Legislative Activity

This bill proposes extending E-1 treaty trader visa eligibility to nationals of the Czech Republic. This status would allow qualified Czech citizens to enter the United States for substantial trade, provided the Czech government offers reciprocal visa treatment to U.S. nationals.

The Marc Fischer Memorial Act mandates that the Bureau of Prisons implement a comprehensive strategy to achieve 100% digital scanning of all inmate mail to interdict fentanyl and other synthetic drugs. By transitioning to digital mail processing, the Act aims to protect staff and inmates from lethal exposure, improve institutional security, and alleviate the administrative burden on correctional personnel.

The CARGO Act of 2025 prohibits the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from funding research or programs involving live animals outside of the United States. This bill addresses concerns over the lack of oversight and potential mistreatment of animals in foreign research projects funded by American taxpayers. The Act ensures that NIH funding for animal research is restricted to projects conducted within the U.S. and its territories.

The "Truth in Tuition Act of 2025" mandates that colleges provide students with clear information about tuition costs, either through a multi-year tuition schedule or a single-year schedule accompanied by a multi-year cost estimate. Colleges opting for single-year schedules must also disclose the historical accuracy of their estimates. The Secretary of Education has the authority to waive these requirements under specific circumstances. This act aims to provide students with greater transparency and predictability regarding the cost of their education.

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 "Spent Fuel Prioritization Act of 2025" amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, changing how the Energy Secretary prioritizes accepting high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Priority is given to waste from decommissioned reactors, reactors in densely populated areas, areas with high earthquake risk, and areas with national security risks due to continued on-site storage. This aims to address the most urgent risks associated with storing nuclear waste.

The Right to Contraception Act establishes a federal right for individuals to access and use contraception without government interference. It prohibits federal and state governments from enacting laws that restrict access to contraceptives or the provision of related services. The Act provides clear enforcement mechanisms, allowing individuals and the Attorney General to sue to strike down any rule that violates these protections.

The "Combating Rural Inflation Act" directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to create a monthly Consumer Price Index for Rural Consumers, starting in January 2026. This index will track changes in typical spending for people living in rural communities in the United States.

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 Quashing Unwanted and Interruptive Electronic Telecommunications (QUIET) Act mandates that all AI-generated robocalls and text messages clearly disclose the use of artificial intelligence at the start of the communication. Additionally, the bill doubles the civil and criminal penalties for bad actors who use AI to impersonate individuals or organizations with the intent to defraud or cause harm.

The US-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act authorizes the President to grant Kazakhstan permanent normal trade relations status. This legislation recognizes Kazakhstan’s compliance with international freedom of emigration requirements and its commitment to World Trade Organization standards. By terminating the application of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974, the bill aims to modernize and solidify the bilateral trade relationship between the two nations.

The 9/11 Memorial and Museum Act authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide a one-time grant of $5 million to $10 million to support the operation, security, and maintenance of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. To receive these funds, the organization must meet specific requirements, including providing free admission to first responders, military personnel, and victims' families, as well as submitting to annual federal audits.

This resolution formally recognizes the Islamic Republic of Iran as a significant threat to global stability due to its advancing nuclear program, sponsorship of terrorism, and hostile actions against the United States and its allies. It underscores the danger posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions and demands an immediate cessation of activities that threaten international security. The bill affirms that all options should be considered to address these threats while clarifying that it does not authorize the use of military force.

This resolution designates February 4, 2025, as "National Cancer Prevention Day" to raise awareness about reducing cancer risks and the importance of early detection. It highlights the urgent need to address the disease's impact on families while supporting the Cancer Moonshot initiative's goal to significantly reduce cancer mortality rates.

The Health Out-of-Pocket Expense (HOPE) Act of 2025 establishes tax-exempt trust accounts designed to help individuals cover qualified medical expenses. These accounts allow for tax-advantaged contributions from employers and state programs, provided the account holder meets specific eligibility and coverage requirements. Distributions used for qualified medical expenses are tax-free, while non-medical withdrawals are subject to income tax and a 30 percent penalty.

The Parity Enforcement Act of 2025 strengthens mental health and substance use disorder coverage by authorizing the Department of Labor to impose civil monetary penalties on plan sponsors, administrators, and insurers that fail to meet federal parity requirements. By expanding enforcement authority under ERISA, this legislation ensures greater accountability for health plans that do not provide equitable coverage. These provisions are set to take effect for plan years beginning more than one year after the bill’s enactment.

The Protect Our Clothes from PFAS Act aims to update federal tariff classifications for water-resistant garments. By removing specific criteria from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, this bill seeks to modernize how apparel is categorized in relation to water-resistance standards.

The Railway Safety Act of 2025 establishes comprehensive new safety standards across the freight rail industry, focusing heavily on trains transporting hazardous materials. The bill mandates stricter rules for train operations, requires enhanced rail car inspections, and sets a phase-out date for older, less safe tank cars. Furthermore, it increases civil penalties for safety violations, institutes a minimum two-person crew requirement for most freight trains, and funds infrastructure improvements like advanced track monitoring.

The Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act prohibits the sale or export of petroleum from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, or entities controlled by these nations. This legislation aims to protect national security by ensuring that emergency oil reserves are not diverted to foreign adversaries. The Secretary of Energy may only waive this prohibition if it is certified to be in the national security interest of the United States.

The "Non-Recognition of Russian Annexation of Ukrainian Territory Act" prohibits the United States from recognizing Russia's claim of sovereignty over any portion of Ukraine. It also prevents any federal department or agency from taking actions that would imply recognition of such claims.