Legislative Activity

The "Retirement Fairness for Charities and Educational Institutions Act of 2025" modifies regulations for 403(b) plans under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Securities Act of 1933, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These modifications broaden exemptions from registration provisions for certain interests, participations, or securities related to 403(b) plans, especially those subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or where the employer acts as a fiduciary, or are governmental plans as defined in section 414. The goal is to expand the types of trusts, plans, and accounts that are excluded from being defined as investment companies. It also updates a section regarding exemptions from registration requirements for securities, adding a reference to plans described in section 3(a)(12)(C)(iv) of the Act.

The "Banning SPR Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act" prohibits the Secretary of Energy from exporting or selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, or any entity controlled by these countries or the Chinese Communist Party, with a waiver option for national security interests. The Secretary must issue a rule to carry out this section within 60 days of enactment.

The "Stop Arming Cartels Act of 2025" prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of .50 caliber rifles, with exceptions for government use and rifles lawfully possessed before the Act. It also creates an exception to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, allowing lawsuits against gun manufacturers or sellers who knowingly sell firearms in violation of the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. Additionally, the bill prohibits firearm sales to significant foreign narcotics traffickers and includes rifles in multiple firearm sales reporting requirements.

This resolution recognizes the critical role of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in advancing U.S. national security interests. It emphasizes USAID's importance in reducing global threats, promoting stability, addressing migration and extremism, and maintaining U.S. leadership against China. The resolution also references the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which requires USAID to consult with Congress on significant organizational changes.

The "Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act" expands Medicare coverage to include innovative multi-cancer early detection screening tests starting in 2028. These tests, which use genomic sequencing to detect multiple cancer types, will be covered for eligible beneficiaries with age and frequency limitations. The payment amount for these tests will initially align with that of multi-target stool screening DNA tests. This new coverage aims to improve early cancer detection without affecting existing Medicare-covered cancer screenings.

The "Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act of 2025" allows the Department of Agriculture to permit electrical utilities to remove trees and vegetation near power lines on National Forest System land to prevent wildfires without requiring a timber sale. If the utility sells the removed vegetation, the proceeds, minus transportation costs, must be given to the Secretary of Agriculture. The law ensures compliance with existing land management plans and environmental laws.

This resolution designates the week beginning February 3, 2025, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week," recognizing the vital role of TCUs in providing culturally relevant education to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and other students. TCUs serve over 230 federally recognized Indian Tribes by offering high-quality postsecondary education and workforce preparation. The resolution encourages the public to participate in activities and programs that support these institutions.

The "Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act" directs the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to study Holocaust education efforts in schools across the country. The study will determine the status of Holocaust education implementation, teaching methods, instructional materials used, and assessment methods used to evaluate students' knowledge, and the director will submit a report to Congress on the study's findings. This act aims to improve understanding of the Holocaust, educate on preventing genocide and hate, and study the history of antisemitism.

The "Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Amendment Act of 2025" amends existing law to establish an interest-bearing account within the U.S. Treasury for non-federal contributions to the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program. This fund will hold contributions and earned interest, making the funds available to the Secretary for program expenditures without further appropriation. The bill also outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Treasury Secretary and State Parties in managing and protecting these funds.

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 "Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025" aims to support youth mentoring programs by establishing a competitive grant program for eligible organizations. These grants will fund initiatives that help young people develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills, explore careers, and prepare for the workforce through mentoring and other support services. The act prioritizes programs serving high-need youth and requires grantees to report on outcomes while protecting student privacy. Additionally, the Department of Labor is directed to study mentoring programs to identify best practices and evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program.

The "Coordinated Federal Response to Extreme Heat Act of 2025" aims to reduce health risks associated with extreme heat by establishing the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It also creates the NIHHIS Interagency Committee to coordinate federal efforts in preparing for, planning for, and responding to extreme heat events. The Act mandates the development of a strategic plan to improve data collection, research, and communication related to heat-related illnesses and deaths, and authorizes $5,000,000 annually from 2025 through 2029 for these activities.

The "Charitable Act" modifies and extends the deduction for charitable contributions for individuals who do not itemize deductions. For the 2026 and 2027 tax years, the deduction is capped at one-third of the standard deduction for the individual. The bill also eliminates a penalty related to this deduction. These changes are effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

The Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act seeks to ensure that foreign non-governmental organizations are eligible for assistance under part I of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, regardless of the health or medical services they provide, as long as those services adhere to specific guidelines. It ensures that these organizations are not subject to more restrictive requirements for using non-U.S. government funds for advocacy and lobbying compared to U.S. non-governmental organizations.

This resolution expresses disapproval of any pardons granted to individuals convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers. It serves as a formal condemnation of such pardons.

This bill amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to expand eligibility and increase compensation for individuals affected by radiation exposure from Manhattan Project waste and uranium mining. It extends the claim filing period, allows for the use of affidavits as evidence, and establishes a grant program for studying the health impacts of uranium mining. The bill also addresses compensation for those present downwind of atmospheric nuclear testing, and directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a cooperative agreement to protect human and ecological health at the Amchitka, Alaska, Site.

The "Extending Limits of United States Customs Waters Act of 2025" amends the definition of "customs waters" to include the U.S. contiguous zone, extending the area in which U.S. Customs and Border Protection can enforce customs, fiscal, immigration, and sanitary laws from 12 to 24 nautical miles. This expansion aims to modernize law enforcement capabilities in response to advancements in maritime technology and safeguard law enforcement and public health interests. The act references existing presidential proclamations that define the U.S. territorial sea and contiguous zone, ensuring alignment with international law.

The "Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025" aims to combat transnational criminal organizations' use of social media and online platforms for illicit activities, including recruitment. It mandates a joint assessment by the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of State on how these organizations use online services for recruitment and illegal operations. The Act further requires a joint strategy to counter these recruitment efforts, enhance cooperation between law enforcement, and increase outreach to at-risk communities, while ensuring the protection of civil rights and liberties. This act does not authorize additional funding for implementation and clarifies that it does not expand the existing powers of the involved departments.

The "Wildland Firefighters Congressional Gold Medal Act" authorizes the Speaker of the House and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate to present a Congressional Gold Medal to wildland firefighters collectively, recognizing their service, sacrifice, and bravery. The Secretary of the Treasury will produce the medal, consulting with the National Interagency Fire Center on the design, and bronze duplicates will be made available for sale to the public. After the presentation, the medal will be given to the National Interagency Fire Center for display and research.

The VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2025 requires that the Uniform Residential Loan Application include a disclaimer informing applicants that they may qualify for a VA Home Loan if they have served in the military. It also requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on whether lenders are including the disclaimer.