Legislative Activity

The Rural Small Business Resilience Act directs the Small Business Administration to improve disaster assistance outreach and accessibility for individuals in rural areas. Additionally, the bill includes a technical amendment to correct a numbering error within the Small Business Act.

The DOE and SBA Research Act directs the Department of Energy and the Small Business Administration to establish a formal partnership to conduct joint research and development activities. This legislation encourages the inclusion of small businesses in these initiatives and requires a report to Congress on collaborative achievements and future opportunities. The Act is designed to be budget-neutral, requiring no additional federal funding for implementation.

This resolution establishes the procedural framework for the House to consider three key measures: a disapproval of Department of Energy standards for gas-fired water heaters, a disapproval of EPA regulations regarding petroleum and natural gas waste emissions, and the establishment of the federal budget for fiscal year 2025. It sets specific time limits for debate, waives standard procedural objections, and outlines the amendment process for these legislative items.

The Small Business Procurement and Utilization Reform Act of 2025 (SPUR Act) enhances federal agency accountability by updating the small business contracting scorecard. It requires agencies to track and report the number of new small business entrants receiving prime contracts, specifically highlighting businesses owned by veterans, women, and socially or economically disadvantaged individuals. This legislation aims to increase transparency and encourage broader participation in federal procurement.

The Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025 updates the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy to better support small businesses in a global market. The bill expands the Office’s economic analysis to include international trade and mandates that it represent small business interests before foreign governments and international entities. Additionally, the legislation includes minor technical corrections to existing law.

The Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act permanently bars individuals and their associated businesses from receiving Small Business Administration (SBA) financial assistance if they have been convicted of fraud related to COVID-19 pandemic relief programs. This legislation ensures that federal support is reserved for honest entrepreneurs by excluding those who have committed financial misconduct. Existing government contracts remain unaffected by these new eligibility requirements.

The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act establishes a new federal criminal offense for using a motor vehicle to evade law enforcement near the U.S. border, with penalties increasing significantly if the act results in injury or death. Additionally, the bill mandates that non-citizens convicted of this offense are inadmissible to the U.S., subject to deportation, and ineligible for immigration relief such as asylum. The legislation also requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports to Congress detailing enforcement data and prosecution outcomes.

The Midnight Rules Relief Act streamlines the congressional review process by allowing lawmakers to bundle multiple federal agency rules issued during a President’s final year into a single joint resolution of disapproval. This legislation simplifies the process for overturning "midnight rules," enabling Congress to vote on several regulations simultaneously rather than individually.

This resolution establishes the procedural framework for the House of Representatives to consider H.R. 77, which aims to streamline the process for disapproving "midnight rules" issued at the end of a presidential administration. It sets specific parameters for debate and limits further amendments to ensure an efficient legislative review.

The Protect Small Businesses from Excessive Paperwork Act of 2025 provides regulatory relief by extending the filing deadline for beneficial ownership information reports. Under this legislation, companies formed before January 1, 2024, now have until January 1, 2026, to comply with Corporate Transparency Act requirements.

The China Exchange Rate Transparency Act of 2025 directs the U.S. Treasury to leverage its influence within the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to demand greater transparency regarding China’s exchange rate policies and market interventions. The bill aims to hold China accountable for its lack of disclosure, which currently complicates international assessments of potential currency manipulation. These requirements remain in effect until China achieves substantial compliance or a period of seven years has elapsed.

The Protecting American Energy Production Act prohibits the President from declaring a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing without explicit authorization from Congress. Additionally, the bill affirms that states should maintain primary regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing activities on state and private lands.

The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl (HALT Fentanyl) Act permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances to strengthen enforcement and penalties against their trafficking. Additionally, the bill streamlines registration processes for researchers to facilitate legitimate scientific study of these substances. It also includes technical corrections and mandates updated federal rulemaking to ensure effective implementation.

This resolution establishes the procedural framework for the House of Representatives to debate and vote on H.R. 27, which amends the Controlled Substances Act regarding the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances. It sets specific rules for floor consideration, including time limits for debate and guidelines for potential amendments.

The Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends the federal authorization for nutria management and eradication programs through 2030. This legislation ensures continued support for efforts to control the invasive species and mitigate its environmental impact.

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 Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act imposes sanctions on individuals and their families who assist the International Criminal Court (ICC) in investigating, arresting, detaining, or prosecuting "protected persons," which include U.S. citizens, military personnel, government officials, and citizens/residents of U.S. allies not consenting to the ICC. It requires the President to block the property of those who aid the ICC, deny them entry into the U.S., and rescinds any funds for the ICC. The bill allows for waivers of these sanctions if vital to U.S. national security and termination of sanctions if the ICC ceases action against protected persons.

The "Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act" ensures that infants born alive after an abortion receive the same medical care as any other newborn, mandating immediate hospitalization and requiring healthcare practitioners to report any failures to comply. Violators face fines, imprisonment, and potential prosecution for homicide or attempted homicide, while the mother of the child cannot be prosecuted. The bill also allows the woman who had the abortion to file a civil action against anyone who violated the act. It defines abortion and attempts at abortion, and renames "Partial-Birth Abortions" to "Abortions" in relevant sections of the U.S. Code.

The "Fix Our Forests Act" aims to improve forest management and wildfire resilience through landscape-scale restoration, community protection in wildland-urban interfaces, and enhanced transparency and technology. It establishes programs for wildfire risk reduction, reforestation, and biochar development, while also focusing on restoring white oak populations and supporting the families of firefighters. The act streamlines project approvals, encourages collaboration, and implements litigation reforms to expedite forest management activities. Additionally, it creates a casualty assistance program for firefighters and support personnel who are seriously injured, become ill, or die while on duty.

The Continued Rapid Ohia Death Response Act of 2025 mandates a collaborative federal and state effort to combat the fungal disease threatening Hawaii’s native ohia forests. The bill authorizes ongoing research into disease transmission, the management of ungulates in affected areas, and sustained financial and infrastructure support for forest restoration.