Legislative Activity

This resolution expresses Congressional support for the U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) community, recognizing their vital role in national security. It honors SOF personnel and their families and supports the designation of SOF Week to acknowledge their contributions and courage. The resolution also acknowledges the need to invest in the well-being of SOF members and recognizes the unique challenges faced by SOF families.

This resolution supports the designation of May 4-10, 2025, as "National Small Business Week". It recognizes the significant role of over 34.5 million small businesses in the U.S. that contribute to the economy and provide over 59 million jobs. The resolution celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, achievements, and resilience of small business owners and their employees.

The "Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025" aims to bolster domestic manufacturing by increasing loan limits for small manufacturers through amendments to the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. Specifically, it raises the maximum loan amounts available to small manufacturers, with higher limits for those with third-party guarantees or those utilizing the loans for export purposes. These changes are intended to provide greater financial support to small manufacturing businesses operating within the United States.

The SERVE Act aims to bolster military recruitment by improving access to potential applicants in high schools and colleges, including enhanced recruiter access and ROTC program visibility. It establishes affiliation types for Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) programs and a pilot program to recognize military-friendly high schools. The Act also prioritizes military service academy applications from high schools with above-average military enlistment rates and designates a "National Week of Military Recruitment" to promote military service. Finally, the Act mandates several reports to Congress on the implementation and effectiveness of these initiatives.

The BE GONE Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to include sexual assault and aggravated sexual abuse in the definition of aggravated felonies. This change would mean immigrants convicted of these crimes would be subject to deportation.

The "Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act of 2025" amends federal law to include fentanyl distribution resulting in death as felony murder. Individuals who distribute a fentanyl mixture of 2 grams or more, or a fentanyl analogue mixture of 0.5 grams or more, and death results, can be charged with first-degree murder. The individual must have had knowledge or reason to know that the substance contained fentanyl or its analogues. Conviction can result in a sentence of life imprisonment.

The "Audit the IRS Act" prohibits the IRS from hiring or continuing to employ individuals with seriously delinquent tax debts, ensuring that those responsible for enforcing tax laws are themselves compliant. It defines "seriously delinquent tax debt" and mandates annual verification of IRS employees' tax compliance, as well as pre-employment verification for new hires. The Office of Personnel Management is directed to create regulations to implement these provisions.

The GHOST Act of 2025 aims to enhance the enforcement of sanctions against Russia by establishing a fund within the Treasury to cover expenses related to seizing assets from sanction violations and covered merchant ships. It also establishes an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations to serve as the primary point of contact for federal export enforcement efforts, fostering collaboration among various agencies to prevent export control violations. The fund will be used for investigative costs, property maintenance, compensation for informers, and other related expenses, while the center will facilitate information sharing, coordinate public outreach, and improve investigations into export control violations. The Act authorizes appropriations for the fund and outlines reporting requirements to Congress, ensuring transparency and accountability in its operations.

The "Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act" prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or funding biomedical research involving vertebrate animal testing in facilities located in or controlled by China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. It also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to notify specific congressional committees when adding a country to the list.

The "Why Does the IRS Need Guns Act" prohibits the IRS from using funds to buy or store firearms and ammunition, mandating the transfer of existing firearms and ammunition to the General Services Administration for sale to licensed dealers and the public. Revenue generated from these sales will be used to reduce the federal deficit. Additionally, the Act transfers the administration and enforcement of criminal provisions related to internal revenue laws from the IRS to the Attorney General, along with the transfer of the IRS's Criminal Investigation Division to the Department of Justice.

The "Tax Delinquencies and Overdue Debts are Government Employees’ Responsibility Act" or the "Tax DODGER Act" aims to increase accountability among federal employees and retirees regarding their tax obligations. It mandates the creation of an annual public report detailing federal employees and retirees with delinquent tax debt or unfiled returns and makes individuals with seriously delinquent tax debts ineligible for federal employment, with certain exceptions. The Act also allows agencies to take action against employees who willfully fail to file tax returns or understate their tax liability.

The TRACKS Act amends the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 to increase transparency in federal spending. It mandates the reporting of subawards, regardless of amount, to entities in or considered to be a foreign country or entity of concern. This ensures that all subawards to adversarial countries are disclosed, providing greater insight into how federal funds are being spent. The Director is required to issue guidance within 90 days to ensure consistent compliance.

The "Food Security and Farm Protection Act" prevents state and local governments from interfering with the production of agricultural products in other states, especially regarding preharvest standards. It allows those affected by such regulations to sue in federal court to invalidate the regulation and recover economic damages. Courts are required to temporarily block the regulation while the case proceeds, unless the state demonstrates a high likelihood of winning the case and that the injunction would cause irreparable harm. The Act establishes a 10-year window for filing lawsuits.

The "Travel Trailer and Camper Tax Parity Act" amends the tax code to include certain travel trailers and campers in the definition of "floor plan financing." This change allows businesses that finance these types of vehicles to deduct interest expenses, similar to how they do for other types of vehicles. This applies to trailers and campers designed for temporary living during recreational, camping, or seasonal use, and is effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

This resolution designates March 27, 2025, as "National Women in Agriculture Day" to recognize the vital role of women in agriculture. It acknowledges women's significant contributions as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors within the agricultural sector. The resolution supports celebrating women's impact on food resources and the agricultural workforce, encouraging their continued involvement and leadership in the field.

The "Taxpayer-Funded Union Time Transparency Act" mandates federal agencies to submit annual reports to Congress and publish them online, detailing the costs, purposes, and extent of taxpayer-funded union activities, including official time for union representatives, collective bargaining negotiations, and dispute resolution. These reports must include comprehensive financial data related to union activities, such as employee compensation, travel expenses, arbitration fees, and the use of agency property by labor organizations. The Comptroller General is tasked with auditing these agency reports to ensure compliance with accounting standards.

The SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act extends the statute of limitations to 10 years for prosecuting fraud related to the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program and the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. This extension applies to violations or conspiracies related to specific sections of the U.S. Code (Title 18) and Title 31. This ensures legal actions can be taken up to a decade after the offense.

The Rural Housing Accessibility Act aims to improve housing voucher portability, particularly in rural areas. It requires public housing agencies that are not fully utilizing their funds to accept housing vouchers from other jurisdictions. These agencies must decide whether to absorb the voucher costs or bill the initial agency for a limited time. The bill ensures that families with vouchers receive housing assistance payments and limits the billing period to 12 months.

The "National STEM Week Act" aims to promote STEM education and innovation by establishing a National STEM Week. This week will highlight STEM career paths, encourage family engagement in STEM activities, and foster partnerships between schools and STEM industries. The National Science and Technology Council Committee on STEM Education (CoSTEM) will oversee the week and report annually to Congress on its activities and impact. The Act defines key terms related to education and STEM fields to ensure clarity and effective implementation.

The "Return to Sender Act" rescinds any unspent funds allocated from sections 70002 and 70003 of Public Law 117-169. It repeals those sections, effectively canceling the programs or initiatives they funded.