Legislative Activity

The DOE and SBA Research Act aims to enhance collaboration between the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) on research and development, ensuring small business involvement. It mandates a formal agreement between the DOE and SBA to coordinate research efforts and requires a report to Congress on the progress and future plans of this collaboration. No additional funds will be allocated to implement this act. All activities must adhere to research security guidelines.

The Rural Small Business Resilience Act ensures individuals in rural areas have full access to disaster assistance provided by the Small Business Administration. It requires the SBA to provide targeted outreach and marketing to individuals in rural areas to increase awareness of available disaster assistance. The SBA must complete these actions within one year. The bill also makes a technical correction to the Small Business Act.

This bill streamlines the House's consideration of three measures: disapproving the Department of Energy's energy conservation standards for water heaters, disapproving the EPA's rule on waste emissions charges for petroleum and natural gas systems, and establishing the congressional budget for fiscal year 2025 while setting budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026-2034. It sets specific debate times and waives certain procedural rules to expedite the process.

The "Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act" prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from providing financial assistance to individuals and businesses convicted of financial misconduct related to COVID-19 relief programs. This includes those convicted of making false statements to obtain covered loans or grants. The prohibition excludes assistance under section 7(b) of the Small Business Act and does not apply to contracts or agreements entered into before the enactment of this law.

The Small Business Procurement and Utilization Reform Act of 2025 (SPUR Act) amends the Small Business Act to modify scorecard requirements. It mandates tracking and comparing new small businesses winning prime contracts, including those owned by service-disabled veterans, HUBZone businesses, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and women. The Act defines "new small business entrant" and "scorecard," and states that no additional funds are authorized or appropriated to implement the changes.

The "Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025" updates the functions and duties of the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. These updates include adding the international economy to the Office's considerations and ensuring accuracy in terminology. The Act also expands the Office's duties to include representing small business interests before foreign governments and international entities, contributing to relevant regulatory and trade initiatives.

The "Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act" establishes federal criminal penalties for evading arrest or detention in a vehicle near the U.S. border, with increased penalties if serious injury or death results. It also makes individuals convicted of this offense inadmissible to the U.S., deportable, and ineligible for immigration benefits. Finally, it mandates an annual report from the Attorney General and Homeland Security Secretary to Congress on the enforcement and impact of this new law.

The "Midnight Rules Relief Act" allows Congress to group together and vote on multiple resolutions disapproving regulations finalized during a President's last year in office. This enables Congress to overturn several "midnight rules" with a single vote. The joint resolution would specify the rules being disapproved and declare that those rules have no legal authority.

This bill amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to allow Congress to consider multiple resolutions of disapproval for "midnight rules" (regulations finalized near the end of a presidential administration) in a single vote. It streamlines the process for Congress to review and potentially overturn regulations issued in the final days of a presidential term. The resolution sets the procedures for debating and voting on the bill, limiting debate time and restricting amendments.

The China Exchange Rate Transparency Act of 2025 directs the Secretary of the Treasury to advocate for increased transparency from China regarding its exchange rate practices within the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It calls for stronger IMF oversight of China's exchange rate policies, inclusion of any differences between China's policies and those of other major currencies in IMF consultations, and closer consideration of China's role in the international monetary system during IMF governance reviews. The Act will terminate once China adheres to IMF exchange rate rules and has similar policies to other major currencies, or seven years after enactment.

The "Protect Small Businesses from Excessive Paperwork Act of 2025" modifies the filing deadline for pre-existing reporting companies to submit beneficial ownership information. These companies now have until January 1, 2026, to comply with the filing requirements. This extension aims to ease the burden on small businesses by providing additional time to meet the new regulations.

The "Protecting American Energy Production Act" affirms that states have primary regulatory authority over hydraulic fracturing on state and private lands. It prohibits the President from enacting a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

The "HALT Fentanyl Act" permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act, streamlining research registration processes while maintaining controls. It also updates penalties for trafficking, importing, and exporting fentanyl-related substances, treating them similarly to fentanyl analogues. Additionally, the Act addresses technical errors in previous legislation and mandates the Attorney General to issue rules for implementation.

This resolution establishes the procedures for the House of Representatives to debate and vote on H.R. 27, a bill addressing the scheduling of fentanyl-related substances under the Controlled Substances Act. It sets time limits for debate, approves a specific amendment, and allows for one additional amendment and a motion to reconsider the bill. The resolution streamlines the process for considering this legislation.

The "Nutria Eradication and Control Reauthorization Act of 2025" reauthorizes the Nutria Eradication and Control Act of 2003. This extension continues the program aimed at the eradication and control of nutria populations. The act is extended through 2030.

The Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act of 2025 amends the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, allowing Village Corporations to reclaim land previously conveyed in trust to the State of Alaska for future Municipal Corporations if such corporations were never established. This reversion occurs upon request by the Village Corporation and village residents, granting the Village Corporation the title to the land, subject to existing rights and easements. The Act also eliminates the requirement for Village Corporations to convey additional land in trust for future Municipal Corporations after the Act's enactment. It clarifies land use provisions, the definition of "sale," and the use of net revenues from conveyed land for community needs.

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.