Legislative Activity

The SHORT Act aims to reform federal firearms regulations by redefining what constitutes a "firearm" for tax purposes, largely excluding antique or collector's items. It eliminates disparate federal treatment for short-barreled rifles and shotguns used lawfully and preempts state and local governments from imposing special taxes or registration requirements on these specific weapons. Furthermore, the bill mandates the destruction of certain existing federal registration and transfer records related to defined firearms.

The First Responders Retirement Parity Act allows certain firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics employed by qualifying public safety agencies to participate in governmental pension plans. This ensures that these essential emergency response providers are treated similarly to other government employees under various federal retirement and benefit rules. The Act clarifies that including these specific providers will not jeopardize the tax status of the governmental pension plan.

The Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 establishes a national standard for carrying concealed handguns across state lines. This act allows individuals legally permitted to carry in their home state to carry concealed in any other state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. The law does not override private property restrictions or prohibitions on government property, but it provides protections and legal recourse for those traveling in compliance with the new federal standard.

The FAFSA Act of 2025 revokes federal student aid eligibility, including grants and loans, for individuals convicted of assaulting a police officer or certain riot-related crimes. Any federal grants received prior to the conviction will be immediately converted into Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans that must be repaid with interest. These converted loans will not be eligible for any existing federal forgiveness or discharge programs.

The UPRISERS Act mandates the revocation of student and exchange visitor visas for individuals convicted of assaulting a police officer or engaging in riot-related offenses. Furthermore, this bill makes conviction for these specific crimes grounds for deportation for those holding F, J, or M visas. This legislation targets non-immigrant visa holders involved in violent civil unrest or attacks on law enforcement.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Coin Act authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue special commemorative gold, silver, and clad coins honoring the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. These coins will be sold to the public, with surcharges from the sales benefiting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. The Treasury must ensure that the production and issuance of these coins result in no net cost to the U.S. Government.

The Down East Remembrance Act officially designates several specific creeks with new, permanent names recognized by the U.S. government. This legislation assigns names like Noah Styron Creek and Hunter Parks Creek based on precise geographic coordinates. Moving forward, all federal records and documents must use these newly established official names for the designated waterways.

The Unmasking Hamas Act of 2025 aims to address disruptions and violence on college campuses linked to protests supporting Hamas. This bill establishes a new federal crime punishing individuals who interfere with constitutional rights while wearing a disguise, such as a mask. Additionally, it imposes an enhanced mandatory sentence for destroying property within federal jurisdiction while masked.

The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act of 2025 revises how businesses treat research and experimental (R&E) expenditures for tax purposes. Taxpayers can now choose between immediately deducting R&E costs or amortizing them over a period of at least 60 months. This legislation also makes technical adjustments to ensure consistency between immediate deductions and claiming the research tax credit.

This bill censures Representative Al Green of Texas for disrupting the President's address to Congress on March 4, 2025. It condemns his actions and orders him to appear before the House of Representatives to receive a formal reprimand. During this time the Speaker of the House will publicly read the resolution of censure.

The HIRE CREDIT Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to include "displaced disaster victims" in the Work Opportunity Tax Credit program. A "displaced disaster victim" is defined as someone whose residence or employment location within a qualified disaster zone became inoperable due to a major disaster, and who is currently unemployed. This provision applies to individuals hired within one year after the disaster's incident period, starting on or after January 1, 2024, aiming to incentivize employment in communities recovering from emergencies. The act also includes transition rules for disasters where the incident period ended before the enactment of the Act.

The Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025 allows individuals to exclude from their gross income any payments or benefits they receive from state-based catastrophe loss mitigation programs designed to help homeowners protect their properties from disasters such as windstorms, earthquakes, or wildfires. These payments will not affect the property's basis, and the exclusion is applicable retroactively for taxable years starting after December 31, 2020, allowing individuals to claim the exclusion retroactively.

This bill aims to enhance security along the southern border by constructing roads, increasing access for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and allowing temporary placement of structures by border states. It also seeks to mitigate environmental damage on federal lands caused by illegal activities through initiatives focused on reducing trash, preventing wildfires, and remediating contamination. Additionally, the bill restricts housing options for non-citizens who have not been formally admitted into the country by preventing the use of federal funds to house these individuals on federally managed lands.

The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act aims to improve access to affordable child care by expanding employer-provided child care credits, increasing tax-free dependent care assistance, and creating a refundable household and dependent care tax credit. The employer provided child care credit is increased from 25% to 50% of qualified expenses, and the maximum credit amount is raised from $150,000 to $500,000. The amount of tax-free employer-provided dependent care assistance is increased from $5,000 to $7,500. A new tax credit is created for employment-related expenses paid for household and dependent care, with the applicable percentage starting at 50% and decreasing based on income, and the maximum creditable expenses are $5,000 for one qualifying individual and $8,000 for two or more.

This bill expresses condolences for the 67 lives lost in the American Eagle Flight 5342 and PAT 25 crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on January 29, 2025. It recognizes the impact on Wichita, Kansas, and acknowledges the cooperation of officials in responding to the tragedy and assisting the families. The bill also commends the heroic actions of first responders and emergency services personnel.

The "Maintaining Investments in New Innovation Act" amends the Social Security Act's definition of "qualifying single source drug" to include advanced drugs using genetically targeted technology. This update applies to drugs that can modify gene function, potentially impacting drug pricing and access regulations under the Act.

The "End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants Act" terminates FEMA's program that funds shelters and services for migrants, which aimed to reduce overcrowding in Customs and Border Protection facilities. It also rescinds any remaining funds allocated to FEMA from previous appropriations acts that were intended for Customs and Border Protection operations.

This bill authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the 761st Tank Battalion, also known as the "Black Panthers," in recognition of their courageous service and crucial contributions during World War II. The medal will be given to the National Museum of African American History and Culture for display, honoring the 761st as the first Black soldiers to serve in an American armored unit and their significant role in the Allied victory in Europe. The bill also allows for the creation and sale of bronze duplicates of the medal to support the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

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 "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.