Legislative Activity

The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2025 extends critical funding programs for counties containing federal lands through fiscal year 2026. This legislation ensures the continuation of secure payments and resource advisory committee authorities established under the original 2000 Act. It also streamlines payment elections for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 by carrying over the previous year's choice. Finally, the bill includes technical corrections to improve the administration of these rural support programs.

The Seniors Deserve SMARTER Care Act of 2025 aims to protect Medicare beneficiaries by prohibiting the implementation of the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) model. This legislation prevents the Department of Health and Human Services from introducing the WISeR model or any substantially similar payment and service delivery system under Medicare.

The BADGES for Native Communities Act aims to improve safety and data collection in Native communities through two main approaches. Title I focuses on enhancing data reporting for missing persons and death investigations by establishing a Tribal facilitator within the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and requiring detailed reports on law enforcement resources in Indian country. Title II supports safety through demonstration programs for BIA background checks, a grant program to coordinate responses to missing or murdered cases, and studies on evidence handling and officer counseling resources.

This resolution designates December 6th of each year as "National Miners Day." The day will honor the contributions and sacrifices of miners across the United States. It also commemorates the tragic Monongah mining disaster of 1907, which spurred significant improvements in miner safety.

This act establishes six mandatory fee-free days annually for federal recreational lands and waters, aligning with significant national holidays and service-oriented dates. The goal is to encourage public service and national pride by providing free access to these lands on specific days like Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday and Juneteenth. The Secretary of the Interior retains the authority to designate further fee-free days.

The Stop Sextortion Act criminalizes threatening to distribute child sexual abuse material, even if the material does not exist, to intimidate or coerce victims. This legislation establishes severe penalties for making such threats, mirroring those for actual distribution. Furthermore, the Act increases maximum prison sentences by ten years for crimes involving the use of child sexual abuse material to threaten or harm an individual.

The SAFE Act directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and update federal sentencing guidelines for offenses involving child sexual abuse material. This update must account for the actual harm to victims, modern technology, and the spectrum of offender culpability. The Commission is required to develop new guidelines that specifically address factors like the use of multiple online channels, involvement in prohibited sexual conduct against a child, and the impact on the victim. Importantly, the Act prohibits lowering the existing base offense level for these crimes.

The ECCHO Act establishes a new federal crime for intentionally coercing a minor under 18 to commit harmful acts, including self-harm, violence against others or animals, arson, or specific online offenses like swatting. This legislation defines coercion broadly to include manipulation, threats, and intimidation used to force a child into these prohibited actions. Penalties vary based on the severity of the coerced act, with life imprisonment possible for coercing suicide or homicide. The Act also updates existing federal laws to incorporate this new offense and ensure comprehensive enforcement.

This resolution strongly condemns white supremacy, hate, and antisemitism, specifically targeting the promotion of these dangerous ideologies by Nick Fuentes. It further condemns Tucker Carlson and Kevin Roberts for platforming and defending Fuentes's documented antisemitic and Holocaust-denying statements. The resolution affirms the nation's commitment to fighting antisemitism and urges all leaders to reject these hateful views.

The Junk Fee Prevention Act aims to protect consumers by requiring clear, upfront disclosure of all mandatory fees for event tickets, short-term lodging, and communications services. This legislation prohibits excessive or deceptive fees across these sectors and specifically bans early termination fees for communication services. Furthermore, it mandates increased transparency regarding ancillary fees charged by airlines.

The HALOS Act of 2025 directs the SEC to revise rules regarding general solicitation to allow issuers to present at certain sponsored events without violating prohibitions against general advertising. These events must be hosted by approved entities like universities, incubators, or angel groups, and adhere to strict guidelines regarding advertising and sponsor involvement. This clarification aims to facilitate capital formation for startups by providing a clearer path for them to connect with potential investors.

This Act establishes a process for the FAA to create new rules mandating airline compensation for flight cancellations and significant delays within the airline's control. It requires the formation of a committee to develop recommendations, including specific cash compensation amounts, free rebooking, and coverage for amenities like meals and lodging. The Secretary of Transportation must then issue proposed and interim final rules to implement these passenger protections, including an immediate interim compensation of $750 for airline-caused disruptions.

The Native American Seeds Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a program to collect, produce, and preserve Native American seeds in consultation with Indian Tribes. This legislation mandates the development of seed banks and nurseries to support these culturally significant seeds. Furthermore, the Act requires collaboration with Tribes to identify and protect these seeds while ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive Tribal information.

This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from any hostilities within or against Venezuela that have not been explicitly authorized by Congress. It affirms Congress's constitutional authority to declare war and mandates expedited procedures for considering this measure. The resolution ensures that any ongoing military action against Venezuela ceases unless Congress provides a specific authorization for the use of force.

The Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act of 2025 aims to strengthen protections for unaccompanied children navigating the immigration system. This bill exempts these children from various immigration-related fees, including those for asylum and employment authorization. Furthermore, it places limitations on body examinations and restricts the sharing of sponsor information with immigration enforcement agencies. The Act also mandates the refund of previously paid fees that are now waived.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act of 2025 enhances the FDA's authority to require pediatric investigations for new molecularly targeted cancer drugs. It also extends the priority review voucher program designed to incentivize the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases until September 2030. Furthermore, the bill mandates studies to assess the effectiveness of these new drug investigation requirements and the existing voucher program.

This bill, the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2025, mandates an increase in disability compensation and dependency and indemnity compensation rates for veterans. Effective December 1, 2025, these rates will be raised by the same percentage as the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for that year. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is required to implement these increases and publish the adjusted rates.

The Restoring Food Security for American Families and Farmers Act of 2025 aims to strengthen domestic food security by repealing specific sections of a previous law (Public Law 11921). This repeal effectively reinstates the original statutes that were previously altered by those sections.

The Bring Our Heroes Home Act mandates the collection and prompt public disclosure of all U.S. government records concerning Armed Forces and civilian personnel missing since December 7, 1941. It establishes an independent Review Board to oversee the transfer of these records to the National Archives and to rule on any proposed postponements of disclosure. The Act aims to provide the fullest possible accounting to the American public and the families of the missing, with only narrow, clearly defined exceptions to release.

The Background Check Expansion Act mandates that nearly all private firearm transfers between unlicensed individuals must go through a licensed dealer to complete a federal background check. This legislation establishes a universal background check requirement for these transactions, with specific exceptions for family gifts and law enforcement transfers. The bill aims to close loopholes in existing firearm transfer laws while explicitly prohibiting the creation of a national firearms registry.