of 2025 ensures that surviving spouses of veterans and service members retain their earned benefits, including dependency and indemnity compensation, educational assistance, and Survivor Benefit Plan annuities, regardless of remarriage. Additionally, the bill expands TRICARE eligibility to include widows and widowers whose subsequent marriages have ended. This legislation protects the financial security and healthcare access of surviving families by removing penalties associated with remarriage.

The Cost Estimates Improvement Act requires the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) to include the impact of debt servicing costs in their official legislative cost estimates. This legislation aims to provide a more comprehensive view of the long-term fiscal consequences of proposed federal spending and tax policies.

The "Voter Eligibility Verification Act of 2025" aims to ensure accurate voter rolls by requiring the prompt release of immigration status information to state officials. The Attorney General or Secretary of State must receive an individual's immigration status within 15 days of requesting it, including for potential voters. This will allow states to verify the eligibility of individuals for voter registration.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 requires the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of antisemitism when evaluating discrimination complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, concerning race, color, and national origin. This aims to address rising antisemitism in educational settings. The Act clarifies that it does not expand the Department of Education's authority, change existing discrimination standards, reduce existing rights, or infringe upon First Amendment rights.

The PATROL Act (Preventing Aliens Through Rivers or Land Act) prohibits the federal government from using the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 to legally challenge states that construct physical barriers along their international borders. This legislation aims to protect state-led border security initiatives, such as walls, fences, or floating buoys, from federal civil lawsuits.

The "No User Fees for Gun Owners Act" prohibits state and local governments from imposing special taxes, insurance requirements, or user fees as a condition for owning, manufacturing, or transferring firearms and ammunition. The bill ensures that firearms are only subject to standard, generally applicable sales taxes, preventing discriminatory financial barriers to gun ownership.

The A PLUS Act (Academic Partnerships Lead Us to Success Act) empowers states to consolidate federal education funding into a single stream, granting them greater flexibility to implement state-led education reforms. By reducing administrative burdens, the bill allows states to focus resources on improving academic achievement while maintaining public accountability through mandatory reporting to parents and taxpayers.

The Lower Grocery Prices Act directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive 20-year study on the rising costs of groceries for U.S. consumers. The resulting report will provide Congress with data-driven recommendations aimed at identifying and implementing strategies to lower food prices.

The Stop Illegal Reentry Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase criminal penalties for individuals who reenter the United States after being previously denied admission, excluded, or removed. The bill establishes tiered sentencing guidelines, including mandatory minimums for repeat offenders and those with prior aggravated felony convictions. These measures aim to strengthen enforcement against illegal reentry through more severe fines and extended prison terms.