Legislative Activity

This bill expresses support for 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 "Protect America's Lands Act" prevents national securities exchanges from handling transactions of securities issued by "natural asset companies." These companies manage land for conservation and aim to enhance the value of natural assets and ecosystem services. The bill defines specific criteria for what constitutes a "natural asset company" to ensure the prohibition is appropriately applied.

The "Protecting America's Seniors' Access to Care Act" prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from enacting or enforcing the CMS's final rule published on May 10, 2024, which mandates minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities and Medicaid institutional payment transparency reporting. This bill effectively blocks the implementation of these new federal standards and any similar regulations.

The "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025" permits schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer a wider variety of milk options, including whole milk (both flavored and unflavored, organic and non-organic), reduced-fat, low-fat, fat-free, and lactose-free milk. It specifies that milk fat from any fluid milk offered is not considered saturated fat when measuring compliance with saturated fat content limits for meals. The bill also prohibits schools from purchasing milk from China state-owned enterprises.

The "Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act" prevents payment card networks from assigning a unique merchant category code to firearm retailers. The Attorney General is responsible for enforcing the Act, investigating complaints, and reporting to Congress. This law overrides state and local laws regarding merchant category codes for firearm retailers and does not establish a private right of action.

This bill transfers the responsibilities of the Food for Peace Act from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to the Department of Agriculture (USDA). It ensures the continuation of programs like the Famine Early Warning Systems Network and allows the Secretary of Agriculture to amend regulations and utilize existing statutory authorities to maintain program continuity. The Secretary of Agriculture will consult with the Secretary of State when carrying out authorities under title II of the Food for Peace Act.

The "Growing and Preserving Innovation in America Act of 2025" amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate a scheduled decrease in the deduction for foreign-derived intangible income. This change maintains the deduction at a higher level, supporting companies that generate income from intellectual property developed and used abroad. The act is effective immediately upon enactment.

The "Fair Access to Banking Act" aims to prevent financial institutions from denying services to legal businesses based on subjective or political reasons. It prohibits large banks, credit unions, and payment card networks from discriminating against legal businesses and requires them to provide fair access to financial services based on impartial, risk-based standards. Financial institutions that violate these provisions may face penalties, including ineligibility for taxpayer-funded discount window lending programs and civil penalties. Individuals or businesses who are unfairly denied services can sue the financial institution in U.S. district court.

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 "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 "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. It defines the criteria for these tests, sets payment guidelines, and establishes age and frequency limitations for coverage. The bill ensures that existing cancer screening coverage remains unaffected and allows for waivers of limitations based on recommendations from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

This bill recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States through charitable activities, volunteer work, and financial support for members. It expresses the sense of Congress that these societies are a valuable support system that addresses unmet needs and generates substantial returns to the U.S. through their tax-exempt status. The bill also advocates for the continued promotion of fraternal benefit societies.

The "Heartbeat Protection Act of 2025" prohibits abortions if a fetal heartbeat is detectable, with exceptions only to save the mother's life or in reported cases of rape or incest. Physicians must check for a fetal heartbeat before performing an abortion and document the findings. Violators may face fines and/or imprisonment, but the mother cannot be prosecuted. The act does not override stricter state laws or create a right to abortion.

The "Main Street Tax Certainty Act" amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the deduction for qualified business income. This removes the previous expiration date, providing long-term tax certainty for eligible businesses. The change applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The "Promoting Domestic Energy Production Act" revises the tax treatment of intangible drilling and development costs for oil and gas operations. It modifies how these costs are handled when calculating adjusted financial statement income, aligning depreciation and expense deductions more closely with taxable income standards. These adjustments impact depreciation deductions under section 167 and deductions for expenses under section 263(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. The changes will be effective for taxable years starting after December 31, 2025.

The "Reining In Federal Licensing Enforcement Act of 2025" or the "RIFLE Act of 2025" aims to reform the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) by modifying penalties for Federal firearms licensees who commit civil violations, changing the process for license applications, and defining "willfully" in the context of firearms license violations. The bill also requires the Attorney General to reconsider denied firearm license applications based on the new rules, establish formal inspection standards, and limit the use of firearms purchaser information. Additionally, it provides opportunities to cure violations after the acquisition of a firearms business and sets standards for criminal violations of recordkeeping requirements.

The FARM Act aims to protect U.S. agriculture by including it in the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the committee, and mandating reviews of foreign investments in U.S. agricultural businesses. It designates agricultural systems and supply chains as critical infrastructure and technologies. The Act also requires annual reports to Congress on foreign influence and potential threats in the U.S. agriculture industry, including espionage and intellectual property theft.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to fix the number of Supreme Court justices at nine. For this amendment to be valid, three-fourths of the state legislatures must ratify it within seven years of its submission.

The Pet Food Uniform Regulatory Reform Act of 2025 aims to modernize and streamline the regulation of pet food at the federal level. It establishes a uniform federal framework for pet food labeling, ingredient review, and marketing claims, while preserving states' authority over food safety. The Act defines key terms, simplifies the approval process for pet food ingredients, and sets guidelines for labeling claims such as "natural" and "human grade". Ultimately, the goal is to promote innovation, ensure pet food safety and nutritional adequacy, and provide clarity for both manufacturers and consumers.

The ALIGN Act makes 100% expensing for qualified property permanent, applying to property placed in service after September 27, 2017. This amends sections of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect the change as if it were part of previous tax legislation.