Legislative Activity

The Foreign Adversary Patent Disclosure Act mandates that patent applicants disclose specific financial and employment ties to designated foreign adversaries, including the People's Republic of China and Russia. This requirement applies to individuals with an ownership interest in the invention who have recent connections to these entities through employment, funding, or other financial incentives. The USPTO Director can request verification of these disclosures, though small businesses with existing reporting requirements are exempt.

The Prohibiting Adversarial Patents Act of 2026 restricts the issuance and enforcement of U.S. patents for individuals or entities linked to the Chinese military-industrial complex or surveillance activities. This bill prevents specified high-risk persons from receiving new patents or enforcing existing ones, though the President retains narrow authority to waive these restrictions for national security reasons. The legislation aims to safeguard U.S. technological innovation from entities posing a threat to national security.

The Thwarting Regional Adversary Investments Now (TRAIN) Act mandates the Department of State to provide technical training to officials in friendly South and Central Asian nations. This training is designed to help them identify and mitigate legal and financial risks associated with accepting investments or loans from foreign adversaries. Furthermore, the Secretary of State must submit an annual report to Congress detailing the training provided and analyzing any new agreements signed by these countries with regional adversaries.

This bill, the "BRIDGE Act," mandates a comprehensive report detailing how the People's Republic of China uses its Belt and Road Initiative to undermine the U.S.-led world order. It requires the administration to develop and submit a detailed, government-wide strategy for effectively countering China's economic and political reach through the BRI. The legislation aims to ensure a unified U.S. response coordinated with allies to promote shared economic growth within a free and open international system.

The Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act of 2025 targets fraud in the bail process. This legislation amends federal law to specifically disqualify individuals who commit fraud related to posting bail from participating in certain bail-related activities.

The Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act amends federal law to expand the definition of unlicensed money transmitting businesses. This legislation establishes criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly manage or control unlicensed operations involving currency or digital value substitutes.

The Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act aims to promote de-escalation by exempting specific, clearly defined less-than-lethal projectile devices from federal firearm restrictions and excise taxes. This legislation provides a formal process for determining which devices qualify for these exemptions under both federal law and the National Firearms Act. The bill also modernizes tax regulations by exempting qualifying less-than-lethal devices and their ammunition from federal excise taxes.

This bill authorizes the establishment of two memorials to honor Wisconsin infantry soldiers who fought in the Civil War battles of Antietam and the Second Battle of Bull Run. The memorials will be placed at the respective National Park Service battlefields. All design, construction, and installation costs must be covered by non-federal funding.

This act expands the investigative authority of the U.S. Secret Service to specifically target unlicensed money transmitting businesses and money laundering related to cybercrime. It also modifies the term length for the Director of FinCEN and mandates a GAO report on law enforcement's ability to deter money laundering in cyber activities. Overall, the bill strengthens federal efforts to combat financial crimes facilitated by technology.

The Middle Class Home Tax Elimination Act removes the current dollar limitations on the tax exclusion for capital gains realized from the sale of a principal residence. This means homeowners will no longer face caps on the amount of profit they can exclude from federal income tax when selling their primary home. This change applies to all applicable home sales occurring after the date of enactment.

This Act mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study on how federal banking regulators review merger applications for insured depository institutions. The study will evaluate the use of commitments and conditions in these reviews to ensure they align with the law and assess their impact on financial stability and competition. The GAO must report its findings to Congress within one year of enactment.

This resolution formally honors the six individuals killed in the tragic 2021 Waukesha Christmas parade attack and recognizes the 62 injured. It acknowledges the Waukesha community's resilience and ongoing efforts to memorialize the victims. The resolution also commends the dedicated work of first responders and health professionals following the devastating event.

The NDO Fairness Act amends federal law to establish specific rules governing when law enforcement can obtain a court order preventing electronic service providers from notifying customers that their data has been requested. Courts must make specific written findings, based on articulable facts, that denying the order would seriously jeopardize an investigation, unless the offense involves child pornography. Once an order expires, the government must notify the affected customer within five business days and provide them with details about the request. The Attorney General is also required to submit an annual report detailing the use of these nondisclosure orders.

The Bank Competition Modernization Act modifies the competitive review process for certain bank merger and holding company transactions. Specifically, it limits the antitrust considerations for transactions resulting in an entity with less than a specified asset threshold, currently set at $\$10$ billion. This asset threshold will be automatically adjusted annually based on changes in the U.S. nominal Gross Domestic Product.

This bill, the STUDENT Act, seeks to fundamentally alter the federal charter and operations of the National Education Association (NEA). It imposes strict new requirements on the organization's political activities, membership dues collection from government employees, and governance structure. Furthermore, the Act prohibits the NEA and its affiliates from engaging in strikes or promoting specific controversial ideological beliefs within schools.

This bill aims to protect vital U.S. companies from foreign regulations that target American technology leadership, particularly concerning digital market rules. It prevents U.S. courts from enforcing foreign legal judgments against these critical entities based on such regulations. Furthermore, the President is granted authority to shield these companies from adverse foreign actions when deemed in the national interest.

The **PROTECT USA Act of 2025** aims to shield U.S. companies integral to national interests—especially those in energy, manufacturing, and resource extraction—from foreign sustainability regulations. It generally prohibits these key entities from complying with foreign due diligence rules that conflict with U.S. interests. Furthermore, the bill provides legal protections and penalties against any adverse action taken against these companies for adhering to U.S. law over foreign mandates.

The Expanding Access to Lending Options Act directs the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) to prioritize the safety and soundness of federally chartered credit unions. This legislation primarily amends the Federal Credit Union Act by extending the maximum holding period for certain real estate assets from 15 to 20 years. It also clarifies the eligibility language for property involved in these real estate loans.

The Stopping Proxy Advisor Racketeering Act establishes new rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to ensure proxy advisory firms provide unbiased voting recommendations to shareholders. This bill prohibits firms from issuing advice if they have conflicts of interest, such as simultaneously consulting for the company being advised upon or actively working with one side of a shareholder proposal. The legislation grants the SEC authority to impose civil penalties on firms that violate these new standards.

The Halting Uncertain Methods and Practices in Supervision Act of 2025 (HUMPS Act) aims to increase objectivity and consistency in how banks are rated by regulators. This bill mandates the update of the CAMELS rating system to establish clear, measurable standards for each component. The goal is to ensure that bank supervision focuses strictly on core financial health rather than subjective examiner judgment.