Legislative Activity

The "National Right-to-Work Act" aims to protect individual employees' rights to choose whether or not to join or support a labor union. It amends the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to eliminate mandatory union membership or fees as a condition of employment. This ensures that employees cannot be forced to join or contribute to a union against their will. The changes apply to agreements made or renewed after the Act's enactment.

The "1071 Repeal to Protect Small Business Lending Act" repeals Section 704B of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which mandated data collection on small business loans. This repeal aims to reduce compliance costs for financial institutions, especially smaller ones, and improve small businesses' access to credit by removing regulatory barriers. The act also makes related amendments to the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

The Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 aims to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and countering its support for terrorism by imposing sanctions on those involved in logistical transactions of Iranian oil, gas, and petrochemical products. It mandates the President to block the property of sanctioned individuals and entities within the U.S. and deny them U.S. visas, with potential waivers based on national interest. The Act also establishes an Interagency Working Group to coordinate and enhance the enforcement of sanctions against Iran, and encourages the formation of a multilateral contact group with similar countries to coordinate international enforcement of sanctions against Iran. Finally, the Act amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include identifying individuals or entities involved in activities that violate or evade sanctions under the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025.

This bill transfers the responsibilities of the Food for Peace Act from the United States Agency for International Development to the Department of Agriculture. It ensures program continuity by allowing the Secretary of Agriculture to implement immediate regulation amendments and utilize existing statutory authorities. The Department of Agriculture will also continue the Famine Early Warning Systems Network to monitor and mitigate food insecurity. The Secretary of Agriculture is required to consult regularly with the Secretary of State when implementing title II of the Food for Peace Act.

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to permanently set the number of U.S. Supreme Court justices at nine. If ratified by three-fourths of the states within seven years, this amendment would constitutionally mandate the current size of the Court.

The "Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2025" aims to increase transparency and accountability in federal agency rulemaking by requiring congressional approval for major rules with significant economic impact (over $100 million). It establishes procedures for congressional review and approval or disapproval of both major and non-major rules, mandates the publication of guidance documents, and sets expiration dates for major rules. The Act also requires agencies to conduct retrospective reviews of existing rules and includes a regulatory budget to control the costs of regulations. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study the number and economic impact of existing rules.

The "Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act of 2025" prevents the Department of Veterans Affairs from sharing veterans' personal information with the national instant criminal background check system (NICS) based solely on the appointment of a fiduciary to manage their benefits. Information can only be shared if a judicial authority determines the veteran poses a danger to themselves or others.

The "Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act" exempts family farms and small businesses from being considered as assets when calculating eligibility for federal financial aid under the Higher Education Act of 1965. This exemption applies to family farms where the family resides and small businesses with 100 or fewer employees that the family owns and controls. These changes will apply to financial aid award years starting after the enactment of this Act.

This resolution designates February 2025 as "Career and Technical Education Month" to recognize the vital role of CTE in preparing students for high-demand, skilled careers. It highlights the importance of workforce training in meeting modern economic needs and encourages educators, parents, and administrators to promote CTE as a valuable and respected educational pathway.

The TORNADO Act aims to significantly improve the nation's ability to forecast, communicate, and respond to hazardous weather events. It establishes new offices and strategic plans to enhance the clarity and speed of public warnings, mandates a review of the tornado rating system, and refocuses key tornado research programs. Ultimately, the bill seeks to leverage better science and communication strategies to save lives and protect property from severe storms and other natural hazards.

The AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2025 mandates that new passenger vehicles sold in the U.S. must include standard equipment capable of receiving AM broadcast signals within a few years of the law's enactment. This requirement aims to ensure drivers retain access to crucial emergency alerts, overriding conflicting state or local laws. The bill also directs the GAO to study the reliability of AM radio versus other emergency alert technologies in vehicles.

The Fair Access to Banking Act aims to ensure equal access to financial services by preventing banks and credit unions from denying services to individuals or entities engaged in lawful activities based on subjective or politically motivated reasons. It sets requirements for banks with over $10 billion in assets, prohibiting them from denying services based on reputational risk and requiring them to justify denials with documented, risk-based standards. The act also allows individuals to sue financial institutions that violate these requirements, with the potential for treble damages and attorney fees awarded to successful plaintiffs. Furthermore, it restricts access to Federal Reserve lending programs and the Automated Clearing House Network for institutions that fail to comply with the Act.

The SHOW UP Act of 2025 requires federal executive agencies to reinstate the telework policies and practices that were in effect on December 31, 2019. To expand telework beyond those pre-pandemic levels, agencies must conduct a comprehensive impact study and obtain certification from the Office of Personnel Management proving that such changes will improve mission performance and reduce operational costs.

The Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act amends the Social Security Act to provide Medicare coverage for FDA-approved multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests starting in 2028. This legislation establishes a formal coverage and payment framework for these innovative blood-based tests while ensuring they complement, rather than replace, existing cancer screening protocols.

The Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2025 establishes a grant program to fund school-community partnerships dedicated to implementing effective drug prevention strategies. By providing up to $75,000 annually to eligible coalitions, the initiative aims to reduce youth substance use, including vaping, in elementary, middle, and high schools.

The Laken Riley Act mandates the detention of illegal aliens who commit theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. It empowers state attorneys general to sue the Department of Homeland Security or the Secretary of State if they believe the state or its residents are harmed by violations of immigration enforcement or visa granting. The bill aims to ensure that these aliens are detained throughout their removal proceedings and to provide states with legal recourse against perceived failures in federal immigration enforcement.

The Snap Back Inaccurate SNAP Payments Act reforms the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by eliminating the tolerance threshold for small payment errors, ensuring all errors are accounted for in state performance metrics. The bill mandates that states actively pursue the recovery of all benefit overpayments and ties state liability directly to their success in recouping those funds. These measures aim to increase program accountability and incentivize states to minimize payment inaccuracies.

This resolution designates January 2025 as "National Stalking Awareness Month" to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of stalking. It encourages support for victims, improved criminal justice responses, and increased education about stalking, particularly among young adults and college students. The resolution also urges organizations, businesses, and the media to promote awareness of stalking during the designated month.

The Stop Illegal Reentry Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to significantly increase criminal penalties for foreign nationals who reenter the United States after being removed or deported. The bill establishes stricter sentencing guidelines, including mandatory minimum prison terms for individuals with prior aggravated felony convictions or repeated reentry offenses. Additionally, it expands the legal definition of "removal" to include departures agreed upon during criminal proceedings.

This concurrent resolution recognizes the significant historical and ongoing contributions of tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies to communities across the United States. It acknowledges their extensive volunteer network and substantial charitable giving, which helps to meet various needs and support financial security. The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status continues to benefit the country and that their work should be encouraged.