Legislative Activity

This House Resolution strongly condemns all violent attacks and threats against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and facilities. It reaffirms Congress's full support for ICE's mission to protect national security and public safety through immigration law enforcement. The resolution calls on federal agencies to investigate past incidents and enhance protection for personnel against ongoing threats, including doxxing. Finally, it urges public officials to cease using hostile rhetoric against law enforcement.

The TRUSTED Broadband Networks Act aims to speed up the replacement of risky communications equipment by streamlining federal reviews. This bill exempts projects focused on permanently removing insecure gear and installing trusted alternatives from lengthy environmental (NEPA) and historic preservation (NHPA) reviews. The goal is to ensure a faster and more dependable upgrade of broadband networks.

The App Store Freedom Act aims to foster competition by prohibiting large operating system owners from imposing anti-competitive restrictions on their app stores. This bill mandates open access for developers to system features and prevents platform owners from forcing the use of their own payment systems. Enforcement will be handled by the FTC, with provisions for state action and significant civil penalties for non-compliance.

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act establishes a new federal process allowing victims of human trafficking to petition courts to vacate convictions or expunge arrest records related to crimes committed as a direct result of their victimization. It also introduces a duress defense based on trafficking victimization for defendants facing federal charges. Furthermore, the bill ensures grant funding for legal representation can be used for post-conviction relief and mandates reports to track the implementation of these new survivor protections.

The Kayla Hamilton Act overhauls the placement and safety protocols for unaccompanied alien children in federal custody. It mandates stricter vetting of sponsors and households, prohibiting placement with individuals having certain criminal histories. Furthermore, the bill requires enhanced screening for flight risk, gang affiliation, and criminal records for older children before release decisions are made. Finally, it streamlines implementation by exempting certain administrative rulemaking processes.

This resolution formally honors the life and heroic sacrifice of Mr. Anderson "Chase" Childers, a former Georgia police officer who died saving swimmers from a deadly rip current in South Carolina. It recognizes his selfless act of bravery, which reflected his lifelong commitment to service and duty. The resolution also expresses condolences to his family and supports public education efforts regarding rip current dangers.

The SHOWER Act revises the federal definition of a "showerhead" for energy efficiency standards by aligning it with the ASME A112.18.1-2024 standard. This change specifically excludes "safety shower showerheads" from efficiency regulations. The Secretary of Energy is required to update all relevant regulations within 180 days to reflect this new definition.

The CIRCUIT Act expands the existing advanced manufacturing production tax credit to specifically include the production of distribution transformers. This amendment allows manufacturers to claim a tax credit equal to 10 percent of the costs incurred to produce these essential components. The goal is to incentivize the domestic manufacturing of critical utility infrastructure.

The Targeting Child Predators Act of 2025 shifts the authority for issuing certain administrative subpoenas from the Treasury to the Department of Homeland Security. This bill establishes a mandatory 180-day nondisclosure requirement for recipients of these subpoenas if the issuing official certifies that disclosure would seriously impede an investigation. Furthermore, it creates a formal judicial review process allowing recipients to challenge these secrecy orders in federal court.

The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act of 2025 establishes a program allowing retiring federal law enforcement officers to purchase their service weapons upon retirement. This program, administered by the GSA, permits eligible officers in good standing to buy the firearm during a six-month window after it is officially retired. The purchase price will be based on the weapon's determined salvage value.

The Modernizing Access to Our Public Oceans Act aims to improve public access to ocean data within the Exclusive Economic Zone. It mandates the standardization and online publication of geospatial data regarding fishing restrictions and recreational activities. This effort requires the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate with various governmental and non-federal partners to ensure data accessibility while preserving existing agency authority and Tribal rights.

This bill amends the National Child Protection Act of 1993 to expand background check requirements for individuals working with vulnerable populations. It specifically mandates checks for contractors and licensed or certified individuals working with organizations that contract with qualified entities. This broadens the scope beyond direct employees to include a wider range of personnel interacting with vulnerable groups.

The "Promptly Ending Political Prosecutions and Executive Retaliation Act of 2025" modifies the process for removing legal actions involving federal officials to a different jurisdiction, especially concerning the President, Vice President, and former holders of those offices. It establishes a clearer path for federal officials to claim immunity from state charges in federal court, presuming immunity unless proven otherwise by clear and convincing evidence. The Act also restricts the evidence courts can consider when determining immunity and ensures legal representation for federal officials in these cases. These changes apply retroactively to ongoing cases and those initiated after the Act's enactment.

The Trafficking Survivors Relief Act of 2025 aims to provide legal relief to victims of trafficking by allowing them to vacate convictions or expunge arrests for certain federal offenses committed as a direct result of their trafficking. It also allows for reduced sentences for covered prisoners and enables the use of grant funds for legal representation in post-conviction relief cases. The act further establishes a "human trafficking defense," and mandates reports to Congress on the implementation and impact of these provisions. This bill seeks to address the exploitation of forced criminal activity by human traffickers and provide support and protection to survivors.

The "Chinese Spy Balloon Assessment Act" mandates the Secretary of Defense to deliver a report to the Senate and House Armed Services Committees. This report will detail the national security implications resulting from China's surveillance activities, specifically those conducted via the high-altitude balloon that was downed in U.S. airspace in February 2023, including any impact on military installations. The report will include an analysis of recovered technology and materials, identifying their origins where possible.