Legislative Activity

This resolution supports the designation of May 29, 2025, as "Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day" to bring attention to mental health challenges within the agricultural community. It aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness among farmers and farmworkers, who face unique stressors and have higher suicide rates. The resolution promotes the use of available resources like the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and encourages the prioritization of mental well-being in agriculture.

The WATCH Act mandates quarterly inspections of foreign laboratories receiving federal funding for animal research to ensure compliance with animal welfare standards. It requires the creation of an inspection process and grants the authority to issue compliance certifications, which will be publicly accessible. Non-compliant labs will have the opportunity to correct issues, but failure to comply may result in the suspension or revocation of grants. This act aims to harmonize global animal testing standards and promote ethical research practices.

The Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Streamline the Code of Federal Regulations Act of 2025 mandates an annual review of federal regulations using AI to identify and eliminate outdated or redundant rules. This review is overseen by the Office of Management and Budget, utilizing AI systems that meet specific standards for accuracy and security. Agencies are required to act on the AI's findings by rescinding or updating regulations, with all determinations published for transparency. This act also amends existing law to expedite the removal or modification of these identified regulations.

The "Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2025" repeals the EPA's multi-pollutant emissions standards for light and medium-duty vehicles. It also amends the Clean Air Act to prevent regulations from mandating specific technologies in vehicles or limiting vehicle availability based on engine type. The EPA must revise existing regulations to comply with these changes within 24 months.

The "Freedom to Haul Act of 2025" prevents the EPA from enforcing the Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles. It also amends the Clean Air Act to ensure that vehicle emission regulations do not mandate specific technologies or limit the availability of new vehicles based on engine type. The EPA must revise existing regulations to comply with these changes within two years.

The "Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act" amends the Clean Air Act to include fuel used by ocean-going vessels as renewable fuel. This inclusion allows for the generation of credits under the renewable fuel program. The EPA Administrator is required to implement regulations and report to Congress on the implementation of this amendment.

The Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act establishes a five-year pilot program to encourage public-private partnerships that utilize Army-owned and operated arsenals, giving preference to partners who use these arsenals and involve Department of Defense employees. This program aims to increase workload at arsenals and requires the Secretary of Defense to report to Congress on the program's progress, budget, and future workload outlook.

The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act aims to streamline the process for disaster survivors to apply for and receive federal aid by creating a unified intake system. This system will consolidate applications, expedite assistance, prevent fraud, and ensure data security while allowing disaster assistance agencies to share information more efficiently. The Act mandates the FEMA Administrator to develop this system, certify participating agencies, and report to Congress on its implementation and impact. Ultimately, this bill seeks to speed up community recovery and protect survivors' information.

The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act aims to make child care more accessible and affordable for families 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 expanded by increasing the amount of qualified child care expenditures and the maximum credit amount, with special rules for small businesses. The amount excludable for dependent care assistance programs is increased from $5,000 to $7,500 (or $2,500 to $3,750). A new refundable tax credit is created for employment-related expenses paid for household services and care of qualifying individuals, with the credit amount varying based on income and the number of qualifying individuals.

The "Intergovernmental Critical Minerals Task Force Act" establishes a task force to assess and address the United States' reliance on foreign nations, especially China, for critical minerals and to mitigate associated national security risks. The task force will develop recommendations to secure domestic supply chains, promote cooperation among government levels, and enhance domestic mining, processing, and recycling capacities. Additionally, the act mandates a study by the Comptroller General on the regulatory environment affecting critical mineral supply chains.

This resolution supports the Local Radio Freedom Act, opposing any new performance fees on local radio stations for playing music. It emphasizes the mutually beneficial relationship between the radio and recording industries, where radio provides free publicity and essential local services. The resolution warns that new fees would harm local radio stations, small businesses, and the communities they serve. Ultimately, it asserts that Congress should not impose any new charges on local radio for broadcasting sound recordings.

The "Farmers Freedom Act of 2025" amends the Clean Water Act to redefine "navigable waters" and exclude "prior converted cropland" from federal oversight. It defines key terms like "abandoned," "agricultural purpose," and "prior converted cropland" to clarify which lands are exempt. The bill also prevents the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers from regulating prior converted cropland under the "change in use policy."

The "WHO is Accountable Act" prohibits federal funds from being used to rejoin or contribute to the World Health Organization (WHO) unless the Secretary of State certifies that the WHO has met specific reform criteria. These criteria include ensuring the WHO is free from political influence (particularly from the Chinese Communist Party), is transparent and accountable, and focuses on its core mission without engaging in politically charged issues. The Act also requires the WHO to grant observer status to Taiwan and ensure its directives are not legally binding on U.S. citizens.

The "Expanding Local Meat Processing Act of 2025" aims to ease restrictions on smaller meat packers by allowing them to have ownership interests in market agencies, under certain conditions. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to revise regulations to exempt packers slaughtering below specified daily/annual livestock numbers. Market agencies must disclose relationships with packers to ensure transparency. The Act does not reduce the Secretary's broader regulatory authority under the Packers and Stockyards Act.

This resolution supports designating February 15-22, 2025, as National FFA Week, celebrating the National FFA Organization's role in developing future leaders through agricultural education. It also recognizes the 90th anniversary of New Farmers of America and the 75th anniversary of the Future Farmers of America federal charter.

The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act aims to improve the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster loan program by increasing oversight and accountability. It mandates regular risk assessments, enhances loan eligibility verification, and requires the SBA to develop better performance metrics. The act also seeks to streamline the loan application process and improve communication with disaster victims.

The "Chemical Tax Repeal Act" repeals excise taxes on specific taxable chemicals and substances listed under subchapters B and C of Chapter 38 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. This repeal is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

The "Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025" eliminates both estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, while also modifying gift tax laws. It adjusts gift tax calculations, addresses transfers in trust, sets an initial $10,000,000 amount for calculating tentative tax, and adjusts for inflation. These changes apply to estates of decedents dying, generation-skipping transfers occurring, and gifts made on or after the enactment date of this Act.

The "Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025" amends the Clean Air Act, modifying the process for ethanol waivers and Reid Vapor Pressure limitations, allowing for higher ethanol blends during high ozone season. It also permits small refineries to reclaim certain retired credits from 2016-2018 for future use, under specific conditions related to prior exemption petitions.

The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2025 requires the Department of Education to consider the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism when evaluating discrimination complaints under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ensuring consistent enforcement against antisemitism in federally funded programs. This bill aims to increase awareness and improve the safety of Jewish communities by codifying the use of the IHRA definition. The Act does not expand the Department of Education's authority, change harassment standards, reduce existing rights, or diminish First Amendment rights.