Legislative Activity

The Northern Arizona Protection Act invalidates the recent presidential designation of the Baaj Nwaavjo Itah Kukveni-Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. This legislation explicitly prohibits the future establishment or expansion of any national monuments in that specific area of Arizona. Moving forward, monument designation in this region requires explicit authorization through an Act of Congress.

The Southern Arizona Protection Act revokes Presidential Proclamation 7320 concerning the Ironwood Forest area in Arizona. This legislation specifically prohibits the designation or extension of any new national monuments within the boundaries generally shown on the June 12, 2000 map for the Ironwood Forest National Monument. Future monument designations in this area will require an act of Congress.

The District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act standardizes and streamlines Congressional review of D.C. laws by extending the review period to 60 days and eliminating special treatment for criminal legislation. It establishes expedited procedures for Congress to consider resolutions of disapproval against D.C. actions and grants Congress the power to reject specific provisions within D.C. laws or executive orders. Furthermore, the bill prevents the D.C. Council from withdrawing transmitted acts or resubmitting laws substantially similar to those previously disapproved by Congress.

The End the Vaccine Carveout Act fundamentally changes vaccine injury compensation by allowing individuals to choose between filing a claim through the existing National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program or suing the manufacturer or administrator directly in court. This legislation removes the liability shield for vaccine makers and eliminates time limits for filing claims with the Program. Additionally, it specifically excludes COVID-19 vaccines from existing countermeasure liability protections.

This Act authorizes the conveyance of approximately 3,400 acres of specified Bureau of Land Management (BLM) federal land in La Paz County, Arizona, to the County. The transfer requires the County to pay fair market value and adhere to strict conditions protecting cultural and environmental resources. Furthermore, the recipient must agree to protect Native American artifacts in consultation with the Colorado River Indian Tribes.

The Enhancing Safety for Animals Act of 2025 officially delists the Mexican wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species. This legislation voids previous management rules and mandates that future recovery plans for the species in the U.S. must exclude consideration of the wolf population in Mexico. The bill also addresses concerns regarding compensation standards for ranchers suffering livestock losses due to wolf predation.

The Protect RAIL Act amends immigration law to prevent non-citizens convicted of or admitting to crimes involving the theft or tampering of goods shipped across state or international lines from entering the United States. Furthermore, this bill makes non-citizens already in the U.S. deportable if they have committed such offenses related to interstate or foreign shipments.

This Act establishes the death penalty or life imprisonment as the mandatory punishment for individuals convicted of distributing, manufacturing, or possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, if that action results in another person's death. It significantly increases the penalties for fentanyl offenses that lead to fatalities.

The Putting Trust in Transparency Act mandates that any tax-exempt organization receiving federal funding must publicly disclose the names, zip codes, and donation amounts of its major contributors listed on IRS Form 990 Schedule B. This is intended to increase oversight of organizations acting as government agents using taxpayer money. Failure to comply with this new public disclosure requirement can result in the revocation of the organization's tax-exempt status.

The Fairness for High-Skilled Americans Act of 2025 aims to eliminate the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, which currently allows F-1 student visa holders to gain temporary work authorization after completing their studies. This bill removes the government's authority to grant such work permission unless explicitly authorized by a future Act of Congress.

The Public Land Renewable Energy Development Act of 2025 establishes a framework for developing solar and wind energy projects on federal lands. It sets rules for grandfathering existing project fees and mandates a specific revenue-sharing structure for income generated from these new projects starting in 2026. This revenue will be divided equally among the relevant state, county, federal program administration, and a new Renewable Energy Resource Conservation Fund dedicated to local habitat restoration and public access improvements.

The "Local Zoning Decisions Protection Act of 2025" nullifies specific Department of Housing and Urban Development rules and notices related to fair housing. It prevents federal funds from being used to create databases tracking racial or affordable housing disparities. The Act also mandates the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to consult with state, local, and public housing officials to develop Fair Housing Act recommendations and create a report, emphasizing collaboration and transparency.

The Local Zoning Decisions Protection Act of 2025 nullifies specific Department of Housing and Urban Development rules and notices related to fair housing and prohibits the use of federal funds for databases tracking racial disparities in communities. It also requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to consult with state, local, and public housing officials to develop recommendations supporting the Fair Housing Act, emphasizing collaboration and transparency. The Act mandates a public review process and the publication of a final report detailing these recommendations.

The "Downwinders Parity Act of 2025" amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand coverage areas to include all acreage in counties partially within the covered area, while removing specific townships. It extends the trust fund supporting the Act until December 31, 2030. Additionally, it requires the Attorney General to report on outreach efforts to newly eligible individuals.

The "Stop the Censorship Act" seeks to narrow the scope of Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, modifying the protections for online platforms regarding user-generated content. It redefines protected material as "unlawful material" and includes actions taken to restrict access to other material, regardless of constitutional protection, within the scope of the Act. These changes aim to revise the immunities provided to online platforms concerning content moderation.

The Land And Social Security Optimization Act (LASSO Act) directs 10% of the revenue generated from activities on public lands managed by the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to be deposited into the Social Security Trust Fund annually. This act does not authorize increasing prices for activities on public lands, nor does it reduce funds available to states, Indian Tribes, territories, or local governments from revenue generated on public lands.